mental health in the headlines: Week of December 22, 2008
Mental Health in the Headlines offers summaries of the latest news and views in the mental health field. Coverage of news items in this publication does not represent Mental Health America's support for or opposition to the stories summarized or the views they express.
*DID YOU KNOW?
School-based suicide screening can identify students at risk for suicide and other mental health problems not recognized by school professionals...more
*TODAY´S NEWS
Survey: Doctors Often Don’t Ask Parents About Child’s Mental Health
According to the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, fifty-six percent of parents say that their child's primary care provider never asks if they have mental health concerns about their child. The survey also finds that one in four parents with a child diagnosed with a mental health disorder have had difficulty locating specialized services. One reason often cited why physicians don’t ask about mental health concerns is they get less training in the area and aren’t comfortable discussing it. Another possible reason is that doctors know parents can’t afford treatment or can’t find it. (US News & World Report, December 15, 2008)
Virginia Budget Plan Shifts Mental Health Funding to Community Programs
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine’s revised plan to address a projected $2.9 billion shortfall in the state's two-year budget includes a proposal to transform mental health care. The plan would shift funding to community-based mental health programs and close the last state-operated mental health hospital for children in Virginia. A facility for adults would also be closed, thereby reducing the number of institutionalized state residents by a third. (The Washington Post, December 18, 2008)
FDA Head To Leave
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach announced last week that he will leave the agency on Jan. 20. (Reuters, 12/16/08)
Sen. Collins Plans Bill To Promote Mental Health Treatment For Children
Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins said last week that she will reintroduce legislation to address a national issue: the barriers families face in accessing mental health care for emotionally or mentally disturbed children. The goal of the Keep Family Together Act, first introduced in 2003, is to promote mental health treatment for children in a family and community setting instead of in a residential facility. (Bangor Daily News, 12/18/08)
Drug Price Controls Appear Ineffective
Imposing price controls on prescription medications would save some money in the short-term, but would cost society much more in the long-term due to shortened life spans as a result of a slower pace of drug innovation, RAND researchers report in the journal Health Affairs. A better option to ensure that drugs are more affordable than now would be to lower insurance copayments, the researchers conclude. (Reuters, 12/16/08)
Latest Research
Cardiovascular Problems Associated With Depression Linked To Lifestyles: The increased risk of cardiovascular problems among people who have depression or anxiety disorders appear to be largely attributable to lifestyle choices, researchers report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (Reuters, 12/15/08)
School-based Suicide Prevention Appears To Work: School-based suicide screening can identify students at risk for suicide and other mental health problems not recognized by school professionals, researchers report in the American Journal of Public Health. “School-based screening can be an integral component of a school's mental health initiative and complement the work already being performed by school staff making for a complete program," said Dr. Michelle A. Scott, from the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. (Reuters, 12/18/08)
*Mental Health America MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
If you’ve been depressed, you need a network of close friends and family to turn to when things get tough, says David Shern, PhD, president and CEO of Mental Health America in Alexandria, Va. WebMD, “25 Ways to Find Joy and Balance During the Holidays,” December 19, 2008
Mental Health America is listed as a source on how to cope with stress during the holidays. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Tips for dealing with holiday stress,” December 17, 2008
Although Kentucky has had its own mental health parity law, it doesn't apply to a key group covered by the new federal parity law—workers at self-insured companies that use their own money to pay health insurance claims. These companies employ about a third of Kentuckians who get insurance through their jobs. The new parity law expands coverage for 113 million Americans, according to the Virginia-based advocacy organization Mental Health America. The Courier-Journal, “Act will improve access to mental health treatment,” December 22, 2008
Stay Up to Date With More News, Views and Tools
- View highlights of Mental Health America’s 2008 Annual Conference featuring the Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit
- Save the Date: Mental Health America's Centennial Conference - June 10-13, 2009, Washington, D.C.
- Mental Health America’s 2008 Media Awards honor excellence in reporting of mental health issues
- Survey reveals obstacles to health care for people who have schizophrenia
- New report reveals link between states’ depression status and access to treatment
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- Join Mental Health America’s Advocacy Network
- Check out previous issues of Mental Health in the Headlines
Mental Health in the Headlines is produced weekly by Mental Health America. Mental Health America's Mental Health in the Headlines staff: Steve Vetzner, senior director, Media Relations; Sarah Jones, communications coordinator; and Hazel Moran, senior director, Healthcare Reform.
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