Tuesday, January 04, 2005

Building a mentally healthy work force   Article in the January APA Monitor - "Psychologists and occupational health leaders highlighted programs aimed at alleviating work-family conflicts and workplace stress at a recent conference organized by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and more than 20 co-sponsors, including APA. The 2004 Steps to a Healthier U.S. Workforce Symposium brought together leaders from the occupational safety and the health promotion communities to explore ways to improve employees' health and safety..."  
  

Judge in Mental-Disability Case Is Now Focus of One   New York Times story - "A retired federal judge who has dementia and lives in a nursing home is at the center of a legal debate that could have a far-reaching effect on the care of patients with Alzheimer's disease. More than 20 years ago, Judge Bruce M. Van Sickle of United States District Court in North Dakota issued a sweeping ruling that the state's institutions for the mentally disabled were systematically violating the rights of their patients. He ordered that the disabled be moved to places where they could be given the 'least restrictive' appropriate care. One of Judge Van Sickle's sons is now asking the North Dakota Supreme Court to release him from his Bismarck nursing home so he can be given the same individual care that he once ordered for other disabled people." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Mental health department seeks to downsize facilities Story in the News Advance - "Virginia’s mental health and substance abuse department has proposed to rebuild and downsize some of its facilities, including the Central Virginia Training Center, Amherst County’s biggest employer. Several of the 97 buildings on the campus are outdated, department officials said, and it would be cheaper to build new ones than to renovate. If the plan is approved by the General Assembly next year, there would be fewer patients and employees at the center. The 350-acre campus also might shrink, because department officials are considering selling some of the land."  
  

Police urged to use services of mental-health experts in crises (California) Monterey Herald story - "Police agencies in Monterey County should review their policies regarding deadly force in the wake of the police shooting of a mentally disturbed man in Salinas last year, according to the county grand jury. Also, the county Board of Supervisors should consider providing on-call mental health professionals to deal with police standoffs, the grand jury suggests in its annual report released Monday..."