The Washington Post(8/18, Moyer) reported a study, titled “Reasons for Suicide Attempts in a Clinical Sample of Active Duty Soldiers,” that confirms suicide “isn’t just a symptom of mental illness, but a response to stress may change the way psychologists treat veterans suffering from battle-induced post-traumatic stress disorder. … To reduce suicide, the study says, vets might not need to medicate, but meditate.” According to the study, which was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, breathing exercises and transcendental meditation “may more effectively help soldiers reduce the stress that triggers the bad decisions that could end in a suicide attempt.”

Related Links:

— “A new study explores why soldiers commit suicide, “Justin Moyer, The Washington Post, August 17, 2012.

Reuters (8/18, Jenkins) reported on a sharply higher suicide rate among active-duty soldiers in July, according to the US Army, which tracks the statistics. At 26 suicides, July’s rate more than doubled from June’s — 12 such deaths — and was believed to be the most ever recorded in a single month. Through July, the Army said it likely had 116 suicides, compared to 165 for all of 2011. The Army said 12 reserve soldiers also were believed to have committed suicide in July, for a total this year of 71. Separately, the Marine Corps said it experienced eight likely suicides in July, compared to six in June, bringing its 2012 total to date to 32, which was the total for all suicides in 2011.

Related Links:

— “U.S. Army suicides reached record monthly high in July, “Colleen Jenkins, Reuters, August 17, 2012.

HealthDay (8/18, Goodwin) reported, “For students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or AD/HD, making the transition to college can be especially difficult,” according to experts. However, “by adopting certain strategies, such as sticking to a structured daily schedule and tapping into the university’s disability support services, freshman with AD/HD can do well.” Experts at the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York and Kansas State University provided specific tips for parents and teens on how to make the “transition to college.”

Related Links:

— “Teens With ADHD May Need Help Making Transition to College, “Jenifer Goodwin, HealthDay, August 17, 2012.

HealthDay (8/18, Dallas) reported, “Girls diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide as young women,” according to a study recently published online in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. The study of 228 girls also revealed that “girls in the AD/HD-combined group,” that is, with “a combination of hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive symptoms,” were also “much more likely to hurt themselves.”

Related Links:

— “ADHD May Raise Girls’ Risk for Suicide as Young Adults, “Mary Elizabeth Dallas, HealthDay, August 17, 2012.

New recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding hepatitis C testing received a significant amount of coverage, mostly online, as well as on one of last night’s national news broadcasts. CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden and Dr. John Ward, who runs the CDC’s viral hepatitis division, were quoted in multiple articles. NBC Nightly News (8/16, story 5, 1:30, Williams) reported that the government has a “health warning…for an entire American generation” regarding hepatitis C.

The AP (8/17, Stobbe) reports, “All baby boomers should get a one-time blood test to learn if they have the liver-destroying hepatitis C virus, US health officials said.” Dr. Frieden, during a call with reporters, said, “Unless we take action, we project deaths will increase substantially.”

Related Links:

— “CDC to baby boomers: Get tested for hepatitis C, “Mike Stobbe, Associated Press, August 17, 2012.