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Latest News Around the Web

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome surging across U.S.

CNN (12/2, LaMotte) reports that cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) – also known as “scromiting” on social media “due to the combination of screaming and loud vomiting” – is on the “rise in the United States. Habitual users of cannabis, including teenagers, are showing up in emergency rooms complaining of severe intestinal distress.” A studypublished in July “found emergency room visits for adolescents aged 13 to 21 years across the nation increased more than 10-fold between 2016 and 2023,” while a November study“found the rate of CHS among adults 18 to 35 rose sharply during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 and remained high.” THC and other cannabinoids in the marijuana plant “have been used for pain relief – paradoxically relieving nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, despite the popularity of marijuana as a [pain reliever], study results on its effectiveness have been mixed.” One possible reason to explain why “the same compound relieve and also cause pain” is “the ever increasing potency of THC in today’s marijuana products.”

Related Links:

— “‘Scromiting,’ a bizarre condition linked to chronic marijuana use, is on the rise,”Sandee LaMotte, CNN, December 2, 2025

Shingles Vaccine May Reduce Risk Of Developing Dementia, Study Finds

The Washington Post (12/2, Sima) reports that researchers earlier this year reported “that the shingles vaccine cuts the risk of developing dementia by 20 percent over a seven-year period.” A large follow-up studypublished Tuesday in Cell “found that shingles vaccination may protect against risks at different stages of dementia – including for people already diagnosed.” The research “found that cognitively healthy people who received the vaccine were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, an early symptomatic phase before dementia.” The study suggests that the shingles vaccine “may help people who already have dementia. Those who got the vaccine were almost 30 percent less likely to die of dementia over nine years, suggesting the vaccine may be slowing the progression of the neurodegenerative syndrome.”

Related Links:

— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)

Smartphone Ownership Linked To Depression, Obesity, Insufficient Sleep in Early Adolescence, Study Finds

HealthDay (12/2, Gotkine) reports a study found that “in early adolescence, smartphone ownership is associated with depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep.” The researchers observed that at age 12 years, “smartphone ownership versus not owning a smartphone was associated with an increased risk for depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep. Associations were seen for younger age of smartphone acquisition with obesity and insufficient sleep. After controlling for baseline mental health and sleep, at age 13 years, among 3,486 youth who did not own a smartphone at age 12 years, those who had acquired a smartphone in the past year had increased odds of reporting clinical-level psychopathology and insufficient sleep when compared with those who had not acquired a smartphone.” The study was published in Pediatrics.

Related Links:

— “Smartphone Ownership Linked To Depression, Obesity, Insufficient Sleep in Early Adolescence, Study Finds,”Elana Gotkine, HealthDay , December 2, 2025

More Than One In Four Mental Health Outpatients Rely Exclusively On Telehealth, Study Finds

American Journal of Managed Care (11/26, Steinzor) reported a study found that “telehealth has rapidly reshaped outpatient mental health care in the US, with new data showing that nearly 28% of adult mental health outpatients relied exclusively on virtual visits in 2021–2022.” The researchers “analyzed data from the 2021–2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, focusing on 4720 adults aged 18 years or older who reported receiving mental health care.” Among adults surveyed, “27.8% received all telemental health care, 21.5% received hybrid care, and 50.6% received all in-person care.” They observed that “telehealth use was highest among adults aged 18 to 44 years, college graduates, higher-income patients, private insurance holders, and urban residents.” They noted that “psychotherapy users – without medication or with medication – and those with less than moderate distress were also more likely to use telehealth, whereas patients receiving only medication or treated by counselors or social workers.” The study was published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Telemental Health Now Serves 1 in 4 Outpatients,”Pearl Steinzor, American Journal of Managed Care , November 26, 2025

About Half Of People Who Die By Suicide Show No Prior Warning Signs, Study Finds

HealthDay (11/26, Edwards) reported a study found that many “people who die by suicide without showing prior warning signs, such as suicidal thoughts or past attempts, may have different underlying risk factors than those who express suicidal behavior.” For the study, researchers analyzed “anonymized genetic data from more than 2,700 people who died by suicide.” They found that “about half of people who die by suicide have no known history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Many also don’t have diagnosed mental health conditions like depression.” The study “also found that this group wasn’t any more likely than the general population to show traits like chronic low mood or neuroticism. Suicide prevention has long focused on identifying and treating depression and related mental health disorders. But this research suggests that approach may not reach everyone who’s at risk.” The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Some Suicide Victims Show No Typical Warning Signs, Study Finds,”I. Edwards, HealthDay, November 26, 2025

Foundation News

Schuster to Receive Anti-Stigma Advocacy Award

Janice Lynch Schuster will be awarded the 2020 Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry (MFP) Anti-Stigma Advocacy Prize for her op-ed, “People are not defined by their diseases” in the October 14, 2019 Baltimore Sun. The MFP Board unanimously felt that her article very effectively portrayed not only how hurtful stigma can be, but that health care providers themselves may be the culprits thoughtlessly participating in stigmatizing people – particularly when people are abusing drugs. Her statement inspires others to seek and give help, and to reframe substance abuse as a disease that must be treated scientifically and empathically.

The Anti-Stigma Advocacy Award, which carries a $500 prize, will be formally presented at the Maryland Psychiatric Society annual meeting on October 8.

The Foundation established this annual prize for a worthy piece published in a major newspaper (preferably local or regional) that accomplishes one or more of the following:
Shares with the public their experience with mental illness in themselves, a family
member, or simply in the community.
Helps others to overcome their inability to talk about mental illness or their own mental
illness.
Imparts particularly insightful observations on the general subject of mental illness.

Click here for information about past winners.

New Radio Ad Explores Racial Inequities and Mental Health in Current Crises

Institutional and structural racism are major factors in these times of pandemic and civil unrest. The African American community is particularly hit hard by the coronavirus, police brutality, and the economic burdens that come with them. The ad explains how there is hope and help available.

Racial Inequities and Current Crises in AmericaRacial Inequities and Current Crises in America, MP3, 712KB

You can listen to the ad using the player in the upper right of the website’s homepage. All past public service spots are also available for listening or to download on our Radio Advertisements page.

The Foundation Strongly Condemns All Forms of Racism

A Message from the Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry Board of Directors:

The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry strongly condemns all forms of racism.  The Foundation calls on all Americans and all levels of government to actively oppose racism, and all related violence and brutality. The Foundation recognizes that there are wide disparities in treatment of mental illness and access to care related to race. Consistent with our mission to fight stigma associated with mental illness and to promote awareness and access to care for all individuals regardless of race, the Foundation pledges to support programs which combat racism.

The Maryland Foundation for Psychiatry stands in solidarity with the agendas of the American Psychiatric Association, Maryland Psychiatric Society, and the Black Psychiatrists of America.  We endorse the following action items outlined by the Black Psychiatrists of America:

• Declare racism a public health problem and establish national goals for addressing this as a health equity issue. Give priority to addressing the issues of health care disparities including the mental health needs of historically marginalized communities across the US.
 
• Provide adequate funding for the clinical care, training, and research needed to eliminate health disparities and require racism impact statements for all government funded services and research. 
 
• Establish a governmental multidisciplinary and ethnically diverse commission with representatives from the major health care professional associations in medicine, nursing, psychiatry, public health, psychology, social work, etc., and the faith-based community to provide recommendations to Congress regarding policies on how best to improve the health and well-being of our nation’s Black citizens.
 
• Declare “Civic Mental Health” a national priority and incorporate it into the educational curriculum from K-college, as well as in the training of local, state and national officials, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system. 
 
• Establish police community review boards with power to take action in areas of police misconduct pending formal review by the appropriate authorities. This will offer a level of empowerment when communities feel they have a voice that can be heard. 
 
• Assure adequate insurance coverage for mental disorders and emotional distress that are the outgrowth of racism, police brutality, discrimination of all kinds and violence. 

The Maryland Psychiatric Society has also put out a statement on their website.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) also condemns racism and has published their statement, too.

New Radio Ad Explores Mental Health in the Wake of the Coronavirus

A recent poll shows that more than half the people in the United States are feeling extremely worried by the coronavirus. They find they aren’t sleeping properly, are distracted, or being driven into depression. The ad explains how there is hope and help available.

The Coronavirus and Your State of MindThe Coronavirus and Your State of Mind, MP3, 721KB

You can listen to the ad using the player in the upper right of the website’s homepage. All past public service spots are also available for listening or to download on our Radio Advertisements page.