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Today’s question: What percentage of their health budgets do governments spend on mental health?

News

Alternative mental health treatments

A New York Times article outlines the movement to destigmatize mental illness and to offer alternative treatments for supporting those with mental illness. It also discredits the current mainstream view of mental health and the treatment of “mental illness” by medication.

The first pharmaceutical breakthrough, chlorpromazine (known as Thorazine in the United States), was hailed as a miracle drug. Yet the drug had severe side effects including tardive dyskinesia, fainting, a feeling of restlessness, and an inability to stand still. Today’s psychiatric drugs are not any better.

Furthermore, the article challenges mainstream risk management approaches such as reporting, which allow mental health professionals to hospitalize clients who express difficult thoughts such as suicide. The article references a study which found that forcing someone to be hospitalized actually increases their likelihood of attempting suicide after hospitalization.

The new movement is comprised of alternative approaches which include acceptance through a lens of neurodiversity and healing through a supportive and non-judgemental community. Neurodiversity is the idea that it's normal and acceptable for people to have brains that function differently from one another.

On the community support side, organizations such as Afiya House and the Hearing Voices groups allow members to openly share their experiences about their mental health or mental illness. In Afiya House, people are encouraged to speak freely about anything, including taking their lives, and they are not reported for this.

Chacku Mathai, a project director at a large New York State-funded program who hears voices and has visions, talks about his experiences, reflecting that “My experience is so rich. I wouldn’t trade it for anything”. We have a long way to go before we can truly create a society that destigmatizes mental illness and offers effective solutions for those who truly need it.

Other social work-related news

• J Balvin says he 'never thought' he would 'suffer' from mental health issues: 'I need to speak out'

• ‘Waiting for days’: Rhode Island mental health patients are stuck in the ER awaiting help

• Mental health care should be available for all, not a luxury

• Shanghai faces mental health crisis as covid lockdown drags on

• Child protection in England: here is what social work experts know must change in the system

• The Navajo Nation’s first economist takes a fresh view on development

Research

Binge drinking in adolescence can increase the likelihood of alcohol addiction, anxiety, depression, and a host of other debilitating mental health issues in adulthood.

A recent study showed that editing the DNA and genes of rats who had been exposed to binge drinking early in life could diminish both their alcohol-seeking and anxious behaviors. The genes were edited through CRISPR, a family of DNA sequences that allow us to edit genes in organisms directly. Although still too early in its application in humans, the research does show that there may be effective treatments for alcohol addiction and other behavioral issues.

This study builds upon a previous study which showed that binge drinking in adolescence altered certain genes in rats which contributed to alcohol use disorder and anxiety in adulthood.

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Another study found that children who spend more time engaged in adventurous play involving some risks such as climbing trees, riding bikes, and jumping from high surfaces, showed fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. This effect was more pronounced among children from lower-income homes.

Researchers surveyed two samples of parents who had children between ages 5 and 11. The study found that children who spent more time playing adventurously outside had fewer “internalizing symptoms” by asking them questions about the child's play and mental health.

Helen Dodd, professor of child psychology at the University of Exeter, who led the study, mentioned that “This is really positive because play is free, instinctive and rewarding for children, available to everyone, and doesn’t require special skills. We now urgently need to invest in and protect natural spaces, well-designed parks, and adventure playgrounds, to support the mental health of our children.”

Other reads on research

• New initiative found to be effective in supporting the mental health of young adult esports players

• Policy stringency and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal analysis of data from 15 countries

Reads on policy

• Two senators are working across the aisle to address the mental health crisis

• Biden Administration announces $1.5 billion funding opportunity for state opioid response grant program

• New digital tool empowers young people to advocate for mental health policy changes

Cool Jobs & Opportunities 😎

• Hinge funds aspiring mental health professionals who want to help marginalized communities

• Apply for the Care Innovation Vice President role at Brightline

• Work with Frazier, which helps people expand their minds through anonymized therapy sessions

• Become a Group Facilitator at Circles

Answer: According to the WHO, governments spend less than 2% of their health budgets on mental health.

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