CNN (10/31, McPhillips) reports, “The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has received millions of calls, texts and online messages since its launch in the summer of 2022, but a…study suggests that the mental health resource is far from reaching its full potential.” According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, “only a quarter of people said they would likely turn to 988 in the future if they or a loved one were experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidality – and less than a third of people with severe psychological distress who had already tried the lifeline were likely to use it again.”

Related Links:

— “Millions use 988 mental health crisis line, but more training, resources could better reach people in need, researchers say,”Deidre McPhillips, CNN, October 31, 2023

Healio (10/30, Capaldo) reports, “Mounting evidence suggests that herpes simplex virus 1 may be associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, according to a systematic review of published studies.” The review of 21 studies found “an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease when HSV-1 is present in the brain vs. controls…according to a meta-analysis with a 4,353-person sample size.” The findings were published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

Related Links:

— “Herpes simplex virus 1 may be associated with increased risk for Alzheimer’s, dementia,”Gabrielle Capaldo, Healio, October 30, 2023

HealthDay (10/30, Murez) reports, “American parents fear their teens’ internet use could expose them to cyberbullying, harmful content and set them up for addiction, a…study shows.” In a survey published in JAMA Network Open, “more than 22% were concerned their children might be dependent on the internet. Twice as many were worried about internet addiction as were concerned about addiction to substances like drugs or alcohol.”

Related Links:

— “1 in 5 U.S. Parents Worry Their Teen Is Addicted to the Internet,”Cara Murez, HealthDay , October 30, 2023

USA Today (10/30, Rodriguez) reports that researchers have “found that people who experienced one or more traumatic events during childhood were 48% more likely to develop headache disorders as an adult.” Researchers found that “the body holds trauma that can manifest into physical symptoms.” The findings were published in Neurology.

Related Links:

— “Suffering from headaches or migraines? Childhood trauma could be causing them,”Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, October 30, 2023

Psychiatric News (10/27) reported that research “suggests that when therapists feel institutional support for the evidence-based treatments they provide, they report less burnout and greater job satisfaction.” Investigators came to this conclusion after analyzing “data from the VHA’s national 2018 Mental Health Provider Survey.” The findings were published in Psychiatric Services.

Related Links:

— “Reducing Burnout in VA Therapists: Study Points to Role of Institutional Support, Psychiatric News , October 27, 2023