Research slows on mental health drugs

Research slows on mental health drugs as investment shrinks ‹ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

It’s been nearly a decade since the last big blockbuster drug—Eli Lilly’s anti-depressant Cymbalta, in 2004—hit the market, and that was more than a decade after the previous big seller, Wyeth’s anti-depressant Effexor, according to Dr. Friedman.

THE GOSPEL OF JOY

Pope Francis and the Gospel of Joy

The Pontiff’s apostolic exhortation is filled with warnings, encouragement, explanations, and challenges, all rooted in a pastor's love for the flock.

By William L. Patenaude

Pope Francis’ exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”) continues and reinforces a vision of the Church found in the early studies of the future Pope Benedict XVI—a vision that was central to Benedict’s teachings as the Successor of St. Peter. In Evangelii Gaudium, Francis draws from his own experiences and in his own way continues his predecessor’s vision. In doing so, he is making clear that the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church stands at a critical juncture in a dangerous time. This makes Francis’ exhortation a simple one: as Christians have done in ages past, the faithful today must live the Gospel always, everywhere, and radically. They must rely on the grace of God and relentlessly and sacrificially “love in the present,” as a young Joseph Ratzinger put it.

Read “Pope Francis and the Gospel of Joy”

Belgium: Lawmakers back minors request euthanasia

Belgium: Lawmakers back allowing minors to request euthanasia - CNN.com

(CNN) -- A controversial bill that would extend the right to request euthanasia to children suffering terminal illnesses and adults with dementia cleared a vote in a Belgian Senate committee Wednesday.

The panel voted 13-4 to allow minors to seek euthanasia under certain conditions, the communications director for the Senate, Patrick Peremans, told CNN.

The vote is one stage in a legislative process -- the bill must clear other hurdles before it becomes law.

Belgium passed legislation in 2002 allowing voluntary euthanasia for adults.

Changes to the law now being considered by lawmakers would allow under-18s to request an end to their life only under stringent guidelines.

THE DISFIGURED MAN MEETS THE POPE

Meet the disfigured man whose embrace with Pope Francis went viral - CNN.com

Vinicio has long been accustomed to the unkindness of strangers. He suffers from a non-infectious genetic disease, neurofibromatosis type 1. It has left him completely covered from head to toe with growths, swellings and itchy sores. His mother suffered from the same illness before she died, and his sister has a milder version of it.

His aunt, Caterina Lotto, says his undershirt is often completely soaked in blood that seeps from the sores.

Call & Response blog 11.27.2013

A new vision for the church
America: In all his years as a Catholic, James Martin, SJ, cannot remember a papal document that was so thought-provoking, surprising and invigorating.
National Catholic Reporter: 'Evangelii Gaudium' amounts to Francis' 'I Have a Dream' speech

Corporations are people, the Biblical sequel
Slate: The Supreme Court will decide whether companies don't have to cover contraception because they have religious beliefs.

Washington National Cathedral to charge visitors
Religion News Service: Facing a $26 million earthquake repair bill and years of financial woes, Washington National Cathedral will start charging visitors in 2014.

Replenishing self-control through prayer
Pacific Standard: German researchers report a few minutes of communion with a higher power can boost self-control.

The diet from God
The Atlantic: The Daniel fast is growing in popularity, often prompted by Christians' desire for a deeper form of prayer. Many are reporting lasting physical benefits, too.

Call & Response 11.20.2013

November 20, 2013

Wednesday's News & Ideas

Methodist pastor who officiated at gay son's wedding is suspended for 30 days
Washington Post: A jury of clergy suspends pastor for 30 days, telling him he must decide whether he can embrace church rules -- or, if not, leave the Methodist ministry.

Sunday mornings are broken
Religion News Service: Leading Sunday worship simply isn't as important as it used to be, and it isn't where clergy need to be devoting so much time.

The Church of England: a church that's sick of itself
The (London) Guardian: If the Church of England is doomed, as former archbishop of Canterbury George Carey insists, it's because of the damage he did in office, Andrew Brown says.

After typhoon, cathedral becomes a morgue
Wall Street Journal: After typhoon, cathedral becomes a relief station for overworked priests and a morgue for the bodies being brought in by the dozens for final blessings.

What your Facebook updates say about you, your faith, and your mental health
Christianity Today: New study connects emotional wellbeing with churchy status updates.

GRACED BY A SECOND CHANCE

A grateful heart is the grace of a second chance | National Catholic Reporter

I sat down with my brother the other day to ask him about gratitude, and here's what he said: "When I was first in recovery, I tried to learn to be grateful. I'd think, 'I forgot to pray... I have to work more at being grateful.' But a few years ago it came to me that I just don't like who I am when I am not grateful -- making my case against people and nursing resentments. When I am not grateful, I fall into what AA calls 'self-inflicted misery.' Gratitude is not about finding a litany of things to be grateful for anymore. It's just my best option for living."

Sleep Therapy - an Aid for Depression

Sleep Therapy Seen as an Aid for Depression - NYTimes.com

Doctors have known for years that sleep problems are intertwined with mood disorders. But only recently have they begun to investigate the effects of treating both at the same time. Antidepressant drugs like Prozac help many people, as does talk therapy, but in rigorous studies the treatments, administered individually, only slightly outperform placebo pills. Used together the treatments produce a cure rate — full recovery — for about 40 percent of patients.

NOT - Everyone Loves The New Pope

15 Reasons Everyone Loves The New Pope - Business Insider

You've probably heard of Lourdes, the holy site where sick and disabled men and women go in search of miraculous cures. Well the group that brings them there had a meeting with Pope Francis last week, he was sure to greet each and every one of the 100 people who had attended, most of whom suffer from debilitating ailments.

A THANKSGIVING MESSAGE TO REGION 7 MEMBERS

Thanksgiving

A message to all Region 7 members of the International Order of St. Luke the Physician.

Thanksgiving again gives each of us an opportunity to reflect on being grateful for God’s gifts to us: His love, compassion, forgiveness and healing are on the top of the list. Our personal gifts become a part of the healing ministries message; by being used in His Kingdom for the very same purpose. His children need to hear and feel the power of His healing as Jesus gift of healing continues with and through the Order of St. Luke. We thank you dear Lord for sharing this gift with us.

May each of you reach out with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to share these our gifts.

His love, Lee Brand, Region 7 Director