News from the Department

The best way to address the mental health challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is to have already been working hard to support employees before the pandemic. That was one of the big takeaways from the recent "Rethinking Mental Health and Well-being" panel hosted by Fortune. Mira Zein, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this article.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, may help relieve symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans. This article features a study recently published by several faculty members in the department and their colleagues.

Undue anxiety or depression can foster the development of a serious physical disease, and even impede the ability to withstand or recover from one. The potential consequences are particularly timely, as the ongoing stress and disruptions of the pandemic continue to take a toll on mental health. David Spiegel, Willson Professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this article.

The insidious trickle of tech tracking into every aspect of our lives can be toxic in ways we aren't even conscious of. Elias Aboujaoude, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this article.

For decades, Stanford has engaged in school and community collaborations that support positive youth development, including efforts focusing on mental health and well-being. This article highlights the Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and many other related initiatives.

Among the many complaints about Robinhood Markets Inc. in the pandemic era, one attack seemed to stick: the brokerage app was making trading too easy and too fun. Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment on addictive trading behaviors.

Families of young kids with ADHD should get parenting-skills therapy before other treatments, but this happens infrequently, a study found. The Stanford Parenting Center in the department is mentioned in this article for their Positive Parenting consultation groups.

In this article, Steven Adelsheim, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and the Media and Mental Health Initiative are featured. MMHI has the potential to improve media narratives around mental health and head off harmful storytelling. A notable concern is media coverage of suicides, which can raise or lower the risk of subsequent suicides in communities.

In this segment, Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, discusses addiction as a contemporary "plague", and that it will likely be an affliction that will affect the human race for the foreseeable future.

This episode addresses psychosocial oncology, a growing cancer subspecialty that addresses the variety of psychological, behavioral, emotional and social issues that may arise for cancer patients. Sheila Lahijani, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is interviewed in this episode.

Is your child having trouble sleeping? According to a Stanford Medicine study, children who learned techniques such as deep breathing and yoga slept longer and better, even though the curriculum didn’t instruct them in improving sleep. Lisa Kim interviews Victor Carrion, the John A. Turner Professor and Vice-Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Director of the Stanford Early Life Stress and Resilience Program, in this 90 second feature.

We can't change the fact that our kids are going back into the classroom, but we can help them navigate their anxiety so they can enjoy school again. Elizabeth Reichert, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment in this article.

So far, 18 states have commercial legalization, and there are fights in a handful more states as well as in Washington, DC, to enact the model there. Some experts and advocates don’t love this model. There are genuine concerns that the current commercial model of legalization will lead to “Big Marijuana”: a large industry that, similar to the tobacco, alcohol, and opioid industries, has a powerful financial incentive to market and sell its product to as many people as possible, no matter the consequences for consumers or the public more broadly. Keith Humphreys, Esther Ting Memorial professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment in this article.

The 54th Faculty Senate discussed civil discourse, voted to extend legislation allowing its Steering Committee to convene to make decisions on behalf of the full senate in administrative session during the COVID-19 crisis and heard from the Associated Students of Stanford University during its first meeting of the academic year on Oct. 7. Ruth O’Hara, senior associate dean for research in the School of Medicine, director of Spectrum, and the Lowell W. and Josephine Q. Berry Professor and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this article.

The media giant’s own research highlights potential harmful effects of their apps on eating disorders, self-esteem, and mental health. Sarah Adler, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

The world experienced a forced break from Facebook's social networking tools on Monday, and many people felt liberated from their devices. Experts say we should liberate ourselves and do it more often. Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this article.

New research in mice has shown how targeted stimulation of the brain’s serotonin system could improve memory for new acquaintances, even after a brief introduction. Robert Malenka, the Nancy Friend Pritzker Professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Xiaoting Wu, postdoctoral researcher, are featured in this article.

Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen testified about the risks of social media for kids. If you're a parent worried about your children, here are some things you can do. Vicki Harrison, program director for the Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and the GoodforMEdia project, provides comment.

Senate Bill 221, which passed both houses of the Legislature with a near unanimous vote, would require health insurers across the state to reduce wait times for mental health appointments to no more than 10 business days. The bill is currently on the governor's desk. Keith Humphreys, Esther Ting Memorial professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

During testimony on Capitol Hill, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen claimed the company chooses to let content on its platform that is "disastrous" for society, and can be especially harmful to children. Sarah Adler, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Among young people, the idea that Instagram can hurt someone’s self-image is widely discussed. Vicki Harrison, program director for the Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and the GoodforMEdia project, provides comment.

It’s no surprise that when a person gets a diagnosis of heart disease, cancer or some other life-limiting or life-threatening physical ailment, they become anxious of depressed. But the reverse can also be true: Undue anxiety or depression can foster the development of a serious physical disease, and even impede the ability to withstand or recover from one. David Spiegel, Willson Professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is interviewed in this article.

Poor work environments and burnout are putting pressure on already strained nurses — and without better resources, trauma and fatigue will cause a nurse staffing crisis, experts told Insider. Debra Kaysen, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this article.

A recent article in the journal Nature credits Sergiu Pasca, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, with blazing a trail toward a more profound understanding of early brain development, and of what can go wrong in the process, using a cell-based research innovation he named "assembloids."

This article features the allcove centers, standalone health and wellness sites for youth ages 12 to 25, often on a walk-in basis, at minimal or no cost. Although allcove is built to support a wide range of physical, emotional, and social needs, its overarching goal is to deal with mental health challenges before they develop into deeper problems. allcove is yet in its infancy, with two sites just opened in the Bay Area and five more in the pipeline around California. It’s modeled on a 15-year-old program in Australia, headspace, which has 130 such clinics. Steven Adelsheim, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and the Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing are featured in this article.

A new resource profiles gene expression and the accessibility of DNA in single cells across the developing human cerebral cortex and may help scientists decipher the effects of noncoding mutations linked to autism. Sergiu Pasca, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

With federal fentanyl seizures soaring over 155% so far this year in San Francisco, the Drug Enforcement Administration Monday issued a health warning over the lethal toll overdoses are taking in the Bay Area and across the country. Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

Is problem-solving therapy effective in treating individuals who have both depression and obesity? Researchers have identified an important step toward discovering how and why therapies and treatments work. Research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that problem-solving therapy led to short-term changes in the amygdala — the gateway to emotion regulation in the brain. Co-investigators of the study at Stanford are mentioned in this article.

Discoveries by Karl Deisseroth and his two co-recipients regarding microbial light-activated molecules led to his development of a way to manipulate selected neurons in living animals to observe changes in their behavior. Deisseroth, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and of bioengineering, has been named a co-recipient of this year’s Lasker Basic Medical Research Award. Congratulations!

The Human Rights and Mental Health Program at Stanford has partnered with the Documentation Center of Cambodia as a consultant in the project to promote the rights and improve the health status of regime survivors The Khmer Rouge. Program members Jessie Bruner, Beth van Schaack, and Daryn Reicherter are featured in this article.

Stanford Medicine scientists have linked insulin resistance to an increased risk of developing major depressive disorder. Natalie Rasgon, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Katie Watson, postdoctoral scholar, are quoted about the study in this article.

For kids, developing a healthier relationship with Instagram and other platforms can be tricky. Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted on the topic in this article.

Insulin resistance predicted the development of major depressive disorder in adults over the course of nine years, according to a recently published study. Natalie Rasgon, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Katie Watson, postdoctoral scholar, are quoted about the study in this article.

Daniel Mason, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, speaks on his passion for literature and medicine in this Stanford Medicine post.

The IBRO Dargut and Milena Kemali Foundation announced that Sergiu Pasca, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, has been awarded the 2022 IBRO-Dargut and Milena Kemali International Prize for Research in the field of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences “in recognition of his innovative research work using stem cell technology to create human brain organoids and assembloids, and their application to realistic studies of cellular mechanisms of human brain development and disease mechanisms.” Congratulations, Dr. Pasca!

According to a new study from Stanford Medicine researchers, Muslims have a greater risk of attempting suicide compared with those of other faiths. Rania Awaad, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health Lab, discusses the study in this article.

Sleeping — something we do for roughly a third of our lifetimes — is essential for our physical and mental well being. Host Jonathan Bastian talks with Rafael Pelayo, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, about the science of sleep and why we’re facing an “epidemic of sleep deprivation.”

The attacks fuelled racism and increased US government surveillance, altering the lives of countless Muslim Americans. Rania Awaad, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this article.

With an influx of COVID-19--related funding targeted towards children's mental health, a new report from Silicon Valley Leadership Group's Education Team examines the steps Bay Area schools have taken to date to address the underlying stressors and concerns facing local youth. Steven Adelsheim, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this article.

People aren’t their illness. Don’t call someone “a schizophrenic,” for example, experts say. Instead say, “a person with schizophrenia.” Victor Schwartz, a psychiatrist at New York University School of Medicine who helped organize the Media and Mental Health Initiative at Stanford University, said that disparaging “language can feel shame-inducing. It makes it harder for people to reach out for help or admit they are having mental health problems.”

Brain scans from 16 mouse models of autism reveal at least four distinct patterns of brain activity, a new study suggests. The findings lend fresh support to the popular idea that autism is associated with a range of brain ‘signatures.’ Kaustubh Supekar, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this article.

A phase 3 study has found that an extended-release version of sodium oxybate reduces daytime sleepiness and attacks of muscle weakness in narcolepsy patients. Clete Kushida, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is interviewed about the study in this article.

We asked some of the #StanfordWIM in our department to share their stories - why they pursued a career in medicine, what their work focuses on, what the most fulfilling parts of their work are, and what advice they would give themselves when they started in the field. Read what they have to say! #WomenInMedicine

Such friendships are crucial, experts say, in helping create a road map for successful adult relationships. Douglas Rait, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and chief of the Couples and Family Therapy Clinic, provides comment in this article.

MSKCC's Integrative Medicine at Home (or IM@Home) program, which offers daily, live, online lifestyle and mind-body classes in cardio-strength fitness training, yoga, Tai Chi, mindfulness meditation, music therapy, dance, and more for cancer patients and caregivers, is featured in this article. Sue Kim, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Data from a new study suggests it may take longer than a week to recover from periods of short sleep when it comes to how quickly our brains are able to process new information. Jamie Zeitzer, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment about the study in this article.

Congratulations to Isheeta Zalpuri, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, recipient of the 2021 Association for Academic Psychiatry (AAP) Early Career Development Award, which recognizes outstanding leaders, educators, researchers, and clinicians in the field of psychiatry.

Two new spaces providing mental health services for youth opened in San Jose and Palo Alto this summer. allcove, a mental health group which provides services for people 12 to 25 for little to no cost, opened the two new centers in the East Bay on June 25 after a long history of providing digital services. Several members of the team at allcove, including the Youth Advisory Group and staff, and the Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing, are featured in this piece.

Human beings are programmed to approach pleasure and avoid pain. It's an instinct that dates back millions of years, to a time when people needed to actively seek food, clothing and shelter every day, or risk death. But in today's world, such basic needs are often readily available — which changes the equation. Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is interviewed here about her new book.

In observance of National Suicide Prevention Week, a week dedicated to bringing awareness around the topic of suicide, the harms associated with it, and how to prevent it, Rania Awaad, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, discusses how to prevent suicide from occurring and how to address the symptoms leading up to it in this podcast.

The Media and Mental Health Initiative at Stanford University Department of Psychiatry aims to promote public health education about mental health and suicide. This is the first of two articles describing the initiative and issues around media reporting and suicide contagion. Steven Adelsheim, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment in this article.

The Daily spoke with several behavioral sciences experts to discuss ways students and teenagers can return to post-pandemic social life and increased mental health. Antonio Hardan, Elias Aboujaoude, and Steven Sust are quoted throughout.

What can psychiatrists do to help veterans, Muslims, immigrants, refugees, and all those affected by the US withdrawal? Rania Awaad, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, writes this piece with colleagues who have formed a group called SPIRIT - Social Psychiatrists Interested in Recovery from International Trauma.

More than half of working people in the United States report experiencing the “Sunday scaries,” a phenomenon in which people experience stress or anxiety on a Sunday before the coming workweek. David Spiegel, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment in this piece.

Rising rates of depression and anxiety in wealthy countries like the U.S. may be a result of our brains getting hooked on the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, discusses addiction in the Wall Street Journal essay.

Having to unexpectedly care for a loved one due to an accident or illness can be daunting. Get advice for navigating this unfamiliar world. Douglas Noordsy, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment in this article.

In this episode, Andrew Huberman interviews Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. They discuss the biology and psychology of why people become addicted to certain substances and behaviors and the key role that "dopamine balance" plays in creating addiction, as well as the science and practice of how to conquer addictions, why people relapse, and how to avoid relapsing.

Business Insider selected business leaders, scientists, doctors, and entrepreneurs who are transforming the healthcare industry as we know it. Congratulations to Nina Vasan, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, who was selected for her work in destigmatizing mental-health care and working with technology to bring mental health care to the masses.

Celebrating its 90th birthday, the jury of the California Book Awards has selected this year’s Gold and Silver Medal winners for its 2021 awards. Congratulations to Daniel Mason, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, for the fiction category gold medal for his book: "A Registry of My Passage Upon the Earth."

Returning to school as the pandemic stretches on may spark anxiety in young students, but there are approaches to build children’s resilience. Elizabeth Reichert, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment in this article.

There are many activity trackers, devices and apps designed to track your sleep. Many sleep tech companies claim these solutions can help you understand your sleep, get more rest and build better sleep habits. But is sleep tracking accurate? And, importantly, can tech improve your sleep? Jamie Zeitzer, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this article about sleep trackers.

Rania Awaad, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, discusses the unmet mental health needs of the Muslim American population - and some clinical pearls that may help clinicians meet the needs - in this article.

At the 2021 Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute Conference, Yelizaveta Sher, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, received the 2021 CFRI CF Professional of the Year Award.

Scientists at UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, and Stanford are working together to discover and treat the causes behind age-associated cognitive decline. Philippe Mourrain, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is part of the study.

Lawyers representing children in U.S. immigration custody asked a federal court on Monday to order the release of migrant teenagers from two emergency housing sites in Texas where minors have reported mental distress, substandard conditions, prolonged stays and inadequate services. Ryan Matlow, clinical associate professor, who interviewed migrant teens held at Fort Bliss, said children could suffer "clinically significant psychological harm" if they remain in large-scale sites like the Army base's tent camp for longer than a few days.

The Perkins Platform podcast recently interviewed Rafael Pelayo, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, on the subject of sleep's impact on leadership and decision-making.

The genetic factors that influence autism may overlap with those that underlie insomnia, according to a new study of people with autism and their relatives. By contrast, the two conditions show minimal overlap in environmental influences. Philippe Mourrain, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted on the subject.

The finding that MDMA and an experimental serotonin agonist increase sociability across six different model mice suggests that disparate autism-linked mutations converge on the same underlying pathways. Robert Malenka, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment about the findings.

Stanford students share solutions they've developed to challenging health care problems through Stanford Health Technology showcase. Lawrence Fung, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is mentioned in this article related to a website that he worked with Stanford Biodesign students on that provides parents of children with autism with comprehensive support and resources.

A complex system in the brain that keeps gymnasts balanced can get out of whack. Kelli Moran-Miller, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment in this article.

Muslim adults in the U.S. were twice as likely to report a history of suicide attempt compared with individuals from other faith traditions, according to results of a survey in a research letter published in JAMA Psychiatry. Rania Awaad, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

As the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA has eased, the extent of devastation caused during this period by the opioid epidemic is no longer obscured. Bolstering efforts to identify cohesive, evidence-based strategies for curtailing the opioid crisis, the Stanford–Lancet Commission on the North American Opioid Crisis was convened in February, 2020. Led by Keith Humphreys, it will investigate the causes and chart a course to curb not only fatalities but also disabilities and comorbidities associated with addiction, as well as wider impacts on affected communities.

Teens in the Palo Alto area now have access to a groundbreaking walk-in mental health clinic, allcove — which is run by Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services in collaboration with multiple agencies, including Stanford’s Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing — reimagines how mental health issues in the community are addressed through an approach of early intervention. Steven Adelsheim, clinical professor and Associate Chair for Community Engagement, is quoted.

Learning techniques to build resilience lowers the stress and anxiety of raising a child with autism, Stanford research found. Grace Gengoux, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and the study's senior author, provides comment.

The coronavirus pandemic and the continued spread of illegal fentanyl took a devastating toll on drug users, experts said, as the government reported a staggering increase in fatalities. Keith Humphreys, Esther Ting Memorial Professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

While COVID-19 may feel under control, many people are feeling mentally off - chronically exhausted, burned out, anxious, quick to anger, and depressed. One treatment offers hope, but it's not without controversy. Alan Schatzberg and Nolan Williams provide comment a recent study that was published online by the American Journal of Psychiatry.

In this article on sleep deprivation, two sleep experts discuss signs you're not getting enough sleep and how to sleep better. Philippe Mourrain, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted.

Smartphones have become essential, but fixation with all they have to offer -- apps for social media, streaming, games and more -- can be a slippery slope. If you're finding it hard to look up from your phone these days, this article offers 12 ways to start moving in the right direction. Smita Das, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Phone interviews conducted among nearly 3,000 American college students between 2007 and 2015 revealed that roughly one in 20 had "internet gaming disorder," a clinical condition defined by the compulsive use of electronics, both online and offline. Maurice Ohayon, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this coverage.

Elementary schoolchildren who took mindfulness training two times a week for two years slept an average of 74 extra minutes a night, a new study found. That boost in total sleep time included an additional 24 minutes of rapid eye movement (REM), the dream stage of sleep when memories are consolidated and stored. Ruth O'Hara, Christina Chick, and Victor Carrion are quoted in the article about the study.

Supporting the research careers of medical doctors conducting biomedical investigation has long been a priority of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The Career Award for Medical Scientists (CAMS) focuses on the transition of physician-scientists from postdocs/fellows into an independent research position. This program hopes to address the shortage of physicians entering the research workforce. Congratulations to Neir Eshel, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, CAMS recipient!

Munchausen by Proxy is a widely misunderstood form of child abuse that can cause lifelong mental health issues and trauma for survivors. Mary Sanders, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, was interviewed in this New Day NW segment to spread awareness on the sometimes controversial topic.

Children who learned techniques such as deep breathing and yoga slept longer and better, even though the curriculum didn’t instruct them in improving sleep, a Stanford study has found. Ruth O'Hara, Christina Chick, and Victor Carrion and other members of the study team are featured in this piece.

Surfside search and rescue: Experts weigh in on mental health concerns as rescue efforts continue. Ripal Shah, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Bipolar disorder is most often diagnosed in the later teen years or young adulthood, affecting some 4 percent of people at some point in their lives. Symptoms in children may initially be mistaken for other conditions, and young people may suffer serious distress for years. Terence Ketter, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, emeritus, is quoted.

While some companies, such as Twitter and DropBox, have said that employees may work remotely forever, others are planning a return to the office this summer or fall. For those making the switch from fully remote to in-person or hybrid work, the key to a successful re-entry is staying true to the spirit of the word "transition," experts say. Victor Carrión, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Last Friday, the first two allcove centers - in San José and Palo Alto - began offering services supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people. The opening of these first two centers is the culmination of many years of work to bring integrated mental health resources to local youth. Several members of the team at allcove, including the Youth Advisory Group and staff, and the Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing, are featured in this piece.

Physicians experience burnout more than most workers, but the problem isn't inherent to the medical profession, according to a study conducted by Mickey Trockel, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and colleagues. The study compared physicians' self-compassion with those of people in other professions and pointed to the causes of physician burnout.

Rania Awaad, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab, and other mental health professionals are working alongside some faith leaders and activists to bring nuance and compassion to conversations, raise awareness in Muslim communities about suicide prevention and mental health, and provide religiously and culturally sensitive guidance.

During COVID-19, many people experienced additional worries about getting the virus, the health of themselves and of loved ones, job security, physical distancing, and grief. An estimated 4/10 Americans reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. So what can you do to care for your mental health? What are some ways to improve mental wellbeing? Watch as Debra Kaysen, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, explains in this week’s episode of Viral Facts - brought to you by the Stanford Center for Health Education and its Digital Medic initiative.

Jonathan Updike, resident in psychiatry, writes about his dream for Wyoming to invest in building a medical school, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ACT (CARES Act) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds being awarded to the state.

Faculty, staff members, residents and students were recently honored for their contributions to Stanford Medicine, including Yasmin Owusu, Sally Huang, and Janelle Ruiz in psychiatry and behavioral sciences - congratulations, all!

Stanford bioengineer, neuroscientist, and practicing psychiatrist, Karl Deisseroth, is a pioneer in developing game-changing technologies that enable scientists to probe the brain's circuitry in a methodical search for the roots of behavior. This post covers his new book, "Projections: A Story of Human Emotions." - a work of literature that weaves together fictionalized stories, historical imagination, science, and personal experience to explore universal themes in human behavior.

Debate has raged about whether digital addiction is a real affliction or something akin to a strong habit. As the evidence has accumulated, however, doctors and psychiatrists are increasingly confident classifying our digital devices as addictive, not unlike cigarettes or gambling. This June, a team of economists from Harvard, Stanford, and New York universities released a white paper entitled, simply, “Digital Addiction” that used economic methods, such as small payments, to analyze people’s “digital self-control problems.” Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is quoted in this coverage.

Like exercise and nutrition, sleep is central to good health. And yet, so many of us don’t get enough high-quality sleep. Rafael Pelayo, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is interviewed in this Mt Sinai 'Road to Resilience' podcast.

A survey of patients with insomnia who participated in two phase 3 trials investigating daridorexant reported that “improved daytime functioning” was the most important treatment outcome for their condition. The study was one of several abstracts on the oral sleep therapy daridorexant (Idorsia Pharmaceuticals) that were presented during the virtual SLEEP 2021 meeting. Emmanuel Mignot, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment in this article about the study.

Having CHD or caring for someone with CHD is a long and hard journey. It is ok to not be okay sometimes. You are not alone and there is support when you need it. In this podcast episode, Katie Sears Edwards and Lauren Mikula-Schneider, discuss adjustments that many CHD patients are experiencing and share their recommendations for when to get help, how to ask, what to ask for and what are the best ways to maintain good mental health.

A new CDC study finds that people who provide unpaid care for their children or adult loved ones are twice as likely as noncaregivers to have experienced depression or anxiety, or thoughts of suicide. Dolores Gallagher-Thompson, professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

This article covers a unique case of substance use disorder in the United States that was relieved by deep brain stimulation. Robert Malenka, Pritzker professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Even if you enjoy work, focusing on it all day can be mentally exhausting and straight-up stressful. Taking breaks in the form of rejuvenating afternoon habits—even teensy ones—can help. David Spiegel, the Jack, Samuel and Lulu Willson Professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment.

Researchers and doctors say they know how to curb harm caused by addiction and the spread of dangerous drugs. But lawmakers are reluctant to allow needle exchanges and access to safer narcotics. Keith Humphreys, Esther Ting Memorial Professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is interviewed.

P. Herbert Leiderman, MD, professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine, who was well known for his early research on mother-infant bonding, died April 1. He was 97.

The coronavirus pandemic has been a disorienting kind of emergency. Covid-19 is a disease that attacks the lungs, but it has also worsened mental health while causing a drastic reduction in patients seeking care for depression, self-harm, eating disorders and anxiety. Karl Deisseroth, D.H. Chen Professor of bioengineering and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, is interviewed in this article.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine congratulates the recipient of the 2021 Trainee Investigator Award and the three individuals who received the honorable mention designation - including Christina Chick, postdoctoral research fellow in psychiatry and behavioral sciences. They were recognized during the AASM annual membership meeting, which was held as a webcast on Monday, June 14.

With the pandemic’s added stressors, some people's sleep and mindfulness practices aren't working anymore. Rafael Pelayo, clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides comment on potential effective sleep aids.

Shaul Druckmann, assistant professor of neurobiology and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, has been named to receive a 2021 McKnight Foundation Scholar Award for his research into how the brain computes using activity distributed across populations and brain areas.

Just because things are reopening doesn’t mean we’re all mentally ready. On this episode of "How To!" Debra Kaysen, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, provides advice to help reframe risk and find coping strategies to get back out there.