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The latest results from the APA’s Healthy Minds Monthly Poll suggest that pets are beneficial for owners’ mental health. In a national poll of 2,200 American adults, more than half of all pet owners reported that their pets positively impact their mental health, including 87% of dog owners and 86% of cat owners. Among respondents who indicated a positive impact, over two thirds identified specific benefits such as reduced stress and anxiety (69%), unconditional love and support (69%), and companionship (69%). Despite associated worries of pet ownership, the findings suggest that having a pet is a protective factor for mental health and wellbeing. To learn more, see the poll results from the APA.  

Early intervention has been identified as crucial for improving outcomes in the treatment of individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP). A retrospective longitudinal, cohort study of Medicaid claims data for over 6,000 youth and young adults with FEP examined if early treatment initiation and engagement helped reduce deliberate self-harm (DSH). While treatment initiation within 14 days of diagnosis was found to significantly decrease the risk of DSH, treatment engagement within 90 days of diagnosis was not. Given such findings and that individuals with psychosis are at an increased risk for suicide, developing new treatment plans specifically targeting self-harm could help better meet the needs of patients with FEP. To learn more, see the study in Psychiatric Services.