College Freshmen Stress Levels are High

NY Times article entitled "Record Level of Stress Found in College Freshmen." Between pre-existing mental health conditions, economic stress, worries about future job opportunities and other challenges, college freshmen appear to exhibit greater mental health needs than ever before. These results echo the APA's Stress in America Survey (available here in .pdf format). How could colleges manage the increased mental health needs of their students? Are there interventions available at the high school level that could tackle mental health and stress concerns before students head off to college?

Culture and Death

Very amazing NY Times article entitled "With Poem, Broaching the Topic of Death." Some cultures do not allow discussion of death, nor interaction of anyone except for family or tribal leaders with the deceased. This article discusses the delicate balance of respecting culture with the necessary medical conversations about end-of-life wishes. How can one balance both? Are there culturally-sensitive ways to explore end of life wishes in other cultures?

Aging Doctors and Cognitive Decline

NY Times article entitled "As Doctors Age, Worry About Their Abilities Grow." Physicians are not immune to developing dementia, Parkinson's, or other debilitating diseases as they age; however, does this mean that all aging physicians should undergo cognitive testing? How should any medical professional be monitored for the presence of impairment?

Surgeons and Suicide

AP article entitled "Errors Lead Surgeons to Contemplate Suicide." This study reveals that surgeons have suicidal ideation at higher rates than the general population, yet they are less likely to seek mental health treatment due to fears of losing their jobs and stigma about mental health. What are the risk factors involved in this? How can mental health be de-stigmatized within the medical field so that physicians and surgeons can get the treatment that they need? How might suicidal ideation in surgeons affect their job performance?

Inactivity is Harmful

This NY Times article entitled "Inactivity is Harmful, Even with Trips to the Gym" discusses a series of research articles that reveal that being sedentary can be dangerous to your health, even if you work out for an hour every day. More time watching TV or being on the internet can translate into higher risks of cardiac or other health problems. How can people integrate more activity into their daily lives? What does a family do to "disconnect" from TV, internet and telephones to be more active and healthy?