Monday, November 18, 2002
Long term risks after suicide attempt BBC story on research published in the
British Medical Journal which "has confirmed that people who have tried to commit suicide are still at higher risk - even decades later" and "is intended to warn doctors not to dismiss any previous suicide attempts when dealing with a depressed patient, regardless of how long ago they may have occurred."
Challenge of Living Mentally ill behind bars in trouble (Maine) Maine Today story - "County jails and the state prison are overwhelmed with inmates .... who need medication and supervision to treat their mental illnesses." The story notes that "Maine ranks third behind North Dakota and Vermont in the percentage of inmates taking psychotropic drugs, according to a U.S. Department of Justice report."
New schizophrenia treatments mix promise, concerns Detroit News story - "Powerful new implants and injections could soon revolutionize the treatment of schizophrenia and address the perennial concern of doctors and families that patients who stop taking their medicines may relapse into psychotic behavior." The story notes, too, however, that "Some advocates for the mentally ill are worried that new approaches could lead to coercive treatment."
Health care discomfort (Oregon) Detailed feature story in
The Oregonian on health care in Oregon - "Even as escalating health care costs cut deeper into employer profits and worker paychecks, Oregon and the nation appear increasingly unlikely to perform radical surgery to correct health care's ills." The story notes that "faced with a worsening budget shortfall, state lawmakers last week eliminated coverage of mental health and several other services for about 100,000 low-income residents covered by the Oregon Health Plan," and provides "a rundown of Oregon's evolving health policy scene and how it is likely to shape the health care market in the coming year."
State's next cuts to affect neediest (Colorado) Denver Post story on additional budget cuts by Gov. Bill Owens. The story notes that "mental health advocates are concerned about cutbacks in mental health service programs provided under Medicaid that are affecting people in serious need of counseling" and that "some mental health officials are considering suing the state over the cuts."
Psychiatric closings prompt concern (Kentucky) Courier-Journal story - "Mental health advocates fear a trend of closing or downsizing psychiatric units at Kentucky hospitals will force patients to be diverted to faraway facilities.... Across the country, hospitals are turning unprofitable psychiatric wards into acute-care units, which pay better and are in demand. In Kentucky, many hospitals have asked the state for permission to use their psychiatric beds for other services."
Vermont psychiatrists honored for being whistle-blowers Brief item in
American Medical News - "Four Burlington, Vermont psychiatrists have been recognized by the American Psychiatric Assn. for speaking against their hospital's plan to move some patient services... Mental health advocates saw the move as potentially disruptive to patient safety and quality of care."
More money, shelters urged to address domestic violence (Missouri) St. Joseph News-Press story on a recent report issued by the Missouri Domestic Violence Task Force which highlights concerns that social service, law enforcement and legal agencies should address to combat the problem. The story notes that the lack of mental health and substance abuse counseling were identified among the key problems.
Bush's New Political Science Article in
Mother Jones magazine on the Bush administration screening candidates for the National Institutes of Health about their political views, "an unprecedented move intended to make sure that conservatives get seats on NIH advisory councils. In some cases ... a White House liaison with the Department of Health and Human Services ... has called candidates and asked detailed questions about their political leanings."
Bouncing Around the System, With Little Help New York Times story on a 54-year old woman with schizophrenia who has "spent most of her adult life bouncing from one state hospital to another, receiving the medication she needed but not the skills to care for herself." Her case, the story notes, "is a product of a half-realized vision. While New York did empty its psychiatric wards, it did not create enough housing where the displaced mentally ill could learn to function in a community. Instead, the community has meant nursing and adult homes that were never intended to shelter the mentally ill. Their role has largely been to save the state money, not to provide rehabilitation." [Viewing
New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].
New York Exports Mentally Ill, Shifting Burden to Other States New York Times story - "Over the past eight years, the Pataki administration has been essentially exporting hundreds of its most troubled psychiatric patients to other states, turning over responsibility for their care to homes there that have little if any expertise and often have tarnished histories, according to interviews with officials, visits to the facilities and an analysis of Medicaid and other state records." [Viewing
New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].
Deaconess Psychiatric Center to remove a quarter of its beds (Montana) Billings Gazette story - "Eastern Montana's only mental hospital is hoping to slow financial losses by cutting a quarter of its beds. With annual losses approaching $4 million per year and additional government cuts to mental health care looming, Deaconess Psychiatric Center has no choice but to tighten its belt, said Ann Westerman, director of the psychiatric services for Deaconess.
