mental health researchers

The Wall Street Journal examines the growing number of adult children who have gone no-contact with their parents, asking what is behind the rise in family estrangement. Therapists and researchers point to shifting attitudes around boundaries, mental health, and childhood experiences as more people openly choose to sever ties. The piece has sparked discussion about whether estrangement is a legitimate act of self-protection or an overreaction fueled by therapy culture.

New research suggests that politicians experiencing poor mental health may have their decision-making abilities impaired. The findings raise questions about the wellbeing of elected officials and the potential consequences for governance and public policy, prompting renewed discussion about how political leaders' mental health is supported and monitored.

Researchers at the University of Rochester are emphasising that suicide prevention works best long before someone reaches a crisis point. Their message centres on early support, recognising warning signs, and building access to mental health care so intervention can happen in everyday settings. The reminder has struck a chord amid growing public attention to mental health worldwide.

New research from the University of South Carolina finds that race and income are not linked to adolescents' mental health after a concussion. Instead, the severity of concussion symptoms is what matters: adolescents with worse symptoms show greater anxiety and depression. The findings suggest clinical attention should focus on symptom burden rather than demographic factors when assessing young patients' psychological recovery after head injury.

Researchers at Stony Brook Medicine have identified a specific brain circuit implicated in obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to new research announced by the institution. The finding offers a more precise picture of the neural mechanisms behind OCD, a condition affecting millions worldwide. The announcement has drawn attention in mental health circles, with observers noting that such discoveries could eventually inform more targeted treatments for the disorder.

New research from the Lupus Foundation of America finds that people with lupus who also have mental health conditions are more likely to require acute care, such as emergency visits and hospitalizations. The findings point to the need for integrated care that addresses mental health alongside the physical symptoms of lupus.

The Workers Compensation Research Institute reports that the frequency of mental health claims in workers' compensation has risen 47%. The finding, covered by Business Insurance, points to growing recognition of psychological injuries in workplace compensation systems and is likely to prompt discussion among employers, insurers and policymakers about causes, costs and how such claims are handled.

The European Union Drugs Agency has convened a discussion focused on the relationship between cannabis use and mental health. The meeting brings the agency's work on drug trends into contact with growing policy debates across Europe over cannabis regulation, as several countries reconsider their laws and researchers continue to weigh potential mental health risks. Details of participants and outcomes were not immediately available.

Sportswear brand ASICS has issued what it calls the world's first conservation warning for movement, framing physical inactivity as a threat comparable to environmental decline. The move accompanies new company research indicating that people worldwide are moving less than before, prompting discussion about sedentary lifestyles and their impact on physical and mental health.

A new study reports that people who experienced trauma in childhood face roughly twice the risk of developing depression in adulthood compared with those who did not. The findings add to growing scientific evidence that early adversity has lasting effects on mental health, and are prompting discussion among clinicians and the public about the importance of early support and trauma-informed care.

New research from Epic Research finds that patients diagnosed with a gambling disorder have far higher rates of other diagnosed mental health conditions than the general patient population. The findings add to growing evidence that problem gambling rarely occurs in isolation and is often accompanied by conditions such as depression or anxiety. Health researchers are highlighting the study as a reason for better screening and integrated treatment for people seeking help with gambling.

A new study published in Nature examines a multiethnic US population and finds that pro-inflammatory cytokines may mediate the association between depression, anxiety, and cardiometabolic disorders such as heart disease and diabetes. The findings suggest inflammation could be a biological pathway explaining why mental health conditions raise the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular illness across diverse ethnic groups.