Mental Health / Public News Service

Congress allocated $1 billion for states to develop the 988 hotline amid growing concerns over worsening mental health. (Adobe stock)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Report: IN’s 988 success sets example but all states must improve crisis support

A new report gives Indiana high marks for its rollout of 988, a mental health crisis hotline, but also highlighted all states need to do more to …

With 988 available nationwide, it is up to states to ensure there are crisis services - 24/7 local crisis call centers, mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization options - so 988 callers receive the help they need. (DedMityay/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Mental health advocates: AR lawmakers can do more to support 988 helpline

Mental health workers are urging lawmakers to draft bipartisan policies to expand access to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The service …

In 2017, mental health and substance use disorder emergency department visits in the U.S. cost more than $5.6 billion, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

West Virginia taking steps to strengthen 988 crisis response system

More households, workplaces, and schools are struggling with mental health crises, and a new report by the mental health advocacy group Inseparable …

More than 90,000 people in New Hampshire live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals, according to NAMI New Hampshire. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

NH backs 988 mental health hotline with local resources

Two years since activation of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a new report found New Hampshire could improve resources for the mental health …

In 2017, mental-health and substance-use disorder emergency department visits in the United States cost more than $5.6 billion, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Report: Most of KY’s 988 crisis hotline calls answered locally

More households, workplaces and schools are struggling with mental-health crises, and a new report by the mental-health advocacy group Inseparable …

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

988 mental-health crisis hotline reaching more Ohio communities

More households, workplaces and schools are struggling with mental-health crises, and a new report by the advocacy group Inseparable highlights how …

A 2022 survey found that half of all adults in the United States said someone in their family had experienced a severe mental health crisis. (Adobe Stock/AI)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Report: MD needs to increase support for 988 mental health crisis system

A new report looking at the rollout of the 988 suicide and crisis hotline finds a wide variance between states, with Maryland among those taking …

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was rolled out nationwide in July 2022. (7N23/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Report: States can improve 988 crisis line

A new report examines the rollout of the 988 mental-health crisis line in each state, including Idaho. The national three-digit 988 Suicide and …

A report from the nonprofit Inseparable found the rollout of 988 is something with which states are struggling and support is available to get it done. (bnenin/Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 1, 2024

Report: TX lawmakers can do more to support 988 crisis hotline

Mental health workers are urging lawmakers to draft bipartisan policies to expand access to mental health care services. The 988 Suicide and Crisis …

Nearly 50% of Mainers age 12-17 who have depression did not receive any care in the last year, according to NAMI Maine. Advocates for mental health care say listing the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student IDs could help. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, July 1, 2024

ME groups boost awareness of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services

A monthly telecom surcharge could generate significant funding for Maine's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, according to a new report. The mental …

The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers providing free and confidential emotional support 24/7. (Derrick/Adobestock)

Monday, July 1, 2024

988 mental health crisis line celebrates 2nd anniversary

The country's new 988 mental health response system turns two years old this month and a new report praised California's implementation while calling …

In 2022, fatal drug overdoses in Philadelphia hit a peak of 1,413, with people of color hit hardest. More than 80% of the overdose fatalities in 2022 involved opioids, almost always fentanyl. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 1, 2024

New Medicaid policy boosts 'street medicine' in PA

Philadelphia is addressing its opioid crisis by deploying mobile medical units to provide Medicaid-funded "street medicine" to the unhoused population…

A new report shows the nation is still a long way from having fully functioning emergency mental health systems in place in every zip code. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, July 1, 2024

Report: CO suicide, mental health crisis lifeline system needs more work

Two years after the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was introduced, a new report by the group Inseparable says Colorado and other states …

People living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. (Lightfield Studios/Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 1, 2024

MI Alzheimer's Association urges continued efforts beyond awareness month

June was Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, but the Michigan Alzheimer's Association says these should be year-round priorities. More than 200,0…

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among children between the ages of 15 and 19, and the leading cause of death for 14- to 15-year-olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, July 1, 2024

MA boosts funding for 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services

Community groups in Massachusetts will see continued funding to support the state's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Public health officials have …

Report on 988 crisis line rollout highlights OR youth suicide prevention

A new report examines the rollout of the 988 mental health crisis line in each state and found Oregon has more work to do. The national three-digit 9…

The mental health crisis line 988 was activated nationwide in July 2022. (7N23/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA 988 crisis line rollout successful but more work needed

A new report examines the rollout of the 988 mental health crisis line in each state and finds Washington state has fared well but still has more work…

Between 2011 and 2021, suicide rates increased more than 26% in rural areas-more than double the 12% increase in metro areas, according to KFF data. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming localizes mental health crisis response

Wyoming ranked highest in the nation for suicide rates four consecutive years through 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and …

With the End-of-Life Options Act, Delaware would join ten other states and Washington, D.C., that have authorized medical aid in dying. (Adobe Stock)

DE Legislature approves End-of-Life Options Act for terminally ill patients

The Delaware General Assembly has approved legislation to allow terminally ill adults access to prescription drugs so if they are suffering, they can …

Florida offers a 211 phone line for people to call for information and referrals regarding health and social services resources, including Mobile Response Teams. (Liza Summer/Pexels)

Florida aims to build a comprehensive crisis response system

Florida is getting attention for its efforts to create a comprehensive crisis response system for mental health needs. A new report by the mental …

Amazon sold a chemical used for suicide at high concentrations but said it cannot be held responsible for how customers use products. (michelangeloop/Adobe Stock)

Amazon responsible for selling chemical used for suicide, lawsuits allege

Lawsuits are seeking to hold Amazon accountable for selling a chemical used by people for suicide. The substance is known as sodium nitrite and is …

Rather than seeking help, men are more likely to externalize emotions, which leads to aggressive, impulsive, coercive and/or noncompliant behavior, according to a study by the American Psychological Association. (Adobe Stock)

OH advocates seek to change attitudes about men's mental health

June is Men's Mental Health Month and advocates in Ohio and elsewhere are working to eliminate the shame or judgment guys often face when they struggl…

Of the 17 states that have enacted music therapy legislation, 11 have placed the law in its own statute chapter, and others have grouped it with other forms of therapy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Group aims to get music therapy licensure in Wyoming

Advocates in Wyoming trying to get music therapy licensure recognized in the state are hitting roadblocks. Members of the Wyoming Music Therapy …

Nationally, the child poverty rate decreased from 17.2% in 2021 to 15.9% in 2022, returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to the Annie. E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

NC kids face challenges at school, but rising economic well-being

A new report sheds light on children's well-being in North Carolina, and highlights the need for greater academic support. According to the latest …

Violence Free Minnesota reported in 2018 through 2022, nearly 67% of bystanders or intervenors to domestic violence were killed by an abusive person using a firearm. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS ruling instills hope for domestic violence prevention groups

Domestic-violence prevention organizations in Minnesota continue to express relief over a U.S. Supreme Court ruling dealing with abusers having …

The living wage for a person in Maine who lives alone with no dependents is $22.04, or $4.65 more than the median wage for a home health aide, according the MIT Living Wage Calculator. (Adobe Stock)

Low wages, burnout cited for ME direct-care worker shortage

A critical shortage of direct care workers in Maine is leaving residents without needed health services, according to a new report. It showed more …

Nevada Health Link's texting initiative is estimated to reach more than 80,000 Nevadans. (Adobe Stock)

NV Health Link extends special enrollment period, launches SMS outreach

Nevada's marketplace insurance program wants people who no longer qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program to know it has exten…

A majority of board members of the newly merged Clinica Family Health and Wellness will continue to be patients who receive services, working alongside community volunteers. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado health merger aims to unify behavioral and medical care

Clinica Family Health and Mental Health Partners have announced plans to merge operations by September of this year. Mental Health Partners co-CEO …

The Alzheimer's Association is seeking 55,000 volunteers for more than 180 clinical trials to study the disease at younger and younger ages. (Adobe Stock)

IA researchers say brain shows changes 20 years prior to Alzheimer's symptoms

Researchers in Iowa say changes in an Alzheimer's patients' brain can occur at least 20 years before they are diagnosed with the disease and they are …

Around 67% of LGBTQ+ people reported needing a mental health service over the past two years, compared with 39% of non-LGBTQ+ people, according to KFF. (Chris Allan/Adobe Stock)

WY theater company talks health care on stage

As Pride Month winds down, health advocates want members of the LGBTQ+ community to know about health care options, despite any challenges to …

Participating in the arts may improve older adults' health, well-being and independence, according to the National Institute on Aging. (Adobe Stock)

WY grant supports creative aging through arts

Teaching artists can now apply for grant funding centered on programs for older Wyomingites. The Creative Aging Project Grant, from the Wyoming Arts …

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2024 Kids Count Book, 425,000 Illinois children live in poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Kids Count Data Book shows IL children fare well in health care, lag in academics

The 2024 Kids Count Data Book was released this week. The publication is a 50-state report of data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation about the …

States ranked lowest in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation tend to have more children of color in their populations, highlighting institutionalized and systemic racism. (Diego Cervo/Adobe Stock)

Children's advocates: NM 'cradle to career' investment pays off

Advocates for New Mexico's kids say at the heart of an annual report on child welfare is positive news for the state's families. The Annie E…

Advocates are calling for higher teacher salaries to help Alaska can recruit and retain more educators. (Jacob Lund/Adobestock)

Report: Alaska ranks near bottom in overall child well-being

Alaska ranks 41st in the nation in terms of overall child well-being, according to the new 2024 Kids Count Data Bookfrom the Annie E. Casey …

Chronic absence from school may be driving learning loss. Some 30% of students, about 14.7 million, were chronically absent in 2021-2022, nearly double pre-pandemic rates, according to new data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Report: Ohio make has made some progress on child well-being

Math and reading proficiency among Ohio kids has worsened over the past five years, according to new data. The latest Kids Count Data Book from the …

Students with strong math and science skills are more likely to graduate from high school, attend and complete college, earn higher incomes and take advantage of the future opportunities available to them, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Mixed reviews of Michigan kids' well-being in new report

Michigan ranks 34th in the nation for overall child well-being, in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. A closer look at …

Georgia's highest ranking among four domains studied by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in its Kids Count Data Book is in education, at 31st. (Adobe Stock)

GA ranks among bottom 10 for health despite gains in child well-being

Georgia remains among the bottom 10 states for children's health, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

The latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked Idaho high in the family and community category, at fourth best in the nation. (Vadim Sofin/Adobe Stock)

Report:ID ranks high in child well-being, education still concern

Idaho ranks 13th in a new report on child well-being. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids Count Data Book measures how well states are …

The number of Oklahoma high school students not graduating on time rose by 25% in the most recent Kids County Data Book survey from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Report: OK near bottom of rankings for quality of kids' healthcare, education

A report on the condition of America's children ranks Oklahoma near the bottom of the 50 states for the well-being of its kids, with particularly …

The number of young children ages 3 and 4 not in school remained the same before and after the pandemic at 42%, which is lower than the national average of 54%. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NY kids’ pandemic-era education troubles persist

A new report found New York kids' well-being is improving despite lingering pandemic issues. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book …

Both public and private organizations across Mississippi reported using Mississippi Kids Count data for grant applications over the past three years resulted in a collective $48 million to programs and services in the state. (gpointstudio/Adobe Stock)

Report: Some progress, but low rankings, for MS kids' well-being

Mississippi ranks near the bottom among states for children's well-being, at 49th overall in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey …

Children's advocates rallied in Hilo in March, calling for state investments in affordable childcare and early learning. (Hawaii Children's Action Network)

Report: Low scores, poor attendance plague HI schools

Low reading and math scores at schools in Hawaii point to a need to further invest in public education, according to the 2024 Kids Count Data Book …

Fewer than 30% of New Hampshire eighth-graders were proficient in math between 2019 and 2022. Studies show the lag will reduce lifetime earnings by 1.6% for 48million pandemic-era students, for a total of $900 billion in lost income. (Adobe Stock)

NH leads in child well-being but chronic absence rates lower test scores

New Hampshire ranks first in the nation for overall child well-being but trauma and pandemic-related learning loss continue to impact students…

Fewer than a third of fourth graders were at or above proficient in reading, two percentage points lower than right before the pandemic, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Nevada struggles to improve child well-being standards

Plummeting reading and math scores could prove to be a significant barrier for Nevada children, especially as they head into the workforce. This …

Child poverty increased by 5% from 2019 to 2022, with Alabama ranking 45th in the nation at 22%, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Alabama children need more educational, economic support

A new report sheds light on child well-being in Alabama, highlighting the need for greater academic and economic support. According to the latest …

About 40% of children in America have had one or more adverse childhood experiences such as divorce, incarceration of a parent, domestic violence or even witnessing a violent act, according to the 2024 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: SC kids need stronger economy, better education, resilient families

A report on the condition of America's children ranks South Carolina near the bottom of the 50 states in economic well-being, education and family …

According to the 2024 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Indiana saw the fifth-highest decrease nationally in uninsured children between 2019 and 2022. (Adobe stock)

Report: Overall child well-being ranking slightly slips in IN

Indiana ranks 27th in child well-being, according to the 2024 Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, slipping three spots from last …

The initial phase of the Maryland Tutoring Corps Grant Program will reach 80,000 students in the state. (Adobe Stock/AntonioDiaz)

Report: Maryland ranks 22nd nationally in overall child well-being

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has published its annual Kids Count Data Book and the report showed the toll the pandemic took on educational progress…

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - July 2, 2024

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Mental Health

Report: IN’s 988 success sets example but all states must improve crisis support

Mental health advocates: AR lawmakers can do more to support 988 helpline

West Virginia taking steps to strengthen 988 crisis response system

NH backs 988 mental health hotline with local resources

Report: Most of KY’s 988 crisis hotline calls answered locally

988 mental-health crisis hotline reaching more Ohio communities

Report: MD needs to increase support for 988 mental health crisis system

Report: States can improve 988 crisis line

Report: TX lawmakers can do more to support 988 crisis hotline

ME groups boost awareness of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services

988 mental health crisis line celebrates 2nd anniversary

New Medicaid policy boosts 'street medicine' in PA

Report: CO suicide, mental health crisis lifeline system needs more work

MI Alzheimer's Association urges continued efforts beyond awareness month

MA boosts funding for 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services

Report on 988 crisis line rollout highlights OR youth suicide prevention

Report: WA 988 crisis line rollout successful but more work needed

Wyoming localizes mental health crisis response

DE Legislature approves End-of-Life Options Act for terminally ill patients

Florida aims to build a comprehensive crisis response system

Amazon responsible for selling chemical used for suicide, lawsuits allege

OH advocates seek to change attitudes about men's mental health

Group aims to get music therapy licensure in Wyoming

NC kids face challenges at school, but rising economic well-being

SCOTUS ruling instills hope for domestic violence prevention groups

Low wages, burnout cited for ME direct-care worker shortage

NV Health Link extends special enrollment period, launches SMS outreach

Colorado health merger aims to unify behavioral and medical care

IA researchers say brain shows changes 20 years prior to Alzheimer's symptoms

WY theater company talks health care on stage

WY grant supports creative aging through arts

Kids Count Data Book shows IL children fare well in health care, lag in academics

Children's advocates: NM 'cradle to career' investment pays off

Report: Alaska ranks near bottom in overall child well-being

Report: Ohio make has made some progress on child well-being

Mixed reviews of Michigan kids' well-being in new report

GA ranks among bottom 10 for health despite gains in child well-being

Report:ID ranks high in child well-being, education still concern

Report: OK near bottom of rankings for quality of kids' healthcare, education

Report: NY kids’ pandemic-era education troubles persist

Report: Some progress, but low rankings, for MS kids' well-being

Report: Low scores, poor attendance plague HI schools

NH leads in child well-being but chronic absence rates lower test scores

Report: Nevada struggles to improve child well-being standards

Report: Alabama children need more educational, economic support

Report: SC kids need stronger economy, better education, resilient families

Report: Overall child well-being ranking slightly slips in IN

Report: Maryland ranks 22nd nationally in overall child well-being