For Students In A Crisis, Help Can Now Be Just A Text Away
California Community College hopes its partnership with Crisis Text Line will help it improve mental health services for its students.
KPCC:
New Crisis Text Line Identifies California College Student Homelessness As Big Issue
Last May, the California Community College system partnered with Crisis Text Line – a free service funded by grants and donations – to give students an all-hours, anonymous counseling service for mental health emergencies. “We’ve had over 800 conversations with people in the California Community College system," said Libby Craig, the west coast director for Crisis Text Line. "The highest volume day of week is Wednesday." (Guzman-Lopez, 9/1)
In other public health news —
KQED:
As Human Gene-Editing Advances, Doudna Says Ethical Discussions Can’t Wait
If you want to have a role in shaping the near and coming future of biotechnology, the time is now. ... This was the primary takeaway from Jennifer Doudna’s recent public remarks at CRISPRcon, a two day event at UC Berkeley, intended to get nonspecialists talking about the promise and potential peril of the fast-moving biotech landscape. (Venton, 8/31)
Orange County Register:
Summer Flu Cases Higher Than Usual In Orange County, Vaccine Now Available
Flu shots are now available in Orange County, as public health officials have seen a higher than usual number of summertime flu cases, including one death. Dr. Matt Zahn, the county Health Care Agency’s medical director for epidemiology, said Thursday, Aug. 31, that during this time of year flu cases typically range from 0 to 3 per week. But two weeks ago, there were 12 cases. (Perkes, 8/31)