Mental Health / Public News Service

Dan Diaz became an advocate for California's medical aid-in-dying law after the loss of his wife, Brittany Maynard, in 2014. (Dan Diaz)

Monday, June 16, 2025

CA lawmakers consider making End of Life Option Act permanent

CORRECTION: The name of the California law is the 'End of Life Option Act.' A previous version of the story used the word 'Options,' not 'Option.' (11…

Nineteen percent of Kentucky adults reported experiencing 4 or more ACEs, according to a new report from Kentucky Youth Advocates and Bloom Kentucky. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, June 16, 2025

Report: Childhood trauma in KY is taking economic toll

Childhood trauma is costing Kentucky millions each year, according to a new report released today by Kentucky Youth Advocates and Bloom Kentucky…

More than 328,700 students are enrolled in 244 K-12 Nebraska school districts, according to Ballotpedia. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Two-thirds of Nebraska 4th graders not reading proficiently

Nearly two-thirds of Nebraska fourth graders are not reading at grade level and math scores are also lagging. The findings come from the 2025 Kids …

The 2025 Kids Count Data Book found in Minnesota in 2023, 28% of Black children, 16% of Hispanic children, 10% of Asian children and 6% of white children under age 18 lived in families with incomes below the federal poverty level. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

New reports says MN children face troubling health and education disparities

The 2025 Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its findings for Minnesota. The report examines results for children in …

Each year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book aggregates national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains including economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors, and ranks states according to how children are faring overall. (Adobe Stock)

Report: IL shows mixed results in child well-being despite high ranking

A national report finds mixed results in child well-being in Illinois with improvements in health care coverage for children and poverty rates and dec…

The percentage of Virginia high school students who do not graduate on time dipped from 13% to 11% in the 2025 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Virginia ranks high for child well-being

New data show Virginia ranked 13th in the nation for overall child well-being and while the quality of Virginia children's families and communities im…

While Wisconsin ranked high overall in the areas of economic well-being and education, it ranked 17th and 25th in the categories of health, and family and community. (Adobe Stock)

WI leads nation in racial disparities, but ranks high in child well-being report

A national report found Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in racial disparities affecting children's well-being across the state. Wisconsin …

Kansas saw a slight dip in the percentage of kids not graduating from high school on time in the Annie E. Casey Foundation 2025 Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

Kansas ranks high in child economic well-being but lack in other areas

Kansas ranked in the top third of states for child well-being, according to a new report. While the state earned a high rank for economic well-being…

The rate of childhood obesity for South Carolina children dropped by a little more than 3% from 2019 to 2023, although 34% of 10- to 17-year-olds in the state are considered overweight or obese. (Adobe Stock)

SC ranks near bottom on list of states for child well-being

South Carolina has made slight improvements in children's well-being, mentioned in a new national report but groups working to support kids said much …

In 2023, 6% of Ohio teens ages 16 to 19 were neither in school nor working, a rate unchanged since 2019. (Craig Adderley/Pexels)

Ohio urged to prioritize kids as education, poverty trends worsen

New national data show worsening outcomes for Ohio kids, especially in the areas of education and family economic stability, and state and national …

If the House budget reconciliation bill becomes law, annual cuts to Medicaid would average more than $70 billion in coming years, the same amount people earning $1 million or more per year would gain in tax cuts each year. (Adobe Stock)

'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' could close Colorado hospitals

As Congress considers cuts to safety net programs in what Republicans are calling the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a new analysis from the nonpartisa…

Wyoming ranks eighth in the nation for children's well-being in the category of family and community, but is 37th in terms of kids' health. (Cavan/Adobe Stock)

Wyoming makes strides on children’s health but ranks low nationally

Wyoming slipped five spots this year in an annual report on children's well-being by state, ranking 23rd in the nation. The 2025 Kids Count Data …

According to 2025 Kids Count Data Book, nationally nearly one in three children live in households burdened by high housing costs and Washington follows the trend. (Louis-Photo/Adobe Stock)

Report ranks Washington down in overall child well-being

Washington state has dropped to 16th in the nation for overall child well-being, according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, a national report …

In 2022, New Mexico voters approved a constitutional amendment to dedicate funds to early childhood education and care. (Bonsales/AdobeStock)

Report: NM's child well-being shows mixed momentum

A traditional marker used to measure child well-being in the U.S. shows New Mexico notched both improvements and declines in several areas. The …

While Oregon ranked poorly for education overall, the 2025 Kids Count Data Book showed high school graduation rates are up in the state, as well as nationwide. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Kids Count report shows Oregon kids falling behind in education

Oregon maintained a troubling ranking, holding at 43rd in the nation for children's education, according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, a national …

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2025 Kids Count Data Book shows education is lacking nationwide. Nearly three quarters of fourth graders are not proficient in reading, and 73% of eighth graders are not proficient in math.

Report: Michigan kids improve in finances and family, lag in education

Michigan kids are making progress when it comes to family life and finances but they are still struggling in school. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's …

A new annual report found more New Jersey teens are working or in school and fewer kids are living in homes with a higher cost burden. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NJ’s improved economy aids child well-being

A new annual report found New Jersey's economic well-being is helping improve the well-being of its children. The state ranked 7th in the nation in …

According to the 2025 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book, 16% of children still live in poverty, and nearly one in three children live in households struggling with high housing costs. <br />(Adobe Stock)

Kids Count Data Book: Missouri thrives economically, lacking in education

Missouri ranks 27th in an annual national report on child well-being, with solid marks in kids' economic stability but setbacks in education…

Iowa's fourth grade students score at or slightly above average in national reading assessments but almost two-thirds are not reading proficiently, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Young Iowans' reading scores teeter, SNAP cuts prompt concern

Iowa kids are doing well overall in new national findings on children's well-being, although they are slipping in a few key areas. The numbers in …

About 387,000 Arizona children have parents who lack secure employment. (Adobe Stock)

Report: AZ has 2nd-highest rate of uninsured children

Arizona is one of the lowest-performing states for overall child well-being, according to a new national report. This year's Kids Count Data Book …

Pennsylvania would need to lift 198,000 children out of poverty to rank first in the nation for the lowest child poverty rate. (luckybusiness/Adobe Stock)

PA ranks 20th in children's well-being, despite health challenges

Pennsylvania ranks 20th in the nation for overall child well-being, in the new 2025 Kids Count Data Book. The Annie E. Casey Foundation report ranks …

The percentage of Utah children whose parents lack secure employment dropped from 19% in 2019 to 18% in 2023. (Irina K. / Adobe Stock)

UT ranks high in kids' well-being. Advocates still encourage action

Utah still ranks as one of the best states for children's overall well-being, according to a new national report but advocates are stressing the need …

A new report found more kids in Hawaii have parents lacking secure employment. (Adobe Stock)

Report: HI housing costs severely impact child well-being

Hawaii's housing cost burden is affecting child well-being, according to a new report. The state ranked 24th in this year's Annie E. Casey …

Data show 56% of California 3- and 4-year-olds are not in school, a statistic worsening in recent years. (Ajr_images/Adobe Stock)

Report: CA 32nd in nation for child well-being

California ranks 32nd in the nation for overall child well-being, according to the new 2025 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

The 2025 Kids Count report showed Indiana had a reduction in the percentage of teens not in school and not working from 7% to 5%, indicating more young people are staying engaged in education or jobs. (Adobe stock)

New report shows gains and gaps for Indiana kids

Indiana now ranks 25th in the nation for child well-being, up from 27th last year. The data comes from the 2025 Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E…

The Kids Count Data Book showed an improvement in low-birth-weight rates in Tennessee but worsening in health insurance coverage, with 93,000 children in the state now uninsured. (Miss Irine/Adobe Stock)<br />

Kids Count Data Book ranks TN 37th for child well-being

Tennessee ranks in the middle among states for the well-being of its children, at 37th overall in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

The Nebraska Rural Response Council provides mental health services for agriculture producers facing financial and other challenges. (Adobe Stock)

Mental health calls flood farmer crisis hotline

A farm crisis hotline in Nebraska has seen a sharp uptick in mental health-related calls from farmers, worried about losing access to loans and …

The Alzheimer's Association says it needs at least 50,000 people to participate in ongoing clinical trials examining potential new treatments, with hundreds of thousands more needed for broader dementia-related studies. (Adobe Stock)

During Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, Iowa seniors learn to plan

During Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, mental health advocacy groups are highlighting treatment and medication advances in the last decade…

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2764 in April, 2024. (Adobe Stock)

AZ approves new rules for memory care facilities

Memory care facilities in Arizona have a new set of rules intended to improve quality of care for patients and ensure more accountability for provider…

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's latest Kids Count Data Book showed more than 31,000 South Dakota <br />children are living below the federal poverty level. (Adobe Stock)

South Dakota slides in latest child well-being ranking

South Dakota has fallen five spots in an annual national ranking that summarizes child well-being data. At 26th in the nation, policy experts pointed …

In the latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, North Dakota saw gains in reducing the number of children not covered by health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Bright spots for ND child well-being but work is needed

North Dakota is moving up in the ranks when measuring child well-being but policy experts said there are cracks beneath the surface. The Annie E…

According to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book, nearly 1.4 million Texas children live below the poverty line. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Report: TX has room for improvement in children's well-being

Texas has fallen to 44th place nationally in this year's 2025 Kids Count Data Book released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The report …

The average American home contains more than 300,000 items. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: VA seniors should declutter their homes for brain health

June is Brain Awareness Month, and experts say Virginia seniors should consider decluttering their homes to improve brain health. According to an …

Some 17% of students surveyed said they felt like they could not express their opinion on a subject at least a couple of times a week because of how fellow students, a professor or the administration would respond. (Gatot/Adobe Stock)

Report: TX college students feel free speech is targeted

Texas colleges are getting mixed marks when it comes to protecting free speech on campus. The College Free Speech Rankings include survey results …

Screening represents Mississippi's most severe failing in national rankings, as the state missed all six benchmarks for identifying maternal mental health needs, mirroring national struggles. (Pixabay/TC Torres)

Report: MS gets failing grade for maternal mental-health support

Mississippi ranks among the worst states for maternal mental health care, receiving an 'F' on a new national report card, far below the national …

More than 40 million people in the United States had a substance use disorder in 2020, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Medicaid cuts would risk opioid treatment access for KY

As Congress continues to push for cuts and additional work requirements for Medicaid eligibility, experts warn more Kentuckians could lose access to …

More than 40% of senior citizens report feeling lonely on a regular basis. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Senior social isolation: A silent epidemic, as deadly as cigarettes

Senior advocates are sounding the alarm about the effects of social isolation on older people in Illinois, saying loneliness is comparable to smoking …

Only about 25% of the 1 million women in the United States experiencing a mental health crises during pregnancy or postpartum receive treatment. (Adobe Stock)

Postpartum depression rates, treatment higher among Medicaid recipients

Perinatal experts said postpartum depression is more common than most people think and those covered by Medicaid are at higher risk. Two of every …

Access to necessary mental health care services in Iowa is already limited and proposed cuts in Medicaid funding could make the situation worse. (Adobe Stock)

Potential Medicaid funding cuts threaten rural Iowa

By Tony Leys for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Service Collabora…

Research reveals that petting a dog can lower a child's heart rate and blood pressure.<br />(Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Study: Therapy dogs help kids in ER skip anxiety meds

A new study from Wayne State University finds that therapy dogs may be just what the doctor ordered for kids experiencing anxiety in the emergency roo…

Ohio's federal victim service funding dropped 77% from $117M in 2018 to $26M in 2024, forcing rape crisis centers to rely heavily on state support. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio advocates call to protect survivor services

Advocates are urging Ohio lawmakers to preserve critical funding for rape crisis centers in the upcoming state budget. The request comes amid deep …

In 2021, Community Health Centers in Pennsylvania supported more than 13,000 jobs and contributed more than $2.36 billion to the state's economy. (Syda Productions/Adobe Stock)

Funding cuts risk care for 816,000 at PA community health centers

The more than 800,000 Pennsylvanians who rely on local Community Health Centers could face new barriers to care if proposed Medicaid cuts approved by …

Many states, including Maryland, received their worst grades for maternal mental-health care in the category of screenings. (Adobe Stock)

MD fares well for maternal mental health, but work remains

Maryland ranks better than many states for the quality of its maternal mental-health care - but it could be doing more. Maryland receives a "C" …

The five-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita in Illinois increased by as much as 52% from 2015 to 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Evidence shows alcohol affects women more gravely than it does men

As Women's Health Month comes to an end, public health officials are urging Illinois women to be aware of the increased risks they face from any …

Excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of preventable death among women, contributing to nearly 59,000 deaths annually in the United States. (chika_milan/Adobe Stock)

Alcohol misuse growing among women in Missouri, nation

As Women's Health Month draws to a close, the focus in on the growing issue of alcohol misuse among women in Missouri and across the nation. Research …

Nothing to party about: More than 11 million women, or about 8.7% of those 18 or older, had alcohol use disorder in 2023. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

The female face of alcohol misuse in Michigan

As Women's Health Month wraps up, the focus shifts to the rising concern of alcohol misuse among women, in Michigan and nationwide. According to …

Communication, like exercise, takes effort, and Colorado State University researchers said talking to people more often can help stretch and strengthen the socializing muscle. (Adobe Stock)

CSU study: Romantic partners, friends both important for happiness

Human beings are hardwired to pair-bond and most people have experienced some of the social pressures to find a life partner and start a family but a …

The five-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita in Wisconsin increased by as much as 51.4% from 2015 to 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Experts say effects of alcohol greater on women than on men

As Women's Health Month comes to an end, public health officials are urging Wisconsin women to be aware of the increased risks they face from any …

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