Male Therapists in Short Supply

NY Times piece entitled "Need Therapy? A Good Man is Hard to Find." The article explores the feminization of mental health care (e.g., the shift from a great number of male therapists to overwhelmingly more female therapists) and how this may or may not impact work done with the client. What do you think? Is the gender of the therapist important? How might it change the outcome of psychotherapy?

Coffee Lowers Cancer Risk

The NY Times explores a recent study entitled "Coffee Lowers Risk of Prostate Cancer, Harvard Study Says." Researchers revealed that men who drank 6 cups of coffee per day -- caffeinated or not -- had a significantly lower risk of prostate cancer. They speculate that it is the antioxidants in the coffee may be a major contributing factor. Would you drink 6 cups of coffee a day if it would lower your cancer risk? What other foods or lifestyle changes would also contribute to lower risk of cancer?

Hazy Memory Predicts Depression?

A recent study reviewed by the NY Times, entitled "Hazy Recall as a Signal Foretelling Depression" examines an individual's ability to recall a very specific versus generalized emotional memory. Researchers speculate that this overgeneral memory may contribute to mental health disorders later on, including depression and PTSD. What might be a confounding variable in these types of studies? How might researchers and psychologists use this information to help treat individuals with mental health problems?

Caring for Caregivers

A recent NY Times article entitled "Caring for an Ill Spouse, and Other Caregivers" explores the benefits of a caregiver support group for individuals who are caring for their spouses, parents or others who are ill. Support groups are an invaluable resource for individuals to vent, have a shoulder to lean on, and to learn ways to cope with their loved one's illness. What other resources need to be made available for caregivers? Why is it that the bulk of caregiving falls on family and there is little governmental support for this?

Celebrating a Death: Ugly, Maybe, But Only Human

NY Times article entitled "Celebrating a Death: Ugly, Maybe, But Only Human" examines the recent death of Osama bin Laden and the spontaneous celebrations that arose when the news was released. Psychologists who were interviewed note that it is a human trait to want revenge, and to celebrate after the revenge is complete as an "existential release." What do you think -- is it human to celebrate a death or is it indecent? How might celebration of revenge change attitudes in the long run?

Up Late = Eat More?

A recent study reported in the Chicago Tribune, entitled "People who stay up late eat more, eat worse, study says," appears to indicate that night owls tended to not only eat more (adding up to a 2-lb a month more weight gain than non-late-nighters), but ate worse and had higher BMIs. What could some of the contributing factors to this be? What critiques might you have of this study, and what more research would you like to see conducted on the link between sleep and eating?

May is Mental Health Month

Mental Health America is proud to continue its tradition of celebrating "May is Mental Health Month," which began in 1949 to raise awareness of mental health conditions and mental wellness for all.

This year, we are addressing these important issues through two themes:

Do More for 1 in 4 is a call to action to help the 1 in 4 American adults who live with a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition and the fact that they can go on to live full and productive lives. 

The second theme, Live Well! It's Essential for Your Potential, focuses on the importance of mental wellness and the steps everyone can take to improve their well-being and resiliency in the face of difficult times and challenges. Mental Health America's Live Your Life Well program offers ten science-based tools to manage stress and help you relax, grow and flourish.