Monday, February 09, 2004

Brief Psychotherapies for Depression: Current Status
Current Opinion in Psychiatry article at Medscape that reviews "...recent randomized controlled trials and current research on mediators and moderators of treatment effects in psychotherapies for depression." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Methadone Deaths Not Linked to Misuse of Methadone from Treatment Centers
SAMHSA press release - "Methadone-associated deaths are not being caused primarily by methadone diverted from methadone treatment programs, a panel of experts convened by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reported. The methadone report was released today by SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Director, H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., at the Sixth International Conference on Pain and Chemical Dependency in New York City. The consensus report, 'Methadone-Associated Mortality, Report of a National Assessment,; concludes that 'although the data remain incomplete, National Assessment meeting participants concurred that methadone tablets and/or diskettes distributed through channels other than opioid treatment programs most likely are the central factor in methadone-associated mortality.'”  
  

Future of mental health discussed (Tennessee)
KnoxNews story - "Almost 130 people - mental health consumers and representatives from about 35 agencies - showed up at a state-sponsored meeting Thursday to "brainstorm" about the future of mental health in Tennessee. The meetings - also held in January in Middle and West Tennessee - are "Phase One" of a two-part plan to develop a consensus about changes the state Department of Mental Health and Development Disabilities should make in the mental health system in the next two years. Information gathered at these forums and at smaller, follow-up meetings scheduled for March and April will be "distilled" into a report and given to state planners..."  
  

Bill enhances rural mental health options (nebraska)
Story in The Nebraskan - "Study after study has shown the rural communities of Nebraska are lacking mental health professionals. But Sen. Doug Cunningham of Wausa says he has a proposal to help this problem without costing taxpayers a thing. An existing law provides medical and dental students with student loans if they promise to practice in a rural community after graduation. Cunningham wants to amend this law with a bill that would extend the loans to mental health students..."