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Antidepressants
study raises questions
A dozen years ago, rumblings began that antidepressants perhaps
really weren't as effective as people thought. A 1998 analysis of
38 manufacturer-sponsored studies found that although antidepressants
did help people who were depressed, they offered little more boost
than did a placebo. Four years later, another analysis, this time
also including unpublished studies sent to the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, suggested antidepressants offered even less of an
advantage than the minuscule benefit shown in the previous report.
[More]
Integrated
services: a multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare
Since 2001, cooperation and collaboration among Rhode Island's insurers,
physicians and behavioral health specialists has spawned practices
that marry medical and psychological services. The coming year holds
significant promise for more co-located and fully integrated practices.
[More]
APA president
outlines priorities for 2010
Like most assuming a leadership post, Carol D. Goodheart, Ed.D.,
the relatively new president of the American Psychological Association,
has a big agenda. In 2010, she hopes to help devise a useful framework
for evaluating psychological service outcomes and to bring awareness
to and develop resources for family caregivers. She is testing out
a Wiki platform that will help psychologists more easily locate
useful resources and even plans to add a few friendly touches to
this year's APA convention, including a "bring-the-family" event
and collaborative workshops. [More]
Homeless
assistance programs are funded again
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) renewed
millions in grant funding for homeless assistance programs throughout
New England. [More]
Increased
data connects food and cognitive behavior
"Tell me what you eat, I'll tell you who you are." [More]
Parent training,
medication help curb dangerous behavior
Early parent training on how to best teach and communicate with
their child - when combined with medication - may be the key to
reducing the destructive behavior that often afflicts children with
autism spectrum disorders, according to a multi-site study coordinated
by a Yale University professor. Even more promising is the treatment
combination's potential as more cost- and time-effective alternative
to applied behavior analysis (ABA) or similar psychological treatments.
[More]
CPA
backs mental health-related legislation
Every year, states across the country focus legislative efforts
on health care, safety, children's issues, economic matters and
dozens of other concerns. This year in Conn., the state's psychological
association is backing a number of legislative proposals relevant
to mental health issues. [More]
HealthNet
contracts with Beacon Health
Reimbursement could suffer
Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan has contracted with Beacon
Health Strategies to administer behavioral health programs for its
MassHealth and Commonwealth Care members effective March 1. Beacon
is inviting providers to join its network, but some providers are
dismayed by the lower reimbursement rates being offered. [More]
Geriatric
program meets community need
An inpatient geriatric psychiatry program at Saint Anne's Hospital
in Fall River, Mass., launched last Sept. is filling a void in care
for older adults in southeastern Mass. facing acute emotional or
cognitive problems and highlighting the value of providing specialized,
integrated care for these adults. [More]
Q&A:
Psychologist/author spotlights hope
Hope - it's one of those words that brings to mind different ideas
for different people. There are many definitions of hope - from
blind faith to a wish for something better, to a certainty that
everything will work out for the best. A strictly human emotion,
hope is the ability to see a better future, to see a path out of
darkness, and, as such, is key to an individual's survival. [More]
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