Thursday, May 05, 2005

2005 Almanac for Mental Health and Addiction Professionals Online version of the most recent edition of the Almanac from Manisses Publications - "This annual almanac provides relevant statistical information about trends in the mental health and addiction fields. The 2005 edition examines social costs and expenditures associated with adult, child and adolescent mental illness and substance use disorders and then looks at some treatment trends and outcomes among adult and pediatric populations."  
  

Switching Depression Treatment Approach Can Help Nonresponders  Reuters Health story at Medscape - "Depressed patients who fail to respond to initial treatment with an antidepressant or psychotherapy may do better if they are switched to the alternative treatment, new study findings in the May issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry suggest. 'Surprisingly few studies have evaluated the role of medication following nonresponse to psychotherapy,' Dr. Alan F. Schatzberg and colleagues note, and 'none has evaluated the efficacy of psychotherapy following nonresponse to medication.' " "med"  
  

Characteristics of the Uninsured: A View from the States A 49 page report in Adobe Acrobat format from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - " This report reviews state-level data about adults who work but do not have health insurance coverage. More than 20 million working adults do not have health care coverage, according to an analysis of 2003 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In eight states, at least one in five working adults is uninsured. In 39 other states, at least one working adult in every 10 does not have health care coverage." See also the related press release.  
  

Slash and Burn Budget Clears Congress Update from the Bazelon Center on Mental Health Law - "... Congress approved its budget resolution, which sets spending guidelines for fiscal year 2006. Its approval clears the way for billions in cuts to the Medicaid program, the single most significant source of public financing for mental health services, and for freezing spending on other domestic discretionary programs, including mental health programs, for three years. ... Among the cuts the President proposed were several that would hurt people with mental illnesses who rely on the public mental health system. In particular, significant cuts to targeted case management services were included. Targeted case management is an important community-based Medicaid service for children who require wraparound services to help them avoid school failure, contact with juvenile justice authorities and other adverse outcomes. For adults, it is equally vital in linking them to a range of critical support services, such as housing and employment."  
  

Mental Illness Stigmas Are Receding, But Misconceptions Remain PR Newswire press release at MentalHelpNet - "The diagnosis of a mental illness no longer carries the fear or shame it once did, according to a survey released today by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Nearly 90 percent of Americans surveyed correctly believe that people with mental illness can live healthy lives and an overwhelming majority (80 percent) feels confident that mental health treatment works. Study findings also show that nearly 70 percent of people surveyed view going to a psychiatrist as a sign of strength. Despite this very positive news, however, there are still some grave misconceptions to address. Each year in the United States, 1 in 5 adults are diagnosed with a mental illness, yet the same proportion of adults say they would not see a psychiatrist under any circumstances..."  
  

Uphold Medicaid benefits Opinion column in the Miami Herald by Steve Leifman, associate administrative judge and chair of the 11th Judicial Circuit Mental Health Committee - "...the Legislature this year announced its intention to repeal the mental-health exemption for Medicaid enrollees. This means that access to effective and trusted medications for Floridians who suffer from serious mental illnesses are in jeopardy. In effect, the Legislature is making a medical, not financial, decision for the tens of thousands of people who rely on access to the newer medications. ... The truth is that when considered against hospitalization and crisis-oriented services, medications are among the least expensive forms of treatment for mental illnesses. Furthermore, requiring physicians to prescribe medication based on cost-effectiveness as opposed to clinical-efficacy raises serious questions about professional ethics and standards of practice. To disavow that access to medication and services are among the most potent solutions to the social problems we face related to untreated mental illnesses is to disregard many lessons learned at tragic, irreversible costs. In recent years, the Legislature has made some positive strides in reversing the criminalization of mental illness. This proposal, unfortunately, will be a major setback."  
  

Judge Critical of D.C. Mental Health Care Washington Post story - "Ongoing problems with District mental health services raise 'serious public safety concerns' as well as questions about whether the city is meeting its legal obligation to help the mentally ill, according to D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Rufus G. King III. King's criticism of the D.C. Department of Mental Health is contained in a March 29 letter to U.S. District Chief Judge Thomas F. Hogan, who is overseeing the mental health system's efforts to emerge from three decades of court intervention. Superior Court Chief Judge Rufus G. King III said the city may be putting the public at risk with inadequate treatment of the mentally ill. King wrote that the agency's problems in paying doctors have caused disruptions in court-ordered mental health evaluations of children in juvenile and neglect cases." "wp"  
  

Scotland pioneers mental health first-aider scheme (UK) Scotsman.com story - "Mental health 'first-aiders' are to be trained across Scotland in a programme that will enable ordinary people to assist sufferers of severe mental illness. The national training programme, funded by the Scottish Executive and NHS Health Scotland, is the first of its kind in the world and will train at least 300 instructors over the next three years. Eventually it is hoped that thousands of people from all walks of life will be able to practise 'CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] for the mind'. The roll-out is part of the Scottish Executive’s National Programme to Improve Mental Health and Well Being, and will be launched officially in June."  
  

HealthyMinds.org HealthyMinds is "a consumer-oriented Web site that seeks to inform and educate the public about mental health treatment and resources. This site was launched in May 2005 (Mental Health Month) as a component of the American Psychiatric Association’s 'Healthy Minds. Healthy Lives' public information campaign to raise awareness on mental health issues. Here you will find information on many common mental health concerns, including warning signs of mental disorders, treatment options, and prevention measures..." See also the related story at MedicalNewsToday.