Wednesday, September 10, 2003

U.S. mental health system needs less stigma, more consumer input
Article in the September APA Monitor - "President Bush's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health has recommended strategies to improve the quality of mental health services, including making early mental health screening common practice."  
  

Service agencies merge to weather hard times (California)
San Mateo County Times story - "Although California's dismal economy put dents in many social services budgets, two veteran County agencies are still running strong, now that they've joined forces. Family and Community Enrichment Services, Inc. (FACES) and Youth and Family Assistance (YFA) recently announced completion of their merger to create Youth and Family Enrichment Services (YFES). A reduction in public funding and private philanthropic dollars prompted the boards of both agencies to join forces to ensure the continuation of the free and low-cost substance-abuse, youth and family, training and clinical services provided to low-income community members."  
  

Mental-health hole remains (North Carolina)
Story in the News Observer - " Last month, the state approved Wake County's plan for mental health reform. But one of its key points, the establishment of psychiatric inpatient services at a local hospital, is still foundering. The state's philosophy about providing mental health services has evolved over the past few years, switching from mainly institution- and hospital-based care to a more community-centered approach. A 1999 U.S. Supreme Court ruling prompted the change to rely on mental hospitals only as a last resort..."