scholarly journals The American Psychiatric Association

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (9) ◽  
pp. 18-20
Author(s):  
Michelle B. Riba ◽  
Steven S. Sharfstein ◽  
Allan Tasman

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is a medical specialty society that represents nearly 36 000 psychiatrists from the United States and Canada, as well as around the globe. It is the longest serving medical specialty society. As a leader in the mental health field, the APA continually supports the diagnosis and treatment of patients with mental illnesses, including substance use disorders, and also supports prevention and research. The APA acts as an advocate for psychiatrists and their patients.

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda S. Beeber

BACKGROUND: Promising treatment avenues have been developed and studied that align well with the skills of psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nurses. The treatments are relationship-driven, nimble and accessible, and recovery-guided. They emphasize a whole-person approach with care delivered by a team of experts working in a contextually coordinated way. AIMS: To describe the challenges facing the United States with regard to mental illness and substance use disorders and the ways in which PMH nurses can use their skills to mitigate these challenges. METHOD: Published research and government reports were reviewed to obtain current mental health and substance use data. RESULTS: The number of people not being treated for mental illnesses—particularly serious mental illness, major depressive episode, and suicidal thoughts—has not improved since 2009. Although inroads have been made in reducing the rate of smoking in the United States, we are facing an opioid crisis. There are limited data on marijuana use, but it is apparent that many Americans use cannabis routinely. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, approximately 44.7 million people need mental health treatment and 20.1 million Americans need substance use treatment, but only 10% to 30% receive it. CONCLUSIONS: PMH nurses must take a leading role in retooling the therapeutic relationship and partnering with clients, families, and caregivers to improve the quality of life and well-being of those dealing with mental illness and substance use disorders. To accomplish this essential task, the PMH nursing workforce must be robust and distributed throughout the United States.


Author(s):  
Hans Oh ◽  
Ai Koyanagi ◽  
Jordan DeVylder ◽  
Andrew Stickley

Seasonal allergies have been associated with mental health problems, though the evidence is still emergent, particularly in the United States. We analyzed data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication and the National Latino and Asian American Survey (years 2001–2003). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relations between lifetime allergies and lifetime psychiatric disorders (each disorder in a separate model), adjusting for socio-demographic variables (including region of residence) and tobacco use. Analyses were also stratified to test for effect modification by race and sex. A history of seasonal allergies was associated with greater odds of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders, but not alcohol or substance use disorders, after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and tobacco use. The associations between seasonal allergies and mood disorders, substance use disorders, and alcohol use disorders were particularly strong for Latino Americans. The association between seasonal allergies and eating disorders was stronger for men than women. Seasonal allergies are a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Individuals complaining of seasonal allergies should be screened for early signs of mental health problems and referred to specialized services accordingly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 298-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taghreed N. Salameh ◽  
Lynne A. Hall ◽  
Timothy N. Crawford ◽  
Ruth R. Staten ◽  
Martin T. Hall

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiting Xie

BACKGROUND Many people are affected by mental health conditions, yet its prevalence in certain populations are not well documented. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to describe the attributes of people with mental health conditions in U.S and SG in terms of: perception of mental health recovery and its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. With the findings, not only could the knowledge base for mental health recovery in both countries be enhanced but interventions and policies relating to self-efficacy, resourcefulness and de-stigmatization for mental health recovery could be informed. METHODS A A cross-sectional, descriptive study with convenience sample of 200 community dwelling adults were selected, 100 pax from the United States (U.S) and 100 pax from Singapore (SG). Adults with serious mental illnesses without substance abuse impacting on their recovery were recruited. Participants completed self-administered questionaires measuring their mental health recovery, strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. RESULTS This study offered the unique opportunity to examine mental health recovery as well as its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience from both the United States and Singapore. While the perception of mental health recovery and positive attributes like strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness remained strong in participants with serious mental illnesses across both countries, people with serious mental illnesses in both countries still experienced negative perception like stigma. The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries. CONCLUSIONS The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document