Friday, January 16, 2004

As Threat of Terrorism Continues, Americans Look for Psychological Support
NMHA press release - "As Americans continue to experience terrorism threats and warnings, a new survey found that most understand the implications of terrorism on mental health and feel the country’s elected officials and health networks have not done enough to address mental health needs related to terrorist threats. ... Today NASMHPD and the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) released  findings from a nationally representative survey that shows that more needs to be done to increase support for the mental heath impact of terrorism and prepare for the trauma and distress that would follow another terrorist attack. In fact, only a quarter of Americans feel the nation’s public health system is currently meeting terrorism-related mental health needs." See also an executive summary of the poll and the related statement of Charles Curie of SAMHSA - " The poll conducted by NASMHPD and NMHA illustrates several points that are consistent with SAMHSA’s efforts in the area of preparedness and response for both natural disasters and terrorism. The first message in their results is a critical one: Most people are coping well in spite of the threat of terrorism. This should encourage us that Americans are resilient and have been able to face adversity with strength. The second message is also critical: Some people have more difficulty coping than others. ... A third message of the poll is also important: People want more information about the psychological consequences of threats and how to cope with those consequences. These findings reinforce SAMHSA’s view that public officials must communicate effectively with the public when a disaster happens..."  
  

Vets Had Fewer Stress Symptoms After 9/11
AP story reprinted at Yahoo - "A new study that has surprised researchers shows that combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder exhibited fewer symptoms following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Dr. Robert Rosenheck, lead researcher of the study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Services, said he expected to see psychological problems intensify after the attacks, because previous studies have shown that people with the disorder are particularly vulnerable to additional traumatic events. "  
  

Report links high job demands with mental illness (UK)
Brief story at Croner Web Centre - " A new research report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concludes that high rates of common mental disorder in certain occupations may be due to the associated levels of job demands and expectations and the emotional demands of working with people. " The report, Occupation and mental health: Secondary analyses of the ONS Psychiatric Morbidity Survey of Great Britain (Adobe Acrobat format) is available from the HSE web site - " There is increasing concern about the effects of the psychosocial work environment on mental health. One approach to examining work and mental health is to compare rates of common mental disorder between occupations. This report describes a secondary analysis of the Second Survey of Psychiatric Morbidity among adults living in private households in Britain linking occupation to psychological morbidity. Occupation measured by Standard Occupational Classification, as major, sub major, minor and constituent unit groups was linked to common mental disorder measured by the revised version of the Clinical Interview Schedule, to self reported sickness absence data, illicit drug use, psychotropic drug use and use of health services."  
  

Mental-health programs given aid (Washington)
Story in The Columbian - "The Southwest Washington Medical Center Foundation has announced grants to two local mental-health care providers coping with state budget cuts. The foundation awarded $100,000 to Columbia River Mental Health Services and $67,532 to Mental Health Northwest on behalf of a free mental-health clinic scheduled to open Tuesday night. ... About 1,500 low-income people in Clark County have been dropped from state-supported mental health services. According to Clark County, changes in the federal Medicaid program trimmed $5.5 million from the county's annual mental health budget of $18 million. The foundation's money will help the two agencies fill some of the gap."  
  

Ohio mental health chief urges reforms during MCO visit
Story in the Toledo Blade on a talk by Michael Hogan,director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and chair of the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health - " 'We are not good yet at helping people recover,' Dr. Hogan said. 'We have a mental health system that is limping along.' "