Federal Mental Health Parity Law Taking Effect News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 20, 2010After gaining interim final rule on July 14, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) has officially been enforced by the federal government, making health insurance coverage for mental health and addiction disorders parallel to coverage for other medical benefits. With the support of Congressman Patrick…
An Interview with Sheila Balkan: Criminologist and Court Consultant UncategorizedBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 19, 2010Addiction often leads people to become involved with the court system—through a DUI, forging prescriptions, or other situations that stem from the desperation that can surround drug and alcohol addiction. It can be incredibly difficult to face the many adverse elements of addiction when you are not only accountable to yourself and your family, but…
National Campaign Targets Mental Health Issues among Cultural Groups News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 14, 2010In honor of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced its partnership with the Advertising Council to launch a new series of advertisements targeting specific cultural groups that have been underserved for mental health treatment. The public service campaigns that are aimed to open discussions…
Studying Students’ Behavior in Ontario, Canada News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 13, 2010For the first time, Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey Mental Health and Well-Being Report looked at “screen time,” or the amount of time students spend watching television or on the computer. The report found that nearly 10 percent of students in grades 7 to 12 spend…
Illinois Passes Law to Increase Veterans’ Access to Mental Health Care News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 12, 2010Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois signed a new bill into law on July 8, 2010, that expands veterans’ services and accessibility to mental health care and coverage within the state. House Bill 6103, which won unanimous support in Illinois’ General Assembly and goes into effect immediately, exempts all Illinois veterans from being charged for services…
Army Experiencing Influx of Non-Deployable Soldiers Due to Mental Health Issues News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 9, 2010After nine years in two ongoing wars, Army commanders are now more than ever being forced to leave behind thousands of soldiers declared unfit for duty due to not just injury and illness but also poor mental health. More than 13,000 active-duty Army soldiers have been found to be unfit for duty, according to a…
Developing Countries at Risk of Higher Drug Use AddictionBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 8, 2010In terms of overall drug use, the good news is that it appears to be stabilizing in industrial countries; the bad news is there are signs that it could be on the rise in countries that are still developing. This assumption is based on a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and…
Research Examines Impact of Alcohol on Fetus Semen Count Later in Life AlcoholismBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 7, 2010Research throughout the medical industry has shown for years that drinking while pregnant can put the unborn child at risk. While much of this research has centered on developmental issues in relation to alcohol intake, the latest research shows a different impact altogether.
Model Mental Health Care Program Effective in Helping Inmates upon Release News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 7, 2010The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has published a new study on the success of a model program that helps individuals with serious mental illnesses enroll in Medicaid upon release from a correctional facility. The model assistance program took place in Oklahoma and was designed to strategically collate local, state, and federal…
Gulf States Seeking Mental Health Funding from BP for Affected Residents News and ResearchBy Promises Behavioral HealthJuly 6, 2010BP PLC has yet to respond to a month-old request submitted by health department officials from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to fund emergency mental health programs for community members affected by the BP oil spill. The states’ health departments predict a looming mental health care crisis caused by the oil spill disaster and are…
