Monday, June 23, 2003
Bipolar Disorder: Unmet Needs -- Clinical, Consumer, and Economic A "Special Report Editor's Column" at
Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health - "... While there is no question that we have improved and expanded upon our ability to treat bipolar disorder, our clinical abilities have quite a distance to go to be able to answer the fundamental questions that clinicians grapple with on a daily basis. We are beginning to understand that there are many different types of bipolar disease, each with different phenomenology and probably a different prognosis. As we develop a differential diagnosis for the subtypes of bipolar disease, we must struggle with the differential therapeutics of the subtypes. We have increasing numbers of subtypes and treatments, but we have made relatively little progress on matching them up with each other. " [Viewing
Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
If Sanity Is Forced on a Defendant, Who Is on Trial? June 21
New York Times story - "...On Monday the Supreme Court said it was possible, but only in special circumstances. After setting out a list of relevant factors, including the probable effects of the drugs and the importance of trying the case, the court sent it back to the trial court to apply the standards. While the court's ruling settled some legal issues, it did little to resolve the larger philosophical questions in the case: how does one define free thought and individual identity in an age when technology has provided the tools to radically alter them? What is the dividing line between the mind and body? What is the nature of personal autonomy?" [Viewing
New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].
Cuts leave mentally ill in the lurch (Colorado) Denver Post story - "In a little over two weeks, about 400 mentally ill people in Denver will be dropped from the nonprofit agency that has provided the support groups and case managers they have leaned on - in some cases for years - and from the psychiatrists who prescribe the medications that help them function. Mental Health Corp. of Denver, which each year serves about 7,000 mentally ill people, most of them indigent, has informed 400 clients it can no longer afford to provide them services. It has made arrangements for 200 of those clients to get services elsewhere."
States poorest brace for SAGA budget cuts (Connecticut) Middletown Press story - "SAGA has been a hot topic throughout the months-long budget battle. Gov. John G. Rowland initially proposed eliminating it, but now says the state must rein in the costs of the program. ... SAGA could be revamped to make it more like a managed health insurance plan, where services are rationed and clients can only visit particular doctors. The monthly cash assistance, which is provided to single adults who are at least temporarily unemployable and have assets less than $250, would be cut by 10 percent."
Supreme Court to create pilot mental health court (West Virginia) News & Sentinel story - "A two-year $150,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice has been awarded to the West Virginia Supreme Court to establish a pilot mental health court in four Northern Panhandle counties. ... The mental health courts are scheduled to open in September. Magistrate and circuit courts in Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and Marshall counties will sponsor the voluntary courts for offenders with serious mental illness charged with misdemeanor or non-violent felonies, excluding crimes against children or sex crimes."
Mental health service closes (Canada) Story at the
Inside Toronto site - "A unique North York service that offers support and social opportunities for those affected by mental health problems may be forced to shut its doors next week after the Ministry of Health decided to withdraw funding. The Friends and Advocates Centre North York (FANY) has provided a variety of services, including referrals, education and training, recreational activities and support for nearly 20 years. The centre works with anywhere from 150 to 200 members in a given year. If FANY is shut down, many of the members may be left with little support in lieu of the services provided by the long-standing agency."
Lowell hopes state restores mental health services (Massachusetts) Lowell Sun story - "City officials hoping the state will restore the outpatient clinical services at the Solomon Mental Health Center in Lowell met with state officials Friday, and expect talks to continue. ... They met Friday with Kenneth Duckworth, commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, and other state officials to lobby for reinstating of the programs which have been shutting down since March."
Mental-health bill would help clients on waiting lists (Missouri) St. Joseph News-Press story - "State dollars may be few for mental-health programs, but officials are nevertheless researching the best ways to assist clients stuck on waiting lists for such services. A bill sponsored by state Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, seeks to address the problem. The Missouri General Assembly this spring approved the measure, which now awaits Gov. Bob Holdens signature."
Area seeks fair share of mental health dollars (Oregon) Bend Bulletin story - "As counties across the state brace for dramatic cuts in mental health services funding, Central Oregon lawmakers are fighting to change the way that money is distributed. Sen. Bev Clarno, R-Redmond, and Rep. Ben Westlund, R-Tumalo, have sponsored legislation that seeks to change the way mental health dollars are allocated from the state. "
Mental health care for children could suffer under Pawlenty plan (Minnesota) Minnesota Public Radio story - "A portion of the health and human services bill passed by the Legislature changes the way the state provides grants to Minnesota counties. Instead of providing grants to counties for specific services, county officials will receive larger block grants. Supporters of the new provision say counties will be able to prioritize spending based on their unique needs. But several special interest groups say counties may deliver money to services that have the most political clout instead of services that need the help the most. "
