Research News
To ensure that we are providing the best and most current information to our members, NAMI monitors current research across the field of mental health. On this page, you can find up-to-date information from government organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), private institutions like the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, and academic and industry researchers.
For more new stories from the National Institute of Mental Health, please visit their Science News website.
For more new stories from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, please visit their Newsletter website.
Feb 28 2019
Suicide is the second most common cause of death for people aged 10-24 in the US. Despite this significant and alarming public health issue, there have been very few successful intervention programs for high-risk teens. Encouragingly, a recently-published study shows that when the adults in a high-risk teen’s caregiving environment receive education and support, the risk of death by suicide is reduced by half. For more information about this study, please see this article from Vox.
Feb 25 2019
In May 2018 the US Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs created a 16-point Joint Action Plan to improve the mental health resources for service members transitioning from active duty to civilian life. The VA now reports that 7 of the 16 points have been completed and early data is very encouraging. In one month, for example, one-third of the 8,000 service members who participated in the Transition Assistance Program registered early for VA health care. For more on this report, please visit the VA website.
Feb 14 2019
Many people who experienced abuse as children also experience cognitive decline as adults. A new study has shown that the hormone interleukin-6 (IL-6) is commonly found in very high levels in these individuals. IL-6, which is involved in processes of swelling and inflammation, can be controlled with medication. Understanding the role of IL-6 may be an important new step to improve the lives of people who experience childhood abuse. For more information about this study, please visit the NIH website.