Monday, April 05, 2004

Improving Depression Care
Health News Digest story reprinted at PsycPORT - "Quality improvement programs that encouraged depressed patients to undergo standard treatments for depression (psychotherapy or antidepressant medication) and gave them and their doctors up-to-date information and resources to increase access to treatments reduced depression rates among African Americans and Hispanics 5 years after the start of the 6 to 12 month programs. The study, supported by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, is published in the April issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry."  
  

Roadmap to Recovery and Cure: Report of the NAMI Policy Research Institute Task Force on Serious Mental Illness Research
A report in Adobe Acrobat format available at the Open Minds web site - "NAMI’s Policy Research Institute convened a Task Force on Research, including experts in mental illness research along with consumer, family, and provider stakeholders. Their charge was to identify ways in which serious mental illness treatment could be rapidly improved. The Task Force concluded that dramatic improvements in patients’ lives could be realized in the next ten years if research was expanded and the treatment system reformed and brought into closer alignment with research."  
  

Assessing Abuse Potential in Pain Patients
A Medscape Neurology & Neurosurgery Expert Column by Lynn R. Webster - "The prevalence of opiate abuse among patients with chronic pain is unknown but is believed to be no greater than the prevalence of opiate abuse in the general population. Some studies disagree and estimate the danger of addiction or abuse for pain patients to be higher than the norm. Other medical literature has put the prevalence of addictive disorders among patients who sustain major trauma as high as 60%. Despite the common use of opioid analgesics in the treatment of chronic pain, considerable fear exists among physicians that prescribing opioid drugs may contribute to opiate abuse or addiction..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

The State of the Art in Addiction Medicine
Medscape Conference Coverage, based on selected sessions by Elizabeth Howell at the The State of the Art in Addiction Medicine conference last October 30 - November 1, including the Keynote Address, Addiction and Reward Circuitry in the Brain, Treatment of Nicotine and Opioid Dependence, Behavioral Parameters of Reward Incentives, Motivation Therapy, and Addiction and Behavioral Economics. [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

New program for people with personality disorders recognized by health quality award (Canada)
Item in the latest issue of the CMHA newsletter Mental Health Notes - "The GROW Program of the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region has been recognized by the Health Quality Council of Saskatchewan for improving the level of care for people who are being treated as inpatients and have personality disorders. GROW (Goals, Reframe, Options and Wellness) was developed to respond to the needs of people who were hospitalized for psychiatric disorders such as major depression but who often did worse in hospital because they also had a personality disorder..."  
  

Mental health clinic to give up county contracts (New York)
Newsday story - "A cash-strapped mental health clinic in Amityville has agreed to void county contracts worth $5.3 million amid a state labor investigation into its finances and allegations that it did not pay some of its employees for as many as five months, officials said yesterday. The clinic, Children and Family Mental Health Services, generated much of its revenue through Suffolk County contracts, and ending them likely would lead to bankruptcy, said county officials and a clinic administrator..."  
  

Ontario Hospitals Present to Senate Committee on Improving Mental Health Services (Canada)
CNW press release - "Investing in mental health services and ensuring mental health and addictions are included in the definition of health and illness are key ways for government to improve mental health services to people in needs of care, the Ontario Hospital Association Mental Health Working Group (MHWG) said today in its appearance before the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology."  
  

Mental health patient sues three agencies (Michigan)
Citizen-Patriot story - " A patient who has fought the public mental health system in Jackson for two years over management of her money filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging negligence, false imprisonment and other claims. Melanie Morgan, 32, now of Lansing, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court against the LifeWays community mental health agency and two of its contract agencies, Segue and Journeys of Michigan. Morgan's suit seeks unspecified damages in excess of $25,000 for financial loss, emotional distress and 'aggravation of her mental problems.' Punitive damages of $250,000 are also sought. "  
  

Mental Health system faces emergency room crisis (South Carolina)
Story in the Times and Democrat - "The director of the state's mental health agency says the department needs to do more to treat people with both mental illness and substance abuse problems and needs to curb the waiting lists at emergency rooms across the state. Mental Health Department director George Gintoli told a planning group Friday that the agency has made progress during the few years, but a new plan needs to be created to address ongoing concerns and make improvements. One of the most immediate concerns is the increase in mentally ill patients at hospital emergency rooms, due in part to closing the department's State Hospital. ..."  
  

Panelists question mental health changes (Nebraska)
Story in The Independent - "Nebraska's move to more of a community-based mental health system can work -- if the transition is not hurried. But at least two panelists who spoke Saturday morning about the state's proposed mental health reforms said that is a mighty big "if," which must be closely monitored.... Colleen Wuebben, executive director of National Alliance of the Mentally Ill-Nebraska, acknowledged that moving too quickly has caused problems in other states that have made similar transitions to community-based mental health reforms."  
  

Mental health: Illnesses, stigma burden students (Minnesota)
St. Cloud Times story - " The stigma that drives many college students away from seeking professional help only adds to the struggle college psychologists face because of budget cuts and a lack of resources on campus. Mental-health professionals on college campuses nationwide are the so-called first line of defense for many students who suffer from depression or suicidal thoughts. Depression often is cited as the leading cause of suicide..."  
  

State high court protects mental-health records (Colorado)
Brief Denver Post story - "A person suing for emotional distress should not have to disclose their records for mental health care, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled today. ..."  
  

Mental health in Ohio
Newark Advocate story on the furor created by a recent Cincinnati Enquirer series on the state's mental health system - " Michael Hogan, director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, acknowledges that some centers are troubled, but says that most improved in the past few years after state inspectors cited them for failing to protect kids. Hogan says the state tries to help facilities change rather than shut them down because Ohio desperately needs homes willing to take in the most difficult kids. Knight says the system is so complex that many families can't figure out who's in charge of watching over their children, and many kids are sent to centers that can't help them."