New research from experts within the University of Minnesota School of Nursing has found teen girls at high risk for pregnancy reported being significantly less likely to participate in social bullying after participating in an 18-month preventive intervention program.

This research, in combination with University of Minnesota School of Nursing research findings from March 2013, demonstrate the preventative intervention program can reduce social bullying among all girls, including those who did and did not have strong family ties. Furthermore, girls in the intervention program were significantly more likely to enroll in college or technical school, actions that reduce the risk for involvement in serious violence during early adulthood …

Over the last few years, a number of tragic and unfortunate events have generated an increase in attention on mental health issues in the U.S.

With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expected to occur nationwide by 2014, health insurance coverage is expected to increase for lower-income populations, which often have a higher prevalence of mental disorders.  As a result, individuals with mental illness will therefore see significant gains in insurance coverage and access to care.

In wake of Friday’s Sandy Hook tragedy that left 27 people dead, mental health is once again a hot topic across the country.

Kare 11 News spoke with Dr. S. Charles Schulz, M.D., professor and head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota, about the general lack of available care for people battling mental health issues.

Going back to school is an exciting time for most students, especially for those going off to college.  After all, the road ahead is filled with new experiences, new learning opportunities and the chance to make new friends in a new environment.

But on the flipside, there are also students who arrive at college and come to find themselves battling mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.  Feelings of isolation and an increase in stress are common for college students and both can contribute to depression and anxiety.

What’s more, because people are away from supportive family and friends who know them well, it can be even harder for these students to get the treatment and help they need.

In the first video of this week’s “Back to School” video series, University of Minnesota Physicians child and adolescent psychiatrist Kathryn Cullen, Ph.D., provides counsel for both parents and students on how to manage the mental health challenges that can sometimes accompany the transition to college.