ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. SUICIDE IN YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS SPIKED IN 2003–2004:
CDC REPORT
2. SENATE PASSES CHILDREN’S HEALTH PLAN
3. KIDSPEACE TOLD TO MAKE CHANGES
4. COLLINGSWOOD COPS TRAIN IN MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH
5. JERSEY'S BUDGET SHORTFALL MAY GROW
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SUICIDE IN YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS SPIKED IN 2003–2004:
CDC REPORT
In the United States, youth suicide rates increased by
14% between 2003 and 2004, the largest year-to-year change
in suicide rates in this population since the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention began systematically collecting
suicide data in 1979. More research is needed to determine
definitively whether suicide rates are increasing as a result
of the decrease in SSRI prescription rates.
Read the Medscape report:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/562598
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KIDSPEACE TOLD TO MAKE CHANGES
The state is giving KidsPeace six months to fix its problems
at two Lehigh Valley centers or face losing its license
to counsel troubled youths. After five months in which police
were called to KidsPeace dozens of times, and seven injuries
occurred when counselors tried to restrain residents, the
Department of Public Welfare is putting KidsPeace on a provisional
license while the organization sets new policies that better
protect its young residents.
Read more:
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5kidspeace.6055650sep22,0,4642757.story
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SENATE PASSES CHILDREN’S HEALTH PLAN
The Senate gave final approval on Thursday to a health
insurance bill for 10 million children, clearing the measure
for President Bush, who said he would veto it.
The bill would increase tobacco taxes, with the levy on
cigarettes increasing to $1 a pack from the current 39 cents.
It would require states to cover dental services for children
and would increase coverage of mental health services in
many states. The measure includes language by Senators Gordon
H. Smith (R-OR) and John Kerry (D-MA) to prohibit discriminatory
limits on mental health care in SCHIP plans.
Read the New York Times story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/washington/28health.html?ref=health
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COLLINGSWOOD COPS TRAIN IN MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH
Whenever there's a mental health emergency in Collingswood
or Woodlynne, one of the seven trained CIT officers will
now respond to the call. A Steininger mental health unit
will often follow close behind or be a phone call away.
The idea is to evaluate the mentally ill person within an
hour and quickly get them the help they need. That could
mean refilling a prescription, scheduling an emergency appointment
with a psychiatrist or therapist, contacting a family member
or admitting them to the hospital.
Read
the Courier Post story.
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JERSEY'S BUDGET SHORTFALL MAY GROW
The turmoil in the nation's housing, credit and financial
markets may leave an unwanted byproduct for the state of
New Jersey: a bigger budget problem. State officials already
are bracing to close a gap of about $2.5 billion between
projected spending and revenues in the budget year that
begins July 1. Now, the odds are growing that the state
could face a serious revenue slump that could add to that
hole -- or punch one into the current budget.
Read the Star Ledger report:
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1190522275137920.xml&coll=1
