Jan 20 - Two New Initiatives Offer Grantmakers Opportunities for Shared Action and Learning
Health Funders Join Forces to Strengthen Behavioral Health Care
Early last spring the DVG Health Conversion Foundation Affinity Group came together at Friends Hospital to begin thinking about a way that they could collaborate around health care issues while continuing to work individually in their home communities. All the members saw the merit of “thinking regionally and acting locally” which could result in a much larger impact for their grantmaking dollars. The group found a shared interest in improving access to good behavioral healthcare and finding and promoting effective models that integrate behavioral healthcare into a primary health setting.
Dec 21 - Congress Extends the Mental Health Parity Act
Dec 5 - Physicians May Now Write Multiple Prescriptions for Schedule II Controlled Substances
The Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) of the Department of Justice issued new regulations on November 19, 2007, which allow physicians to prescribe up to a 90-day supply of a Schedule II controlled substance during a single prescribing event for a patient through the use of up to three separate prescriptions. Prior to the new rule, physicians could only prescribe up to a 30-day supply on a single prescription.
Dec 5 - National Survey Examines how Medicaid Agencies Administer Mental Health Services
State Medicaid agencies take varying approaches to the administration of
mental health services, according to a new Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration's (SAMSHA) Center for Mental Health
Services' (CMHS) report that provides a state-by-state analysis of how
Medicaid agencies are exercising their responsibilities for mental
health services.
Nov 27 - SECRETARY OF PUBLIC WELFARE ANNOUNCES PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH AND FAMILY INSTITUTE
Focused on improving the lives of children living with mental illness, Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle B. Richman today announced the creation of the Pennsylvania Youth and Family Training Institute, a partnership with the University of Pittsburgh that is designed to strengthen mental health services for children and their families.
Nov 27 - House Judiciary Committee Passes Bill for Improving Services for Mentally Ill Prisoners
The House Judiciary Committee passed by voice vote a bill aimed at improving services for mentally ill prisoners.
Oct 11 - Suicide Prevention Workshops Announced
Feeling Blue Suicide Prevention Council, in collaboration with Drexel University College of Medicine Behavioral Health Education is pleased to announce a series of suicide prevention trainings being held in Pennsylvania.
Sep 24 - Gardening with Friends Day set for November 10th
Our next Gardening with Friends Day is November 10, 2007. If you would like to help, please email cdelgado@scattergoodfoundation.org or call 215-831-7803 to RSVP or for more information. We look forward to gardening with you.
Jul 9 - Nanotechnology coming to a brain near you
Michael Berger discusses possible applications of a new brand of devices called neuroprosthetics.
Jul 2 - Depression Care Lowers Suicide Attempts
A study has found that risk of suicide decreases dramatically as treatment continues.
Jun 29 - Distorted Body Image Could Be Linked To Abnormal Brain Function
Researches at the University of California describe Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), or dysmorphophobia.
Jun 29 - Obesity to fuel Alzheimer's rise
Lifestyle is predicted as a risk factor for dementia.
Jun 28 - SSRIs Chase Depression But Bones May Pay Price
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may reduce bone density among the elderly.
Jun 28 - Psychiatrists Top List in Drug Maker Gifts
The New York Times discusses the payment of psychiatrists by drug manufacturers.
Jun 27 - States Face Decisions on Who Is Mentally Fit to Vote
A New York Times Article discusses the debate about whether or not those declared as mentall ill should be permitted to vote.
Jun 27 - 'Sugar Pill' Could Help Cure Manic Depressives and Schizophrenics
Article in the UK's Daily Express on how "Schizophrenia and manic depression could be caused by a lack of sugar in the brain."
Jun 27 - Drink Taking Heavy Toll on Children
An artcle in UK's The Guardian discusses mental health problem in juveniles correlate with alcohol abuse and possible policy changes
Jun 26 - Excessive Video Gaming May Not Be An Addiction
"At the American Medical Association's annual meeting yesterday, experts refused the idea that excessive video game addiction may be a mental disorder like alcoholism." eMaxHealth article.
Jun 27 - bioethics.net: Art Caplan on Switzerland's Decision that the Mentally Ill May Be Helped to Take Their Own Lives?
Art Caplan posts on the bioethics.net blog about Switzerland's decision on euthanasia and the mentally ill
Jun 26 - Arthur Caplan on MSNBC: "Broken mental-health system puts us at risk"
Art Caplan discusses the hazards of overlooking mental illness as illustrated by recent the Virginia Tech tragedy and others
Jun 26 - Garden with Friends day November 10th
Come to the campus of Friends Hospital to Garden
Jun 26 - Scattergood Foundation Launches New Website
Creates collaborative forum for all discussions in behavioral health in greater Philadelphia.
