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  Mental Health Trending Toward Recovery

  The discrimination and stigma surrounding mental health challenges along with a troubling history of medically sanctioned treatments are no secret. Today, for someone with a psychiatric diagnosis -- such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar or ADHD -- the standard treatment is psychotropic medications that are always doctor-ordered and sometimes court-mandated.

  Researchers and clinicians are now providing data suggesting that recovery is not always achieved solely with prescribed medications.

  "By pursuing a multi-faceted approach that combines peer support, person-driven plans and other supports with medication at an individual's optimal level, if needed, we are witnessing results with much better long-term success," said Dr. Gina Firman Nikkel, president and CEO of the Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care.

  Part of the equation is recognizing that psychiatric medications can come with side effects, and because each person's chemistry differs, these can range from minor to significant. Over long periods of use in particular, the side effects can outweigh the benefits, particularly when addiction is involved.

  This recovery model for mental health care is not a one-size-fits-all cure. Because mental health issues develop regardless of age, race or income level, an approach that requires collaboration is crucial. Most importantly, individuals and their families who face mental health challenges need to realize that they have choices.

  Dr. Nikkel's organization, which was founded in 2011, is driven by a mission to educate professionals and individuals with the goal of making the recovery model of care the new mainstream. As a community foundation with an international reach, the Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care funds independent research, new program development and awareness. "As a community mental health development bank, we match the passion of private philanthropy with today's top researchers to bring recovery practices to every community," said Dr. Nikkel.

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  Meet most pregnant Olympian ever

  Nur Suryani Taibi, a shooter from Malaysia, will compete at the Royal Artillery Barracks while eight months pregnant.It is one of the first events of the London Olympics on Saturday morning, but the 10-metre women's air rifle could also be among the most sensational.

  Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi, a shooter from Malaysia, will compete at the Royal Artillery Barracks while eight months pregnant. At least three expectant mothers have competed at the Olympics before, but Suryani, as she likes to be known, will easily be the most pregnant athlete to have taken part.

  "Since I started shooting in 1997, I've been dreaming of going to the Olympics," she said, after a morning training at Malaysia's National Shooting Range on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. So when in January Suryani discovered that she was pregnant, her first thought was that her London ambitions were over. But after talking to her husband and praying, she changed her mind. If "everything is in order", she would still try, she told me.

  Two days later, she qualified for the Games in the 10-metre air rifle, and has not looked back since.

  Dressing ordeal

  Despite an early period of morning sickness, Suryani's now thinks that pregnancy might even give her a small advantage. "Now I have balance at the front and the back," she said, with a smile. "So the stability is there." With her stomach bulging, just getting in and out of the thick suit she uses for shooting is something of an ordeal. It is with a sigh of relief that she unbuckles her belt to allow herself to sit down and talk to me. Not everyone in Malaysia is backing her decision to take part, but beneath the smiles, it is clear that there is steely determination to the 30-year-old naval officer.

  "Some people say that I'm crazy. Some people say I'm too selfish. But I just ignore what others say. I just concentrate on what I want to do and what I dream of." And that dream currently involves picking up Malaysia's first-ever gold medal at lunchtime on Saturday.

  'No kicking'

  Currently ranked 47th in the world, it would be a considerable upset if Suryani did make it onto the podium. But to her credit, she already has a solid tournament record, with a gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2010, and a bronze at the Asian Games. If she is to come out on top, she will need her unborn daughter to play her part and not kick at a crucial moment. "On the morning of the competitions, normally, I will say to my baby, 'Mummy's going to compete today so I need you to calm down, and then afterwards if you want to be active and you want to kick a ball or something that's OK!'"

  Outside the indoor shooting range, JJ Raj, the secretary general of the National Shooting Association of Malaysia, and Muzli Mustakim, Suryani's manager, joins us. As they share a farewell drink by the swimming pool, JJ Raj says he knows that Malaysia's prime minister will be taking a special interest in her event. Luckily, Suryani is unflappable and shrugs it off.

  If she happens to get a medal, she says she would share it with her daughter, but if not, she would settle for sharing the memories. "When the baby is born, I will tell her you are very lucky," she said. "You were not born yet, but you competed with me in the Olympic games."

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  5 Tips for Healthy Eating as We Age

  Good nutrition plays an important role in how well you age. Eating a healthful diet helps keep your body strong and can help reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke and osteoporosis. Studies even show a link between healthful eating and longevity.

  "As we age, the body becomes less efficient at absorbing some key nutrients. Appetite and taste can suffer from loss of sense of smell and taste or from side effects of medications. Bad teeth can make some foods difficult to chew or digest," said Arthur Hayward, MD, a geriatrician and the clinical lead physician for elder care with Kaiser Permanente's Care Management Institute. "So choosing foods carefully is smart."

  Here are five tips to help you get the nutrition your body needs:

  1. Avoid empty calories.

  Foods with empty calories may contain very few vitamins and minerals. "Convenience foods," such as packaged snacks, chips and sodas, are common sources of empty calories. Avoid the "bad" carbs -- foods that have white flour, refined sugar and white rice.

  2. Choose nutrient-rich foods.

  Eat a variety of foods. The more you vary the foods you eat, the more vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you get. For example:

  * Eat lots of fruits and vegetables -- Choose fresh, frozen or no-salt canned vegetables and fruits in their own juice or light syrup.

  * Eat foods with protein -- Protein is found in lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs and cheese, cooked beans, peanut butter and nuts and seeds.

  * Get enough calcium and vitamin D -- Calcium and vitamin D are found in milk and milk products, including yogurt and cheese. They are also in green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collard greens) and tofu.

  * Include foods high in vitamin B12 -- After 50, the body produces less gastric acid and absorbs less B12, which helps keep blood and nerves vital. B12 is found in milk, meat, poultry, fish and eggs.

  * Eat high-fiber foods -- This includes fruits, vegetables, cooked dried beans and whole grains.

  3. Drink plenty of fluids.

  Drink plenty of fluids -- enough so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water. Fiber and fluids help with constipation.

  4. If your appetite is poor.

  Try eating smaller meals, several times a day, instead of one or two large meals. Eating while socializing with others may help your appetite. You might also ask about changing medicines. Medication can cause appetite or taste problems.

  5. Eat soft foods.

  As we approach our senior years, chewing food is sometimes difficult. Choose low-sodium canned vegetables or cooked fruits and vegetables. These are often softer. Chop or shred meat, poultry or fish. Add sauce or gravy to the meat to help keep it moist.