The Toledo (OH) Blade (10/12) reports on a US-wide shortage of psychiatrists at a time of increasing “public awareness of mental illness.” Recently, the American Medical Association conducted a survey that “found that 59 percent of psychiatrists are 55 or older…signaling that many may soon be retiring or reducing their workload,” further exacerbating the shortage. What’s more, there are not enough medical school graduates to replace them. American Psychiatric Association president Renee Binder, MD, “says the perception of inadequate pay is a factor in discouraging some medical students from choosing psychiatry as a specialty.” In Texas, where the shortage of psychiatrists is particularly acute, “lawmakers recently voted to pay the student loans of psychiatrists willing to work in underserved areas.”

Related Links:

— “Shrinking profession: Serious shortage of psychiatrists facing much of U.S.,” Toledo Blade, October 12, 2015.

In a 2,400-word story on its front page, the New York Times (10/12, A1, Carey, Subscription Publication) reports that in certain parts of West Africa, “where psychiatry is virtually unknown,” people with severe mental illnesses end up “shackled” in “prayer camps,” living in appalling conditions, with “no treatment other than prayer.” In a separate 2,400-word article, the New York Times (10/12, Carey, Subscription Publication) reports on efforts underway to change such practices. A “growing number” of groups have begun providing mental healthcare in Africa and Asia without using clinics or physicians, instead relying on “mobile nurses, cheap generic drugs and community support systems.”

Related Links:

— “The Chains of Mental Illness in West Africa,” Benedict Carey, New York Times, October 11, 2015.

In a Wall Street Journal (10/9, A13, Subscription Publication) op-ed, Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), who serves as a psychologist in the Navy Reserve Medical Service Corps, argues for reform of the nation’s mental health system, making a case for his Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. In the editorial, Rep. Murphy also mentions a statistic from the National Institute of Mental Health that people who are being treated for a mental illness have about 15 times less the likelihood of engaging in acts of violence than people whose mental illnesses go untreated.

Related Links:

— “Mass Shootings and a Mental-Health Disgrace,” Tim Murphy, Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2015.

National Journal (10/9, Mimms, Owens, Subscription Publication) reports on stalled efforts to pass mental health reform legislation in Congress. According to National Journal, “while Democrats are taking an all-or-nothing approach to the legislation they’d like to see passed, Republicans who actually get to decide what legislation will see the light of day seem to have higher-ranking items on their” current list of priorities.

Related Links:

— “Partisan Standoff Stalls Both Gun and Mental-Health Bills,” Sarah Mimms and Caitlin Owens, National Journal, October 8, 2015.

The Washington Post (10/8, Wax-Thibodeaux) “Federal Eye” blog reported that “female veterans die by suicide at nearly six times the rate as those with no service record,” because they use guns. Suicides among female veterans have reached “such an alarming number that mental health experts at the Department of Veterans Affairs say the agency is reaching out to former servicewomen to talk about gun safety.” Currently, “VA hospitals and clinics are offering free gun locks and education at every VA to ensure firearm safety…said” Caitlin Thompson, the VA’s deputy director for suicide prevention.

Related Links:

— “VA addresses suicide by gun problem among female veterans,” Emily Wax-Thibodeaux, Washington Post, October 8, 2015.