Group items tagged

From the abstract: "the current study provides a n analysis of homeless and runaway youths' attitudes towards mental health servic es in order to identify possible factors t hat can assist service providers with understanding and increasing service engagement . V ariables examined included help seeking propensity, psychological openness , concern for mental health stigma, parental maltreat ment, street victimization and services n eeds assessment. The current study also examines the relationship between social support and attitudes toward mental health services. A comparison sample of housed youth was obtained in order to de termine if mental health attitudes are unique to homeless y outh. Fifty - six youth who identified as homeless were recruited through youth drop - in centers and a shelter in Northern California , and 97 housed youth were recruited from alternative community continuation schools in the same region . A nalys is of v ariance iii showed that homeless and housed groups did not differ significant ly on attitudes toward mental health services, help seeking propensity, psychological openness, and concern for mental health stigma . Additional f indings revealed that , for homeless youth, t he more perceived friend support , the more their concern for mental health stigma decreased and the more supportive individuals available , the more positive attitudes toward mental health services and help seeking propensity increased . Comparison of correl ations between homeless and housed groups revealed only one significant difference; the association between perceived family support and help seeking propensity was strongest for the housed group than for the homeless group . Results demonstrate d that home less youth and housed youth share similar attitudes toward mental health services , help seeking propensity, psychological openness, and c o ncern for mental health stigma. Mean scores obtained on these measures were comparable to the only existing study on

"includes mental health statistics at the national and State levels from 35 different data sources. The report is organized into three sections: * People: the mental health status of the U.S. population and prevalence of mental illness; * Providers: providers and settings for mental health services, types of mental health services, and rates of utilization; * Payers: expenditures and sources of funding for mental health services"

mental health versus mental illness

from the introduction: "his progress report outlines advances made to date to expand the quality and availability of mental health care services for active military service members, veterans, and their families. Highlights of the report include: Increasing the capacity of the Veterans Crisis Line Building partnerships between the VA and community-based mental health providers Increasing the number of VA mental health providers and peer specialists Implementing a national suicide prevention campaign."

Offered at no cost to participants, the program has enhanced access to treatment, employment, and job training; reduced suicide and self-harm attempts, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, incarcerations, and homelessness; and significantly lowered health care and other mental illness-related costs.

"unless states carefully regulate the plans that compete in the exchanges and the benefits that they offer, people with mental illness, who typically have higher health care costs, are at risk of receiving poorer quality care."

From the Chronicle of Higher Education

Excellent article - intense academic study in any field can place a strain on students' mental health. Yet the added stress of needing to be "creative on demand" is worth considering.

Thanks for your insightful comment, Sarah. I agree. There seem to be more and more reports of students struggling with mental health issues. I did a double take when I read about the six hour art classes at some IHEs. The therapist's dilemma of treating the patient while not wanting to stifle creativity also seems problematic. Thanks again for posting.

Texas Youth Commission is discharging fewer teens for failure to make progress with mental health issues

Large compilation of online resources for mental healthcare professionals, including innovation profiles and tools.

Beginning in 2010, employers no longer have the option of choosing which mental health treatments they will cover for employees.

"MentalHealth.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. government mental health and mental health problems information."

Canadian university hosts "Stop Out Stigma" week of raising awareness of mental health issues

"Summary: Congress and the VA Secretary requested the OIG determine how accurately the Veterans Health Administration records wait times for mental health services for both new patients and established patients visits and if the wait time data VA collects is an accurate depiction of the veteran's ability to access those services."

"The Child Mind Institute, dedicated to transforming mental health care for children everywhere, is waging war against the stigma, lack of awareness, and misinformation that cause so many children to miss out on treatments that can change their lives with its second annual national public education program, Speak Up for Kids. It will be held during National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, May 6-12, 2012."

" The American Psychiatric Association (APA) instituted a financial conflict of interest disclosure policy for the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The new disclosure policy has not been accompanied by a reduction in the financial conflicts of interest of DSM panel members. Transparency alone cannot mitigate the potential for bias and is an insufficient solution for protecting the integrity of the revision process. Gaps in APA's disclosure policy are identified and recommendations for more stringent safeguards are offered."

A husband tells the story of his spouse's sudden onset of severe mental illness, how he supported her through it and about his own coping mechanisms, as well as perspective gained upon reflection

"Family and friends are well placed to provide support which consumers perceive to be positive and which can assist them in obtaining formal mental health treatment. However, the input of some family members may be unhelpful or toxic. There may be benefits in undertaking community education and destigmatisation programs which target carers. "