NAMI NEW JERSEY programs:
nimh outreach partnership

NAMI NEW JERSEY is one of the 55 Outreach Partner organizations of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to conduct mental health outreach and education for the public, health professionals, K-12 schools, minorities and other populations such as youth and older adults using mental health-related information provided by NIMH or other sources.

The NIMH Outreach Partnership Program is a nationwide initiative of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and in cooperation with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Program partners with national and state organizations to strengthen the public health impact of research by disseminating the latest scientific findings; informing the public about mental disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction; and reducing the associated stigma and discrimination. The Program strives to increase public awareness about the important role of basic and clinical research in transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses and addiction disorders, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. The Program also provides NIMH with the opportunity to engage community organizations in a dialogue to help develop a national research agenda to improve America's mental health.


      NIMH Lastest Update [March 1, 2010] 

To subscribe to receive the Update every two weeks, visit: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/outreach/partnership-program/subscribe-to-the-update.shtml

NIMH Science and Service News Updates:

Diabetes and Depression Associated with Higher Risk for Major Complications

People with type 2 diabetes and coexisting major depression are more likely to experience life-threatening diabetes-related complications, according to a recent NIMH-funded study published in the February 2010 issue of Diabetes Care. Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2010/diabetes-and-depression-associated-with-higher-risk-for-major-complications.shtml

Parent Training Complements Medication for Treating Behavioral Problems in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Treatment that includes medication plus a structured training program for parents reduces serious behavioral problems in children with autism and related conditions, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The study, which was part of the NIMH Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) Autism Network, was published in the December 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Press Release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/parent-training-complements-medication-for-treating-behavioral-problems-in-children-with-pervasive-developmental-disorders.shtml

Long-term Depression Treatment Leads to Sustained Recovery for Most Teens
Long-term treatment of adolescents with major depression is associated with continuous and persistent improvement of depression symptoms in most cases, according to the most recent analysis of follow-up data from the NIMH-funded Treatment of Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). The report, along with a commentary compiling the take-home messages of the study, was published in the October 2009 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/long-term-depression-treatment-leads-to-sustained-recovery-for-most-teens.shtml

NIH Encourages Depressed Moms to Seek Treatment for Themselves
An NIH Challenge grant was awarded on behalf of NIMH to Judy Garber, Ph.D., of Vanderbilt University, to develop and test a method encouraging depressed mothers to follow treatment recommendations. For this study, Garber is recruiting 200 mothers of children receiving psychiatric treatment at a community mental health center. All study participants will receive a referral for treatment and an information pamphlet describing the symptoms of depression and anxiety, possible effects of depression on children, and different types of treatments. Randomly assigned participants will also receive a brief, one-session Enhanced Motivation Intervention (EMI). EMI uses special interviewing techniques to identify and resolve a person's concerns about and practical barriers to treatment.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/nih-encourages-depressed-moms-to-seek-treatment-for-themselves.shtml


NIMH Recovery Act Grant Aims to Teach Kids with Autism How to Better Express Themselves: Computer-based Training in Creating and Responding to Facial Expressions May Improve Social Interactions
Most children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) seem to have trouble engaging in everyday social interactions. They may seem to have no reaction to other people or may respond atypically when others show anger or affection. Their own facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language may not match what they are saying, making it difficult for others to respond appropriately. Such barriers to communication can isolate children with ASD from their peers. To help overcome these barriers, NIH awarded a Challenge grant on behalf of NIMH to support the development of a new training program that incorporates two existing computer programs. One program, called Let's Face It!, helps children with ASD recognize facial expressions of others and understand the corresponding emotions. The other program, called the Computer Expression Recognition Toolbox, detects a user's facial expression in real-time, based on 37 different facial expression dimensions (for example, widening one's eyes, raising the inner or outer corners of one's eyebrows, wrinkling one's nose, etc.) and their intensity.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/recovery-act-grant-aims-to-teach-kids-with-autism-how-to-better-express-themselves.shtml


Significant Weight Gain, Metabolic Changes Associated with Antipsychotic Use in Children
Many children and adolescents who receive antipsychotic medications gain a significant amount of weight and experience metabolic changes, according to NIMH-funded research published October 28, 2009, in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/significant-weight-gain-metabolic-changes-associated-with-antipsychotic-use-in-children.shtml


Telephone-based Depression Treatment Program Effective While Cost Efficient
Patients who receive structured, telephone-based support to manage their depression gain significant benefits with only moderate increases in health care costs compared to those who receive usual care, according to an NIMH-funded analysis published in the October 2009 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/telephone-based-depression-treatment-program-effective-while-cost-efficient.shtml


History of Childhood Maltreatment Linked to Higher Rates of Unemployment, Poverty—Outcomes of Abuse and Neglect Impose Significant Costs to Individual and Society
The long-term impacts of childhood maltreatment include higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and use of social services in adulthood, according to a new study by NIMH staff. The related losses in productivity and tax revenues, increased spending on social services, and potential transmission of abusive behaviors from one generation to the next, suggest major costs to society as well. The results were published online ahead of print on October 8, 2009, in the journal Child Abuse and Neglect.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/history-of-childhood-maltreatment-linked-to-higher-rates-of-unemployment-poverty.shtml


Combination Treatment for Psychotic Depression Holds Promise
A combination of an atypical antipsychotic medication and an antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) may be more effective in treating psychotic depression than an atypical antipsychotic alone, according to results from an NIMH-funded clinical study. Researchers reported the results of the Study of Pharmacotherapy of Psychotic Depression (STOP-PD) in the March 2009 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/combination-treatment-for-psychotic-depression-holds-promise.shtml


Evidence-Based Prevention is Goal of Largest Ever Study of Suicide in the Military
The NIMH has announced that an interdisciplinary team of four research institutions will carry out the largest study of suicide and mental health among military personnel ever undertaken, with $50 million in funding from the U.S. Army. Study investigators aim to move quickly to identify risk and protective factors for suicide among soldiers and provide a science base for effective and practical interventions to reduce suicide rates and address associated mental health problems. The study is a direct response to the Army's request to NIMH to enlist the most promising scientific approaches for addressing the rising suicide rate among soldiers. A memorandum of agreement between NIMH and the Army, signed in October 2008, authorized NIMH to undertake the investigation with Army funding. Suicide rates among Army personnel have risen substantially since the beginning of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan despite major surveillance and intervention efforts introduced by the Army to prevent suicides over this period. Press Release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/evidence-based-prevention-is-goal-of-largest-ever-study-of-suicide-in-the-military.shtml




NIMH Links:

  Outreach Partnership Program
  Publications and resource
  NIMH clinical studies
  National Institute of Health (NIH) Clinical Trials - www.clinicaltrials.gov

 

Related Links:

  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
  National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Publications

 

NAMI NEW JERSEY is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families who are affected by mental illness.

NAMI NEW JERSEY
1562 Route 130, North Brunswick, New Jersey 08902
Phone:732.940.0991 Fax:732.940.0355
E-mail: info@naminj.org
Web Address: www.naminj.org
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