Posted on July 24, 2019
The New York Times
Reports on how lawmakers in Oregon and Utah have recognized the importance of the mental health of their students by allowing them to take sick days just for that. On July 1, 2019 a law in Oregon went into effect giving students five mental health days in a three-month period. The new laws are “a huge win, especially for individuals and families that are affected by mental health conditions,” said Jennifer Rothman, Senior Manager for Youth and Young Adult Initiatives. “The suicide rates for kids are not going down,” Rothman said. “They are actually rising very quickly, which I think is making schools think a little bit more about mental health conditions.”
READ MOREPosted on July 23, 2019
247Sports
Article about NAMI’s new Strength over Silence video featuring Cleveland Browns offensive tackle and NAMI Ambassador Chris Hubbard. The article provides links to both the NAMI website and the Strength over Silence video.
READ MOREPosted on July 19, 2019
Healthleaders
A federal judge sided with the administration, affirming a final rule that expanded access to short-term limited-duration insurance (STLDI). The plaintiffs, including NAMI and Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), said they will appeal the decision. "We have no intention of stopping until we end discriminatory coverage," said Angela Kimball, acting CEO. "This ruling is a step in the wrong direction. It lets junk plans compete with comprehensive health insurance, even though they don't have to provide the same level of mental health coverage—or any mental health coverage at all. We will join an appeal of this decision because the health of our nation includes its mental health. It is imperative that insurance plans provide essential mental health benefits for all Americans, plain and simple."
READ MOREPosted on July 18, 2019
Kaiser Health News
Reports that while a diagnosis of cancer might garner sympathy at work and a casserole for the family, an admission of a psychotic disorder might elicit judgment, fear and avoidance among co-workers. The pressure is growing on employers to adopt better strategies for dealing with mental health. Companies have been working to support employees is by pressuring their insurers to offer a more robust array of mental health benefits. “Employers can often feel that they’re at the mercy of health plans. But employers have the power of the pocketbook,” said Angela Kimball, acting CEO, NAMI. “They have an enormous ability to change the market by simply demanding better.”
READ MOREPosted on July 15, 2019
A growing number of people in the St. Louis region are seeking mental health treatment in emergency rooms, according to a report from the St. Louis County health departments. The report found an increase of more than 40% for people seeking mental health care in emergency rooms. “The one-time treatment given in emergency room departments, even at the best hospitals, is often incompatible with the treatment needed to treat mental health problems,” said Jennifer Snow, Public Policy Director, NAMI. “Illnesses such as depression, addiction and schizophrenia often require regular doctors’ visits to monitor treatment and provide counseling or other types of therapy,” she said. “We need to make mental health care more accessible so people can get treated before they get to a situation where they are in crisis and have nowhere else to turn other than go to the ER,” Snow said.
READ MOREPosted on July 1, 2019
SELF
The goal is to help you make an informed decision between the many professionals capable of helping you. “It’s difficult to determine whether one type of mental health professional is better than another based solely on their degree or training,” Teri Brister, Ph.D., L.P.C., Director of Information and Support for NAMI. “You should look at their interests and specialties to make sure they align with your goals for therapy.” “While it is important for therapists to be educated, trained, and up-to-date on current practices, there is so much more to a good therapist than just their background and education,” says Brister.
READ MOREPosted on June 18, 2019
Associated Press
Reports that more than four years after Congress required the Department of Justice to assemble information about those who die in police custody, the agency has yet to implement a system for collecting that data or release any new details of how and why people die under the watch of law enforcement. The information vacuum is hampering efforts to identify patterns that might lead to policies to prevent deaths during police encounters, arrests and incarceration.
READ MOREPosted on June 10, 2019
MSN
Looks at how literature has shifted to include more themes of mental illness in recent years and the spike in authors sharing their stories through memoirs and novels contributes to the greater effort to break down stigma.
READ MOREPosted on June 10, 2019
STAT
Reports that NAMI, along with seven other organizations, has launched Mental Health for US, a nonpartisan educational coalition dedicated to elevating mental health and substance abuse in policy conversations around the country.
READ MOREPosted on June 4, 2019
VICE
Detailed perspective of minority children’s struggles to receive mental health treatment. Young Black and Latinx people in the U.S. have a very different relationship with mental illness than their white peers, including higher rates of attempted suicide. In communities of color, it’s still largely taboo to talk about mental illness openly, let alone seek help for it. Many of these young people don’t seek it, or when they do, have very limited access.
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NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
