The AP (7/23, Fendrich , Pells ) reports that as the Paris 2024 Olympics open on Friday, athletes now have more access to mental health resources. Jessica Bartley, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s senior director of psychological services, noted that approximately half of US athletes at the last two Olympiads faced mental health issues. Olympians like Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and Michael Phelps have highlighted the importance of mental health. The International Olympic Committee has implemented various support measures, including a 24/7 helpline and mental health professionals at the Games.

Related Links:

— “Biles, Osaka and Phelps spoke up about mental health. Has anything changed for the Paris Olympics?,”Howard Fendrich , AP, July 23, 2024

Healio (7/22, Byrne ) reports, “Physician coaching by professionally trained peers effectively decreased physician burnout and interpersonal disconnectedness, according to study results.” Additionally, the approach “increased professional fulfillment and engagement, findings of a randomized clinical trial showed.” The findings were publishedin JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Physician peer coaching reduces burnout, improves well-being,”Jennifer Byrne, Healio, July 22, 2024

Neurology Advisor (7/22, Via) reports, “Prolonged depressive symptoms during young adulthood may lead to worse cognitive function later in life, especially among Black adults, according to study findings.” The findings were published in Neurology.

Related Links:

— “More Depressive Symptoms in Young Adulthood May Lead to Poorer Midlife Cognition,”Colette Via, Neurology Advisor, July 22, 2024

HCPlive (7/19, Derman) reported, “A new study observed the high prevalence of medical debt among adults with depression and anxiety, a factor that may prevent people from receiving mental health care.” Compared to people “without the respective mental disorders, medical debt was more prevalent among adults with lifetime depression…lif etime anxiety…curren t depression…and current anxiety.” Additionally, “medical debt was linked to delayed health care among adults with lifetime depression…lif etime anxiety…curren t depression…and current anxiety…compar ed to participants without mental disorders.” The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Medical Debt Causes Many People to Delay or Forgo Mental Health Care,”Chelsie Derman, HCPlive, July 19, 2024

USA Today (7/20, Chernikoff) reported new research “found that some gun laws can prevent firearm suicides among children and teens.” The study found “states with safe storage laws and mandatory waiting periods had lower rates of suicide deaths among children 18 and younger.” Those “same laws did not decrease the risk of kids being murdered by a firearm, the research found.” The findings were published in the Journal of Surgical Research.

Related Links:

— “Gun laws lower firearm-related suicides among youth, study shows,”Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY, July 20, 2024