Author Archive
(Reuters Health) - Chronic depression may more than double the risk of stroke for older adults, and the danger remains high even when mental health improves, a large U.S. study suggests. While previous research has linked depression to greater odds of having a stroke, the current study offers fresh evidence that mood-improving treatments like counseling... read more
May 7, 2015 Reporting from Sacramento Addressing a doctor shortage that is especially dire in rural parts of California, the state Senate voted Thursday to let nurse practitioners do much more for patients, including diagnosing and ordering treatment and prescribing drugs, without supervision by a physician. Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina) said his bill will... read more
by Fran Lowry May 07, 2015 More than 17 million children in the United States have or have had a diagnosable mental illness, yet most are not treated, according to the first annual Children's Mental Health Report released by the Child Mind Institute (CMI) in New York City. The fact that so many children are struggling with... read more
The APA response written by Saul Levin, MD to the NY Times Torture Article As you may know, following actions taken by our government in the wake of Sept. 11, there have been numerous reports and questions about a wide range of health professionals’ involvement in interrogation and torture. Most recently, yesterday, the New York Times reported... read more
By MELISSA HEALY APRIL 21, 2015, 8:06 PM At least a dozen major studies have found that early childhood vaccines do not cause autism. But one possibility remained: that immunizations could cause autism in a small group of children who were already primed to develop the disorder. Now, new research has ruled out that possibility... read more
County Backs Forced Care of Mentally Ill
"Laura's Law" allows courts to require outpatient treatment By Joshua Stewart • U-T11:40 a.m.April 21, 2015Updated4:41 p.m. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to implement "Laura's Law," which will give courts power to order treatment for mentally ill people under certain conditions. Supervisor Bill Horn cast the lone opposing vote. San Diego —... read more
Kids in foster care are struggling
BY ROBERT P. HOLLOWAY SPECIAL TO THE BEE 04/16/2015 5:00 PM 04/17/2015 12:00 AM When I was a young boy, my parents decided to share their love by fostering children. Two children stayed with us briefly. Then, a 4-year-old girl was sent to us who had experienced numerous forms of abuse. After a year, we... read more
SENATE PASSES MEDICARE SGR BILL
The New York Times (4/15, A16, Pear, Subscription Publication) reports that the Senate “on Tuesday approved sweeping changes in the way Medicare pays doctors, clearing the bill for President Obama and resolving an issue that has bedeviled Congress and the Medicare program for more than a decade.” Senators voted 92 to 8 to repeal Medicare’s sustainable growth... read more
By GARRETT THEROLF Los Angeles County officials are preparing to crack down on doctors who inappropriately prescribe powerful psychiatric drugs to foster youth and children in the juvenile delinquency system, according to a copy of the plans obtained by The Times. Social workers and child welfare advocates have long alleged that the widespread use of the... read more
By ABBY SEWELL APRIL 13, 2015, 3:00 AM Advocates and mental health practitioners say that California's approach to mental health — and particularly to involuntary treatment — is deeply fragmented across its 58 counties. Lawmakers are trying to address the inconsistency of policies and approaches, but activist groups often disagree about the appropriate balance between... read more