DSM-5 Pocket Guide for Elder Mental Health by Dr. Wang, a geriatric psychiatrist, and co-author psychiatrist Abraham M. Nussbaum, MD, of Denver Health and University of Colorado, puts easy-to-read information on elder mental health problems and treatment at the fingertips of primary care and other physicians, physician assistants, nurses, social workers as well as family members familiar with the day-to-day activities of the older adult to help secure the correct diagnosis and treatment. Full Story

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the selection of eight states for participation in a two-year Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration program designed to improve behavioral health services in their communities. This demonstration is part of a comprehensive effort to integrate behavioral health with physical health care, increase consistent use of evidence-based practices, and improve access to high quality care for people with mental and substance use disorders. The eight states HHS selected for this demonstration program include Minnesota, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. States have until July 1, 2017 to begin their two-year demonstration programs. Full Story

A recent VA study points to a possible breakthrough in differentiating between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), otherwise known as a concussion. The two disorders often carry similar symptoms, such as irritability, restlessness, hypersensitivity to stimulation, memory loss, fatigue and dizziness. Scientists have tried to distinguish between mTBI and PTSD in hopes of improving treatment options for Veterans, but many symptom-based studies have been inconclusive because the chronic effects of the two conditions are so similar. If someone is rating high on an mTBI scale, for example, that person may also rate high for PTSD symptoms. Full Story

It is likely to be at least 10 years before any new generation of antidepressants comes to market, despite evidence that depression and anxiety rates are increasing across the world, reported Reuters. The depression drug pipeline has run dry partly due to a "failure of science" they said, but also due to big pharma pulling investment out of research and development (R&D) in the neuroscience field because the profit potential is uncertain. Full Story

The American public has again ranked nurses as the professionals with the highest honesty and ethical standards, according to a Gallup poll. The annual poll marks the 15th consecutive year that nurses have been ranked the most trusted out of a wide spectrum of professions. Full Story

A San Diego nonprofit is taking an unorthodox approach to help seniors cope with Alzheimer's disease. It's building a fake town modeled after 1950s American culture for them to spend time during the day. The village is modeled on San Diego in the 1950s, complete with vintage cars, period music, payphones and shops from the pre-shopping mall, pre-Wal-Mart era. The nonprofit says research suggests this type of visual reminder might improve cognitive function and quality of life of Alzheimer's patients over 65, reported NPR. Full Story

College campuses across the U.S. have seen an increased demand for mental health counseling centers, but students aren’t necessarily developing more mental problems than they were a decade ago. Instead, it’s more likely that the boom in campus interventions is a result of greater mental health awareness and prevention efforts according to the 2016 Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH) Annual Report. Click here to access the report.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized changes to Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records regulations, (42 CFR Part 2) to facilitate health integration and information exchange within new health care models while continuing to protect the privacy and confidentiality of patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders. In addition to the Final Rule, HHS is also issuing a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) today. The SNPRM is being issued to seek public input on some additional clarifications and suggestions, especially regarding the important role of contractors, subcontractors and legal representatives in the health care system with respect to payment and health care operations. Full Story

As part of a larger effort to address Montana's decades-long place among the states with the highest suicide rates, state mental health officials are recommending a significant number of health care providers be trained in depression and suicide prevention screening, reported the Billings Gazette. The Montana Suicide Mortality Review Team included in its 2016 annual report a recommendation for mandatory suicide prevention and risk assessment training for primary care providers that could help them better recognize, address and find help for people at risk. Full Story

Millions of Americans gained health insurance coverage for mental illness and substance use disorders under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but this did not translate into an increase in treatment, with the result that a huge, unmet need remains, new research shows. Investigators, led by Brendan Saloner, PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, found only very minimal increases in treatment of mental health disorders and no increase in treatment of substance use disorders after the ACA was passed, reported MedScape. Full Story

In response to alarming evidence of high rates of depression and suicide among U.S. health care workers, the National Academy of Medicine is launching a wide-ranging “action collaborative” of multiple organizations to promote clinician well-being and resilience. To date, more than 20 professional and educational organizations have committed to the NAM-led initiative, which will identify priorities and collective efforts to advance evidence-based solutions and promote multidisciplinary approaches that will reverse the trends in clinician stress and ultimately improve patient care and outcomes. Full Story

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is Accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the
American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.