Thursday, July 28, 2005

16 National Organizations Cite Crisis in Mental Health System, Release Roadmap for Reform PR Newswire press release - "Today at the U.S. Capitol, the Campaign for Mental Health Reform released "Emergency Response: A Roadmap for Federal Action on America's Mental Health Crisis." The coalition of 16 national organizations proposed 28 action steps as a "roadmap" for Congress and the Administration to transform the country's ailing mental health care system. Speaking at the press conference in support of the Campaign's efforts were Members of Congress from both political parties and both chambers: Senators Mike DeWine (R-OH) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and Representatives Sue Myrick (R-NC), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Jim Ramstad (R-MN), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), and Ted Strickland (D-OH)." See also the Campaign for Mental Health Reform press release, the executive summary (also available in PDF format) and the full 32-page report (in PDF format).  
  

Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report Highlights News Coverage of State Medicaid Programs Coverage at the Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report on recent Medicaid-related developments in Maryland, Mississippi, Nissouri, South Carolina and Tennessee, with links to related news stories and resources.  
  

Research shows that 5% of children in the US suffer from emotional and behavioral disorders Health News story - "According to a report by the National Institute of Mental Health, 2.7 million children, or 5%, are reported by their parents to suffer from definite or severe emotional or behavioral difficulties. A special feature in the report, America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2005, shows that difficulties may persist throughout a child's development and lead to lifelong disability, including more serious illness, more difficult to treat illness, and co-occurring mental illnesses." The full report is available in PDF format (along with previous years' reports) and in web-based version by sections.  
  

Report criticizes California mental hospital Seattle Post-Intelligencer story - "Patients at a state mental hospital overdosed on illegal drugs, were improperly restrained for hours on end and were forced to spend 12 hours in soiled diapers, according to a scathing report issued by the U.S. Justice Department. The report said the problems were among 'widespread and systematic deficiencies' at Napa State Hospital, including suicide and inadequate medical care. Some patients were bathed only every two to four weeks, the report said. State officials were given until Aug. 15 to implement 'minimum remedial measures' at the mental hospital, which has about 1,100 patients."  
  

$40 Million Boon for Mental Health Producing Turmoil (California) Story at Black Enterprise - "The county has asked people with business connections to the mental health community to resign from county panels that dole out public money for mental health programs, a move that has angered some mental health advocates who say the move will keep valuable experts off the panels. The county has received about $40 million as a result of a new law, Proposition 63, which passed last year. The law imposes a 1 percent tax on California residents who make $1 million or more to help pay for mental health programs. Counties have been instructed to submit plans for the money ---- with advice from patients, family members and mental health service providers ---- to the state for approval..."  
  

Iraq Affecting Mental Health of Troops Washington Post story - "A survey of troops returning from the Iraq war found 30 percent had developed mental health problems three to four months after coming home, the Army's surgeon general said Thursday. The problems include anxiety, depression, nightmares, anger and an inability to concentrate, according to Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley and other military medical officials. A smaller group, usually with more severe cases of these symptoms, is diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld speaks to reporters Wednesday July 27, 2005 as he flies back to the U.S. from a swing through Central Asia and Iraq. Rumsfeld visited the area to meet with U.S. troops and senior U.S. and Iraqi military personnel and local governmental officials. The 30 percent figure is in contrast to the 3 percent to 5 percent diagnosed with a significant mental health issue immediately after they leave the theater..." [Viewing Washington Post stories requires registration, which is free.] See also Military to screen returning troops (Seattle Times) and Officials Report Progress, Challenges in Treating Combat Stress (iNewswire).