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From Iran, Mostafevi et al. report on melatonin as a possible corrective to the metabolic side effects of atypical antipsychotic medications, particularly weight gain. Ameis et al. report on research at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto into transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment of executive functioning deficits in autism. Molteni et al. describe a joint research project uniting investigators from Italy and New York and looking at the critical issue of caregiver stress as it relates to patient impairment, family functioning, and treatment outcomes.
Originating closer to home—Long Island, NY—I suggest that you read Dougherty et al.'s article on the predictive power of the DSM-5 diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. And from California and Chicago, don't miss Mann et al.'s fascinating report on a survey of child psychiatrists' atypical antipsychotic prescribing habits and how they change relative to a hypothetical patient's presentation and history.
The work of these dedicated clinician-researchers and the growing literature help us better treat the families we do see, even briefly. But it doesn't help us reach the sick children who do not visit the emergency room or the doctor's office, or the families who cannot admit that their children have a psychiatric disorder. For that, we need to build awareness and fight stigma outside of our academic community. And that is why the Child Mind Institute runs Speak Up for Kids every May to coincide with National Mental Health Awareness Month.
Briefly, I'd like to report on this year's program, which included the #MyYoungerSelf anti-stigma social media campaign featuring celebrities such as Emma Stone, Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Phelps, Howie Mandel, and Jay Leno. It's incredible that a group of movie stars, athletes, businesspeople, and internet personalities have come forward to share their experiences of growing up with mental health and learning disorders—and to share hope and the message that if you are open about your struggles, everything is going to be okay.
But what makes it transformative—the way we know that things are really changing—is that young people and their families are hearing it. The comments on our Facebook page are an amazing illustration of how families are using this campaign for support and as a source of courage and solidarity.
“As my daughter goes through some of her toughest times of anxiety, Emma is making these videos that speak straight to her (& my) heart,” one mom writes. “As a mental health therapist for children this is so so so important,” says another commenter.
This campaign can be helpful to your patients, their families, and anyone who wants to help kids, and it's not just in May. Visit