10 Must-Read Behavioral and Mental Health Articles From December 2022

To keep you better informed about some of the biggest news and developments concerning behavioral and mental health, below are 10 of the most significant reports published in December. Highlights include stories on national polling on mental health, youth mental health crisis, TikTok, apps and psychedelic drugs.

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1. Americans' Reported Mental Health at New Low; More Seek Help

Gallup polling found that Americans' positive self-assessments of their mental health are the lowest in more than two decades of polling. Only 31% of U.S. adults describe their mental health or emotional well-being as "excellent," making it the worst rating by three percentage points.

2. Mental Health-related Emergency Department Visits and Revisits Are on the Rise Among Children

A study suggested that emergency department visits and revisits in children's hospitals related to mental health are "increasing rapidly."

3. Behavioral Health Treatment Was Associated With Lower Healthcare Costs

A study found that having one or more outpatient behavioral health treatment visits was associated with lower healthcare costs among patients with newly diagnosed behavioral health conditions.

4. Poll Finds Youth Mental Health Crisis Is Not Getting Better

A survey of school administrators found that almost every administrator believes the mental health challenges their students face are moderate to severe. More than half said conditions either worsened or haven't improved in the last year.

5. New Funding Bill Puts at Least $10B Toward Behavioral Health Efforts in 2023

The bill that will fund the federal government through the current federal fiscal year 2023 included more than $10 billion for behavioral health initiatives. Among them: $4.9 billion in funding to address opioid abuse and $5.27 billion for mental health treatment, prevention and research initiatives. 

6. Nearly 84% Of Mental Health Videos on TikTok Are Misleading: Study

A study found that a majority of those using social media platform TikTok who dispensed mental health advice lacked relevant qualifications.

7. Using A Mental Health App? New Study Says Your Data May Be Shared

A study revealed that the mental health app market is not serving consumers optimally due to limited innovation, evidence-based interventions and sound privacy controls.

8. Young Adults Resolve to Improve Mental Health in the New Year

A Forbes Health survey found that millennials and members of Generation Z say improving their mental health is their top resolution for 2023.

9. Psychedelic Drugs May Launch a New Era in Psychiatric Treatment, Brain Scientists Say

NPR examined the growing buzz around using psychedelic drugs to treat disorders, including depression.

10. nView Health Changes Name to Proem Behavioral Health

nView Health, developer of the premier, evidence-based, behavioral health clinical workflow software engine, announced it changed its name to Proem Behavioral Health.