Province ushers in new era of mental health
VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – The BC government has some big goals when it comes to preventing and treating mental health problems. However, measuring that success will be a challenge.
The province says the number of British Columbians who have positive mental health will jump by 10 per cent by 2018.
But how do you measure that? Health Minister Kevin Falcon admits it’s an imperfect measuring stick in some cases.
“One of the measurements we’re using is we want to have a 20 per cent increase in the number of mental plans put together by physicians for the public of British Columbia. That is a very easy-to-measure ‘measurable’ for us as a government,” he says.
Falcon says programs like FRIENDS for Life are valuable for elementary kids to boost confidence and fight anxiety, which can be an early symptom of mental illness.
Meanwhile, NDP health critic Adrian Dix says the mental health plan is two years too late.
“In those two years, the government cut many of the services the plan recommends – services in the community such as those provided on the North Shore by West Coast Alternatives in terms of prevention programs for children,” he asserts, pointing out the old plan ended in 2008.
Health Watch: Study plays new view on video games
Fears about video games often grab headlines, but a growing body of research shows that video games can actually be beneficial to child development. Kids can learn academics, social interaction, cooperation and even history from video games, a new report shows.
The study, spearheaded by Cheryl K. Olson, a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Mental Health and Media in Boston, indicated that video game benefits can include:Providing an outlet for creativity
Allowing children and teens to try on roles in a safe environment (i.e. sports, personalities or professions)
Providing practice in planning and recognizing consequences
Helping manage difficult emotions
Promoting interest in exercise and sports
Improving visual and spatial skills
Nourishing self esteem, pride and socialization skills
So how can parents ensure their children are reaping benefits from game playing? Experts agree on several points:
Get educated
“A mom who’s not sure whether a comic book or a movie is appropriate for her child can flip or fast forward through it. If she’s worried about a video game, but lacks the skill to play it, she’s left frustrated and a bit embarrassed,” said Olson.
Parents can find resources online to help them better understand a particular game. For example:ESRB.org, the home page of the Entertainment Software Rating Board. The website allows parents to search for a specific game by title or publisher, learn its ESRB rating and why the board awarded that rating.
Grandtheftchildhood.com, Olson’s website with information drawn from her book by the same name. The site explores issues related to video games and offers perspective backed by Olson’s own research and the work of many others.
Keep an open mind
Research has shown that video games can have many benefits for children, such as building eye-hand coordination, teaching important math, reading and spatial skills and providing a means of socialization and an outlet for negative feelings.
“Parents may worry about the appeal of violent content in games, but our research suggests that children enjoy video games more for the chance to figure out problems, express creativity, compete with friends and even teach friends how to play,” Olson said. “Games such as Bakugan and the Professor Layton series build problem-solving skills and sneak in a fair amount of reading.”
Establish boundaries
Parents may want to consider limits on where children can play. Moving the video game console out of the bedroom and into a common area of the house keeps parents aware of what children are playing. Parents might even find themselves drawn to games.
“Allowing your child to teach you how to play a video game is a great way to build your relationship and share interests,” Olson said.
— ARA
New Research: Schizophrenia treatment break through
A new class of compounds identified by researchers at Emory University School of Medicine could be developed into drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia. The compounds enhance signaling by molecules in the brain called NMDA receptors, which scientists believe are functioning at low levels in people with schizophrenia.
Led by Stephen Traynelis, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology, a team of Emory researchers sifted through thousands of chemicals and found one, called CIQ, that could selectively enhance the function of certain NMDA receptors without affecting others.
Did You Know?
Nov. 1 marks the start of many health awareness campaigns like Lung Cancer Awareness Month, American Diabetes Month and National Healthy Skin Month.
Health Tip
Research shows that, when it comes to safe driving, teens are more influenced by their parents than by the law. Talk to your teen about pulling over to talk on the phone, knowing the route before leaving and texting only before or after arriving at the destination.
— The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Number to Know
14.7: According to the National Center for Health Statistics and the Division of Health Interview Statistics, 14.7 percent (43.8 million) of Americans in 2008 didn’t have health insurance.
Children’s Health: Antipsychotic meds discredited for ADHD children
Prescribing antipsychotic medications to children diagnosed with ADHD and either oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder may seem extreme, but it is quite common when standard medication does not decrease aggressive behavior. However, according to Stony Brook University Medical Center in New York, such drugs may be unnecessary.
Dr. Joseph Blader, assistant professor of Psychiatry Behavioral Science, found results that eliminated nearly all the aggressive and explosive behavior when “implementing ‘first-line’ stimulant treatments” and behavioral therapy.
“And our findings are especially significant in light of recent concerns about the proliferation in the use of other medications with greater side effects, such as antipsychotic medication, than standard stimulant medication when treating children with ADHD who display aggressive behavior,” said Blader.
During the study, weekly behavioral therapy sessions were provided to children and their parents. Parents were taught how to set limits on problem behaviors and how to use positive reinforcement. The study supports the proposal that coupling stimulant medication with behavioral treatment is the most effective way to curb ADHD symptoms and behavioral problems.
Senior Health: Avoiding unintentional falls
Unintentional falls are the leading injury-related reason for why people seek emergency care, with nearly 9 million visits occurring each year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“But it’s important to look around your everyday environment and minimize the risk not only for yourself, but for others as well. (Unintentional falls) can happen at any time, any place and to anyone,” said Dr. Sandra Schneider, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Here’s the facts:Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths at home, accounting for 33 percent of deaths, according the Home Safety Council.
Falls account for more than 40 percent of nonfatal injuries, according to the HSC.
The two age groups at highest risk are children under 5 and adults over 70.
For older adults, falls are associated with lower-body weakness, problems with balance and walking, visual impairment, chronic illness or a history of stroke.
Preventing unintentional falls:Don’t leave clutter on the stairs or walkways.
Use nightlights in the bedrooms, halls and bathrooms.
Repair loose stairway carpeting or boards.
Add handgrip bars in the bathroom and shower area.
Remove throw rugs and tack down other rugs to avoid tripping. Also consider using a panic button (as a pendant, wristband or necklace).
Use a non-skid surface for the bottom of a tub or shower.
— Life Fitness
GateHouse News Service
