NIMH: Intensive Psychotherapy More Effective Than Brief Therapy for Treating Bipolar Depression

Patients taking medications to treat bipolar disorder are more likely to get well faster and stay well if they receive intensive psychotherapy, according to results from the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD), funded by the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The results are published in the April 2007 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

• Press Release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/stepbd-psychotherapy.cfm

• Questions and Answers about the STEP-BD Depression Psychosocial Treatment Trial: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/step-bd-psychotherapy-qa.cfm

• Additional information about the STEP-BD trial: http://wwwntb.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/stepbd.cfm

NIMH: Study Sheds Light on Medication Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder

For depressed people with bipolar disorder who are taking a mood stabilizer, adding an antidepressant medication is no more effective than a placebo (sugar pill), according to results published online on March 28, 2007 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The results are part of the large-scale, multi-site Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD), a $26.8 million clinical trial funded by the NIMH.

• Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/press/stepbd-medication.cfm

• Questions and Answers About the STEP-BD Acute Depression Medication Trial: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/step-bd_medication_qa.cfm

• Additional information about the STEP-BD trial: http://wwwntb.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/stepbd.cfm

FDA Announces Voluntary Withdrawal of Pergolide Products: Agency Working with Product Manufacturers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that manufacturers of pergolide drug products, which are used to treat Parkinson’s disease, will voluntarily remove these drugs from the market because of the risk of serious damage to patients’ heart valves.

Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01596.html

FDA Requests Label Change for All Sleep Disorder Drug Products

The FDA has requested that all manufacturers of sedative-hypnotic drug products, a class of drugs used to induce and/or maintain sleep, strengthen their product labeling to include stronger language concerning potential risks. These risks include severe allergic reactions and complex sleep-related behaviors, which may include sleep-driving. Sleep driving is defined as driving while not fully awake after ingestion of a sedative-hypnotic product, with no memory of the event.

Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01587.html

NIH Announces Phase III Clinical Trial of Creatine for Parkinson's Disease: Nutritional Supplement May Slow Progression of Disease

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is launching a large-scale clinical trial to learn if the nutritional supplement creatine can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). While creatine is not an approved therapy for PD or any other condition, it is widely thought to improve exercise performance. The potential benefit of creatine for PD was identified by Parkinson’s researchers through a new rapid method for screening potential compounds.

http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/mar2007/ninds-22.htm

New on the NIMH Website

Inside NIMH—Latest Edition Available

The winter 2007 edition of Inside NIMH, an e-mail newsletter alerting researchers to NIMH funding opportunities, trends, and plans, is now available. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/researchfunding/newsletter/InsideNIMH-March2007.htm

Senate Appropriations Hearing Opening Statement by Institute Director

NIMH has posted the Opening Statement of Dr. Thomas R. Insel at the Senate Appropriations: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2008 for mind, brain and behavioral research at NIH. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/testimony/2007-senate-appropriations.cfm

SAMHSA: Two New Online Resources Available for Building a Better Behavioral Health Workforce

An Action Plan for Behavioral Health Workforce Development

This resource provides an overview of key findings of a multiyear process that showed how public and private collaboration by diverse stakeholders can strengthen the behavioral health workforce. The Action Plan articulates specific, actionable objectives to assist the Nation in transforming the behavioral health service delivery systems.

http://www.samhsa.gov/matrix2/matrix_workforce.aspx

Strengthening Professional Identity: Challenges of the Addictions Treatment Workforce

This resource summarizes trends in addictions treatment that will help mental health and substance abuse professionals understand the challenges facing the addictions treatment workforce. This report addressed issues of recruitment, retention and staff development and provides recommendations for improving management, recruitment, education and accreditation, retention, and workforce infrastructure.

http://www.samhsa.gov/matrix2/matrix_workforce.aspx .

New SAMHSA Website: National Center for Trauma-Informed Care

The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care (NCTIC), a project of SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services, has launched its new Web site designed to help public mental health systems integrate trauma informed approaches and interventions into their programs to improve efficacy and outcomes. The NCTIC Web site features: 1) details about free or low-cost trauma training and technical assistance; 2) the NCTIC Speakers Bureau; 3) information about healing from trauma; 4) a training and event calendar; and 5) useful resources and links.

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/nctic/

SAMHSA: The 2006 HealthStyles Survey Short Report

This Center for Mental Health Services publication reports on the attitudes and beliefs of Americans aged 18-25 and the general public about mental illness, stigma associated with mental illnesses, and recovery from mental health problems.

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA07-4257/default.asp

SAMHSA: New Reports from the Office of Applied Studies

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Substance Use

This short report provides national data on the prevalence and correlates of having a sexually transmitted disease, especially among young adults aged 18 to 25.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/STD/STD.cfm

Religious Involvement and Substance Use among Adults

This short report examines the association of religious involvement with alcohol, cigarette, and illicit drug use among adults age 18 or older.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/religion/religion.cfm

Patterns and Trends in Inhalant Use by Adolescent Males and Female, 2002-2005

This short report provides trends in the use of specific inhalants among new users as well as the demographics on inhalant use among youth age 12 to 17.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/inhalants/inhalants.cfm

CDC: Characteristics of Adults with Serious Psychological Distress as Measured by the K6 Scale -- United States, 2001-04

This report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the prevalence of serious psychological distress (SPD) in the noninstitutionalized adult population of the United States, as measured by the K6 scale of nonspecific psychological distress, and describes the characteristics of adults with and without SPD. These findings are compared with results from previous studies of the characteristics of adults with serious mental illnesses that cause significant disability, such as severe major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad382.pdf

CMHS: Application for Financial Support -- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Conference

The SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) through a contract with AFYA, Inc. (AFYA), is providing financial support to consumers of mental health services who would like to participate in the annual conference sponsored by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. The purpose of the scholarships is to foster transformation of mental health care to focus on recovery.

To be eligible for this scholarship, a completed application and letter of recommendation must be received by U.S. Mail, postmarked on or before the deadline of May 25, 2007.

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/consumersurvivor/listserv/032107.asp

CMHS: Application for Financial Support -- 2007 Alternatives Conference

CMHS through a contract with AFYA, Inc. (AFYA), are providing financial support to consumers of mental health services who wish to participate in the 2007 Alternatives Conference. The conference host is the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse. The purpose of the scholarships is to foster transformation of mental health care to focus on recovery. To be eligible for this scholarship, a completed application and letter of recommendation must be received by U.S. Mail, postmarked on or before the deadline of May 25, 2007.

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/consumersurvivor/listserv/031407a.asp

Webcast: Alcohol en la Comunidad Latina (Producido en español)

April 4, 2007

This Center for Substance Abuse Treatment webcast will examine, in Spanish, issues surrounding alcohol abuse and dependence specific to the Latino community in the United States, and it will provide resources on where help and assistance can be found.

http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/multimedia/webcasts/w.aspx?ID=490

Teleconference: Funding Anti-Stigma Efforts

April 11, 2007, 2:00-1:30 PM ET

This SAMHSA Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma Associated With Mental Illness teleconference explores funding strategies for anti-stigma efforts. The call will: 1) Present information on the development and implementation of fundraising and special events as a means of funding anti-stigma efforts; 2) Provide an overview of two successful anti-stigma fundraising activities that have been implemented; and 3) Present information on identifying funding sources and accessing existing funding sources at a local, state, and federal level.

http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/regpage.cfm

Conference Call: Screening and Assessment -- What Are the Next Steps?

April 19, 2007, 1:00-2:30PM ET

This conference call produced by SAMHSA’s National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health will highlight several steps in the early identification process for young children who may have emotional/ behavioral delays. One state will share the screening process it is using across agencies and another state will discuss the use of DC 0-3R instead of the DSM for assessment. Participants will also hear about the relationship between CAPTA (Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act), Part C and mental health as opportunities for building effective early identification and intervention.

http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/tacalls2007.html

Teleconference: Addressing the Trauma Treatment Needs of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and the Hearing Children of Deaf Parents

April 26, 2007, 2:00-3:30 PM ET

This call is a part of SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network Culture and Trauma Teleconference Series.

http://www.nctsnet.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_top_train_tele_culsched

Webcast: Helping Families Find Recovery

May 2, 2007

This Center for Substance Abuse Treatment webcast will examine how foster care programs, family drug courts, mutual support groups, community-based organizations, and other services are helping families walk the road to recovery together.

http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/multimedia/webcasts/w.aspx?ID=491

Conference: Drug Abuse and Risky Behaviors: The Evolving Dynamics of HIV/AIDS

Bethesda, MD: May 8-9, 2007

This National Institute on Drug Abuse meeting will provide a broad understanding of the multiple ways that drug abuse and addiction affect HIV/AIDS and how research can inform public health policy. Presentations will focus on the successes, research challenges, and opportunities for addressing the evolving HIV/AIDS pandemic. http://conferences.masimax.com/riskybehaviors/index.cfm

NIMH Annual International Research Conference on the Role of Families in Preventing and Adapting to HIV/AIDS

San Francisco, California, July 25-27, 2007

This NIMH conference is designed to present research findings on family processes and HIV disease. This year’s conference theme is “Responding to the Social Context of HIV Risk: The Role of Families and Support Networks.”

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/scientificmeetings/hivaids2007.cfm

SAMHSA: $2.88 Million Available to Fund One Cooperative Agreement for Networking, Certifying, and Training Suicide Prevention

SAMHSA is soliciting applications for FY 2007 funds for a Cooperative Agreement for Networking, Certifying and Training Suicide Prevention Hotlines. This program will manage, enhance, and strengthen the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), a system of toll-free telephone numbers that routes calls from anywhere in the United States to a network of certified local crisis centers that can link callers to local emergency, mental health and social service resources. The technology permits calls to be directed immediately to a suicide prevention worker who is geographically closest to the caller.

http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/sm_07_009.aspx

HUD Announces $2.4 Billion Available Through 38 Grant Programs

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published its Fiscal Year 2007 “SuperNOFA,” a notice that makes available approximately $2.4 billion in funding through 38 individual grant programs

http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr07-026.cfm

DED: Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems

http://www.ed.gov/programs/mentalhealth/applicant.html

SAMHSA: National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative Community Treatment and Services Center Grants

http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/sm_07_003.aspx

Additional applicant resource materials: http://www.nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_top_grant

SAMHSA: Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program Supplements

http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/sm_07_016.aspx

SAMHSA: Linking Adolescents at Risk for Suicide to Mental Health Services Program Supplements

http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/sm_07_015.aspx

SAMHSA: Supplements to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment’s Residential Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Residential Treatment for Women and their Children Program

http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/TI_07_006.aspx

SAMHSA: Grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity in Targeted Areas of Need

http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/TI_07_008.aspx

SAMHSA: Access to Recovery

http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/TI_07_005.aspx

SAMHSA: Drug Free Communities Support Mentoring Program

http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2007/SP_07_002.aspx

NIH Program Announcements (PAs)

[Full listing of NIH PAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/index.html ]

Psychosocial/Behavioral Interventions and Services Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders (R34)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-343.html

Medications Development for the Treatment of Amphetamine and Amphetamine-Like Related Disorders (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-333.html

Medications Development for the Treatment of Amphetamine and Amphetamine-Like Related Disorders (R21)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-334.html

Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-329.html

Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R03)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-330.html

Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R21)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-331.html

Developmental Psychopharmacology (R21)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-222.html

Continued Development and Maintenance of Software (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-235.html

Technology for the Detection and Characterization of Low Abundance Proteins, Peptides, or micro RNAs (SBIR) [R43/R44]

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-07-241.html

[Full listing of NIH RFAs at http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/index.html ]

Innovative Trials for the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa in Late Adolescence and Adulthood (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-07-090.html

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