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Canadian Hearing Services, in Partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Launches Canada’s First Mental Health First Aid Program Designed for Deaf Communities

TORONTO, ON — October 5, 2026 – Canadian Hearing Services, in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), through Opening Minds, an initiative of MHCC, has launched Mental Health First Aid for the Deaf Community. Through this collaboration, Canadian Hearing Services has become the first organization in Canada to offer Mental Health
First Aid training specifically designed for Deaf communities and the first to deliver the program in American Sign Language (ASL), with training available nationwide.

Built through a collaborative partnership, Mental Health First Aid for the Deaf Community combines Opening Minds’ evidence-based Mental Health First Aid program with Deaf culture, Deaf lived experience, accessibility considerations, and Deaf-specific mental health knowledge. This groundbreaking initiative helps address critical gaps in accessible mental health support by equipping individuals, organizations, and communities with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support Deaf individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges and crises. The program further strengthens Canadian Hearing Services’ position as a national leader in accessibility, mental health, and community support, while advancing its purpose to provide expert services that empower Deaf and hard of hearing Canadians. “Mental health support must be accessible to everyone. Through Mental Health First Aid for the Deaf Community, we are helping address a critical gap by providing training that is rooted in Deaf culture, lived experience, and accessible communication. This program will empower
individuals across Canada with the skills and confidence to support mental wellness within their communities, while advancing our purpose to provide expert services that empower Deaf and hard of hearing Canadians,” said Julia N. Dumanian, President & Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Hearing Services.

“Meaningful mental health support begins with removing barriers and ensuring people can access help in ways that reflect their realities, experiences, and communities. This partnership with Canadian Hearing Services represents an important step toward making mental health education more accessible and inclusive for Deaf communities across Canada. By combining evidence-based Mental Health First Aid with lived expertise, accessible approaches, and a deep understanding of the unique experiences of Deaf communities, we are helping build stronger, more connected communities where people have the knowledge and confidence to support one another when it matters most,” Lili-Anna Pereša, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Mental Health First Aid for the Deaf Community is designed for Deaf community members, family members, caregivers, educators, service providers, health professionals, community leaders, and anyone interested in building the skills to support mental wellness in Deaf communities. Participants will complete self-directed online learning followed by instructor-led virtual training sessions in an accessible learning environment. All instructors have completed intensive instructor certification and facilitation training through Opening Minds and bring extensive expertise in mental health and Deaf culture.

For more information about Mental Health First Aid for the Deaf Community, including upcoming course dates and registration details, visit https://www.chs.ca/mental-health-first-aid-deaf-community.

ABOUT CANADIAN HEARING SERVICES

Canadian Hearing Services is a proud Canadian not-for-profit and the country’s leading provider of programs, services, education, and products that enable the Deaf and hard of hearing community to overcome barriers to participation. Building on 86 years of experience, Canadian Hearing Services has earned Accreditation Canada’s Exemplary Standing, the organization’s highest level of accreditation.

Canadian Hearing Services is home to the National Scholarship Program, the largest scholarship program in Canada exclusively supporting Deaf and hard of hearing post-secondary students, and to Hearing Research International, an international research foundation dedicated to accelerating innovative research in Hearing Health and Deaf Studies.

ABOUT OPENING MINDS

Opening Minds, an initiative of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, is a national leader in mental health training and mental health-related stigma reduction. Through evidence-based programs such as Mental Health First Aid, Opening Minds equips individuals, workplaces, and communities with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support mental health and respond effectively to mental health and substance use challenges. Working with partners across Canada, Opening Minds develops and delivers accessible, practical training that helps create healthier, more supportive communities for everyone.

openingminds.org | mentalhealthcommission.ca

CANADIAN HEARING SERVICES
MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Winer, Manager, Communications, Canadian Hearing Services

OPENING MINDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Bell, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Opening Minds

The post Canadian Hearing Services, in Partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Launches Canada’s First Mental Health First Aid Program Designed for Deaf Communities appeared first on Mental Health Commission of Canada.

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Elderly abuse and anxiety symptoms among older adults in China: the mechanism of physical frailty and social frailty

PurposeThis study aims to examine the association between elderly abuse and anxiety symptoms among older adults and explore the mechanisms of physical frailty and social frailty between them.MethodsA total of 1361 older adults were included in this study. Multiple linear regression and propensity score matching was conducted to confirm the association between elderly abuse and anxiety symptoms. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed to explore the mechanisms of physical frailty and social frailty between elderly abuse and anxiety symptoms.ResultsElderly abuse was significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety symptoms. Psychological abuse and neglect showed the strongest associations with anxiety symptoms. Social frailty played moderating roles between both psychological abuse, neglect and anxiety symptoms, while physical frailty played moderating roles between only psychological abuse and anxiety symptoms. Physical frailty and social frailty both partly mediated the relationship between psychological abuse, neglect and anxiety symptoms.ConclusionsThis study provides insight into the systematic relationship between elderly abuse and anxiety symptoms among older adults in Sichuan province. Preventive strategies should address abuse, physical health, and social support simultaneously of older adults.
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Usability of digital medicine systems in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

ObjectiveTo assess the usability and performance of digital medication management systems (DMS) for patients with stable ambulatory schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.MethodsThis prospective, interventional study comprised a screening phase (up to 4 weeks), training phase (3 weeks: system use under the support), and independent phase (5 weeks under the minimized support) with a follow-up period of 2 weeks. Based on the DSM-5 criteria, patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, taking an atypical antipsychotic as their primary medication, and having access to a smartphone were included in this study.ResultsA total of 30 patients participated in the study. The main characteristics of the patients were as follows: age, 43.5 ± 11.4 years; male percentage, 40% (n = 12); duration of antipsychotic drug use, 14.2 ± 11.7 years; educational period, 13.3 ± 2.1 years; chlorpromazine (CP) equivalent dose, 369.6 ± 253.6 mg/day; and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), 23.6 ± 4.8. The patients applied patches with the sensor of the DMS embedded in (hereinafter, a wearable sensors) for 93.2% of the study period. The patients could apply the patch independently and successfully and synchronize it with a smartphone application that allowed them to monitor their medication intake in 15.2 ± 8.1 days (median, 9.0; interquartile range (IQR), 1.0–15.0 days after initiation). Thirty-eight adverse events that were reported in 17 patients were classified as mild or moderate, and were related to wearable sensor use.ConclusionIt was concluded that most patients completed the task for the DMS with minimal assistance early in the study and continued to apply wearable sensors throughout the study period. Moreover, the results confirmed the feasibility of DMS in clinical practical use in stable schizophrenia.
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Plant essential oils as a novel therapeutic strategy for depression and anxiety: emerging evidence and mechanisms

Depression and anxiety are major global mental health disorders that require safer and more accessible adjunctive interventions. This review uniquely integrates current evidence on plant essential oils in aromatherapy and identifies the cAMP–PKA–CREB pathway as a key mechanistic hub linking neurotransmitter regulation, HPA axis modulation, neuroinflammation, and neuroplasticity. Relevant animal, cell, and preliminary clinical studies were reviewed to summarize therapeutic effects, active constituents, and commonly used essential oils. The evidence indicates that essential oils may alleviate depression- and anxiety-like symptoms by increasing monoamine neurotransmitters, suppressing HPA axis hyperactivity, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting NF-κB signaling, and restoring BDNF/CREB-related neuroplasticity. Representative active constituents include linalool, β-caryophyllene, and limonene, while lavender, bergamot, and chamomile are the most commonly studied essential oils. Overall, aromatherapy shows promise as a relatively safe and practical non-pharmacological adjunct for depression and anxiety, but its evidence base remains largely preclinical. More rigorous clinical studies are needed to confirm efficacy, standardize interventions, and clarify mechanisms in humans.
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Increased frequency of rare damaging variants in PLIN4 in patients with anorexia nervosa

BackgroundAnorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by pathological fear of weight gain, persistent restriction of energy intake, and pervasive body image disturbance. Although AN is substantially heritable, the rare coding variants contributing to susceptibility remain incompletely defined. Pedigree-based whole-exome sequencing studies can help to identify rare, high-effect protein-coding variants and thereby elucidate disease mechanisms.MethodsWhole-exome sequencing was performed on AN-dense family pedigrees to identify candidate genes. The frequency of rare (minor allele frequency <1%), putatively damaging [combined annotation-dependent depletion (CADD) >15, including predicted loss-of-function (LOF)] variants in 32 candidate genes was assessed in 154 unrelated probands of European ancestry. Carrier counts were compared against gnomAD v4 non-Finnish European reference using a TRAPD-style coverage-adjusted denominator (maximum allele number/2 across qualifying sites per gene). Significance was assessed by one-sided Fisher exact test, Bonferroni-corrected across 32 candidate genes.ResultsPLIN4 was the only gene enriched in AN cases at Bonferroni-corrected significance: 17 of 154 patients (11.0%) carried a rare damaging variant versus 3.2% in gnomAD non-Finnish Europeans [odds ratio (OR) 3.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.35 to 6.35; one-sided Fisher p = 9.98e−06; Bonferroni-corrected p = 3.19e−04]. The result is preserved with the index proband removed (n = 153; OR 3.64, 95% CI 2.18 to 6.07; corrected p = 1.13e−03). Six of 154 patients carried predicted LOF variants; 4 of 6 had at least one AN-affected first- or second-degree relative carrying the same variant, providing co-segregation evidence. The LOF-only burden did not survive Bonferroni correction in isolation.ConclusionsPatients with AN carry a statistically significant excess of rare, putatively damaging variants in PLIN4, at a threshold surviving Bonferroni correction across 32 candidate genes. These findings implicate lipid-droplet biology as a candidate contributor to AN pathophysiology.
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Child Mind Institute Study Finds Strong Link Between Teen Belonging and Mental Health

National survey of teens finds that meaningful relationships can serve as a powerful protective factor against anxiety and depression

New York, NY – A new study from the Child Mind Institute found that nearly half the teens surveyed reported experiencing moderate to severe loneliness, despite being the most digitally connected generation. The study was funded by the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health.

Released in recognition of World Mental Health Day on October 10, Building Bridges: Teen Loneliness and Connection asked 1,000 U.S. teens aged 14-17 what connection means to them, where they feel most connected, and who they turn to when they need support. The survey examined connectedness across five domains — family, peers, school, self, and digital environments. The results underscore the importance of feeling a sense of connection during adolescence, finding that teens who experience a stronger sense of belonging report better mental health outcomes.

Key Findings

  • Loneliness is widespread: 47% of teens reported moderate to severe loneliness, while 23% screened positive for anxiety and 21% for depression.
  • Connection matters: 80% of teens reported connectedness as highly important to their lives, with a sense of belonging or community (24%), emotional closeness (21%), and mutual understanding (14%) as the core components.
  • Relationship systems are essential: 88% of teens said in-person time is essential for feeling connected, citing home and family, friendships, and school as primary sources. · Connection may offer protection: Teens reporting higher overall connectedness experienced lower loneliness and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.
  • AI companions warrant attention: 29% reported using AI as a source of connection; teens who reported using AI this way were more likely to screen positive for depression (44% vs. 25%).

“We’re currently experiencing a loneliness epidemic that has become an urgent concern, especially among young people,” said Angela Moyer, PsyD, a psychologist in School and Community Programs at the Child Mind Institute. “This study centers teens’ voices, helping us to move beyond identifying the problem and more toward understanding which forms of connection matter most and where families, schools, communities, and policymakers can invest to strengthen teen mental health.”

While past research has examined family, friendships, and school belonging in silos, Building Bridges: Teen Loneliness and Connection was designed to understand how these domains together affect teens’ mental health and pinpoint meaningful opportunities for impact. The findings offer important insights for parents, educators, and communities seeking to strengthen support for young people’s emotional well-being and how to foster in-person experiences.

To read the full Building Bridges: Teen Loneliness and Connection report, click here, and visit childmind.org to learn more.

About Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute is the leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families experiencing mental health and learning disorders. Since its founding in 2009, the Child Mind Institute has become a global institution reaching millions of families each year through excellence in evidence-based clinical care, renowned educational resources and training, and science to advance the next generation of treatment. 

Visit the Child Mind Institute on social media: Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn 

For press questions, contact us at childmindinstitute@ssmandl.com or mediaoffice@childmind.org.

The post Child Mind Institute Study Finds Strong Link Between Teen Belonging and Mental Health appeared first on Child Mind Institute.

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Nicotine and tobacco smoke reshape neuronal signaling networks from a single-nucleus transcriptomic perspective

Nicotine and cigarette smoke exposure significantly impact brain function, yet their distinct cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To address this, we conducted comprehensive single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analysis on whole-brain samples and specifically on the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of adult C57BL/6 mice following nicotine or smoke exposure. Our study identified 18 major transcriptionally distinct cell populations across the whole brain and 27 distinct clusters within the VTA, covering major neuronal and glial cell types. Differential gene expression and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed distinct transcriptional responses: nicotine exposure was associated with enrichment of synaptic and addiction-related transcriptional pathways in neuronal populations, including dopaminergic and glutamatergic pathways, whereas smoke exposure was associated with broader enrichment of metabolic-, immune-, and endocrine-related pathways. CellChat predicted condition-associated communication differences, including higher inferred NRXN communication from excitatory neurons to oligodendrocytes and other excitatory neurons under nicotine exposure. Smoke exposure also increased oligodendrocyte PISD expression, a transcriptomic change potentially associated with mitochondrial phospholipid metabolism. Collectively, these data define cell-type-specific transcriptional and predicted communication signatures of nicotine and smoke exposure that require functional validation.
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Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic profiling reveals C3-associated hippocampal neuroimmune remodeling in sodium bicarbonate-treated sepsis-associated encephalopathy

BackgroundSepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a neurological complication of sepsis characterized by cognitive impairment and persistent brain dysfunction. Although neuroinflammation and glial activation contribute to SAE pathogenesis, the molecular alterations underlying hippocampal neuroimmune dysfunction remain incompletely understood. The potential role of NaHCO₃ in SAE-associated neurological dysfunction remains unclear.MethodsAn LPS-induced mouse model of SAE was established to investigate the effects of NaHCO₃ administration. Survival and cognitive function were evaluated using survival analysis, novel object recognition, open-field, and Y-maze tests. Hippocampal transcriptomic and proteomic profiling was performed, followed by cross-omics integration. Candidate molecules were further assessed by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence.ResultsNaHCO₃ treatment improved survival and alleviated cognitive deficits in SAE mice. Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling revealed extensive hippocampal molecular alterations, with functional enrichment highlighting immune- and inflammation-related processes and pathways. Three-group cross-omics analysis identified 18 candidates meeting an FDR < 0.05 at both omics levels and showing a concordant SAE-associated increase followed by a decrease after NaHCO₃ treatment. Among these candidates, C3 was prioritized based on its cross-omics expression pattern and neuroimmune relevance. qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses supported increased hippocampal C3 expression during SAE and its responsiveness to NaHCO₃ treatment. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed increased spatial association between C3 and GFAP-positive astrocytic structures during SAE, which was attenuated following NaHCO₃ treatment.ConclusionNaHCO₃ treatment was associated with improved neurological outcomes and altered hippocampal molecular profiles in LPS-induced SAE. Cross-omics analysis identified C3 among candidate molecules associated with SAE and NaHCO₃ responsiveness. The increased C3–GFAP spatial association suggests that complement-associated alterations accompany astrocytic responses during SAE. The causal role of C3 and the mechanisms underlying the effects of NaHCO₃ require further investigation.