The Kaiser Health News (5/2, Gillespie) reported that the “American Psychiatric Association is releasing a first-of-its-kind book to decode in plain English the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – a guide for mental health” professionals “that is also used to determine insurance coverage.”

The APA’s new “resource, Understanding Mental Disorders: Your Guide To DSM-5, includes in-depth explanations of risk factors, symptoms and symptom management, treatment options and success stories.” Psychiatrist and APA spokesman Jeff Bornstein, MD, “said empowering patients with a better understanding of what they are facing will enable them to better advocate for themselves.”

US News & World Report (5/2, Leonard) reported that APA’s new patient resource has garnered “endorsements from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health America.”

Related Links:

— “Decoding Your Diagnosis: Psychiatrists Unveil Plain-English Guide For Patients,” Lisa Gillespie, Kaiser Health News, May 1, 2015.

The New York Times (5/4, D9, Megdal, Subscription Publication) reports that concussion activists are concerned that FIFA is not properly addressing the issue of head injuries to players, despite progress in both recognition and treatment. Although FIFA has considered rule changes such as mandatory stoppages and temporary substitutions for players with head injuries, no such rules have been adopted, leading to widely varying treatment, with players and coaches often determining if an injury requires removal.

Related Links:

— “Competitive Environment Complicates Decisions About Head Injuries,” Howard Medal, New Yrk Times, May 3, 2015.

In a nearly 1,400-word story, the New York Times (5/4, A1, Bosman, Subscription Publication) reports on its front page on “an unfolding crisis” of suicides taking place among young people on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Since December, “nine people between the ages of 12 and 24 have committed suicide.” In addition, “at least 103 attempts by people ages 12 to 24 occurred from December to March, according to the federal Indian Health Service.” The Times points out that “tribe officials, clergy members and social workers say they cannot remember such a high rate of suicides and attempts in such a short period on the reservation.” In a statement, Ron Cornelius, the Great Plains director of the IHS, said this agency “is committed to working with the tribe to address this heartbreaking problem.”

Related Links:

— “Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Struggles With Suicides Among Its Young,” Julie Bosman, New York Times, May 1, 2015.

MedPage Today (5/2, Peck) reported that the American College of Physicians is “promoting its coalition of 36 medical, legal, and community organizations, all of which have now signed on to a document titled ‘Firearm-Related Injury and Death in the United States: A Call to Action from 8 Health Professional Organizations and the American Bar Association.” Among the groups that have signed on are the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American College of Emergency Physicians. Meanwhile, “ACP Executive Vice President Steven Weinberger, MD, said a number of other medical groups – including the American Medical Association – are considering signing on but are awaiting review and approval from their governance bodies.”

Related Links:

— “Taking Aim at Gun Violence: ACP Builds Coalition,” Peggy Peck , Medpage Today, May 1, 2015.

The AP (5/6, Yen) reports that a bipartisan group of senators is calling for an independent investigation into mismanagement by the Department of Veterans Affairs. A report by Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Bob Casey (D-PA) on Wednesday concludes that VA efforts haven’t been enough to reduce backlogs, and the lawmakers plan to introduce legislation requiring the Government Accountability Office to conduct an inquiry into each of the VA’s 56 regional offices.

Related Links:

— “ARE BUNGLED VA CLAIMS SYSTEMIC? SENATORS WANT AGENCY REVIEW,” Hope Yen, Associated Press, May , 2015.