Theology and PTSD

           There is no magic treatment for post-traumatic stress. In fact, it can be one of the toughest mental health problems to treat. A Colorado school is taking a theological approach to dealing with PTSD.

They have began teaching Air Force chaplains to take into account religious beliefs specific to the individual. Appealing to these beliefs can better help servicemen and women with coping. There is no prerequisite for having religious beliefs to treat PTSD, but the emphasis on the individuality is key. As every person responds differently to stress, personalizing treatments is the best option for success.

Carrie Doehring a the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado thinks that building trust is an important goal. She believes this program is the only in the country. It is a small program, but growing. A recent graduate and Air Force Chaplain reports this has been incredibly helpful.

It doesn't seem like a bad gig, either. Chaplain Dallas Little, deployed in southwest Asia, has been successfully helping his patients in active duty. Treating servicemen and women on location has its benefits. Soldiers suffering trauma may not know how to share their experience after returning. 

In my opinion, It is great this school is developing a successful approach to dealing with PTSD. Using this personalized approach, as well as sharing the experience of the traumatic environment, is valuable.


Check out the article on MSNBC.

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.

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

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

Supportive Communities Benefit Survivors of Suicide

An interview with Bonnie Kidd, published in The Sarnia Observer’s article “Special Report: Living with Suicide,” is a haunting reminder that the effects of suicide are not isolated to those who commit it. Society needs to provide care and support for the family, friends, and often the entire community left behind by someone who has committed suicide.

While mental illness has historically been one of those family secrets that lies “behind closed doors,” we need to open those doors to foster a supportive community. This could be the most helpful kind of assistance for those who suffer from mental illness and their families. If the worst should ensue, survivors of suicide can reap great support in having a community share their own grieving process.

Click here for more information on how to help a survivor of suicide in your community.

-Kate Midden

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!