Psychiatry Roundup: January

Schizophrenia Risk From Complex Variation of Complement Component 4
In the biggest mental health story of the year thus far, researchers have discovered genetic links to schizophrenia. The results bring us one step closer to finding the cause and may dispel claims that biological psychiatry is a myth.
Nature, January 27, 2016

APA Welcomes President’s Call for Investments in Mental Health, Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence
In response to President Obama’s announcement on gun violence and mental health, Renée Binder, MD, President of the American Psychiatric Association, stated that the APA applauds efforts to “make needed investments in mental health and curb the epidemic of gun violence in our country.” The APA plans to work with Congress to make funding possible for health care reform.
American Psychiatric Association, January 5, 2016

Screening for Depression in Adults
In a statement by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) depression screening is now recommended for all adults, including pregnant and postpartum women. This widens the net of health care to include mental health screening.
JAMA, January 26, 2016

Robert Spitzer: The Most Influential Psychiatrist of His Time Resolving to Remember These Psychiatrists
Allan Frances, MD eulogizes Robert Spitzer, MD, who died on Christmas Day 2015. “He shaped psychiatry far more than anyone else in the past half century.” In a Psychiatric Times article, H. Steven Moffic MD wrote, “As the Chair of the Task Force for DSM-III, Dr Spitzer led the controversial change from a psychoanalytically-based diagnostic classification to one based on data and description.”
The Lancet, January 7, 2016
Psychiatric Times, January 12, 2016

Bell Let’s Talk Day
On January 27, the Canadian company Bell promised to donate 5 cents to mental health initiatives for every Facebook share, #BellLetsTalk tweet, and various text options. “Talking is the best way to start breaking down the barriers associated with mental illness.”
Bell Let’s Talk, January 27, 2016

No, You Don’t Need ‘Closure
Hematologist/Oncologist Stephen J. Forman, MD of the Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at City of Hope in California writes about grief: “The reality is that closure is a myth.” Many would prefer we "get over it," but that is not always possible.
Wall Street Journal, January 6, 2016