Mental Health Care Cuts Could Affects fatalities

Money for mental health services is being cut on the centralized, state and even county level and it could hurt those suffering from an illness. Thomas Crocco suffers from mental health and is concerned that if cuts continue, his services and medication will be cut, too. Crocco said, "It would be detrimental. I could land in the hospital or even jail." It's been 10 years since he was last hospitalized for his illness and he doesn't want to take a pace back.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness in Cambria County lost $110,000 in financial support; now it relies on the United Way. NAMI Executive Director Wendy Stewart said, "Treatment and support can keep people well and by wounding mental health services, you are only going to see in the end an increase in hospitalizations and increased incarcerations. The things that cost so much more money."

Babyhood mental illness

Childhood mental illness occurs in about 20 percent of U.S. children during any given year, and roughly 5 million children have a mental illness serious enough to interfere with daily life, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Research shows that while half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, changes in the body leading to mental illness may start much previous, even before symptoms appear, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Through greater sympathetic of when and how fast specific areas of children's brains develop, scientists are learning more about the early stages of a wide range of mental illnesses that appear later in life. Some experts believe that helping young children and their parents manage difficulties early in life may prevent the development of some disorders or make them easier to treat. Many children with Mental illnesses, however, are not getting cure.

‘No need to hide’ from mental illness, says stomp designer

"The stigma often related with mental illness is very real," said Blatnicki. "Many people with mental illnesses are afraid to share their condition with other people for fear of mockery or judgment. The stigma is so real, in fact, many will avoid telling friends or family of their mental condition." More than 300 designs were submitted for the contest. A panel of judges and the stamp ¬advisory committee selected the top five submissions that best reflected the stamp's mission: to lift ¬awareness of the mental health issue and break down the stigma attached to it.

But it's up to Canadians to choose which design becomes official postage, and they have until March 14 to vote for their favourite submission. "I was very impressed by the quality of the designs we were asked to review," Jim Phillips, Canada Post director of stamp services, said in a release. One dollar from the sale of every 2011 mental health stamp booklet goes to support the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health, which has raised more than $4.8 million since 2008. Blatnicki is no stranger to mental illness and its collision on lives. He works at mindyourmind.ca, a non-profit mental health engagement program that works with youth and professionals to develop resources and message platforms surrounding mental health.

Advocates shove to Keep Mental Health Court Funding

Six years ago, former corrections officer Mark Burchell was so ill from bipolar disorder that he imagined himself as a military general out to save the world. In reality, he was an unwashed, stubbly homeless man searching out bus shelters and still-warm car hoods to sleep on at night.

The habit earned him stay after stay in jail until he was admitted to Nevada's ground-breaking Mental Health Court system, which steered him to stability and ultimately, a post as president of the Nevada chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness. Burchell is now fighting to save the life of the program, which would be moved under Gov. Brian Sandoval's proposed budget from the state's authority and made the responsibility of cash-strapped counties who say they can't afford it.

Mental illness survive

An agency may have been less than simple with North Canton residents about plans for a building on N. Main Street. Will it house only low-income military veterans? Or will it also house people who have a mental illness? Officials of ICAN Housing Solutions say they want to convert the Harleigh Inn into apartments for veterans. Their website, however, refers only to people with mental health issues. This confusion caused a great deal of anxiety at a City Council meeting last week. Ultimately, though, that issue misses the point.

Some residents and city officials quickly assumed the nastiest about having people with mental illness as neighbors, predicting “the downfall of North Canton” and “a drain on city services,” presumably police. Have they seen the studies that disperse the stereotypes about mental illness and violence? Would they object to having a military veteran who is mentally ill as a neighbor? Would they rather see people with mental illness living on the street, or would they just prefer that they live in someone else’s community? While few people would consciously turn their backs on military veterans, why would they feel any less worry for the well-being of others with mental illness? Because stereotypes and stigmas die hard.

Mentor Schools team to form student mental health Maintain groups

The National Alliance on Mental Illness and Adviser High School has joined to form two new support groups for students impacted by mental illness. This is the first time an Ohio high school and a NAMI chapter have partnered on a school-based support group for students, officials said. “E!” maintains group is for students who have a diagnosed mental illness. The group’s name stands for empowerment.


The “Pillars of Strength” support group is for students who have a friend or family member with a Mental health. Christi Farmer of NAMI and Christie Graf, school social worker for Mentor Schools, will facilitate the support groups. “We’re thrilled to be able to collaborate with the school on this project,” Farmer said. “The high school years can be tense for any student. “When you add a mental illness to the list of stressors, that can take things to a complete new level.”

Advocates rally for SC mental health subsidy

Advocates from across South Carolina are rallying for enhanced mental health treatment in the face of budget cuts. The National Alliance on Mental Illness is helping coordinate a rally on Wednesday at the Statehouse in Columbia. Organizers say they're trying to draw attention to funding for mental health treatment in South Carolina. NAMI says mental illness affects about one sector of South Carolinians during a year.

Create consciousness on mental health

Infosys mentor Narayana Murthy today urged India''s premier mental health institution NIMHANS to play a lively role in disseminating information on mental health and illness and to help eliminate the fear and stigma associated with it. Speaking at a function to mark NIMHANS (National Institutte of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences) 37th year, he said the institute should carry out an awareness campaign to help people realise that such illnesses could be treated. He also strongly advocated use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions to take mental health care to the rustic masses.

'We obtain crazy'upsets mental health advocates

Mental health care advocates say a high school dance custom called "We Get Crazy" is disturbing and insensitive. Waunakee's High School's varsity dance team had costumes that resembled straitjackets with the words "Psych Ward." The dancers messed their hair, put on black eye structure and snarled through their routine. It was too much for advocates for the mentally ill. Wisconsin Family Ties executive director Hugh Davis says the routine evokes painful memories for some. The team's coach, Erin Cotter, says she's taken back by the reaction to the hip-hop routine. Cotter says the aim was to get fans energized; it wasn't about mental illness.

Smoking pan speeds mental illness

CANNABIS can speed up the appearance of psychotic illness, an innovative Australian study has found. Dr Matthew Large, a staff specialist in Mental health from the University of New South Wales and the Prince of Wales Hospital, said the risks are especially high for younger people, whose brains are still developing. For young people who smoke cannabis regularly, in its place of having about a 1% chance of developing schizophrenia during their lifetime, they would end up with something like a 5% chance of developing schizophrenia, said Dr Large.

His research, that pulled together information on 20,000 patients and drew on more than 80 international studies, is published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry. The study has again prompted drug experts to call for regulation, not prohibition, of marijuana. With about 33% of the Australian population and 18% of secondary school students using the drug, in a few years there would be more Australians smoking cannabis than smoking tobacco, said Dr Alex Wodak, the director of the Alcohol and Drug Service at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital and head of the Australian Drug Law restructuring Foundation. He recently said he believed the time was right for an audition of a hash coffee shop in the community of Nimbin.

Flouting the silence about mental illness

Niagara women will meet to break the silence about mental illness. The Canadian Mental Health Association – Niagara Branch, in partnership with national sponsor Shoppers Drug Mart, is hosting a fundraiser to help dispel myths and create hope for the one in five Canadians who suffer from despair or other brain-based illnesses.

Women & Wellness – Real Life Transformations takes place Thursday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. at the DSBN Education Centre, 191 Carlton St. Catharines. Donations received at the event will help continue the TAMI (Talking About Mental Illness) program for Niagara teens, and help with a number of educational and support programs for people dealing with aspects of mental illness.

Ottawa women seek to nullify stigma of mental illness

Two Ottawa women have launched a city-wide mental health awareness crusade to break the stigma associated with mental illness. Laura Kidd, 19, and Riley Grace, 21, have created a video that tells their personal stories of trade with mental illness in their families as part of the Royal Ottawa Hospital's "You Know Who I am" video contest.

Their video was inspired, in part, by the catastrophic suicide of 14-year-old Daron Richardson. The daughter of Ottawa Senators' coach Luke Richardson took her own life in November. Heather Badenoch, spokeswoman for the hospital, said the videos produced for the contest have helped many people in the area. "We hear from people that say family members or they themselves have gotten help because of the campaign," she said. "It makes people realize mental illness has come out of the dark shadows and onto the facade page."

Real Madrid Star Cristiano Ronaldo anguish from Mental Illness

Last weekend, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Osasuna’s Pandiani were at the centre of a heated dispute. The Portuguese winger, who couldn’t stand provocation from Pamplona’s embarrassing atmosphere, mocked Pandiani as he questioned the amount of his salary. Cristiano Ronaldo, who earns around £200,000 a week, also voiced out his frustration at Real Madrid’s unfortunate 1-0 loss against Osasuna which put them 7 points behind Barcelona. CR7 blamed his distraction on “constant fouls and more balls than are normally allowed on the field” – something which made the match look likes a “naval battle” according to the former Ballon d’Or winner.

But Osasuna players haven’t been impressed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s attitude at all. The Real Madrid star turns 26 on Saturday and Pandiani has asked him to grow up by following the example of his rival and El Clasico expert Lionel Messi. “Cristiano Ronaldo must be more humble. He has a screw loose. He should learn from Lionel Messi and lose his cocky attitude. “He creates problems every week that should normally be penalised. Real Madrid are paying for his cocky attitude.” Now while the controversial winger claims that he is not bothered by criticism, Osasuna’s Pandiani also claims that Cristiano Ronaldo may well be suffering from mental illness. What a response to CR7's provocative salary taunt!

Northern Ireland mental illness levels at all-time elevated

Northern Ireland has one of the highest incidences of Mental illness in the developed world, it has emerged. Mental nervousness costs the economy here £380m a year. The new findings were |unveiled at the launch of the University of Ulster’s groundbreaking new Centre for Study of Mental Health in Londonderry yesterday. The centre has been named after the late Professor David Bamford, who carried out a wide-ranging review into mental health services in 2002, and will co-ordinate the work of 40 scholastic and post-graduate students. Professor Brendan Bunting, director of the new Bamford Centre, revealed that a study |by the centre’s academics involving detailed interviews with 4,300 members of the public in Northern Ireland establish that many people were waiting 20 years before seeking help.

One of the main findings was that in any 12-month period |in Northern Ireland one in |four people displayed symptoms of mental health circumstances. The bill for treating anxiety, which now affects 15% of people here, stands at £95m. Professor Bunting said: “People with depression were among the most likely to seek treatment early, waiting on average a year, although over 25% of individuals in this category waited 10 years or more before seeking treatment. “However, those with nervousness disorders waited on average 20 years before asking for help. Individuals with substance disorders waited on average 15 years.” Levels of mental illness were 25% higher here than in Britain, while subsidy was 25% less.

Mental illness is topic of conversation

The program will focus on efforts to decrease the stigma surrounding mental illness. The specific focus will surround a national campaign called BringChange2Mind, created by actress Glenn Close. Glenn's sister, Jessie, has bipolar disorder and her nephew has schizophrenia. This prompted Glenn to launch an enormous mental illness anti-stigma campaign in 2009.

The mission of the campaign is twofold:
1. Provide people who have misconceptions about mental illness quick and easy contact to information that combats stigma, and
2. Provide people who have mental illness and those who know them, quick and easy way in to information and support.
Several short videos will be aired featuring people who have mental illnesses and these will be interspersed with an opportunity for conversation. Many local mental health professionals will be in attendance to answer questions. Area mental health resources will also be discussed and available as contributions.

Mental fitness specialists for govt hospitals in 3 months

The state government will assign specialists to treat patients with mental illnesses at all government hospitals in three months’ time. The government made a submission to this effect on Monday, while a case relating to the shortage of specialists in this discipline was being heard in the Karnatakahigh court. A petition contending that there were no specialists to treat the mentally ill at government hospitals came up for audible range before the division bench of the high court, headed by Justice N Kumar.

The government counsel said the state would take three months to finish the procedure of recruitment of specialists in government hospitals. The government advice added that a new director would be appointed at the Dharwad Institute of Mental Disorder Sciences in a fortnight. On January 20, the high court had sought a report from the state government regarding distribution of medicines to those suffering from mental illness, undergoing treatment at government hospitals. The partition bench has adjourned the case to February 23.