Bloomberg News (1/9, Kitroeff) reported that research indicates that “some of America’s future lawyers are hiding drug, alcohol, and depression problems instead of seeking help.” Researchers came to this conclusion after surveying “more than 3,300 law students…about their drinking, drug use, and mental health.” These individuals “may be afraid to report the problems because they think that doing so would jeopardize their chances of being admitted to the bar or getting a good job after graduating, according to the” research (pdf), which was published in the Bar Examiner.

Related Links:

— “Study: Future Lawyers Are Hiding Depression and Drug and Alcohol Use,” Natalie Kitroeff, Bloomberg News, January 8, 2016.

In an opinion piece for The Hill (1/7) “Congress Blog,” Bernadette Melnyk, dean of Ohio State University’s School of Nursing, writes that “one of every four to five American adolescents has some kind of mental health challenge, many of them struggling with various levels of depression and anxiety, yet many do not receive treatment.” Melnyk also comments that an additional 15 percent of youngsters are overweight and 17 percent are obese, suggesting an “unaddressed national crisis.”

Melnyk is critical of the education system for not addressing the issue and says “we must do better recognizing what is obvious and implementing solutions that make a difference in classrooms.” She mentions an NIH-funded study that showed the benefits of teaching teens cognitive-behavioral skills.

Related Links:

— “For the mental and physical health of students,” Bernadette Melnyk, The Hill, January 6, 2016.

Reuters (1/7, Doyle) reports that 55 percent of 15- to 20-year-olds admit to having been exposed to alcohol marketing and advertising on the Internet, a study published online Jan. 6 in Pediatrics suggests. Researchers arrived at this conclusion after examining data on a survey conducted in 2011 in which some 2,000 underage people were polled.

Related Links:

— “Underage youth widely exposed to online alcohol marketing,” Kathryn Doyle, Reuters, January 6, 2016.

The Washington Post (1/7, Ingraham) reports in its “Wonkblog” that a study of 2,800 US 12th graders conducted by Texas A&M and the University of Florida revealed that alcohol is a gateway drug, finding “the vast majority of respondents reported using alcohol prior to either tobacco or marijuana initiation.” Tobacco was the first drug, of the three, to be used by 32% of respondents. The study (1/7) was published in the January issue of the Journal of School Health.

Related Links:

— “The real ‘gateway drug’ is 100% legal,” Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post, January 6, 2016.

HealthDay (1/7, Preidt) reports, “Premature menopause may increase a woman’s later risk of depression,” the findings of a 14-study review published online Jan. 6 in JAMA Psychiatry indicate. Researchers found that women “whose menopause began when they were 40 and older had a lower risk of depression later in life than those with premature menopause.”

Related Links:

— “Can Early Menopause Trigger Depression Later in Life?,” Robert Preidt, HealthDay, January 6, 2016.