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Pacemaker for the brain helps woman with crippling depression. Doctors say it may soon offer hope to others
Researchers are testing deep brain stimulation as a treatment for people with a severe form of depression. Doctors compare it to a pacemaker for the brain. It involves implanting electrodes in the brain, which are attached to a device placed under the skin in the chest.
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What is ‘factitious disorder imposed on another,' or FDIA?
Factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA), formerly known as Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy, is a mental illness in which a person will garner attention by pretending their dependent is ill or disabled.
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Need to talk? The ‘Hey Sam' program trains young people to support others
Many young people are still dealing with the aftermath of the isolation from the pandemic. Boston-based Samaritans, Inc. is looking to support them where they spend the most time – on their phones. The “Hey Sam” program is a peer-to-peer text support line specifically for people ages 15-24, staffed by people in the same age group. “Often we, you know,...
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BCBS: How to Prioritize Your Mental Wellness This Holiday Season
The holiday season can be the most difficult time of the year for many people. Dr. Ximena Sanchez-Samper, a board-certified psychiatrist from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, shares practical tips to help you prioritize your mental health and manage holiday stress.
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Christmas trees across Maine honor victims of suicide
The holiday season can be tough for anyone mourning the loss of a loved one. This year, a mother who lost her son to suicide is trying to raise awareness for those struggling with mental health issues.
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Q&A: Age-appropriate therapy and mental health support
We know that our mental health is an important part of our overall well-being at any age. But when is the right time or age to bring in a mental health professional? A national health interview survey found that just 11.3% of kids ages 5 to 11 received mental health treatment in 2021, compared to 18.9% of those 12 to…
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Mental health during the holidays can be difficult
Managing your mental health during the holidays can be difficult. It can also be a lot more challenging finding a professional who can help you navigate the season in a culturally appropriate way. Dr. Catherine Vuky from at William James College joins us to talk about the mental health disparities during a time when we might find ourselves in need.
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BCBS: Feeling Down in the Winter Months?
With fewer daylight hours during the winter months, you may find yourself experiencing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Dr. Ximena Sanchez-Samper, a board-certified psychiatrist from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, shares insights on how to prevent and improve symptoms.
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Swimmer Felipe Ribeiro paints nails as reminder of bipolar disorder, wins gold at Pan Am Games
Mental health and how athletes deal with it has become top of mind for athletes, coaches and sports executives alike.
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World Mental Health Day 2023: What to know about this year's theme
This year’s theme, “Mental health is a universal human right,” aims to improve knowledge, raise awareness, and drive actions that protect mental health as a human right.
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Country singer Hardy cancels tour due to serious anxiety: ‘It has taken over my life'
The “Wait In the Truck” singer says his mental health remains affected by a bus accident he was involved in last October.
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Man accused of violent attack on flight to Boston facing new charge, possible life sentence
The man accused of a violent outburst on a Boston-bound flight in March in which he tried to open a plane door and stab a flight attendant in the neck has been indicted by a federal grand jury. Francisco Severo Torres, 33, of Leominster, Massachusetts, was indicted on one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and…
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Q&A: Keeping suicide prevention for kids and young adults at top of mind
Para leer en español, haz clic aquí. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for kids and young adults ages 10-24 years old, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide rates in this age group increased by over 50% (52.5%) from 2000 to 2021. Some states in New England are taking action in their schools….
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Suicide prevention for kids, teens and young adults
For National Suicide Prevention Month, we spoke with Edna Rodriguez, a clinical psychologist and an expert in adolescent mental health, about what to look out for and what parents and caregivers should know to support their kids
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Mass. communities open up to psychedelics as advocates push alternative treatments to stubborn issues
As a number of small studies indicate that psychedelic-assisted therapy, including therapy using psilocybin, the active component in magic mushrooms, can be an effective alternative to addiction and mental health treatments, advocates are pushing Massachusetts lawmakers to embrace the potential and asking them to decriminalize the drugs. Already, six Bay State cities have passed local ordinances aimed at decriminalizing psychedelics,…
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Psychedelic drug MDMA eases PTSD symptoms in a study that paves the way for possible US approval
A study has found that the psychedelic drug MDMA, combined with talk therapy, can reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Assistance dog helps students build social-emotional skills in Framingham High School
As students return to classrooms in Massachusetts, one Framingham school is showing success in a program that helps build academic and social-emotional skills for students. Framingham High School offers a program called Resiliency For Life. The program helps about 60 students in ninth through 12th grade through emotional challenges to achieve academic success. “Emotionally we see students who go from…
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Q&A: Back-to-school tips to help your children's mental health
Clinical psychologist and expert in adolescent mental health Edna Rodriguez believes the most important thing to do with your kids is to set expectations for school, not just in academics but other areas, including self-care.
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Many big US cities now answer mental health crisis calls with civilian teams — not police
The Associated Press has found that 14 of the 20 most populous U.S. cities are experimenting with removing police from some nonviolent 911 calls and sending behavioral health clinicians.
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Yale University settles lawsuit alleging it discriminated against students with mental health issues
Yale University and a student group announced Friday that they’ve reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit that accused the Ivy League school of discriminating against students with mental health disabilities, including pressuring them to withdraw. Under the agreement, Yale will modify its policies regarding medical leaves of absence, including streamlining the reinstatement process for students who return to campus. The...