Bloomberg (6/3, Yee, Subscription Publication) reported, “An ‘unprecedented’ mental health crisis is overwhelming US cities, which lack adequate resources to address growing challenges, according to a new report released…by the US Conference of Mayors.” The “survey of mayors of 117 cities in 39 states” indicated that “in recent years, the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health issues, particularly involving substance abuse.” The survey found that “97% of mayors said requests for mental health services increased in their city in the past two years, but 88% lack resources to address the crisis.”

Related Links:

— “ “Amy Yee, Bloomberg, June 3, 2023

HCPlive (6/2, Walter) reported that researchers have found that “both Telehealth Collaborative Care and Telehealth Enhanced Referral programs enable psychiatrists and psychologists to treat patients effectively over a virtual setting.” The research included more than 1000 “adult patients who screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder…and/or bipolar disorder from 24 primary care clinics without onsite psychiatrists or psychologists.” The findings were presented during the 2023 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting.

Related Links:

— “Telehealth Platforms Enable Psychiatrists to Best Treat Patients With Complex Disorders “Kenny Walter, HCPlive, June 2, 2023

Healio (6/2, Herpen) reported, “Telepsychiatry may be a safe and effective tool to treat bipolar disorder in adolescents and adults, but deeper research is needed, according to a poster at the American Society of Psychopharmacology annual meeting.” The “literature review of telemedical assistance for bipolar disorder found telepsychiatry effective to treat BD in adolescents and adults, but more research is needed, given the increase in utilization due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors.”

Related Links:

— “Telepsychiatry effective for bipolar disorder, more research required “Robert Herpen, Healio, June 2, 2023

NBC News (6/2, Lovelace) said, “Women are more likely than men to skip, delay or take less medication than was prescribed because of cost, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday.” The conclusion stemmed from the CDC’s yearly National Health Interview Survey, which “found that in 2021, 9.2 million adults ages 18 to 64 – about 1 in 10 – reported skipping, delaying or using less medication than prescribed over the past year to save money.” Regarding “this nonadherence,” the percentage for women came out to 9.1% while the share for men came out to 7%.

Related Links:

— “Women more likely than men to skip or delay medications due to cost, CDC report finds,” Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, June 2, 2023

ABC News (6/3, Nissen) reported, “Amid the promising new data and enthusiasm of ketamine therapy, many of these clinics are now closing their doors due to financial concerns – leaving some patients unsure of their treatment options.” Physicians “who run ketamine clinics say that cash-only ketamine clinics face unique economic challenges.” While “patients pay cash, it may not always be enough to cover the extensive staffing and facility costs required to deliver high-quality care.”

Related Links:

— “Closures of ketamine clinics leave some patients scrambling for treatment,” Dr. Nicholas Nissen, ABC News, June 3, 2023