One in five children undergo from mental disorders

It wasn’t until decades later, in May of 2006, that she finally admitted that a bout of baby blues exposed the fact that she suffered from bipolar depression. Margaret now travels across North America to talk to teenagers about recognising the signs of mental illness. She is blunt when discussing bi-polar disorder and how it tore her life apart. Trudeau has been travelling approximately Alberta talking with students, teachers and administrators about recognizing mental health issues at an early age.

She hopes more people will understand that one in five children move violently with some kind of mental health issue and they need to reach our for help. “You can deal with your mental issues now while your brain is still really developing, before the bad habits are implemented intensely in your brain,” says Margaret. “Having the same ways of thinking that just get you into trouble again and again so taking it on early is really important.” Trudeau gave a speech to Calgary teachers Wednesday afternoon at an event prepared by the Alberta Teachers Association.

Mental illness and the magistrates

Mental health professionals have recognized for years that people who suffer from serious mental illnesses are often more likely to end up in jail than in some form of treatment. That's why a new program in the Baltimore City Circuit Court to divert some seriously ill defendants to mental health programs instead of jail is a worthy effort. But to succeed, the initiative will require not only an adequate supply of mental health treatment slots in Baltimore, but also increased access to stable, safe and affordable housing for the mentally ill defendants it serves — something that has been absent in the past.

The inventiveness, known as the Mental Health Case Management Docket, is aimed at the repeat offenders who commit crimes as a result of having a serious Mental illness rather than from criminal intent. People who suffer from lifelong psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or clinical depression are often unable of taking responsibility for their actions. Unless they get treatment that addresses their essential disorder, their behavior is unlikely to change and they may remain a danger to themselves and others, regardless of the sentence they receive.

Gov’t ‘must’ eliminate mental illness

The government is paying poor attention to the abolition of mental illness in the country as it allocates less money to mental illness than other health programs, a legislator says. Member of House Commission IX overseeing health policy Nova Riyanti Yusuf said many community health centers and local mental health agencies do not provide care for mental illness, arguing that they are still “developing” programs. “This leads to inhumane behaviors towards patients, such as incarceration in wooden stocks,” she said as quoted by Antara news agency. “Failing to treat these patients could guide to suicide.” She quoted a WHO report that said at least 50,000 Indonesians committed suicide between 2005 and 2007.

NH responds to mental health exploration

New Hampshire's department of health and human services says the state's mental health system does not infringe federal law. The department responded Wednesday to a recent U.S. Department of Justice investigation that completed that the state is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The state was criticized for failing to provide sufficient community-based services to people with mental illness, leading to needless and prolonged stays at the state mental hospital. In its response, the state says it already has a plan to serve people in the least restrictive setting possible and has made important progress in implementing it despite fiscal challenges. It also noted that the middle length of wait at the state mental hospital is seven days, compared to a national average of 47 days.

Intellect your mental health at Girgenti

This weekend, the Inquisitor’s Palace in Girgenti is being turned into an oasis of calm as visitors to the open weekend will have a chance to meditate, have a massage or indulge in some art appreciation. The Prime Minister’s wife, Kate Gonzi, who is coordinating the open weekend, said it was important to take care of one’s mental illness well-being as it helped in all areas of life.

The activity will feature the participation of unpaid organisations who work in the mental health sector, including Richmond Foundation, The Association for Mental Health, the St Jeanne Antide Foundation, Friends of Mount Carmel Hospital and Caritas’s Thursday Club. The public is positive to give a donation in aid of these associations. The event is being organised with the help of the HSBC Malta Base.

NAMI cites Center for reporting of mental illness

NAMI Dane County has presented its annual Media Award to the Wisconsin Center for analytical Journalism for stories that increased the public’s understanding of mental illness. The award recognized the Center’s extensive coverage of perinatal depression among low-income mothers, Wisconsin’s high suicide rates and elevated suicide rates among Native Americans in Wisconsin and nationwide. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is a nonprofit, proletariat organization that strives to improve the lives of people living with serious mental disorder.

In accepting the award April 5 at NAMI’s awards dinner, the Center’s managerial director, Andy Hall, and reporter and multimedia manager, Kate Golden, dedicated it to the families who shared their stories to foster public understanding of suicides and perinatal depression and potential strategies for prevention. They also recognized work of former Center reporting interns Sara Jerving and Allie Tempus, who wrote the stories; and news organizations that collaborated on the reporting, including Wisconsin Public Radio, IndianCountryTV.com, Wisconsin Public Television and Native America Calling.

Mental health boost for provincial WA

New state funding is expected to boost the excellence and number of mental health workers in regional Western Australia. The State Government has handed the Western Australian Association for Mental Health nearly $1.7 million to dispense to non-government agencies over the next two years.

The association's Stephen Hall says the money will go towards recruiting and preparation mental illness workers. "We can increase the capacity of the workforce with training and other things around that," he said. "That's particularly important for service delivery in rustic and remote settings, having a professional workforce that is well trained and has the proficiency that is needed on the ground."

Housing vital to treat mental health issues

I am a senior who volunteers three times a week on the psychoanalysis in-patient unit. I have been doing that volunteer work for over three years and have never felt concern for my safety. The truth is that the vast majority of people with a mental health are not threatening or dangerous. Rather, they are much more likely to be fatalities of crime.


It saddens me that so many people have stigmatized those with a mental illness as being bad or weak-willed, or frightening or dangerous. That simply is just not true. People with mental illnesses are just like you and me. Chances are someone you know has a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness. Councillors needs to educate themselves on the realities of mental illness and become true leaders in Nanaimo. They must allow the housing for people with mental illness to ensue.

Accesses to food can collision mental health

New research is flaking light on how a lack of access to food affects our mental health. Staff at the University of Otago in Wellington has found a lack of access to safe, nutritious, affordable food is a growing problem in New Zealand and is adding to psychological suffering amongst thousands of adults. Dr Kristie Carter says females are more at risk than males of suffering from so-called food insecurity, as are those who struggle to afford food. She hopes the research can be used by health and welfare agencies to tackle food uncertainty and mental illness hand-in-hand.

Mental Disorders and Fatness

Studies have shown a strong connection between common mental disorder and obesity. It is suggested that people with repeated episodes of common mental disorder are particularly at risk of following obesity. There are several possible reasons or explanations for the finding that importunate common mental illness and emotional problems like anxiety, depression, stress, and fear are the risk factors for obesity.


In a prospective followers study with four measures of common mental disorders and obesity over 19 years conducted at the civil service department in London it was concluded that in the British adults common mental disorders lead to an augmented risk of obesity. The association was found to be cumulative such that the people with chronic or repeat episodes of common mental disorder are particularly at the jeopardy of weight gain.

Clemons tackles mental illness shame

Canadian Football League legend Michael (Pinball) Clemons describes Mental illness as a huge linebacker delivering a hit from the blind side. "It consistently delivers crushing, if not fatal blows to our business community and families," he said today at the Mental Fitness pinnacle, being held at the Centre for Health & Safety Innovation, on Creek bank Rd.


Clemons is keynote speaker at the day-long event, helping crowd organizations High Point Wellness Centre, the University of Toronto's Division of General Psychiatry, and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services tackle the stigma surrounding mental illness in the workplace. It's anticipated that mental illness costs Canada $51 billion per year, according to Dr. Jayne Baker, who works with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. About one in five Canadians is pretentious by mental illness, The Canadian Institutes of Health Research reports. Senior leaders and those in attendance participated in an open discussion about mental health and a number of seminars that aim to authorize people to improve their own mental health.

England cricket ace’s optimistic spin on mental health

The England cricketer flew home from the World Cup after keeping his illness a clandestine from most of his team-mates. Being open about this condition, Yardy, 30, has offered support to millions of people who may be suffering in silence. In the UK, one in four of us will be affected at some point during our lifetime - but we're not alone. Celebrities counting George Michael, Uma Thurman, Dame Kelly Holmes and Dancing On Ice star Denise Welch have all spoken out about their Mental illness.

Mark Davies, from the Mental health charity Rethink, said: "In being honest and open about their problems celebrities show great bravery and also give heart to millions of people who suffer in silence because of the fear of stigma and favoritism. "Now it's Michael Yardy. But many others in the public eye - such as Stephen Fry and Alastair Campbell - have done the same thing. "What they show is that mental illness is like any other illness. It can affect anyone regardless of who they are or what they do. Attitudes ARE changing as a result of their bravery." Mark added that it is wrong to think of the condition as not being able to handle stress.

Mental illness appeal in amputee killing

A man who fatally stabbed his aunt, a double amputee who lost her legs as a result of diabetes complications, will quarrel he was mentally ill at the time, a court has heard. Noel Keith Gardiner, 22, pleaded not guilty in the NSW Supreme Court today to murdering Elizabeth Phillips, who was found dead in her bed at her home at Casino, on the NSW north coast, in September 2009. Ms Phillips, 36, who used a wheelchair after losing both her legs from the knees down, had multiple stab wounds to her back, stomach, hands, forearm and head, court documents say.

Gardiner's barrister, Chris Bruce, told Justice Terence Buddin at the opening of the judge-alone trial that Gardiner's innocent plea was based on a Mental illness defence. Crown prosecutor Sarah Huggett tendered medical reports from two forensic psychiatrists, who both concluded such a defence would be available. Justice Buddin said because an admission had been made by the accused, "the only live issue is a question of whether or not he was mentally ill at the time of the deadly act".

Geoffrey Boycott angers mental health charities by criticising miserable player Michael Yardy

GEOFFREY Boycott infuriated Mental health charities yesterday when he claimed depressed cricketer Michael Yardy quit the World Cup because he wasn’t good enough. England all-rounder Yardy, who flew home unexpectedly from Sri Lanka yesterday citing despair, had been criticised for his recent performances.

And Boycott, 70, said: “He must have been reading my commentary about his bowling. That must have upset him as it’s clearly too much for him. He’s not good enough at this level.” When told Yardy, 30, quit due to Mental illness rather than a loss of form, the 108-Test veteran said: “I’ve been, with respect, a better player? I’ve been able to hold my place for Yorkshire and England, so I’ve always got picked, played good, so I’ve not been in that place where my quality of play has been poor and it’s got to me mind-wise.”

Anthrax Killings Doubt Had History of Mental Illness

Anthrax killings suspect Bruce Ivins, the man the FBI believes was responsible for the attacks that killed 5 people in 2001, had documented Mental illness problems dating back several decades, according to CNN. These findings, courtesy of a report by a panel of behavioral experts commissioned by the Department of Justice, suggest that Ivins should not have been given his job at a U.S. Army research facility in Maryand. Ivins knew he was under doubt for the attacks and committed suicide in 2008.

According to Gregory Saathoff, the report's lead author, the exposure "does support the Department of Justice's determination that he was responsible," and that he had the capacity, opportunity, and motivation to commit such acts. “The psychiatric records were quite eye-opening," said Saathoff. "The criminal behaviors involved a strong component of revenge that he claimed he had engaged in as well as planned to connect in.” When Ivins was hired in 1980, his mental health records were apparently not reviewed, though he had signed a waiver allowing authorities to do so. Investigators in search of a suspect in the wake of the attack also failed to identify Ivins. "This information had been deemed confidential during Dr. Ivins' lifetime," said Saathoff, "available only to his medical providers, and off-limits to investigators.

Riccardi trial delayed for mental status testing

A Luzerne County senior arbitrator on Monday scheduled a hearing to determine a homicide suspect’s mental status, ultimately postponing his scheduled April trial. Senior Judge Joseph Augello said an Atkins hearing will be held May 2 for Elvis Riccardi, 33, after his attorneys requested it to rule out the death penalty against their client because of mental health issues. An Atkins hearing is based on the outcome of a legal case. In Atkins v. Virginia, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that irritation of the death penalty on the mentally ill constitutes unkind and unusual punishment.

That hearing pressed back Riccardi’s scheduled April 4 trial to now begin on June 7 with jury selection. Riccardi and Michael Simonson, 33, allegedly killed Donald Skiff, 34, of Plymouth, on April 27, 2009. Skiff’s body was found with the help of Simonson in a wooded area off Suscon Road, Jenkins Township, on June 4, 2009. Investigators alleged Riccardi and Simonson kidnapped Skiff in Shickshinny. Simonson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison in August. Riccardi’s attorneys previously have said that if their client was to receive the death punishment, it would be against his rights because Riccardi has a history of “sub-average intellectual functioning, mental illness and/or intellectual disability.” Prosecutors compete in court papers that Riccardi’s request does not give a “factual basis” that would require an Atkins hearing.

Mental health first help course in Alexandria

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota will hold a free Mental Health First Aid interactive training course in Alexandria designed to teach basic first aid skills needed to help a person who is experiencing a mental health problem or disaster.

This 12-hour course is aimed at humanizing mental health literacy. It will be held April 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 605 Douglas Street in Alexandria Understanding and recognizing the signs that someone needs help is the first step in getting that person suitable care and treatment.

Mental health funding increase

MOUNT Gambier will receive around $8.7m of the Federal Government’s most recent announcement for financial support allocated to mental health residential care in regional South Australia. The announcement came during Federal Minister for Health Nicola Roxon’s trip to South Australia this week and is part of a state-wide health reform package valued at $2.9b over the next 10 years – of which $134m worth of projects has now been outlined. “The benefits for South Australia from today’s (Thursday) announcement are widespread – two new Mental health treatment centres will be built at Whyalla and Mount Gambier,” Ms Roxon said.

The centres are based on an obtainable model of care currently operating in Adelaide – one of which is Elpida House – and focuses on assisting patients to develop independent living skills, such as shopping, cooking and socialising while recuperating from an acute Mental illness. The centre, which is to be known as a Community Rehabilitation Centre (CRC), will be developed over the next four years and will house 10 beds for residential “psychosocial rehabilitation” assistance. The CRC will also provide a safe environment for mental health consumers who are adjusting to life in the community, with specialist staff to encourage them to live independently and manage their illness. State Minister for Mental Health John Hill said the CRC would make a enormous difference to people who are on the road to recovery from mental illness, but need a bit more help to learn to look after themselves and be a part of the community again.

Sex dependence now a psychiatric disorder

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) publishes the manual, which is considered the ultimate guide to what constitutes a genuine psychological disorder rather than an imaginary one. Sex addiction became highly publicised when celebrities such as Tiger Woods and Russell Brand required treatment for the condition. The shamed golfer underwent a six-week intensive programme at the Pine Grove clinic in Mississippi, designed to treat sexual addiction, sexual anorexia, association addiction and sexual trauma.

Meanwhile, betting addiction has recently been classified as a Mental illness in Britain and now the health service is starting a preliminary project for sex addiction treatment. And the recent discussion of sex addiction could spark a boom in drug companies re-packaging anti-depressants and sex-drive-suppressants, according to experts. The Priory chain of clinics says its patients: “work on themselves for eight or nine hours a day in group rehabilitation, in individual sessions with their psychiatrists and with a wide range of trained therapists.” Clinical psychologist and sex psychoanalyst Janet Hall in Melbourne said patients with sex addiction problems now make up the majority of her clients.

Lifeline focuses on mental health in the office

LIFELINE Macarthur struck another waft against the stigma of Mental illness when it hosted a symposium on Mental health in the workplace at its Smeaton Grange centre on Thursday. UWS clinical psychology professor Rocco Crino and Michael Hall, chief executive officer of the Wild Works organization which helps businesses align and engage their staff, jointly presented to give the 60-strong spectators insights into both the personal and corporate aspects of dealing with mental health issues.

While NSW State Liberal leader Barry O’Farrell took the opportunity to deliver his party’s policy on mental health, Lifeline Macarthur’s chief executive officer Peter Mihajlovic kept his praise for the two speakers who delivered potent messages on addressing Mental health issues in the workplace and the community. “Rocco spoke about types of mental disorders and why it is important to address them in the workplace and walked us through a case study of engaging with someone with mental health issues, then Michael spoke on the corporate viewpoint and what employers, supervisors and managers can do.” “It was an excellent presentation which inspired a vigorous question-and-answer time and had people asking us for details of the next symposium, which we will clutch if there is sufficient demand”