DEPRESSION
South Lyon parents who lost son to mental illness push for awareness, education in schools
Frank and Claire Domanico lost their son Eric to suicide when he was 19 years old. As they struggle through a year of firsts without him, they are pushing for a change in the education system to raise mental health awareness.
U-M Mott Children’s poll: Nearly 50% of parents say pandemic negatively impacted their teens’ mental health
Mental health experts say that isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic exacerbates depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts for at-risk teens. He said that the pandemic created new mental health issues for some, but for others exacerbated existing issues. According to the poll, parents said changes in social interactions over the past year seemed to hit their children the hardest. Giving them space for some quiet time, creative time or music time can be helpful to their mental health. Almost one in four parents in the Mott Poll say their teens were experiencing negative changes in their sleep since the pandemic started.
Annual U-M Depression on College Campuses Conference goes virtual
ANN ARBOR – This year’s Depression on College Campuses Conference at the University of Michigan will take place virtually on March 9 and 10. With the theme Addressing the Dual Pandemic: The Impact of COVID-19 and Racial Injustice on College Student Mental Health, the event focused on mental health on college campuses aims to highlight challenges students currently face. AdThe conference will present new research findings, programs and and policies that focus on the mental health of college students in the context of current event. Each year, attendees consist of a diverse group, including students, psychiatrists and psychologists, parents, academic advisors, counselors, health educators and more. Certified or Master Certified Health Education Specialists can receive up to 8.5 Category I contact education hours for attending the event.
U-M: Parent depression, stress caused by pandemic had negative impact on kids’ schooling
Most of the parents said that their children learned online from home, using school-provided electronic resources, educational apps and social media. Roughly 35% of parents reported that their children’s behavior changed since the pandemic began, including feelings of sadness, loneliness and depression. Daily schedule disruptions and a lack of access to free and reduced-price meals from school were significant stressors, parents reported. “Research suggests that, unfortunately, the high levels of stress, anxiety and depression among parents remained high through the summer and early fall. Co-authors on the study are U-M doctoral student in psychology and social work, Kaitlin Ward and U-M undergraduate research assistants Kasey Downing and Olivia Chang.
Musicians around the world perform to honor South Lyon musician lost to suicide
SOUTH LYON, Mich. – World-class saxophonist Eric Domanico would have turned 20 years old on Monday, but he unfortunately lost his battle with mental illness over the summer. Musicians across the globe are honoring the South Lyon teen while bringing awareness to depression among the youth. The childhood photos of Eric Domanico are like any other families’ -- birthday parties, playing outside, friends, family and just being a kid. To honor Eric’s memory, 40 saxophonists from around the world came together to perform with Eric in a virtual tribute. “I was with my sister-in-law when we played it,” said Claire Domanico, Eric’s mother.
Studies reveal alarming trends of anxiety, depression among young adults during COVID-19 pandemic
Experts have uncovered alarming trends regarding anxiety and depression among young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Young adults might not be quite as susceptible to the serious adverse medical effects of COVID-19, but they aren’t protected from the stress and anxiety of the pandemic. Now the effect is being evaluated in a new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Another study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, though unrelated, showed how some of the effects are especially harmful. That study found that an alarming 80% of young adults reported significant depressive symptoms, 80% reported drinking alcohol and 30% reported harmful levels of drinking.
NIH study looks at potential COVID-19 treatments
DETROIT – While much of the attention is focused on efforts to find a coronavirus vaccine, there is also an intense effort underway to find more effective treatments. The fastest path to finding better treatments is looking at drugs that are already approved for different conditions. Oct. 21, 2020: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 150,989; Death toll now at 7,086A new study by the National Institutes of Health reviewed over 130 drugs and selected three to test in hospitalized patients battling COVID-19. NIH director Francis Collins said the new study will focus on drugs to help calm down an overreacting immune system. All of the patients enrolled in the clinical trial will also receive Remdesivir, which is now standard in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Study looks at how mothers are feeling during COVID-19 pandemic
DETROIT – The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on how we live, how we work and also on our mental health. A recent study found many mothers in particular are feeling overwhelmed due to the pandemic. Cera Flynn has always tried to make mental health a priority, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder to manager her anxiety and depression. Mothers working from home report more anxiety, depression and loneliness than fathers working from home. Spending time outdoors and talking to family, friends or a mental health professional also helps.
Why it’s important to talk about depression, anxiety as COVID-19 pandemic continues
Cases of depression and anxiety are on the rise as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues into the fall. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and it’s important for everyone to start talking about mental health issues. We have a mental health and suicide crisis in America. Many times, we don’t see it before it’s too late, or we don’t know how to treat it. Here are some startling numbers: Since 2000, the suicide rate in America has increased by 35%.
More parents concerned about learning disabilities in their children
Parents, who are now more deeply involved in their child’s learning, are increasingly raising concerns about their child’s inability to pay attention or complete tasks. “I do encourage parents to remember this -- this is not necessarily what your child is like in the classroom. She stresses, if there were not any concerns about your child’s attention or learning before the pandemic, other factors are likely to blame. “I think some parents are maybe surprised at some of the skills that their students haven’t mastered yet. If you have any concerns about mental health or learning disabilities, talk to your child’s pediatrician.