WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration Tuesday allowed states to provide more inpatient treatment for people with serious mental illness by tapping Medicaid, a potentially far-reaching move to address issues from homelessness to violence. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar made the announcement Tuesday in a speech to state Medicaid directors, a group that represents Republican and Democratic officials from around the country who are confronting common, deeply-rooted social problems. A longstanding federal law has barred Medicaid from paying for mental health treatment in facilities with more than 16 beds, to prevent “warehousing” of the mentally ill at the expense of federal taxpayers. Azar said states will now be able to seek waivers from that restriction, provided they can satisfy certain specific requirements. “We have the worst of both worlds: limited access to inpatient treatment and limited access to other options,” said Azar, who … [Read more...] about More leeway for states to expand inpatient mental health
Mental health
North Minneapolis police shooting renews push for better mental health response
The fatal police shooting of a possibly suicidal man on Minneapolis’ North Side last week has renewed calls for better responses to mental health crises. City Council Member Phillipe Cunningham is leading the charge after months of quietly pushing for an expansion of the department’s mental health co-responder program, which pairs officers with counselors on calls involving mental health crises. Cunningham blamed the program’s limited rollout on a lack of funding — saying it would cost $1 million per year to expand it citywide — but said that he disagreed with the suggestion that north Minneapolis has fewer residents suffering from mental illness than other parts of the city. If anything, he said, North Siders may be more reluctant to call 911 out of fear of police intervention. “You could ask probably any North Sider — especially anyone of color on the North Side — ‘would you call the police?’ if somebody that you knew was … [Read more...] about North Minneapolis police shooting renews push for better mental health response
Deaths at mental health trust due to safety incidents rise by 75pc
Hellesdon Hospital. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Archant Serious safety incidents led to 35 deaths at the region’s mental health trust over a six month period, figures have revealed. The data, which showed the number of “unintended or unexpected incidents that could have or did lead to harm” reported between October 2017 and March 2018, showed a rise from 20 deaths in the same period the previous year.This was despite the overall number of incidents reported falling from 5,146 to 4,787 in the same time frame and the majority of incidents (77pc) resulting in no harm.Data was also previously released for the region’s other health trusts and reported by this newspaper on November 2, but Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT) initially disputed the figures. NSFT has now confirmed they were correct, however Dawn Collins, director of nursing, quality and patient safety, said there had been an increasing number of people referred to their services and figures now … [Read more...] about Deaths at mental health trust due to safety incidents rise by 75pc
Norfolk chef Charlie Hodson and City midfielder Cedric Anselin to host night on mental health
PUBLISHED: 08:42 12 November 2018 | UPDATED: 08:43 12 November 2018 Charlie Hodson who is part of the team behind the Wellbeing, Nature, and a Little Conversation initiative to encourage people with mental health difficulties to come to social gatherings at the Gin Temple. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY Archant The first of an event aimed at allowing people to open-up about mental health is set to take place this week, The team behind the Wellbeing, Nature, and a Little Conversation initiative to encourage people with mental health difficulties to come to social gatherings at the Gin Temple. From left, Teresa Gizzi, owner of the Gin Temple; Charlie Hodson, chef; Andrew Dellbridge, garden designer; and Ellen Mary, garden writer and radio show host. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYOn Wednesday, November 14 The Gin Temple, Norwich, will be hosting Wellbeing, Nature and A Little Conversation.The event has been created by Norfolk chef Charlie Hodson, who has struggled with mental health.Teaming up with … [Read more...] about Norfolk chef Charlie Hodson and City midfielder Cedric Anselin to host night on mental health
Profession `on its knees’ say teachers after mental health report
SHOCK findings of a mental health report show the teaching profession is "on its knees", a union leader has warned. The newly-published Teacher Wellbeing Index highlighted a stress epidemic and risin[...] You have reached your limit of free articles Registered users get 5 regular articles and 1 free Premium article per week. … [Read more...] about Profession `on its knees’ say teachers after mental health report