NIMH: Behavioral Program May Stabilize Stress Hormone Patterns in Foster Children

An intervention designed to enhance family interaction and improve foster parenting skills may benefit young foster children who had experienced extreme neglect or maltreatment in early life. The intervention stabilizes the children’s daily patterns of cortisol, one of several hormones controlled by the stress management system called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The study was published in the fall 2007 issue of Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Science update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/behavioral-program-may-stabilize-stress-hormone-patterns-in-foster-children.shtml

NIMH: Depression Linked to Bone-Thinning in Premenopausal Women—Should Be Considered Risk Factor for Osteoporosis; Immune System Involved

Premenopausal women with even mild depression have less bone mass than do their nondepressed peers, a study funded in part by NIMH shows. The level of bone loss is at least as high as that associated with recognized risk factors for osteoporosis, including smoking, low calcium intake, and lack of physical activity. Hip bones, the site of frequent fractures among older people, were among those showing the most thinning in depressed premenopausal women. The reduced bone mass puts them at higher risk of these costly, sometimes fatal fractures and others as they age. The study is published in the November 26, 2007 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Press release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/depression-linked-to-bone-thinning-in-premenopausal-women.shtml

NIDA Launches Public Service Campaign for Hispanic Youth on the Link between Non-Injection Drugs and HIV

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) marks World AIDS Day on December 1st with the launch of its new, national public service campaign to educate Hispanic teens on the link between non-injection drug use and HIV transmission. The campaign features an innovative television spot blending English and Spanish; a Webisode series that will launch soon on www.hiv.drugabuse.gov ; outdoor, transit and print placements; and community events and partnerships.

Press release: http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/07/NR11-26.html

HHS Announces Members of the New Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the members appointed to its new Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. This committee coordinates efforts within the department to combat autism spectrum disorder through research, screening, intervention, and education. The committee will facilitate the efficient and effective exchange of information on autism activities among member agencies, and coordinate autism-related programs and initiatives.

Press release: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2007pres/11/pr20071127b.html

NIH: Older Adults with Mild Memory Impairment Still Benefit from Cognitive Training in Areas not Reliant on Memorization

Older adults with pre-existing mild memory impairment benefit as much as those with normal memory function from certain forms of cognitive training that don’t rely on memorization, according to a study which was co-funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). These findings could indicate the ability for older adults to maintain skills that allow them to carry out daily tasks and lead a higher quality of life. The study was published in the November issue of the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

Press release: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/nov2007/ninr-30.htm

SAMHSA: National Survey Examines How Medicaid Agencies Administer Mental Health Services?State Medicaid Agencies Take Varying Approaches in Administration of Mental Health Services

A new report released by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services provides a state-by-state analysis of how Medicaid agencies are exercising their responsibilities for mental health services. Administration of Mental Health Services by Medicaid Agencies combines the results of a series of hour-long telephone interviews conducted in 2005-2006 with state Medicaid directors in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report explores how state Medicaid agencies are addressing the organization, funding, policy, management, and data issues that arise from increased responsibility for mental health services.

Press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0711263015.aspx

SAMHSA: New Native American Center for Excellence to Strengthen Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts Throughout Native American Communities

SAMHSA announced its financial and technical sponsorship of the Native American Center for Excellence, Prevention Technical Assistance Resource Center – a first-of-its-kind national Native American-run project to promote effective substance abuse prevention programs in Native American communities throughout the United States.

Press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0711294819.aspx

CDC: Adolescent Aggression No Longer Limited to The School Yard—Sixty-four Percent of Kids and Teens Who are Harassed Online, Not Harassed at School

A series of studies funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) present the first collection of data examining how electronic media - blogs, instant messaging, chat rooms, email, text messaging, and the Internet – affect adolescents in the United States. The studies were published in the Journal of Adolescent Health

December 2007 supplement, “Youth Violence and Electronic Media: Similar Behaviors, Different Venues?”

Press release: http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/a071127.htm

New NIMH Publications—Now Available Online and in Print

Depression

This detailed booklet describes depression symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/summary.shtml

NIAAA: Five Year Strategic Plan Now Available

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has posted its five-year strategic plan for fiscal years 2008 through 2013, Alcohol Across the Lifespan.

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/StrategicPlan/NIAAASTRATEGICPLAN.htm

NIH News in Health—Mental Health Related Health Capsules

NIH News in Health provides practical health information based on research conducted either by NIH's own scientists or by our grantees at universities and medical schools around the country.

Lack of Sleep Disrupts Emotional Controls

Most of us know that sleepless nights can unhinge your emotions. Now scientists have a better idea of why this happens. They’ve shown that lack of sleep strongly activates the brain’s emotional centers and weakens the brain circuits that keep your emotions under control.

http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2007/December/docs/02capsules.htm#cap01

NIH Research Matters—Mental Health Related Stories

NIH Research Matters is a weekly review of NIH research. Many of the articles are written in an easy-to-read format for the general public.

Tracking Neural Progenitor Cells in the Human Brain

Scientists have developed the first noninvasive technique for detecting cells in the living human brain that give birth to new neurons and other types of brain cells. The new method may eventually lead to improved treatments and diagnostics for a host of brain-related disorders, including depression, Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors.

http://www.nih.gov/news/research_matters/november2007/11192007brain.htm

NIA: Training Guide Helps Older Adults Find Health Information Online

To broaden the numbers of older adults able to search for and find reliable health information online, the NIA has developed a free training curriculum for those who teach and work with older adults. This toolkit for trainers is now available on NIHSeniorHealth.gov, a senior-friendly Web site developed by the NIA and the National Library of Medicine (NLM).

http://www.nihseniorhealth.gov/toolkit

SAMHSA: Latest Issue of "The Dialogue" Available

"The Dialogue" is an arena for state and territory mental health and substance abuse coordinators, local service providers, and professionals in the disaster behavioral health field to share resources, trends, solutions to problems, accomplishments, and other pertinent information to help states, territories, and their constituents prepare for and respond to future disaster situations. This issue includes a profile of the Center for Disaster and Extreme Event Preparedness; a feature on the Options for Independence, a program serving southeastern Louisiana, which successfully implemented crisis counseling and outreach programs following a disaster; and a discussion of remote management of crisis counseling program teams in Colorado.

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/dtac/dialogue/Summer2007.asp

SAMHSA: 2006 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services

SAMHSA has released findings from the 2006 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS). The N-SSATS is an annual census of substance abuse treatment facilities that provides data on the location and characteristics of alcohol and drug abuse treatment services throughout the United States.

http://oas.samhsa.gov/DASIS/2k6nssats.cfm

CDC: Effects on Violence of Laws and Policies Facilitating the Transfer of Youth from the Juvenile to the Adult Justice System—A Report on Recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services

A new report published as part of CDC’s MMWR Report Recommendations and Reports series provides recommendations from a team of researchers based on a systematic review of studies that examined the effectiveness of strengthened laws and policies for transferring youth under age 18 to the adult justice system. The report from the Task Force on Community Preventive Services - an independent, nonfederal panel of community health experts - recommends against laws or policies that facilitate the transfer of juveniles to the adult justice system.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5609a1.htm

NIMH Draft Strategic Plan: Opportunity for Public Review and Comment

In May 2007, NIMH launched the process to develop a new Strategic Plan that will serve as a guide to the Institute for advancing mental health science over the next 3-5 years. The Institute has now completed a draft of this Strategic Plan, and seeks public feedback before the main text is finalized. Deadline for comments is December 21, 2007.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/strategic-planning-reports/nimh-draft-strategic-plan.shtml

Web Conference: AHRQ Health Care Innovations Exchange—"What's in it for Me?"

December 5, 2007 - 2:00 pm ET/11:00 am PT Registration Deadline: Tuesday, December 4, 2007

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Health Care Innovations Exchange is a Web-based information and social learning hub for sharing health care service innovations among health care providers, health plans, integrated delivery systems, purchasers, and the public. In this virtual space, agents of change in health care delivery can exchange ideas, stories, and information.

http://www.ahrq.gov/about/innovationsreg.htm

Webcast: Spirituality and Trauma

December 13, 2007, 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET

Sponsored by SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network, this free webcast will provide information on spirituality and trauma.

http://www.nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_train_tele_culsched

Teleconference: Clinical Decision Making for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Care

December 20, 2007, 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET

This conference call produced by SAMHSA’s National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health will explore different types of tools and protocols that states are using as they seek to make decisions about individualized services and provide oversight to ensure quality outcomes for children and families.

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

Save the Date: The National Center for Trauma-Informed Care Learning Exchange

Washington, DC, July 9-10, 2008

The SAMHSA CMHS funded National Center for Trauma-Informed Care will be hosting a two-day learning exchange and networking transformation forum to highlight useful and practical strategies for moving forward together with the implementation of trauma-informed care in organizations, programs, and services.

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

SAMHSA: Funding Available for Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment Programs to Combat Substance Abuse

SAMHSA is accepting grant applications for Cooperative Agreements for Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT) programs at the state and tribal level. SBIRT programs are proactive approaches that provide early identification and early intervention for persons at risk for, or diagnosed with, a substance use disorder. The application deadline is January 31, 2008.

http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0711271609.aspx

HRSA: Service Expansion in Mental Health/Substance Abuse, Oral Health and Comprehensive Pharmacy Services (Mental Health/Substance Abuse)

https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/SFO.asp?ID=432A6EF2-0430-4053-8F90-C20BBAEAA652

HRSA: National Training and Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreements (NCA)

https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/SFO.asp?ID=91A6E8F8-0711-4749-BDE4-3E1623212EC7

NIH Program Announcements (PAs)

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

Research on Co-Morbid Mental and Other Physical Disorders (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-029.html

Predictive Multiscale Models of the Physiome in Health and Disease (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-023.html

Assay Development for High Throughput Molecular Screening (R21)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-024.html

Support of Competitive Research (SCORE) Research Advancement Award (SC1)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-026.html

Support of Competitive Research (SCORE) Pilot Project Award (SC2)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-027.html

NIH Request for Applications (RFAs)

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

Behavioral Mechanisms in the Transition to Habitual Alcohol Seeking and Drinking (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-08-007.html

Behavioral Mechanisms in the Transition to Habitual Alcohol Seeking and Drinking (R21)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-08-008.html

Drug Interactions in Substance Abusers with HIV Infection and Other Comorbid Conditions (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DA-08-011.html

Limited Competition for Evaluating the Health Benefits of Workplace Policies and Practices – Phase II (U01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-07-101.html

Studies of the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) of Human Microbiome Research (R01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-08-006.html

Promoting Careers in Aging and Health Disparities Research (K01)

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-033.html

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