EW mental health

A study by Harvard University and other institutions showed the life expectancy gap between men and women tripled from two and a half months to seven and a half months during the 2019-2021 pandemic period. The main reasons were increased COVID deaths, accidents, heart disease and suicide among men. Factors like disease, health behaviors and socioeconomic issues contributed to this, leading to suggestions that specialized care in mental health could reduce the life expectancy gap.

A recent study suggests that strawberries, rich in immune-boosting vitamin C and anthocyanins, can improve memory and mood in dementia patients. In a 12-week trial, participants consuming 24 grams of freeze-dried strawberry powder daily showed better memory recall and lower depression and stress levels. A similar effect was previously observed with blueberries, which have higher anthocyanins content.

In 2021, high-profile athletes Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka emphasized mental health over competition, signifying a cultural shift towards open discussions on mental well-being. However, there is limited understanding of mental illnesses and their complex treatment. Six books dissect these challenges, offering diverse perspectives on mental health from historical aspects to personal stories. They expose the often misunderstood facets of mental disorders, institutional failures, and the struggle to find the appropriate medication, urging a nuanced approach to this subject.

French startup Callyope has raised $2.4 million to develop a remote patient monitoring platform for mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, using voice-based monitoring. The technology will assist overburdened psychiatrists, notifying them so timely checks and preventive measures can be implemented to avoid relapses. The platform employs speech recognition and monitors other soft biomarkers.

A study conducted at Texas A&M University explored the benefits of anger, challenging the common notion that people should always aim to be happy. The researchers found that volunteers in a state of anger outperformed others in achieving challenging tasks. The study suggests that experiencing a range of emotions may lead to greater life satisfaction and better performance.

Durham University’s study found that quitting social media is complex, bringing both positive and negative emotional changes. The study, involving 51 moderate to heavy users aged 18-25, found a dip in negative emotions like boredom and loneliness during a week without social media, but also a decrease in positive feelings. Participants, however, reported no addiction-related cravings, contradicting theories likening social media to chemical or behavioural addictions. These findings suggest a more nuanced view of social media’s impact is needed.

Research has found that while weight-loss surgery may double the chances of single people getting married, it also increases the likelihood of married people getting divorced. US and Scandinavian studies showed similar trends, indicating that changes in weight, health, and sexual desire, could strain marriages post-surgery. However, 81% of the respondents remained married five years post-surgery.

Aberystwyth University’s research suggests magicians are less prone to mental health difficulties compared to other creative professions or the general population. Magicians demonstrated lower scores on psychopathological traits indicating fewer tendencies towards antisocial behaviour and unusual experiences. The study aligns magicians’ mental health profiles with those of mathematicians and scientists, indicating that the relationship between creativity and psychopathology is intricate.

In the digital age, excessive use of technology and social media is proving detrimental to mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, stress, and decreased cognitive abilities. Features like online short videos are contributing to shrinking attention spans, while constant notifications encourage addictive behavior, reducing productivity. However, this negative impact can be mitigated through alternatives like physical activities, mindful use of technology, and maintaining offline connections. Maintaining mental health in the digital age is crucial, as unchecked excessive digital usage could dictate our emotions and lives.

During the Behavioral Health Tech 2023 conference, digital health experts discussed the effectiveness of digital mental health solutions. They agreed that addressing patient needs, reducing no-show rates, conducting controlled clinical trials, and improving access to care are key components of a successful digital solution. However, the need to evaluate whether these solutions are making a significant impact on the mental health crisis was also emphasized.

Scientists have engineered a gut bacterium, Lactobacillus paracasei, to produce a protein (ACE2), which lowers blood pressure. This groundbreaking study by the University of Toledo suggests that the gut microbiome can be employed to treat hypertension. This development also raises the possibility of using bacteria to control other health areas such as blood sugar.

The integration of mental health analytics into wearable health devices might soon transform mental health care. Using machine learning models to analyze real-time data from smartwatches and other connected devices could potentially track mental health parameters and predict anxiety or depression risks. This approach heavily relies on user consent, data security, and data personalization. Proactive and reactive alerts, automated remedial responses, and optional data sharing with employers could support individual well-being as well as contribute to better workforce management.

A “worry tree” is a therapeutic tool used to address and manage chronic worries. Originating from the book “Managing Your Mind”, it provides a structure for addressing worries, distinguishing between real and hypothetical worries, aiding the brain in realizing threats, and assisting in the decision whether to act, delay action, or let the worry go. This cognitive behavioral therapy tool helps create psychological distance from worries, distinguishing cognitive distortions, and promoting a more positive outlook.