Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Institute for Professional Development in the Addictions
Organizational web site suggested by reader Loretta Rankin, the IPDA's Education and Marketing Coordinator - "The Institute is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1999 to insure that all people working in the addictions profession have ongoing opportunities to improve their skills and competency. In addition, it was decided that IPDA would play a key role in promoting workforce development, so that NYS can continue to provide individuals, families, and communities affected by alcohol and other drug problems with the most talented and dedicated staff possible." See, especially, the site's outstanding collection of links to articles, reports and free web resources.  
  

Peer-to-Peer Resource Center
Web site of the Peer-to-Peer Resource Center - "At the Peer-to-Peer Resource Center, we believe that the support of peers – other mental health consumers – is essential to wellness and recovery. We are working to bring peer support the recognition it deserves, and to make peers an integral part of every consumer’s treatment team. Our goal is to put in place a national system to train and certify peer specialists who work with other mental health consumers to promote outcomes of self-directed recovery, independence, and community integration." Please note, too, that the site has an online form for gathering information "about organized efforts in your state to train and involve mental health consumers in providing peer support."  
  

Alternatives 2004
"The 19th annual Alternatives conference, the only national mental health conference organized by and for mental health consumers and survivors, will be held from October 13 to 17, 2004, at the Marriott Denver City Center in Denver, Colorado. The theme of Alternatives 2004 — 'Achieving the Promise of Recovery: New Freedom, New Power, New Hope' — was chosen to echo the title of the report of the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health...” The site includes an online registration form and a downloadable conference brochure (Adobe Acrobat format).  
  

The Treatment of Acute Mania in Bipolar Disorder
Article in Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health - " With the approval of a number of atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of mania in bipolar disorder in the last few years, the pharmacologic options for therapy have expanded. Current practice guidelines[1] state that first-line treatment for severe manic or mixed episodes is either lithium plus an antipsychotic or valproate plus an antipsychotic; while for less ill patients, monotherapy with lithium, valproate, or an antipsychotic may be sufficient. Which approach is taken will vary depending on such considerations as diagnosis, state of the patient, hospitalization, and whether the patient is amenable to medication..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Scathing Report on Prison Doctors (California)
Los Angeles Times story - "Incompetent doctors, including some with a history of substance abuse or mental health problems, have been hired by California's prison system and have contributed to serious deficiencies in healthcare for inmates, according to a federal court report released Tuesday. At one facility, half of the eight doctors had prior criminal charges, loss of privileges at community hospitals or mental health problems, the panel said. At another, seven of 20 doctors had similar problems. ... A panel of two doctors and a nurse practitioner conducted reviews of medical treatment at about half a dozen of the state's 32 prisons. They concluded in a July 16 letter to the judge that the department had hired many incompetent doctors with a history of problems, then failed to monitor them, putting inmates at serious risk of injury or death." [Viewing Los Angeles Times stories requires registration, which is free].  
  

Mentally ill have new home in city (Ohio)
Story in the News Journal (Mansfield OH) - "Dalton Place, a 12-bed apartment for people recovering from mental illness, was dedicated Tuesday in honor of a man described as a 'compassionate warrior' for people in need. ... Dalton helped advocate for mentally ill people and their families at the local and state level. At dedication ceremonies, Dalton noted Mansfield has housing for 96 mentally ill people. The new facility, which is nearly finished, is 'a community blessing,' he said. Dr. Michael Hogan, director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, which provided 60 percent of the funds to build the apartment complex, said Dalton has worked hard on behalf of people with mental illness. "  
  

Children's issues may slow TennCare cuts (Tennessee)
Story in The Tennessean - " Gov. Phil Bredesen intends to make public in the next 10 days details of his cost-saving changes to TennCare, but a January implementation date could get delayed. Already, the state is about two months off schedule in filing the plan with the federal government. It is now likely to happen in mid-September, and legal developments this week could cause further delay. ... On Monday, U.S. District Judge John Nixon surprised the state and the Justice Center when he said he would like to see the case move forward, with a 'special master' writing a compromise plan. Richard Carter was appointed special master three years ago. The special master's plan could, among other things, make sure that children on TennCare with mental health problems have immediate and accessible treatment, one of the ongoing shortcomings of TennCare, Johnson said."  
  

SSRI Citizen announces antidepressant national awareness campaign: Unsafe At Any Dose
eMediaWire press release - "In a bold move reminiscent of Ralph Nader’s 1960’s “Unsafe At Any Speed” campaign a consumer activist group which calls itself 'SSRI Citizen' has launched a national awareness campaign designed to educate the general public about the serious health risks associated with the use of popular antidepressants such as Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor and Prozac. The group’s web site sells bumper stickers emblazoned with drug names followed by the warning ‘Unsafe At Any Dose’. 'Our hope is the proliferation of the stickers will help raise public awareness of the dangers these drugs present and encourage people to visit our web site where they will discover drug safety information and other resources which heretofore have not been readily available to the consumer,' said Rob Robinson, the organization’s founder and spokesperson." See also the SSRICitizen web site.  
  

State faulted on care for children (Virginia)
Richmond Times-Dispatch story - "Virginia does a poor job of caring for seriously disturbed children and teenagers, especially those who end up in the state's juvenile courts and detention centers, a report says. A state mental-health work group found that Virginia spends too little on helping youths with mental illness or serious emotional problems - an estimated 62,000 children and teenagers. The group said there is little help for those who are struggling with more than one problem - a combination of mental illness and substance abuse or retardation and behavior disorders, for instance."  
  

Gallatin commissioners pledge $1 million for mental health center (Montana)
Billings Gazette story - "Gallatin County commissioners have pledged $1 million toward a mental health crisis care facility in Bozeman. The county also plans to provide funds for operating costs, said Randy Kuyath, county chief administrative officer. The money has been included in next year's budget request, which has not yet been approved, he said. Bozeman Deaconess Hospital has offered to lease five acres of land for the mental health campus near the hospital, said Cheryl Ridgely, a hospital spokeswoman..."  
  

Fund targets entrepreneurs with mental health problems (UK)
BusinessEurope.com story - "The government is putting up £1 million to help people with mental health problems become sole traders and start businesses. Small business minister Nigel Griffiths called on mental health charities to apply for a slice of the money, which comes from the latest tranche of Phoenix fund investment..."