New study calls for bilingual and culturally competent medical professionals

There are many reasons why Asian-Americans are the least likely to seek out mental health care services in comparison to others. A recent study from the December 2010 American Journal of Public Health might provide one reason why only 3 percent of AAPIs use it compared to 5.59 percent of African-Americans, 5.94 percent of Caribbean Blacks, 4.44 percent of Mexicans, 5.55 percent of Cubans, and 8.8 percent of the general population.

The study was also done due to other recent research findings on the increasing association between racial discrimination and mental health issues among the AAPI population. Some forms of modern discrimination the study mentioned include the model minority stereotype, hate crime, racial profiling, and discrimination in the workplace.

Previous studies have shown that discrimination is correlated to the low rates at which Asian-Americans seek mental health care resources. The December 2010 study said discrimination can occur because some patients speak another language, speak with an accent, or because cultural bias can be directed toward patients.

The researchers explored this by analyzing data 2,095 Asian-Americans. The figures come from the first national survey on AAPIs called the National Latino and Asian American Study. The sample included 600 Chinese, 508 Filipinos, 520 Vietnamese, and 467 other Asians. The research findings state that discrimination was found with higher informal services, but not with lower use of formal services. Additionally, higher levels of discrimination along with lower English proficiency levels were connected with more use of informal services.

Based on its findings, the study called for more culturally competent and bilingual medical professionals. This could be accomplished through education and collaboration between medical institutions and community resources.

Racial discrimination may be one cause for the reason why AAPIs do not seek mental health resources, but further research must be done on all 50 Asian groups represented in the United States. More ethnographic research is also needed in the communication, psychology, sociology/anthropology fields in order to fully help the increasing amount of Asian-Americans today that might need mental health care.

- Theresa Campagna

Center on Halsted

Perhaps one of the most common misconceptions regarding treatment for mental illness is that one type of therapy works best for everyone. As I've quickly learned, it often takes a variety of therapies to assist individuals. Moreover, a type of treatment that may be benefital for one person could be counter-productive for another. Considering the wide variety of psychosocial needs, it is imperative that there are specialized options for indiviudals that reflects their specific issues. This is why a place like Center on Halsted is such an important institution. The Center was founded by Horizons Community Services, a volunteer-based organization that has been providing mental health services for Chicago's LGBTQ community since the mid-1970's. The Center itself has been around since 2007, creating a permanent home for Horizons. The Center provides a multitude of mental health services ranging from more general conditions like anxiety and depression to issues like gender identity and family reltationships. There are also support groups, insturctional classes, and programs for older adult members of the LGBTQ community. I find it amazing that such a progressive institution, with such a noteworthy and noble mission, has been around for so long.

Americanizing (and Polarizing) Mental Illness

     It can be argued that an overwhelmingly large portion of what we refer to as “globalization” is rooted in westernization and—subsequently—Americanization.

     Ethan Watters’ New York Times article points out the lack of attention Americans pay to the socio-cultural factors embedded in the makeup of mental illness before expediting our scientific studies and methodologies abroad.

     Is it really possible to constrain the inner workings of our brain to mere chemistry and to keep the scientific vernacular of our cultures absent from studies of medical science? Is it even fair?

     Watters' article continuously echoes the answer: No. In Shi’i Lebanon, women cope with trauma by relating their experiences to and drawing on the strength of the female Muslim figurehead, Zayneb.  In doing so, these women are able to come to terms with these traumas knowing that Zayneb conquered worse. Watters cites McGruder’s study of kinship in Zanzibar as a case for the positive effect of having a set role within a family or kinship group that maintains itself even when mental illness is present.

     If the answer to the “should/can we ignore culture in regards to science” question is a resounding "No," it’s time for America to depolarize our academic fields. Nothing defies a lab test like human nature.

-Kate Midden

Proposed Budget Cuts for Mental Health Services

  

    The most recently proposed budget cuts may cut funding for mental health services and substance abuse by more than $200 million, according to a Chicago Tribune article. Amidst the funding cuts, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk) proposed a bill to place more mental health professionals into schools.

    

    Although it seems that the majority of the House is supporting budget cuts, she is hopeful that her proposal may be passed due to the amount of untreated mental health issues within schools that were given attention from the media after suspected mental illness links to violent shootings.

     While Napolitano’s attempt to ‘swim against the current’ in order to address growing mental health concerns is commendable, it seems unlikely that her bill will become a reality as Republicans continue to cut budgets further.

     Some see these proposed budget cuts as a necessity given our country’s current economic condition, while others feel that critical programs will lose funding and in turn will cause further complications on a national level.

     No matter which side you agree with, the fact remains that mental illness has become an increasingly important social concern that should be given further attention regardless of whether or not it comes from federal or private funding.

-Larissa Rymko-

Photo from Associated Press

Ron Artest Goes to the Hill to Support Mental Health in Schools Act

I have seen some bizarre endorsements in my day, but Ron Artest for improving mental health in public schools? That deserves a "C'mon man!". H.R. 2531 called the Mental Health and Schools Act of 2009 never made it past subcommittee after it's initial proposal. However, this bill on capital hill has another shot, but time is short. The Mental Health and Schools Act was originally proposed in May of 2009 by Grace Napolitano. A proposed Bill has two years to become a law otherwise it is wiped from the books.  Apparently Ron Artest will be heading up this bill blitzkrieg.
Artest was recently awarded the key to the city in Las Vegas after giving a speech regarding mental health issues to a local high-school. The NBA superstar has also raised over 600,000 dollars in charitable donations. On IN a recent interview with MSNBC he said "I think it is normal to have a mental health issue. People could call you crazy but it's totally normal these days. I just wanted to let kids out there know that it's OK." Artest reports that he himself struggled with his mental health and after seeking treatment he is doing much better.
Despite Artest's lack of articulation, the bill he is backing would be a milestone in the United States' treatment for those with mental health problems. The bill would provide over 200 millions dollars in funding and also mandate training in the treatment of mental health, local school board memorandums, and develop guidelines for the submission of data. After the tragedy in Arizona it seems that a law of this nature is more significant.

Im glad Artest is doing better, because I remember this game.

The United States of Medication

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that more than 25 percent of Americans who are currently taking antidepressants have not been diagnosed with any of the conditions that such drugs are typically used to treat. This means that millions of Americans may be suffering from side effects from medicines which provide them with no real health benefits.

Jina Pagura, psychologist and medical student at the University of Manitoba, worked on the study. "These individuals are likely approaching their physicians with concerns that may be related to depression, and could include symptoms like trouble sleeping, poor mood, difficulties in relationships, etc.," she said. "Although an antidepressant might help with these issues, the problems may also go away on their own with time, or might be more amenable to counseling or psychotherapy."

While antidepressants can be a literal life-saver for those who do have a diagnosed mental illness, they should not be used as a “quick fix” for those who are stressed about normal life occurrences, such as being depressed because they’ve been dumped or anxious because an important job interview is coming up. Feelings of depression and anxiety are a part of being human, but having those feelings does not mean that a person has clinical depression or an anxiety disorder.

We need to make sure that we don’t fall into a pattern of over-medicating or over-diagnosing. for that matter. Mental illnesses do exist, and they are serious health issues that can benefit greatly from medication, but when handing out a prescription, medical professionals need to make sure that a legitimate diagnosis lies behind the pills.

-Alyssa Flisiak

Parenthood Poses Threat of Mental Illness in Addition to Abortion

A study performed by Danish scientists concludes that having a baby does leave a woman at risk for having mental-health problems in the future, in comparison with abortion.

The study used 365,550 Danish women who either had an abortion or the child for the first time between 1995 and 2007. Out of these, 84,620 had abortions. Within the year after these abortions were performed, about 1.5% sought phychiatric help. Of those who carried to full term, the risk was .39% before delivery and .67% after delivery.

Researchers answer the question that asks why do first-time mothers have a lower risk for becoming mentally ill than those who have abortions? The answer is that women who have this procedure done are more likely to have had emotional instability in the first place, as well as economic hardships and a higher rate of unexpected pregnancies.

However, women who had their child experience a doubled risk, 1.3%, in the year after giving birth. This jump is due to hormonal changes, sleep deprivation and parental stress - experiences the women who terminate their pregnancies do not have.

The study is drawing religious and philosophical responses.

Gianna Canevari

The Depression Gene

        The scientific community has long been debating genetics’ effect on depression. Researchers at the University of Michigan have presented evidence that genes do effect our susceptibility to depression. 

Their motivation was to finally debunk the rumors and present hard evidence. The dilemma began in 2003 when scientists discovered there is a connection between genes and the neurotransmitter seratonin. In 2009 however, the research was called into question and the results were deemed inexact and incomplete.

Using a broader analysis individual genetic makeup and thousands of participants later, the results were conclusive. Srijan Sen, M.D., Ph.D at U-M reports that a person’s genetic makeup makes a difference in how we respond to stress. Long story short, it comes down to the length of an allele. A short allele means the serotonin gene a has a harder time bouncing back from trauma. 

What does this research mean? Science is one step closer to mapping an individual’s genetic profile for depression. With this research it may be possible to treat depression at an early stage, and develop specific treatment options. Everyone responds to stress in different ways. 

Most of all, this research will decrease the concern about the genetic connection of depression. Scientists can return their focus on  advancements that treat depression. 

Check out the ScienceDaily article.

- Emma Watters

The Three Christs of Ypsilanti

In the 1950's Michigan had a very well funded mental health institutions. Ethically speaking, it was not the best system in the world. A psychologist named Milton Rokeach working at the Ypsilanti Mental Health Insitution decided to take three delusional patients, all whom believed they were Christ reincarnated and place them into a room together. The idea, according to Rokeach, was to challenge each of the patients pathological delusions.
One of the strengths(?) of the experiment was that by definition there can only be one Christ. Each patient took turns calling the other one a false prophet and subsequently excommunicating them. As one could guess, none of the patients made any improvement on their mental faculties. In a later addition of the book, Rokeach admits that he did have no right manipulating the lives of his patients. Hey, it was the 50's, man.

Below is a link to the original article.

http://www.slate.com/id/2255105/

Breaking the "Crazy" Stereotype

Recently, there was a high reaction to a Waunakee, Wis High School's varsity dance routine. The routine titled "We Get Crazy," featured dancers in costumes that resemble straitjackets with the words "Psych Ward" imprinted on the back. They also wore dark makeup, messy hair, and snarled throughout the routine. The reaction comes from the Wisconsin Family Ties, a facility that serves families dealing with children and teens with  emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders.

I completely understand Wisconsin Family Ties' accusations, calling the routine "insensitive." To portray those with certain disorders as being in straitjackets and snarling is a stereotype that should have been broken decades ago. In the U.S. we have drastically altered how we treat those with mental disorders. We've gone from completely ostracizing and torturing to caring and developing new methods of treatments. To have a dance portray our old image of those suffering with mental disorders only shifts us back 50 years.

It is easy to brush off the dance routine as "kids being kids."However, it is necessary to put a stop to this type of thinking during adolescence. If the dancers, or the rest of the student body learn how their actions have negative effects, then it will encourage them to understand and help those with mental disorders.

-Lena Asfour

For the original article, click here!

To read more on Wisconsin Family Ties, read here!

Slipping Through the Cracks

Recently a 63-year-old Vietnam Veteran was arrested for allegedly plotting to attack the largest mosque in North America. However, this is not the first time that Roger Stockham has had run-ins with the law. As a result of his undiagnosed mental illness,  Stockham kidnapped his son in 1979, escaped from a mental institution in 1981, and allegedly planted a pipe bomb at Reno Cannon International Airport in Nevada in 1985.


How has this man avoid being treated for the majority of his adult life? The one frightening fact is that he has repeatedly been caught in acts of violence and has even been institutionalized. He escaped the institution, yet there was no follow up or attempt to re-institutionalize him. 


There needs to be more governmental programs helping the mentally ill, especially those who are arrested. Stockham has been arrested on more than one occasion but still poses a threat to the public.  He should never have been released without being given psychiatric help. Furthermore, there needs to be more education within communities who would be able to spot certain characteristics in its members. This particular case is similar to the recent Arizona shootings.  Jared Loughner continuously went undiagnosed although there was apparent signs of mental illness. He went on to shoot and kill 6 people, while injuring 13 others. 


It is situations like these that could have been prevented if his community was more educated about looking out for mental illnesses. In the case of Stockham, it could have been prevented from the beginning in 1979.


-Lena Asfour
Photo of Roger Stockham by Dearborn Police/Associated Press


Read more on Roger Stockham here!