Monday, April 25, 2005

Utah mental health advocate dies in crash AP story at the Daily Herald - "A longtime Utah advocate for the mentally ill died on icy roads after losing control of her car in Sardine Canyon. Vicki Cottrell was executive director of the Utah chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and often provided a public counterweight for mentally ill people accused of some of Utah's most high-profile crimes... Cottrell's legacy is etched into Utah's lawbooks, including a measure that helps families get care for mentally ill relatives who have resisted treatment. She also worked with Salt Lake City police to help officers identify the signs of mental illness when responding to calls."  
  

Mental health sufferers ignored (UK) Daily Mail story - "The needs of 50,000 people with severe mental illness in the UK are still being ignored, campaigners have warned. Mental health charity Rethink has published a report outlining how many patients are denied access to services to tackle their mental, physical and social needs. They also launched a 'toolkit' giving practical advice to health workers and carers to help improve the quality of life for this so-called 'forgotten generation'." See also related information at the Rethink web site.