Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The website of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center has some research statistics. Many sexual assaults go unreported. Taking a friend or an attorney with you for support when making a report can be helpful. Mental health counselors are also a good source of support, and many are trained to help address the issue of trauma.

Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month. The website of the American Institute of Stress has some research statistics. Self-care is very good for stress management: adequate sleep, good nutrition including hydration, some productive movement (aka exercise), social support, and prayer/meditation. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) can also be helpful. Mental health counselors and wellness coaches can help address the issue of stress management.

Influence of Vitamin A and Retinol

A research team in England is examining the effects of retinol and Vitamin A on mental health, as it appears that too much or too little can present problems. More research is needed. Read more here, and here.

Smoking Cessation Before Age 40

A worldwide study comparing 1.5 million smokers with nonsmokers found that smoking shortened life expectancy by 12 years for women and 13 years for men. However, quitting before age 40 brings overall mortality back to the level of nonsmokers very rapidly. See the study here. There are many approaches to stopping smoking. Consult your physician or a mental health professional.

The Grief of Infertility, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Abortion

Pregnancy and the birth of a child can be a joyous occasion. However, many parents struggle with fertility. Some have had miscarriages or stillbirths. Some regret their abortions. The grief associated with the loss of a child, including infertility, is unique in many ways. For some, it can be traumatic. See the article here. For others suffering from desperation, IVF becomes a temptation. IVF is not an option for Catholics (see explanation here). Mental health counseling in a spiritual context can bring healing to couples with these losses.

Transgender Surgeries Do Not Solve MH Issues in Minors

A comprehensive new study from researchers in Finland found that providing adolescents with transgender medications and surgeries does not appear to solve the underlying mental health problems of youth who struggle with their gender identity. Read more here.

Blood Test to Detect Mental Disorders

Research at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center illuminates a novel method of detecting disease-associated changes in the brain by analyzing genetic material found in human blood. This research builds on a previous Johns Hopkins Medicine study from 2022, which observed EV communication in pregnant women who later developed postpartum depression.

Graphene Neurotechnology

Groundbreaking graphene neurotechnology developed by ICN2 and collaborators promises transformative advances in neuroscience and medical applications, demonstrating high-precision neural interfaces and targeted nerve modulation. Story here.