Mental Health Organizations Awarded $13M To Help Underserved Communities
Grants from the California Department of Public Health will go to pilot projects that serve African American, Asian and Pacific Islander, LGBTQ and Native American people. In other mental health news, a survey shows depression risks are high for California school kids. And the FDA provides guidance on the use of electroshock.
Capital Public Radio:
California Mental Health Organizations To Receive $13 Million Boost
The California Department of Public Health will award $13 million to organizations focused on serving the mental health needs of underserved communities. Grants will be given to 11 pilot projects that provide mental health services to African American, Asian and Pacific Islander, LGBTQ and Native American people. Gender Health Center in Sacramento, is one of the organizations selected. (Johnson, 7/18)
Capital Public Radio:
Survey: California School Kids Safer, Depression Risk ‘High’
Results of a statewide survey of California school kids shows safety has improved and drug use is down. But the report also points out that depression risk remains "disturbingly high" among seventh, ninth and eleventh graders. ... Latest results show decreases in alcohol and marijuana use since the previous survey in 2011–13, particularly among eleventh graders. Current use of alcohol, binge drinking, and marijuana use among eleventh graders decreased. (Joyce, 7/18)
The Washington Post:
FDA: Electroshock Has Risks But Is Useful To Combat Severe Depression
After years of consideration, the Food and Drug Administration has determined that for carefully selected patients with profound depression, the benefits of electroconvulsive therapy, long demonized, outweigh the risks of possible memory loss caused by its use. Citing evidence from 60 randomized trials of ECT, once known as electroshock therapy, the FDA acknowledged the risk but said that there is now enough evidence to ease access to the therapy for certain people. (Hurley, 7/18)