OpenNotes allows patients to access their psychiatric records more easily through electronic health records, something that licensed clinical social worker and former patient Andrea Rosenhaft perceives as having advantages and disadvantages. Rosenhaft writes that patients may become distressed or misinterpret information when reviewing their own clinical documentation, and she emphasizes the importance of clinicians writing objective and patient-friendly notes to mitigate these risks.

Chivonna Childs, a psychologist at Cleveland Clinic, offers advice on maintaining mental health amid a surge of violent videos and other content on social media. Childs recommends taking breaks from social media, not leaving the TV on in the background, and engaging in positive activities such as spending time outside or with loved ones.

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that children of parents with diseases of despair, such as substance use disorders and suicidal behavior, had nearly double the risk of suicidal events. Having two parents with diseases of despair or maternal diseases of despair raised the risk even more.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adolescents in Hawaii experience sexual violence at higher rates than their white and Asian peers, according to a team led by researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that 12.7% of NHPI girls reported being forced to have sex, compared with 11.7% of white girls and 8.4% of Asian girls. Researchers emphasize the need for disaggregated data to better understand and address these disparities.

Santa Clara County, Calif., actively uses red flag laws to help prevent various forms of gun violence, including suicide, domestic violence and mass shootings. The county filed 683 gun violence restraining orders last year -- outpacing all other Bay Area counties combined, District Attorney Jeff Rosen says, noting that, despite these successes, officials are concerned that red flag laws remain underutilized due to a lack of public awareness.

The California Legislature has passed a bipartisan bill that would allow tribes and tribal organizations to partner with the California Department of Social Services to provide culturally appropriate support services to Native American children and families to prevent foster care placements. Assembly Bill 1378, which awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature, aims to address the disproportionate rate at which Native American children enter foster care, by providing direct access to preventive services and funding.

To retain Generation Z employees, companies must offer flexible and financially accessible learning opportunities, writes Michelle Westfort, the chief product officer at InStride. "This generation expects their investment in education and skill development to translate into tangible opportunities, with employers who recognize these efforts as integral components of a defined career progression," Westfort notes.

Skip the small talk when meeting strangers at conferences or networking events and build camaraderie using what psychologists call "riffing playfully" by joking about shared experiences or building on humorous observations, writes author Minda Zetlin. The practice encourages full attention, spontaneity and building on each other's remarks, making interactions more memorable and meaningful, Zetlin writes.

Master social worker Loren Lapow's Maui Hero Project offers adventure-based counseling to support mental health for teens affected by the Maui wildfires two years ago. The program combines disaster preparedness and outdoor activities, providing a unique approach to mental health that has become crucial for reaching reluctant youths.