The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) now has tip sheets for handling the mental health burdens of the oil spill in six different languages: English, Cambodian, Haitian/Creole, Lao, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The tip sheets provide resources for talking to children, managing stress and grief, and recognizing signs of alcohol and substance abuse in others. Read more.

If you are looking for more resources about helping friends and family cope with mental health issues - especially those between the ages of 18-25 - SAMHSA has launched an initiative called “What a Difference a Friend Makes.” The initiative’s website offers information about mental illness and guidance for helping friends through difficult times. Visit the site.

The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released 6 tip sheets providing people with guidance for dealing with mental health issues following the Gulf oil spill. The documents offer information on talking to children and youth about the disaster and coping with your own stress and grief. Also included are tip sheets about recognizing alcohol and substance abuse problems and helping other manage their stress, as well as resources for navigating difficult financial times. Read more.

The federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has passed new standards making it easier for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to receive benefits. While the previous standards required veterans to provide documentation of traumatic events experienced during service, the new rules only require that veterans performed a job, even non-combat, that could have led to the disorder. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing a terrifying or physically harmful event. Read more.

You may already know that exercise is good for your heart, but did you also know that it’s good for your brain? New research shows that exercising may increase your brain’s ability to grow new cells and make new nerve connections, a process called neurogenesis. The more neurogenesis your brain does, the better it performs. Scientists say that exercise has this effect by changing the amounts of two brain molecules: BMP, which prevents neurogenesis, and Noggin, which increases this brain cell growth. The researchers say that even moderate exercise can have a big effect on your brain. Read more.

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare raises awareness about mental, emotional, and behavioral (MEB) disorders in children. Children’s mental health issues are of special concern because the mental health needs of close to 80% of children are not adequately met. Children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems are especially at risk of MEB disorders. When left untreated, MEB disorders can develop into mental health problems that impact how children function at home, in school, and in their communities. The good news is that prevention and treatment can be especially successful when started early in a child’s development. Effective prevention of MEB disorders includes strengthening families, strengthening individuals by building resilience and skills, screening children at risk, promoting facts about mental health in schools, and promoting child mental health through healthcare and community programs. Click here to get the facts.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) has requested $10 million from British Petroleum (BP) to fund mental health services for those affected by the Gulf Coast oil spill. DHH says that mental health problems are already arising from the disaster, with families and communities feeling significant anxiety, depression, stress, and grief. The state wants to address these issues before they grow into more serious mental health problems. The money requested will spoort therapeutic and psychiatric servies from both local human service departments and DHH’s Louisiana Spirit outreach teams. If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally overwhelmed because of the oil spill, free telephone-based counseling is available from DHH by calling 1 (866) 310-7977. Read more.

Institute of Medicine scientists and public health researchers met in New Orleans this week and said that the long-term health effects of crude oil on humans are currently unknown. While immediate effects of direct exposure - stinging eyes, rashes, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and coughs - do not appear to be permanent, panelists advised people to take precaution to avoid extended exposure to crude oil. While further research is needed to determine what the long-term physical health effects related to crude oil exposure may be, one thing is clear: disasters like these often have a negative effect on people’s stress levels and mental health. If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally overwhelmed because of the gulf oil spill, free telephone-based counseling is available from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals by calling 1 (866) 310-7977. Read more about the Institute of Medicine meeting held in New Orleans.