- Findings relevant to family participation in systems of care, child and adolescent mental health, child welfare, education, school mental health, juvenile justice, youth development, substance abuse, primary care, and cultural competence.

Conflicting reports on mental health intervention after trauma:

Early Mental Health Intervention Reduces Mass Violence Trauma
Early psychological intervention guided by qualified mental health caregivers can reduce the harmful psychological and emotional effects of exposure to mass violence in survivors, according to a national conference report. Experts emphasized that although more research is needed, existing data, including studies of other kinds of traumatic events, as well as clinical experience, provide useful guidance to the mental health community in responding to mass violence. To view report, go to:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/events/prmassviolence.cfm?LS=10

Debriefing After Trauma Ineffective in Preventing PTSD
Critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) is no better than natural recovery from psychological trauma and may actually be harmful, Dutch investigators report in The Lancet for September 7. Dutch researchers from the University of Amsterdam conducted a meta-analysis of studies that assessed the efficacy of single-session debriefing delivered within 1 month of a traumatic event in preventing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychopathology. For the complete article, go to http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/441165?mpid=3761 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required.)

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Depression in Adolescence Raises Risk of Obesity
Adolescents with depression are at increased risk for the development and persistence of obesity, according to results of a prospective study described in the September issue of Pediatrics. Adjusted regression coefficients associated with depressed mood at baseline showed that “body mass index goes up incrementally as depression worsens,” Dr. Goodman told Reuters Health. To view article go to: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/441334?mpid=3705 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required)

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One in Eight Children of Suicide Attempters Likely to Make Own Attempts
Offspring of parents who have attempted suicide are at a six-fold increased risk of trying to kill themselves compared with offspring whose parents never made such an attempt, a research team in Pittsburgh and New York City report. To view article, go to http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/441538?mpid=4041 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required).

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Early Marijuana Use Linked to Adult Dependence
A new federal report released today concludes the younger children are when they first use marijuana, the more likely they are to use cocaine and heroin and become dependent on drugs as adults. The report is based on the 1999 and 2000 National Household Surveys on Drug Abuse and was released in Miami by Drug Czar John Walters and Charles G. Curie, Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Information on SAMHSA's programs is available on the Internet at www.samhsa.gov.

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Marijuana, Cocaine Emergency Department Visits Up
Emergency department mentions of cocaine increased 10 percent and marijuana increased 15 percent from 2000 to 2001, according to new data in the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). DAWN does not measure the frequency or prevalence of drug use in the population, but rather the health consequences of drug use that are reflected in visits to hospital emergency departments. The complete report (text and tables) are available online at http://www.DrugAbuseStatistics.samhsa.gov.

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Behavioral Problems in Children With Low Birth Weight Persist at Age 11
Confirming studies of preschoolers and young elementary schoolchildren, 11-year-old children who had low birth weight are more likely to have behavioral problems and psychiatric disorders than those born at normal weight. To view article, go to http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/441171?mpid=3705 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required)

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New Study Supports Use of St. John’s Wort Extract (Hypericum) for Mild to Moderate Depression
European researchers find that Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) extract is more effective than placebo for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate major depression. “The significant effect on the melancholia subscale score and a larger effect in more severely ill patients suggest a true antidepressant effect of H. perforatum,” the authors state. For the complete article go to: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/441425?mpid=3761 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required)

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Increased Use of Antidepressants By Children
In recent decades, large increases have been reported in psychotropic drug use among children. Over 7 years, the use of antidepressants increased has 3- to 5-fold. To view article go to: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/439119?mpid=2641 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required).

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Motor Tics More Common Among Children Than Previously Thought
Nearly one in four elementary schoolchildren experience motor tics, but, in most cases, the tics are mild, brief and not associated with behavioral problems, according to a report published in the August issue of Pediatrics. To view, go to http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440725?mpid=3201 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required).

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Tailored Education Program Helps Autistic Children into Mainstream School
A novel program of tailored therapy for young children with autism has allowed 94% of these children to attend a mainstream school, according to new research findings. To view article, go to http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/441544?mpid=4041 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required).

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Black Women at Lower Risk of Bulimia Than Whites
Young black women appear to have fewer risk factors for developing bulimia than their white peers, and show fewer symptoms of the condition, study findings show. However, researchers note that despite the fact that white women and black women follow the same path to bulimia, black women, on average, had fewer risk factors for and symptoms of the condition. For the complete article go to: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/441197?mpid=3761 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required)

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Helping Teens Develop Healthy Social Skills and Relationships: What the Research Shows about Navigating Adolescence
This Child Trends Research Brief presents a review of 360 research studies related to social competence, and reports on intervention strategies found to be effective. See http://www.childtrends.org

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The Toll of Caring for Children with Emotional Disorders
Caring for a child with an emotional disability, ranging from extreme shyness to violent behavior, takes a toll on parents and caregivers that apparently does not ease with time. Researchers at Ohio State University conclude that it is not just the children with problems who need care-the people caring for them also need help. To view research summary, go to http://www.osu.edu/researchnews/archive/children.htm.

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Risperidone Improves Disruptive Behavior in Children With Low IQ
Behavior such as aggression, defiance and property destruction associated with subaverage IQs in children responds well to risperidone therapy, according to the results of a randomized trial. To view the article go to: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/441413?mpid=3705 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required)

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Drugs in the Pipeline: Antidepressants – Experts Debate New Clinical Data On Duloxetine
This agent may be the first-line treatment for patients with major depression, but is the research tainted? To view article go to: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440000?mpid=3201 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required).

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Portland Conference Presentations Available
Presentations from the 9th Annual Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health Conference: “Building On Family Strengths Conference” are now available online: http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgConference.shtml.