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A new study published in JAMA Network looked at trends in public stigma of mental illness in the United States. “The National Stigma Studies are designed to monitor the cultural climate surrounding mental illness and addiction,” study author Bernice A. Pescosolido told us. “This involves not only what people understand, what they can recognize as a problem, what they might do about it (or advise others to do), but also the prejudice and potential discrimination that individuals, families and certain groups face if they have mental health issues.” [More]

Excess deaths among those with mental health conditions and intellectual disabilities has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. A UK study of more than 160 thousand patients found that deaths from COVID-19 among people with learning disabilities were nine times higher than among the general population during the first UK lockdown and were five times higher among those with eating disorders. [More]

A new study published in PLOS Genetics looked at how light affects behavioral despair involving the clock gene Period 1 using mice. “The study is about how light may affect our brain,” study author, Dr. Urs Albrecht told us. “In particular, how light can influence our wellbeing and mood. We were wondering whether light really can affect the brain, because from personal experience life appears to be easier in summer when there is more light than in winter.” [More]

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard says he went into a dark blur after his death, the toll affecting him not just mentallly, but physically. He lost weight, and dealt with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. A Kicking the Stigma virtual fundraiser this Spring raised $4.5 million to distribute to Indiana-based nonprofits that either provide mental health treatment services, or raise awareness about mental health. [More]

A new study published in PNAS looked at attention bias modification in drug addiction and enhancing control of subsequent habits. “In substance use disorder, cues and contexts that remind an individual of the experience of substance use start to habitually grab attention and elicit a physiological response (arousal) that is thought to result in craving and culminate in compulsive substance use,” study author Muhammad A. Parvaz told us. [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Neuropharmacology looked at whether a sensation-seeking trait confers a dormant susceptibility to addiction through intermittent cocaine self-administration in rats. The advantage of studying this phenomenon in rats is that researchers can examine what is different about the brains of high- versus low- sensation-seeking rats. This will help identify new targets for medications designed to treat cocaine use disorder. [More]

People with lived experience of psychiatric or psychosocial disabilities face significant barriers to inclusion in mental health research and policy. But when researchers include them, they can help improve healthcare training and the quality of care. [More]

A recent study found that BPD diagnosis was higher for the LGB community than heterosexual individuals. “Health care professionals evaluating patients for factors linked to BPD might ignore environmental stressors that LGB persons face or be unable to competently assess the extent to which the behaviors signify BPD or normative reactions to stress.” [More]

A new study published in the Journal of Frontiers in Psychology looked at the cross-cultural health behaviors and wellbeing of people during COVID-19. “The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of the pandemic on perceived physical and mental health, changes in physical activity, sleep, eating, and wellbeing,” study author Montse Ruiz told us. [More]

A new study published in the Journal of looked at the relationship between mental illness and solita [More]