CNN (5/26, Azad) reports, “A new study looking at hundreds of LGBTQ youth who died by suicide finds that many were bullied before their death.”

MedPage Today (5/26, Hlavinka) reports, “Bullying was common among LGBTQ youth who died by suicide between 2003 and 2017, especially among younger children,” investigators found. In fact, “among 9,884 children ages 10-19 who died by suicide, a far greater proportion of LGBTQ youth were bullied compared with their heterosexual peers (20.7% vs 4.4%), and LGBTQ decedents had nearly five times the odds of experiencing bullying after adjusting for depression, mental health problems, and family or relationship problems.” The findings were published online in a research letter in JAMA Pediatrics. HealthDay(5/26, Mozes) also covers the study.

Related Links:

— “Many LGTBQ youth who die by suicide are bullied before their death, study finds, “Arman Azad, CNN, May 26, 2020

Psychiatric News (5/26) highlights a case report published in Schizophrenia Bulletin, which “suggests that patients who are taking clozapine may be at risk of clozapine toxicity if they become infected with” coronavirus. Psychiatric News adds, “Clozapine is considered the best option for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but patients taking the medication are at heightened risk of a rare but serious condition known as neutropenia, which can increase risk of severe infections.”

Related Links:

— “Potential Risk of Clozapine Toxicity May Occur in Patients With COVID-19, Psychiatric News, May 26, 2020

The Washington Post (5/26, Fowers, Wan) reports, “A third of Americans are showing signs of clinical anxiety or depression, Census Bureau data shows, the most definitive and alarming sign yet of the psychological toll exacted by the coronavirus pandemic.” Maria A. Oquendo, a psychiatry professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a former president of the APA, said, “It’s understandable given what’s happening. It would be strange if you didn’t feel anxious and depressed. This virus is not like a hurricane or earthquake or even terrorist attack. It’s not something you can see or touch, and yet the fear of it is everywhere.”

Related Links:

— “A third of Americans now show signs of clinical anxiety or depression, Census Bureau finds amid coronavirus pandemic, ” Alyssa Fowers and
William Wan, The Washington Post, May 26, 2020

The Wall Street Journal (5/25, Petersen, Subscription Publication) reports some physicians are concerned about long-term abuse and addiction to anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills as prescriptions for both have increased during the pandemic. In an APA survey released in March, more than one-third of Americans say the pandemic has had a “serious impact” on their mental health.

Related Links:

— “More People Are Taking Drugs for Anxiety and Insomnia, and Doctors Are Worried, “Andrea Petersen, The Wall Street Journal, May 25, 2020

HealthDay (5/22, Preidt) reported, “Mental health problems and substance abuse are common among” police officers, researchers concluded after reviewing “67 studies that included more than 272,000 police officers in 24 countries.” The systematic review revealed that “just under 26% screened positive for hazardous drinking, and 5% would be considered alcohol-dependent or drinking at harmful levels.” What’s more, “one in seven met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, and about one in 10 met the criteria for anxiety disorder or had suicidal thoughts.” The findings were published online May 21 in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Mental Health is Big Issue For Police Officers Around The World: Study, ” Robert Preidt, HealthDay, May 22, 2020