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New center to provide variety of medical services for people in and around Skid Row opened

The Weingart Center Association, JWCH Institute and the County of Los Angeles announced today the opening of the Center for Community Health Downtown Los Angeles, a state-of-the-art medical facility that provides integrated care to the more than 18,000 homeless and low-income people in and around Skid Row.

30 Oct 2009

One in 10 adolescents exhibit chronic behavior problems

Ten percent of young adolescent boys -- or one in 10 -- exhibit a symptom of conduct disorder as well as a symptom of risky or problem gambling, according to new research findings from the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA).

24 Oct 2009

The 23rd annual Alternatives conference to be held in Nebraska

The 23rd annual Alternatives conference, the only national mental health conference organized by and for mental health consumers/survivors, will be held October 28 to November 1, 2009, at the Hilton Omaha, 1001 Cass Street, in Omaha, Nebraska.

23 Oct 2009

Quality of U.S. health care was virtually stagnant in 2008, says NCQA report

A report released today by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) finds that the quality of U.S. health care was virtually stagnant in 2008, a disturbing slowdown after a decade of improvements. The across-the-board trend was seen in care provided to people with private insurance coverage as well as in Medicare and Medicaid.

23 Oct 2009

Report: Quality of care for insured Americans slipped in 2008

CNNMoney reports that for the first time in more than 10 years, the "overall quality of health care" for Americans insured through commercial and public plans appears to have slipped.

23 Oct 2009

Health reform changes could increase costs to states

Today's state news round-up includes the cost of health reform to New York, immigrants in California, a possible new mental health overhaul in Arizona and a delay in expanding the children's health program in Iowa.

22 Oct 2009

TSN and EAP team up for P.O.W.E.R. Initiative

Treatment Solutions Network (TSN) and Capital Employee Assistance Program (EAP) proudly announce their collective commitment to the TSN P.O.W.E.R. Initiative and the ultimate care and protection it will provide for Public Safety Officers everywhere.

22 Oct 2009

Research in specific cells and circuitry affected by addiction may help guard against relapse

New research using animal models is enabling a deeper understanding of the neurobiology of compulsive drug addiction in humans - knowledge that may lead to more effective treatment options to weaken the powerful cravings that cause people to relapse.

22 Oct 2009

Children's Hospital Boston's CRAFFT substance abuse diagnostic test helps identify high risk sexual behavior

Alcohol and drug use are known contributors to adolescents engaging in dangerous sexual activity; leading to substantial health risks such as unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted illnesses, drug overdoses and alcohol poisonings. Yet, research suggests that fewer than half of pediatricians report screening patients for substance use and at-risk sexual behavior.

19 Oct 2009

SAMHSA honors contributors to mental health recovery at the 2009 Voice Awards

Writers and producers from The Soloist, "Grey's Anatomy," "United States of Tara," "90210," and others were honored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for increasing awareness of mental health issues and the power of recovery at the 2009 Voice Awards last night. The event was hosted by Academy Award-winning actor and mental health consumer Richard Dreyfuss at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

15 Oct 2009

Layoffs, privatization may not help people struggling with substance abuse

The union which represents employees at the District of Columbia's Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration (APRA) called on the D.C. City Council to restore services to thousands of D.C. residents struggling with addiction.

15 Oct 2009

Permanent housing programs for homeless people can increase taxpayers' savings

United Way of Greater Los Angeles today unveiled findings from its Homeless Cost Study, uncovering the financial implications of living on the streets in Los Angeles and the social and economic benefits of permanent supportive housing programs.

14 Oct 2009

Users can share interactive information on Humanpapilloma Virus anonymously

A new Facebook application has been launched to help educate, motivate and mobilize people to prevent the spread of Humanpapilloma Virus (HPV). "Fact Check: HPV" (www.hpvfactcheck.org) allows users to take an interactive, educational quiz about HPV, find additional resources, and commit to take action, while even allowing concerned friends to anonymously share the application with peers.

13 Oct 2009

Women abused by intimate partners suffer higher rates of medical maladies

Women abused by intimate partners suffer higher rates of a wide variety of doctor-diagnosed medical maladies compared to women who were never abused, according to a new study of more than 3,000 women.

13 Oct 2009

Three hundred participants sought for world-first study to determine shared biological basis for psychotic illnesses

For the first time, sufferers of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are being brought together in a major new study investigating the diseases' common genetic causes and manifestations.

11 Oct 2009

HHS awards a five-year $2 million grant to BayCare Behavioral Health

BayCare Behavioral Health and the Homeless Emergency Project have received a five-year grant of $400,000 for each year for a total of $2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT).

8 Oct 2009

PBS launches new website to support "This Emotional Life" documentary

PBS, Vulcan Productions and the WGBH/NOVA Science Unit launched a new website today to support the upcoming This Emotional Life documentary, which premieres on PBS in early 2010. The documentary series is hosted by Daniel Gilbert, Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness, and weaves the latest scientific research with compelling personal stories through deeply personal interviews with ordinary people, such as returning veterans and new parents, as well as celebrities.

7 Oct 2009

Unique program for women veterans

At a time when Americans are just beginning to pay attention to the special challenges faced by women who have served in the military, the Northampton-based non-profit Soldier On has created a national model for helping women veterans in crisis.

6 Oct 2009

Adverse childhood experiences double the risk of premature death

Many U.S. children face a terrible burden of stressors that can harm the development of their brains and nervous systems. These stressors can lead to health problems and diseases throughout their lives, ultimately causing some to die prematurely, according to the lead author of a new study.

6 Oct 2009

Study points to subtle differences between boys and girls' attitudes to multiple drugs

New research by Weill Cornell Medical College researchers looks at the specific ways parents and peers influence teenagers to smoke, drink and use marijuana in combination.

3 Oct 2009