Monday, April 07, 2003

Some Are Missing Out on Depression Treatment
Health Scout News story at Yahoo - "Older men and blacks and Hispanics with clinical depression report they have lower rates of depression treatment than other people surveyed in a national study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, Neuropsychiatric Institute."  
  

Pederson pushes for mental health coverage (Iowa)
Story in the Ames Tribune - "With the Legislature's second legislative deadline fast approaching, Iowa Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson is leading a push for a bill that would require health insurance providers to offer coverage for mental health illnesses."  
  

Official: War is a mental health issue
Story in last Friday's Roanoke Times based on remarks by Surgeon General Richard Carmona at a meeting of the California Psychological Association in San Jose.  
  

Mental health workers denounce proposed budget cuts (Wyoming)
Story in the Casper Star-Tribune - "Mental health care advocates and some lawmakers decried a proposed $14 million budget cut contained in the budget bill introduced last week in the Legislature. The proposed 2003-04 budget was introduced last Monday, and calls for the elimination of more than 100 beds in hospitals at Ft. Logan and Pueblo."  
  

Province backs off expanding mental health program (Canada)
Calgary CBC story - "The province is refusing to expand a program that helps keep mentally ill people out of jail, even though a pilot project has been successful. The diversion program is running in Calgary and has kept more than 50 people out of jail by getting them health care support."  
  

Mental Health Support Network Provides Information to Deal with Stress of SARS (Toronto)
Canada Newswire story - "With concerns growing over the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Mental Health Support Network of Canada (MHSNC) has developed information sheets for both the public and health care providers to help deal with the stress and anxiety associated with the recent outbreak.  
  

Polk agrees to join eight-county mental health program (North Carolina)
Tryon Daily Bulletin story - "The Polk County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Wednesday to consolidate its mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services with an eight-county region. The state is forcing consolidation of programs to reduce costs and create more consistency in mental health services." See also Wake commissioners accept mental health plan in the Raleigh News.