HealthDay (8/28, Edwards) reports a study found that “teens who feel connected to their school may be better protected from depression linked to bullying.” Researchers observed that “school connectedness – feeling safe, included and supported at school – significantly reduced the risk of depression for teens who had recently been bullied, but not for those bullied earlier in childhood.”

According to the study: “11.9% of participants experienced bullying at both ages 9 and 15 (long-term);” 43% said they “experienced bullying only at age 9, while 5.7% reported bullying only at age 15;” and “those bullied both in childhood and adolescence had the highest depression and anxiety scores, with average anxiety levels of 6.9 on an 18-point scale and depression scores of 4.7 out of 15.

Importantly, extracurricular activities did not significantly buffer anxiety or depression symptoms, suggesting that feeling connected within the school environment itself plays a larger role.” The study was published in BMC Public Health.

Related Links:

— “School Connection May Protect Teens From Depression Linked To Bullying,” I.Edwards, HealthDay, August 28, 2025

The AP (8/27, Ungar) reports that nonalcoholic (NA) beers and mocktails are fueling a “booming industry” as people are trying to reduce their drinking for health reasons, in addition to “the rising number of young adults forgoing alcohol altogether.” A typical beer has about 5% alcohol by volume, while “NA drinks are only allowed to have up to 0.5%, about the same as a ripe banana.” A recent online survey conducted by researchers at Stanford University “found that the vast majority of people who drink both beverages say NA drinks help them reduce their alcohol use.” Nevertheless, health experts warn that “nonalcoholic beverages aren’t for everyone, especially if they might trigger cravings for alcohol. These so-called NA drinks are meant to mimic alcohol in many ways, such as appearance, smell and taste.”

Related Links:

— “Nonalcoholic beer and mocktails can help people stay sober or drink less, but are not for everyone,” Laura Ungar, Associated Press, August 27, 2025

Psychiatric News (8/27) reports a study found that “individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) treated in primary care with a collaborative care model (CoCM) focused on medications for OUD experienced a greater reduction in nonmedical use of opioids than those receiving collaborative care that only treats co-occurring mental health symptoms.” Researchers found that “at three months, patients receiving the OUD-focused CoCM had an average of 1.44 days using opioids compared with 3.98 days among those receiving standard CoCM; at six months, patients in the intervention group had 0.72 days using opioids compared with 3.92 days in the control group. Scores on the MCS improved in both groups, but there was no statistical difference.” The study was published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Collaborative Care for Opioid Use Disorder in Primary Care,” John C. Fortney, PhD; Anna D. Ratzliff, MD, PhD; Brittany E. Blanchard, PhD, JAMA Psychiatry, August 20, 2025

HealthDay (8/26, Solomon) reports, “Few teens with depression receive treatment, with disparities seen based on residence, gender, and race, according to a study.” The investigators “found that 19.2 percent of adolescents experienced [major depressive episodes], but only 47.5 percent received treatment within the past year.” Researchers found “there were significantly lower odds of receiving specialist treatment for adolescents in rural areas versus their urban counterparts.” The findings were published in PLOS Mental Health.

Related Links:

— “Less Than Half of Teens With Major Depression Receive Treatment,” Lori Solomon, HealthDay, August 26, 2025

Modern Healthcare (8/26, Perna, Subscription Publication) reports, “State legislators are moving quickly to regulate artificial intelligence in healthcare, particularly in the mental health arena.” With “federal legislation of AI unlikely during President…Trump’s administration, states are moving ahead with their own laws as the hype over the technology permeates all areas of healthcare.” States such as “Illinois, Nevada and Texas have already passed a handful of laws.” According to Modern Healthcare, “consulting firm Manatt Health said there are more than 250 additional AI bills under consideration across 46 states that could use these early adopters as a roadmap.”

Related Links:

— “States move legislation on AI-enabled mental health, prior auth,” Gabriel Perna, Modern Healthcare, August26 , 2025