Dear Fellow Health Professionals,

For many people, the period from the Thanksgiving holiday through the end of
December is a happy time of year filled with lots of family get-togethers,
parties, and other fun activities.  For others, it is the season for the
"holiday blues".  However, individuals from both groups may be at risk for
over-indulgence in alcohol or other substances. The Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Mental Health
Information Center web site special monthly features address some very
topical issues for December. Located at
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/ , the site presents a special
focus on seasonal depression, drunk and drugged driving, and HIV/AIDS
programming (in observance of World AIDS Day).

I thought this information might be of interest to you and the young
people/families you help.   SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information
Center offers free access to any, or all, of these:

** Seasonal Depression Awareness Month at
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/December2002/seasonal/ provides
symptoms, therapies, and recent research data for Seasonal Depression-also
called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Associated with diminished
sunlight, SAD usually occurs during the fall and winter months in northern
climates. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that SAD affects
about 60 percent of Americans.

** National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month at
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/December2002/drunk/ addresses
drunk and drugged driving risks, including those of under-aged drinkers. A
recent research study on youth and drinking and driving indicates that young
people are over-represented in alcohol-related crashes.

** Since 1988, December 1 has been observed as World AIDS Day. The Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-through its Center
for Mental Health Services (CMHS)-also supports HIV/AIDS programs and
services, which are in the spotlight this month.  Visit CMHS Program
Spotlight- HIV/AIDS at
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/December2002/CMHS/ to learn about
the agency's activities in HIV/AIDS prevention and education, and the
delivery of quality mental health services to people living with and/or
affected by HIV/AIDS.

Each of the features above provides links to publications, related topics,
and additional resources that are useful for both health professionals and
the general public.

Please feel free to link to this information on your school's Web site, post
the content to your site with a link to the National Mental Health
Information Center Web site as your source, or use it in another way that
provides the greatest benefit to you and your audiences.

Have a happy, safe, and healthy holiday season!

Farra Trompeter, Web Marketer
SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center
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********************************************
National Mental Health Information Center (http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/)
is a service of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Call 1-800-789-2647 for bilingual information services; (TDD) 866-889-2647.

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