Pediatric Antidepressant Use Shows Substantial Decline Over Past Year

According to data from Medco Health Solutions, Inc., the proportion of children taking antidepressants has decreased 10 percent in the past year. This decline coincided with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) re-evaluation and revision of antidepressant warning labeling. The FDA first proposed a warning in October, 2004 after research suggested an increase in the risk of suicidal tendency among children being treated with certain antidepressants. There was a 16 percent decline in antidepressants use shortly thereafter, traditionally the time of the year when antidepressant use peaks.

To read more, visit http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=MHS&script=410&layout=-6&item_id=668973

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Inhalant Use Is Associated With Other Substance Use and Delinquency

At a press conference by the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that inhalant use by 12- and 13-year-olds can lead to future drug use and delinquent behavior. SAMHSA presented data from the 2002 and 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showing that 35 percent of adult who began using inhalants at age 13 or younger were classified as having alcohol or drug dependence/abuse in the past year. In addition, youth ages 12 or 13 who used inhalants were six times as likely to have stolen or tried to steal items worth more than $50.

To read more, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/news/newsreleases/050317nr_inhalants.htm

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Why Segregation Matters: Poverty and Educational Inequality

This article describes a study conducted by the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University . The study examined segregation of schools and students by poverty. Findings suggest a strong relationship between segregation by race and poverty and teacher quality, test scores, and dropout rates. Authors discuss the substantial research literature “showing the ways in which high poverty schools are systematically unequal.”

To read the full report, visit http://www.civilrightsproject.harvard.edu/research/deseg/deseg05.php

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A Longitudinal Study of Young Children and Mental Health Care

This article presents the results of a study on mental health care utilization among young children in a low-income urban setting. Data on the characteristics of children under the age of seven were collected from families living in high-risk neighborhoods. Results indicate a high incidence of mental health problems and a strong need for mental health services among this group. In addition, authors report evidence of group disparities in access to treatment for girls and for African-American children.

To read more, visit http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgDataTrends.shtml

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Assessing Strengths-Based Delivery of Services for Children and Families

This article presents two studies of the Strengths-Based Practices Inventory (SBPI). The first study explains how the SBPI was developed and refined. The second study tests the SBPI and program outcomes in Head Start settings. Combined results of the two studies reveal that the SBPI is a reliable and valid tool. In addition, results suggest that the SBPI can be viewed as a useful tool for the assessment and development of strengths-based services for children and families.

To read more, visit http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgDataTrends2005.shtml

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Stigma and Mental Illness

According to the authors of this article, “between a quarter and a half of family members believe that their relationship with a person with mental illness should be kept hidden or otherwise be a source of shame to the family.” This article examines the stigma associated with mental illness and its impact on family members. Authors review the current research on family stigma, observing that this research focuses primarily on negative beliefs about individual family members.Authors also present and describe three strategies to reduce stigma: education (e.g. replace myths about mental illness with facts), protest (e.g. challenge disrespectful messages in the media) and contact (e.g. provide opportunities for interaction with people with mental illness).

To read more, visit http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgDataTrends2005.shtml