| Science
and News Update |
NIMH: Spontaneous Mutations
Rife in Non-Familial Schizophrenia—Non-Hereditary Genetic
Variations May Help Explain Illness’s Evolutionary Staying Power
People with schizophrenia from families with no history of the illness
were found to harbor eight times more spontaneous mutations —
most in pathways affecting brain development — than healthy
controls, in a study supported in part NIMH. By contrast, no spontaneous
mutations were found in people with schizophrenia who had family histories
of the illness. Researchers report on their whole genome study online
in Nature Genetics, May 30, 2008.
Press Release: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/spontaneous-mutations-rife-in-non-familial-schizophrenia.shtml |
NIMH: Preventive Treatment
May Help Head Off Depression Following a Stroke
For the first time, researchers show that preventive treatment with
an antidepressant medication or talk therapy can significantly reduce
the risk or delay the start of depression following an acute stroke,
according to a study funded by NIMH. These findings differ from past
studies attempting to prevent post stroke depression. The study appears
in the May 28, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American Medical
Association.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/preventive-treatment-may-help-head-off-depression-following-a-stroke.shtml |
NIMH: HIV-positive Survivors
of Sexual Abuse Who Receive Coping Intervention Less Likely to Engage
in Unprotected Sex
HIV-positive people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse are
less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior if they receive a group
intervention designed to help them cope with their traumatic history,
according to an NIMH-funded study published April 1, 2008, in the
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Previous research
has found that people living with HIV are more likely than the general
population to have experienced sexual abuse during childhood. Those
with a history of sexual abuse are also more likely to engage in unprotected
sexual behavior that can contribute to the spread of HIV and AIDS.
In addition, the psychological consequences of childhood sexual abuse,
such as low self-esteem, avoidance, and self-destructiveness, are
associated with risky sexual behavior.
Science Update: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/hiv-positive-survivors-of-sexual-abuse-who-receive-coping-intervention-less-likely-to-engage-in-unprotected-sex.shtml |
NIDA: Scientists Identify
a Brain Mechanism Underlying Persistent Cocaine Craving—Finding
May Lead to New Treatments to Decrease Risk of Relapse
Scientists have identified a mechanism in the brain that helps to
explain why craving for cocaine, and the risk of relapse, seems to
increase in the weeks and months after drug use is stopped. The research
was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and published
in the May 25 issue of the journal Nature.
Press Release: http://www.nida.nih.gov/newsroom/08/NR5-25.html |
NIH Expands National Consortium
Dedicated to Transforming Clinical and Translational Research—Fourteen
Institutions Will Receive $533 Million Over 5 Years to Help Researchers
Turn Laboratory Discoveries into Treatments for Patients
Fourteen academic health centers in 11 states are the latest members
of the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical and Translational
Science Award (CTSA) consortium. Creating a unique network of medical
research institutions across the nation, the consortium is working
to reduce the time it takes for laboratory discoveries to become treatments
for patients and to engage communities in clinical research efforts.
It also is fulfilling the critical need to train the next generation
of clinical and translational researchers. The consortium is led by
the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a part of the NIH.
Press Release: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2008/ncrr-29.htm |
VA Secretary Appoints Panel
of National Suicide Experts—Goal Is Reducing Veterans’
Suicides
Secretary of Veterans Affairs announced the names of members appointed
to two special panels that will make recommendations on ways the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) can improve its programs in suicide prevention,
suicide research and suicide education. Those experts will come from
agencies including the Department of Defense, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, the NIH, and the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The five-member work group
is expected to meet from June 11-13, and will develop a report with
recommendations for the Secretary within 15 days of meeting. The second
group is a nine-member expert panel, made up of nationally renowned
experts in public health suicide programs, suicide research and clinical
treatment programs, that will provide professional opinion, interpretation,
and conclusions on information and data to the work group. It will
also make recommendations to the work group on opportunities for improvement
in VA’s programs.
Press Release: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1506 |
ONDCP: Partnership for a
Drug-Free America, National Congress of American Indians, Office of
National Drug Control Policy and the U.S. Department of the Interior
Launch First National Campaign Targeting Methamphetamine Abuse in
Indian Country
The Office of National Drug Control Policy has partnered with two
other Federal agencies, Health and Human Services and the Department
of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs - along with the Partnership
for Drug-Free America and the National Congress of American Indians
- to launch the first ever anti-meth public service campaign targeted
towards the American Indian and Native Alaskan populations. The campaign
includes radio and print public service messages for the first national
meth prevention initiative developed specifically for Indian Country.
http://www.methresources.gov/nativeamerican/default.aspx |
SAMHSA Honors "The Sopranos,"
"Monk,” “DIRT” at Star-Studded Voice Awards
in Los Angeles Writers and producers from “The Sopranos,”
“Monk,” “Dirt,” Reign Over Me, and others
were honored at the 2008 Voice Awards by SAMHSA. Winners
were recognized for incorporating dignified, respectful, and accurate
depictions of people living with mental health problems into their
programs and films. Awards were also given to outstanding community
leaders with mental illnesses who have had a positive impact on the
acceptance of people with mental health problems in society.
Press Release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0805285209.aspx |
| Resources:
Publications, Toolkits, Other Resources |
New on NIMH Website:
Director's Update; NIMH Grantees Elected to Membership in National
Academy of Sciences http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/updates/2008/nimh-grantees-elected-to-membership-in-national-academy-of-sciences.shtml
|
New on NIDA Website:
Director's Report to the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse -
February, 2008
http://www.nida.nih.gov/DirReports/DirRep208/Default.html |
New Resources from NIH
Genetic Testing: How it is used in Healthcare
Fact Sheet about some of the types of genetic testing being used today.
Additional web links with further information regarding genetic testing
are also included.
http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/genetictesting.pdf |
New NCRR Reporter Shows How Research
Engages Communities
The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) new magazine features
a story about partnerships among researchers, health care providers,
and patient communities helping to bring research advances to the
people who need them. http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/publications/ncrr_reporter/winter-spring2008/cover.asp |
CRS Report to Congress: Suicide Prevention
among Veterans
This report prepared for members and committees of congress by the
Congressional Research Service (CRS) discusses data and risk and protective
factors for suicide in the general population and among veterans.
Suicide prevention efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs are
also discussed.
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34471_20080505.pdf |
GAO: DOD Health Care—Mental
Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Screening Efforts Implemented, but
Consistent Pre-Deployment Medical Record Review Policies Needed
In this report the Government Accountability Office (GAO) discusses
(1) the U.S. Department of Defense’s efforts to implement pre-deployment
mental health screening; (2) how post-deployment mental health referrals
are tracked; and (3) screening requirements for mild traumatic brain
injury.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-615 |
OJJDP: You're Not Alone—The
Journey From Abduction to Empowerment
This new document from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention (OJJDP) presents several stories of child abduction survivors
and how they have grown and developed from their traumatic experiences.
This guide, written by survivors of child abduction, provides information
to help other child abduction survivors cope with their own experiences
and begin their journeys towards a better future. Additionally, this
guide contains space where readers can write down their own thoughts
and feelings in response to each personal story.
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract.asp?pubi=244130 |
Women and Depression: Discovering
Hope A booklet that describes the symptoms, treatment and factors
contributing to depression that are unique to women
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-what-every-woman-should-know/summary.shtml
|
| Calls
for Nominations |
| Calls
for Public Input |
| Calls
for Applications |
| Calendar
of Events |
HRC Regional Training: Consumer Involvement
in Homeless Programs June 11, 2008, Phoenix, Arizona
Developed and presented by consumers, this one day pre-conference
Institute at the National Health Care for the Homeless conference
explores ways to make the most of consumer participation in homeless
service systems. Presented jointly by the Homelessness Resource Center
(HRC) and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council with support
from SAMHSA.
http://www.homeless.samhsa.gov/ |
Bringing Mental Health to the Public:
A Call to Action
June 19, 2008 1-2:30 PM ET
This conference call produced by SAMHSA’s National Technical
Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health will share activities
to bring public health to mental health. Presenters will highlight
strategies that will support a movement to educate policy makers at
all levels, community leaders across the continuum, and family and
youth leaders and advocates in a consistent and accessible way so
that they can further the movement of implementing a public health
approach to mental health.
http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/tacalls2008.html |
Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents
Responding to Chronic Stress: A Guide for Trauma-Focused Groups
June 23, 2008 2-2:30 ET
Sponsored by SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network,
this free webcast will provide information on treatment planning for
complex trauma.
http://www.nctsnet.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_train_tele_compsched |
Strengthening the Intersection of
Demand-Side and Supply-Side Disability Employment Research: Toward
a Coordinated Federal Research Agenda
June 23-25, 2008, Arlington, Virginia
2008 Interagency Subcommittee on Employment (ISE) State of the Science
Conference
The conference will be an interactive, working meeting that will result
in concrete recommendations the ISE can use to establish a five-year
interagency research agenda. The conference will concentrate on the
following core themes: business and employment: a global and technology
driven environment; disability workforce experiences and needs: issues
and research; a competitive disability workforce; and government policies
and practices: role and effect.
http://www.icdr.us/employment2008 |
Creating Trauma-Informed Services
and Settings for People who are Homeless June 24, 2008, 12:00pm -
1:00pm EDT
During this webcast, HRC will define traumatic stress and discuss
its impact on people’s lives; provide an overview of the relationship
between homelessness and trauma; and conclude with a brief discussion
of how to help people heal.
http://www.homeless.samhsa.gov/ |
The National Center for Trauma-Informed
Care Learning Exchange
July 11-12, 2008, Washington, DC
The SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services-funded National Center
for Trauma-Informed Care will be hosting a two-day learning exchange
and networking transformation forum to highlight useful and practical
strategies for moving forward together with the implementation of
trauma-informed care in organizations, programs, and services.
https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=606344 |
2008 NIH Summer Institute on Health
Services Research: Cross-Systems Research to Improve Health Outcomes
July 27 - August 1, 2008, Bethesda, Maryland
The 2008 NIH Summer Institute will address essential conceptual, methodological,
and practical issues involved in planning and carrying out cross-systems
health services research. The Institute is intended for investigators
who have completed their doctorate and who plan to develop entry-level
(e.g.: R03, R21, or R34) NIH grant applications for research in this
area. Faculty will include established investigators from social work
and other fields. The goal is for every participant to develop a draft
grant proposal by the end of the training that will eventually lead
to a grant submission to the relevant NIH institute.
http://conferences.thehillgroup.com/obssr/summerinstitute2008/index.html |
3rd National Conference on Women,
Addiction and Recovery
September 15-17, 2008, Tampa, Florida
SAMHSA’s 3rd National Conference on Women, Addiction and Recovery
brings together the leaders, directors and other stakeholders in women’s
services to hear current research, discuss implementation and promote
effective leadership to professionals and stakeholders to assist women
with substance use disorders and their families.
http://www.samhsa.gov/spotlights/WomenConference.aspx |
The 13th Annual Conference on Advancing
School Mental Health
September 25-27, 2008, Phoenix, Arizona
Sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s
Center for School Mental Health and the IDEA Partnership, this year’s
conference theme is “School Mental Health for All Students:
Building a Shared Agenda for Youth, Families, Schools, and Communities.”
http://csmh.umaryland.edu/conf_meet/AnnualConference/index.html |
The 14th NIMH Biennial Research Conference
on the Economics of Mental Health: Toward Building a High Performance
Mental Health System
September 25–26, 2008, Washington, DC
This biennial economics conference is an integral part of the dissemination
and research portfolio development activities of the Division of Services
and Intervention Research of NIMH. These scientific conferences are
convened exclusively for presentation and discussion of original,
rigorous and innovative technical research papers in mental health
economics.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-funding/scientific-meetings/announcements/2008/the-14th-nimh-biennial-research-conference-on-the-economics-of-mental-health-toward-building-a-high-performance-mental-health-sy.shtml
|
| Funding
Information |
Request for Applications: Campaign
for Mental Health Recovery State Implementation Projects The SAMHSA
Center for Mental Health Services’ Resource Center to Promote
Acceptance, Dignity, and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health
(ADS Center) is accepting applications for Campaign for Mental Health
Recovery (CMHR) State Implementation Grants. The purpose of these
awards is to support and enhance the CMHR through the development
of State outreach and community-based efforts, mental health education
and social inclusion activities. Proposed activities must include
a multicultural target audience of young adults who are 18-25 years
of age, particularly focusing on mental health awareness and education
among the Hispanic American, African American, Asian American, and
Native American populations.
Application Deadline: Friday, June 20, 2008
http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/NASC/awards/2008awards.aspx |
| Programmatic
Funding Opportunities |
HRSA: State Implementation Grants
for Improving Services for Children and Youth with ASD
https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/SFO.asp?ID=31F8668E-33F1-4047-914D-2FDFBCCA31E7
HRSA: Autism Intervention Research Network on Behavioral Health
https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/SFO.asp?ID=29BBB833-C5B2-44B2-9706-9B1E3F932DF4
HRSA: Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health
https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/SFO.asp?ID=FB57E49E-3822-4C8A-B7B6-703348BD4ED6
OJJDP: National Mentoring Programs
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/funding/FundingDetail.asp?fi=103
OJJDP: Strengthening Youth Mentoring through Community Partnerships
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/funding/FundingDetail.asp?fi=102 |
| Research
Funding Opportunities (PAs and RFAs) |
