NAMI route to address mental illness issues

A local organization will offer a course for families big business with mental illness. The Houston Chapter of NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, is offering a free 12-week program to families who are coping with mental illness.

The classes, facilitated by trained volunteers, will combine scientific information and emotional support for those struggling to care for loved ones suffering from mental illnesses. According to the press release, topics roofed during the 12-week course include the symptoms and behavior of depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD and borderline personality disorder.

Quit smoking is good for mental health

Although many people believe that smoking can help to relieve pressure and depression, new studies have shown the opposite in that it can have a harmful effect on mental health. With more and more people looking to quit smoking in the New Year, Ash Wales have claimed that this US based research serves to suggest that are health benefits with stopping smoking that we hadn’t previously been aware of. The chief executive of Ash Wales, said: “This new research suggests that giving up smoking actually relieves symptoms of depression and pours cold water on the claim that smoking eases nervousness and depression”

“We already know that quitting smoking results in considerable health benefits, but this study suggests there are also mental health benefits as well.”“There has never been a better time to quit smoking. Smoking kills around 5,650 people in Wales every year and it is the single most unnecessary cause of premature death. “Smoking is an addiction and I know how hard it can be for some people to give up, but there is help and support available from Stop Smoking Wales so you don’t have to go it alone. ”Essentially, the research conducted in Boston shows a clear link between smoking and mood height.

Mental health risk elevated among pregnant war veterans

The risk of mental health issues is higher among pregnant women who earlier served in war. This is according to recent research published in the Journal of Women's Health, which looked at veterans from the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. They discovered that the chances of mental health problems including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and concern are higher among the veterans than their civilian peers.

Susan Kornstein, executive director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Institute for Women's Health, commented: "With the increased number of women helping in the military it is important that we understand their unique health issues such as mental health problems during pregnancy."The authors reviewed the records of more than 43,000 female veterans who completed their military service in Iraq or Afghanistan between 2001 and 2008.The team, from the Yale School of Medicine, wished-for that the risk of mental health issues was increased by pregnancy due to the hormonal and physiological changes happening in the woman's body

Youth fake mental health issues

Youth are faking serious conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression and self-harming in an attempt to look cool and copy celebrity sufferers. The teens said stars such as Kerry Katona and Britney Spears, who have spoken about their problems, have been an influence. An alarming 34% admitted lying about having a mental illness in the past, according to online treatment service mentaline.com.

The website’s founder Jesper Buch said: “It’s shocking that so many young people think mental health problems are trendy. “It’s a very sensitive topic, so to see that many teenagers are blasé about the whole thing isn’t good at all. “Many young people are too quick to say ‘I’m depressed’ or try to gain attention by pretending to have some kind of personal issue. Your teenage years should be spent enjoying life, not persuasive people that you have issues that should be taken extremely seriously.”

Animal Signs of Mental Illness

Animal unkindness investigators say they are seeing an increasing number of cases of people who collect pets as objects. It’s known as "animal hoarding" and experts say it is tied to mental illness.

Over the weekend, investigators seized 150 dogs, cats, chickens and horses from a home in Riga. The animals were thin and living in filth. Mental health experts say in many cases, the person collecting pets lives in the same squalid conditions. They also said simply removing the pets is not sufficient to change the behavior.

Compeer Helps Persons With Mental Illness

The winter holidays can be a hectic time for people as they anxiously try to find the perfect gift and decorate their homes. For those recovering from mental illness, this cheerful season can be especially stressful. That's why Compeer of Family Services of Chemung County matches caring adult volunteers with someone of the same gender who is improving from mental illness in one-on-one friendship. Adults referred to Compeer are often alone and without the fundamental support of family and friends, which are a crucial component of mental health recovery.

Mental illness has been called the "loneliest illness," and Compeer believes that volunteers can provide the comfort and inspiration needed to help people in mental health recovery lead happy, productive lives. From talking over mugs of hot chocolate to watching a favorite holiday movie, the relationship between a volunteer and his or her friend is an unbelievable way to bring goodness into the hearts of two people at once. Friendship is a powerful medicine, and research shows that volunteering helps reduce pressure.

Kennedy to undertake mental health issues

Patrick J. Kennedy, leaving Congress after eight conditions representing Rhode Island, says he wants to launch "The Next Frontier" in mental health treatment. Kennedy, who chose not to run for re-election in 2010, admits to some doubt about what lies ahead for a man raised in the nation's most celebrated political family, The Providence (R.I.) Journal reported Sunday.

He says he will take a public role on his signature subject of mental health, influence a national effort on treatment and understanding in the same way his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, once called for a national goal of putting men on the moon as part of his "New Frontier." One main goal, he says, is the need to treat neurologically damaged war veterans, whether suffering from battle-related post-shocking stress or from the physical brain injuries affecting the survivors of roadside bombings.