The New York Times (11/29, Hoffman, Subscription Publication) reported that some evangelical church leaders are reaching out to congregants suffering from mental illness. It described efforts by some pastors and noted the knowledge gap between secular psychologists and psychiatrists, who often have little training regarding the role of religious beliefs, and “the culture of conservative Christianity,” which tends to view “mental illness…as mental weakness.”

Related Links:

— “More Pastors Embrace Talk of Mental Ills,” Jan Hoffman, New York Times, November 28, 2014.

HealthDay (11/27, Preidt) reported that research published online (12/1) in Neurology suggests that “more than half of Americans with dementia have never undergone screening of their thinking and memory skills.” The research “included almost 300 people with dementia, aged 70 and older, who were taking part in the national Health and Retirement Study.”

The Medscape (12/1) reported that investigators “found that about 5% of those 70 years or older with cognitive impairment not dementia (CIND), and less than half of those with frank dementia, received a” clinical cognitive evaluation.

Related Links:

— “Too Few Americans Undergo Dementia Screening,” Robert Preidt, HealthDay, November 26, 2014.

The Wall Street Journal (11/29, A1, Ansberry, Subscription Publication) reported on its front page on the hundreds of thousands of aging veterans who are finding themselves looking for post-traumatic stress disorder treatment after several decades. The Veterans Administration reported nearly double the number of veterans receiving treatment for PTSD from VA hospitals and clinics through March of 2014 compared with 2006. This total was largely Iraq and Afghanistan veterans but also included vets from previous wars such as Vietnam.

Related Links:

— “Vets Seek Help for PTSD Decades After War,” Clare Ansberry, Wall Street Journal, November 29, 2014.
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