Monthly psychiatry bulletin — October 17, 2026

Period covered: September 17 to October 17, 2026. The month was shaped by the 39th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress (ECNP, Munich, October 10–13) and by an FDA approval relevant to schizophrenia. This issue includes eight items.

Depression and anxiety

1. Prenatal infant-cue training and postpartum depression: benefit only in parous women

[Congress] [Denmark]
Randomized trial presented at ECNP 2026 (Bjertrup and colleagues, NEAD Centre, Copenhagen): 147 pregnant women at elevated risk of postpartum depression (121 with follow-up: 54 in the training group and 67 in usual care) received five weeks of prenatal affective cognitive training (PACT, individual computerized and virtual-reality sessions on reading and responding to infant emotional cues) or usual care. Across all participants the difference was not statistically significant. Among women who had given birth before, 5.3% of those who received the training had postpartum depression, versus 34.6% of those who did not.
Why it matters: a subgroup finding in a small trial, presented at a congress and not yet peer reviewed, so it is hypothesis-generating and does not change practice; the authors themselves call for larger trials to confirm it. The intervention relies on technology with limited availability in the Dominican Republic.
https://news-medical.net/news/20261009/Prenatal-training-may-reduce-postpartum-depression-risk-in-women-with-previous-births.aspx

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

2. FDA approves Weltruza, a once-monthly subcutaneous long-acting olanzapine

[Regulatory FDA] [United States / Israel]
On October 9, 2026, Teva announced FDA approval of Weltruza (olanzapine extended-release injectable suspension), given subcutaneously once a month, for adults with schizophrenia (Medincell's SteadyTeq technology). The double-blind phase 3 SOLARIS trial (NCT05693935; n=675 randomized 1:1:1:1 to three doses or placebo for 8 weeks, followed by a 48-week extension) showed week-8 PANSS total reductions versus placebo of -9.75 (318 mg), -11.27 (425 mg) and -9.76 points (531 mg), with improvements in CGI-S and PSP as well. According to AJMC coverage, there were no suspected or confirmed cases of post-injection delirium/sedation syndrome across about 3,487 injections in the program (March 2025 data cut); per the manufacturer, no loading dose, oral supplementation or post-injection monitoring is required. Weight gain and metabolic changes were consistent with the profile of oral olanzapine.
Why it matters: according to Teva, it is the first and only once-monthly subcutaneous long-acting injectable olanzapine; unlike intramuscular olanzapine pamoate, which requires three hours of observation after each injection, it needs no post-injection monitoring, which may ease outpatient use, although the label keeps the delirium/sedation syndrome warning because it is unknown whether it can occur with subcutaneous dosing. Efficacy data come from a short, manufacturer-sponsored, placebo-controlled trial, and the metabolic profile remains that of olanzapine.
Official source (Teva press release):
https://www.tevapharm.com/news-and-media/latest-news/teva-announces-u.s.-food-and-drug-administration-fda-approval-of-weltruza-olanzapine-for-extended-re
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05693935
https://www.ajmc.com/view/fda-approves-once-monthly-subcutaneous-olanzapine-for-schizophrenia

3. GLP-1 receptor agonists and fewer psychiatric hospitalizations in schizophrenia with type 2 diabetes

[Publication] [United States]
Observational cohort study using US electronic health records (NeuroBlu database), published online in The Lancet Psychiatry on October 14, 2026 (Davoodian and colleagues), of more than 70,000 adults with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes. According to pharmaphorum coverage, compared with people not receiving diabetes treatment, those treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists had a 24% lower risk of psychiatric hospitalization; they were also associated with fewer emergency department visits for mental health crises.
Why it matters: the observational design cannot exclude confounding by indication or better adherence among users, and it is unclear how much of the effect is specific to GLP-1 rather than better metabolic control; it does reinforce the priority of treating diabetes in this population, which applies in our setting.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(26)00276-2/fulltext
https://pharmaphorum.com/news/glp-1-drugs-linked-reduced-acute-schizophrenia-episodes

4. Korea updates its pharmacological algorithm for bipolar disorder with mixed features

[Congress] [South Korea]
At the fall 2026 meeting of the Korean Society for Depressive and Bipolar Disorders (report dated September 30), the poster "Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder 2026: Mixed Features", presented by Yang Hyun-ju (Department of Psychiatry, Jeju National University Hospital), received an excellent poster award; it presents the 2026 update of the national treatment algorithm (KMAP-BP) for episodes with mixed features.
Why it matters: KMAP-BP algorithms are based on expert consensus and the report does not detail the specific recommendations of this edition; full publication should be awaited before applying them. (source in Korean)
https://www.medigatenews.com/news/2367683187

Addictions

5. Young people with opioid use disorder: the care cascade breaks down early

[Publication] [United States]
Medicaid claims cohort study published in JAMA Network Open (October 2, 2026; Hadland and colleagues) of 229,847 people aged 13 to 25 diagnosed between 2016 and 2023. Overall, 50.7% initiated treatment within 14 days of diagnosis and 32.9% engaged in care (at least two additional encounters within 34 days). Medication for opioid use disorder was received by 46.3% of engaged youths, equal to 15.2% of the total (buprenorphine 68.5%, methadone 25.5% and extended-release naltrexone 6.0%), but by only 6.6% of engaged adolescents under 18. Just 3.1% of the total (about one in 32) stayed on medication for 180 days or more. According to STAT, fewer than ten minors received methadone during the entire period; younger adolescents and racially minoritized youths progressed less through the care cascade.
Why it matters: administrative data without fine clinical detail, but the size of the gap is striking and points to access and retention in adolescents, not drug efficacy, as the problem, a challenge addiction services in our region also face.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.37263
https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/02/youth-opioid-treatment-retention-study-barriers-to-care/

Child and adolescent psychiatry and public mental health

6. Folic acid and suicide prevention: a Swedish study does not confirm the signal

[Congress] [Sweden]
Ecological study presented at ECNP 2026 (Jokinen and colleagues, Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University; release dated October 11) comparing regional folic acid dispensing with deaths by suicide and of undetermined intent among people aged 20 to 29 across Sweden's 21 regions from 2006 to 2021 (3,463 deaths: 2,693 suicides and 770 of undetermined intent). It found no consistent protective association: results varied by age in men and there were no significant associations in women. This contrasts with a 2022 US study in JAMA Psychiatry that reported 44% fewer suicide attempts and intentional self-harm episodes during periods covered by folic acid prescriptions.
Why it matters: the ecological design does not follow individuals and the work is not peer reviewed, so it does not settle the question; it is a reminder that folic acid should not be regarded as a suicide-prevention strategy outside trials. If you or someone close to you is in crisis, emergency services and crisis lines are available.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1146791

7. Mexico: anxiety in 21.8% and depression in 13.4% of the population, per INEGI

[Publication] [Mexico]
For World Mental Health Day (October 10), data from INEGI's 2026 Self-Reported Well-being Module (BIARE), released on September 26, were publicized: anxiety symptoms in 21.8% of the population aged 12 and older (26.2% of women, 16.7% of men) and depression symptoms in 13.4% (15.9% and 10.5%). INEGI mortality statistics record 8,709 deaths by suicide in 2025, a rate of 6.7 per 100,000 (5.1 in 2015); the highest rate was among people aged 15 to 29 (10.2 per 100,000).
Why it matters: these are self-reported symptoms, not clinical diagnoses, but they show a rise in the suicide rate over the last decade, with the highest rate among young people, and a higher depression burden in women, useful benchmarks for the Dominican Republic. Emergency services and crisis lines are available for anyone who needs them.
https://www.unotv.com/salud/dia-mundial-de-la-salud-mental-2026-quienes-son-los-mas-afectados-por-suicidios-ansiedad-y-depresion-en-mexico/

Cross-cutting

8. AI chatbots and psychological harm

[Publication] [United Kingdom]
A paper by researchers at Northeastern University London (Maurich Novelli, Teixeira and colleagues) in JMIR Mental Health (coverage dated September 28, 2026) describes serious negative outcomes associated with using AI chatbots for companionship or emotional support: addiction-like attachment, worsening symptoms and cases involving self-harm; in addition, these systems' tendency to validate users may reinforce delusional beliefs.
Why it matters: an analysis without prevalence figures or a control group that describes risks rather than their frequency; still, it justifies routinely asking patients, especially adolescents, whether they use chatbots for their mental health. In any crisis, emergency services and crisis lines are available.
https://mental.jmir.org/2026/1/e99354
https://news.northeastern.edu/2026/09/28/ai-chatbots-psychological-harm-mental-health/

Upcoming meetings and dates

The 39th ECNP Congress took place in Munich on October 10–13, 2026; several items in this issue come from it.

*Psychiatry Bulletin — October 2026*
Greetings, colleagues. The most relevant news from September 17 to October 17:

🧠 *Depression*
*Prenatal training and postpartum depression*
Danish trial (n=147, ECNP): in women who had given birth before, 5.3% vs 34.6% postpartum depression; no significant difference overall.
https://news-medical.net/news/20261009/Prenatal-training-may-reduce-postpartum-depression-risk-in-women-with-previous-births.aspx

💊 *Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder*
*FDA approves once-monthly subcutaneous olanzapine (Weltruza)*
SOLARIS, n=675: PANSS -9.8 to -11.3 vs placebo at 8 weeks; per Teva, no loading dose, oral supplementation or post-injection monitoring.
https://www.tevapharm.com/news-and-media/latest-news/teva-announces-u.s.-food-and-drug-administration-fda-approval-of-weltruza-olanzapine-for-extended-re

*GLP-1 in schizophrenia with type 2 diabetes*
Lancet Psychiatry, >70,000 US patients: 24% fewer psychiatric hospitalizations (observational).
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(26)00276-2/fulltext

🚭 *Addictions*
*Young people with opioid use disorder*
JAMA Netw Open, 229,847 Medicaid youths: only 3.1% (1 in 32) stayed on medication for 6 months.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.37263

👥 *Public mental health*
*Folic acid and suicide: no clear signal*
Sweden, regional data 2006-2021 (ECNP): does not confirm a protective effect; not peer reviewed.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1146791

*Mexico: anxiety 21.8% and depression 13.4% (INEGI, BIARE 2026)*
Suicide rate 6.7 per 100,000 in 2025, highest at ages 15 to 29.
https://www.unotv.com/salud/dia-mundial-de-la-salud-mental-2026-quienes-son-los-mas-afectados-por-suicidios-ansiedad-y-depresion-en-mexico/

If someone is in crisis, emergency services and crisis lines are available.

Full bulletin and audio: https://boletinesmedicos.com/en/psychiatry/2026-10-17.html
MedBulletins · boletinesmedicos.com

Monthly psychiatry bulletin — October 2026
Eight items from September 17 to October 17, from The Lancet Psychiatry, JAMA Network Open, JMIR Mental Health, the FDA approval announced by Teva and the ECNP 2026 congress.

Three worth your time:
• FDA approved Weltruza, once-monthly subcutaneous olanzapine: in SOLARIS (n=675) PANSS fell 9.8 to 11.3 points more than placebo at 8 weeks and, per Teva, no post-injection monitoring is required. Limitation: 8-week manufacturer trial.
• In more than 70,000 people with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes in the United States, GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with 24% fewer psychiatric hospitalizations. Limitation: observational study.
• Of 229,847 young Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder, only 1 in 32 stayed on medication for six months. Limitation: administrative data.

Full bulletin, with a critical reading of each study and links to sources:
https://boletinesmedicos.com/en/psychiatry/2026-10-17.html

#Psychiatry #MentalHealth #Schizophrenia #Addiction

FDA approves once-monthly subcutaneous olanzapine (PANSS -9.8 to -11.3 vs placebo). GLP-1s in schizophrenia with diabetes: 24% fewer psychiatric hospitalizations (observational). Psychiatry bulletin:
https://boletinesmedicos.com/en/psychiatry/2026-10-17.html