Archive for » June 23rd, 2012«

23 Jun 2012

Southeast Mental Health Services awarded $1.4 million Healthcare …

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation announced that Southeast Mental Health Services was awarded a $1.4 million grant under the Health Care Innovation Challenge.  The Innovation Challenge will award up to $1 billion in total funding to applicants who will implement the most compelling new ideas to deliver better health, improved care and lower costs to people enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), particularly those with the highest health care needs.
“This grant is an opportunity for us to focus on the healthcare needs of our community by strengthening our workforce.  Through our collaboration with Otero Junior College and the curriculum they are developing, southeastern Colorado will become a magnet for integrated rural healthcare training,” said Becky Otteman, CEO/Executive Director of Southeast Mental Health Services.  “Our primary healthcare partners — High Plains Community Health Center, Prowers Medical Center and Prowers County Public Health — have supported us in this endeavor to make sure the citizens of Prowers County receive the right care at the right time for the right cost.”
The project is entitled “TIPPING POINT:  Total Integration, Patient Navigation and Provider Training Project for Powers County, Colorado,” and is designed to push years of healthcare integration efforts past the “tipping point” to achieve the triple aim of healthcare reform.  The project has an estimated 3- year savings of $1,875,000 in taxpayer dollars through the Medicaid, Medicare and CHP+ programs.  The intervention will be carefully studied to measure its impact and the potential to replicate its findings to other rural communities across the nation.
“The TIPPING POINT project dovetails nicely with our focus on increasing our investment in the citizens of Prowers County through our new building project.  It will be much easier for our staff to coordinate care with other healthcare providers in Lamar from our new building on the healthcare campus,” said SEMHS Chief Operating Officer J.C. Carrica.
Southeast Mental Health Services is receiving the $1.4M award to coordinate comprehensive, community-based care for high-risk, high-cost, and chronically ill residents of rural Prowers County, Colorado.  The program will train and employ patient navigators to increase patients’ access to primary and behavioral care, preventive care, and early intervention services, offering team-based education and coaching to improve both population health and self-management of disease.
The results will include a reduction in emergency room visits and other high cost interventions, mitigation of the progress of chronic disease, better health habits, and better care and quality of life for these vulnerable patients.  Southeast Mental Health Services will contract with Otero Junior College to develop a magnet “Health Navigator” training program to serve current and future healthcare workers across rural Colorado.  Over a three-year period, Southeast Mental Health Service’s program, with the help of Otero Junior College, will train an estimated 62 workers.
“The fact is that a very small group of people are using the lion’s share of Medicaid, Medicare and CHP+ healthcare services, which are funded by taxpayers like you and me,” said Nancy King, SEMHS Development Director.  “As we provide one-on-one support for people with serious and complicated healthcare needs, we expect to see a reduction in the use of unnecessary, high-cost interventions.  This will drive down the cost of healthcare for all of us.”
Since 1957, Southeast Mental Health Services has been providing comprehensive outpatient mental health services to the citizens of Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero and Prowers counties in southeastern Colorado.


Similar news:
Category: Mental Health  Tags: ,  Comments off
23 Jun 2012

Donations Pour in for Bullied NY Bus Monitor

A YouTube video showing a group of New York middle schoolers taunt an elderly bus monitor was nearing 4,000,000 views three days after it was posted on June 19.

The kids in the video use harsh language, at one point even telling the 68-year-old widow, “You don’t have a family because they all killed themselves because they don’t want to be near you.” 

As the YouTube hits have shot up so too have donations in support of Karen Klein, who, throughout the whole ordeal, did not show any emotion apart from holding back a few tears.

As of Friday morning, 22,000 funders had donated $472,000 to an online account with the description, “Lets give her something she will never forget, a vacation of a lifetime!”

Some of the comments left on the fundraising website:

  • Norm: My contribution is my vote against bullying. A fine example of grace under pressure by Karen.
  • Benjamin: Heart goes out to you. I wish I was on that bus, I’d have put them kids in their place.
  • Lindsay: Kids can be cruel. Your story moved us in Kitchener, ON, Canada

Comments from your neighbors:

“That was gross! But it was beautiful how over 200K was raised for her!” — Patti Gelfand Hollander

“I’m appalled by the lack of respect these children have.” — Steve Heinisch

“Appalled at the disrespect the kids showed to her. Partially hold parents responsible for not educating their children on morals and manners. It is very sad.” - Rachael Perlis Klotzberger

“Appalling!! Those kids should be put in Juvie Hall for good!!!!! The parents should go to county jail!!!!!!” – Laura Steinkamp-Daily

“This is what Godless America looks like. Most families don’t attend church together anymore. That’s what use to hold us together. Values of serving others, and “…do unto others as you would have them do unto you…” etc. Lessons that instill faith and love, because God sees, and there is eternal value to the thing we do in this life. Where else are kids today going to get it? From parents who don’t have faith values of love and selflessness? Or maybe they can get it in schools where God can’t be mentioned. Now schools offer anti-bullying programs lead by groups like GLSEN and people like Dan Savage. Children bloom where values are taught. Children need to practice conflict resolution, so they learn that disagreement doesn’t mean hate, so that when they grow up they will be good at it. And then they will be good parents for their children.” — Kathleen Loomer

Have you seen the footage or heard of Karen’s story? What was your initial reaction?


Similar news:
Category: Donations  Tags: ,  Comments off
23 Jun 2012

Charity muggers’ tricks revealed in investigation

Local authorities and business groups had also made complaints about their
behaviour.

An undercover reporter spent 12 days working for Tag, which uses the
innovative fundraising technique, and witnessed a series of apparent
breaches of the regulatory code, which is intended to protect the public
from harassment or exploitation.

On this occasion, Tag was fundraising on behalf of Marie Curie but other
clients have included WWF and the RSPCA, and the investigation targeted only
Tag, not the charities it worked for.

Our investigation into Tag Campaigns and the wider “chugging” industry found:

* apparent breaches of the self-regulatory code of conduct, governing how
chuggers approach the public;

* a failure to disclose to donors – in contravention of charity law – that the
Marie Curie campaign was costing the charity £367,000;

* chuggers were texting in donations for each other from their own phones in
order to hit ‘sign-up’ targets because they felt under pressure to perform;

* a separate failure by regulators to inform charities that they have in
recent months become concerned at the behaviour of some of Tag’s chuggers;

* one in seven councils are now calling for a national ban on chugging which
they say is damaging high street trade across the country;

* Tag’s two founders have paid themselves £2.5 million in dividends from its
parent company since 2005.

The Sunday Telegraph evidence was presented to Alistair McLean, chief
executive of the The Fundraising Standards Board, the industry watchdog.

“On the evidence I have been shown this seems to be a clear breach of the
law,” said Mr McLean, referring to the failure to make the full financial
disclosure.

And after being shown one video example of a Tag team leader attempting to
stop an elderly shopper in the street, who is waving him away, he said:
“They are breaking every rule in the book.”

The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA), which regulates the
industry, said its own spot checks had also revealed a breach of the code of
conduct by some Tag campaigners in recent months.

Mr MacQuillin said: “We are aware of problems with Tag. Our spot checks have
uncovered professional standards issues with their fundraisers. We have
uncovered rule breaches.”

Marie Curie said it was never made aware by the PFRA of concerns over Tag
campaigns before hiring the company for the first time for “a pilot project
to test a new way of fundraising”.

Fabian French, director of fundraising for Marie Curie, said: “We welcome this
investigation by the Sunday Telegraph. We take this extremely seriously. We
are disappointed by these allegations and have launched an immediate
investigation.”

Tag issued a statement in which it said that after an ‘urgent investigation’,
it was immediately retraining all staff and increasing the number of
‘mystery shoppers’ to ensure fundraisers are complying with the rules.

A spokesman said: “We very much regret that the rules of disclosure seem not
to have been followed in some instances, and must apologise to any members
of the public who feel they did not have the full picture before sending a
text donation.”


Similar news:
Category: Charities  Tags: ,  Comments off
23 Jun 2012

A beautiful Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Center, but is it enough?


Chris Hurt walked the wide-open halls of the new Mental Health Center at the VA Palo Alto campus, admiring the airy feel of an 80-bed unit that features enclosed courtyards and even an area to play basketball.

The acute inpatient psychiatric facility, he said, is like “night and day” from the old, claustrophobic building next door where he recently spent two weeks.

“Every single person here goes through moments where they’re so miserable that they just want to get out,” said Hurt, 25, who served two tours in Iraq as an Army specialist. “I don’t think anybody wants to be here. But this is better because it’s more like a hospital and less like a psych ward.”

The 76,000-square-foot center, which will be unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon, is a tangible example of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ national expansion of mental health services to meet the record number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seeking help for emotional problems like post-traumatic stress disorder — the signature, invisible wound of these conflicts.

“There’s a lot of people,” Hurt added, “who will be coming out a lot worse off than me.”

But while the VA is in the process of hiring 1,900 mental-health workers, the government agency has endured withering criticism from many veterans and advocacy groups for being behind the curve in helping America’s newest warriors — especially when it comes to resolving a crushing backlog of disability claims.

“I’m sorry, but this is all smoke and mirrors,” said Shad Meshad, co-founder and president of the National Veterans Foundation. “There are 2.4 million people who have served in these wars. There’s a tsunami of mental health issues coming and will be with us for decades. It’s great that the people who use these 80 beds have a shot. But as a country we have yet to put our arms around this problem.”

Count Bob Handy, a World War II Navy veteran and chairman of Veterans United for Truth, among the skeptics.

“You can build all the edifices in the world, and if you don’t have the staff to do what they’re supposed to be doing, you could be doing it in an old World War II Quonset hut,” Handy said. “They’re spending all this money on visible things when they’re not fixing the problem.”

The VA is struggling to treat an unprecedented number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are seeking treatment for mental disorders — almost 425,000 of the nearly 1.5 million military personnel who have left the service since the decadelong conflicts began. A recent VA report indicated that 245,658 have been examined for potential PTSD.

That condition results from the insidious nature of conflicts where troops

are in a state of hypervigilance to protect themselves from unseen threats such as improvised explosive devices. Symptoms include flashbacks, mood changes, sleep problems and emotional numbness to the civilian world.

Handy’s organization and another advocacy group, Veterans for Common Sense, sued the VA in 2007, contending it is an unresponsive bureaucracy that needlessly delayed treatment of veterans for PTSD.

While the suit revealed that the VA had knowingly underreported veteran suicides — it now estimates 18 per day — last month the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s position that it wasn’t a matter for the courts to decide. But the court did criticize the VA for “unchecked incompetence,” and the case may head to the Supreme Court.

But in other quarters, there is acknowledgment of progress as shown by the new Palo Alto facility, the VA’s intent to increase staff, and a recent Department of Defense decision to review PTSD diagnoses for members of all branches of the military dating to the Afghanistan War’s beginning.

“Yes, absolutely,” said Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, a veterans rights proponent who doesn’t hesitate to criticize the VA. “In Congress we’ve certainly increased the resources available to the VA to address these kinds of problems. The VA is clearly getting the importance of this issue and how widespread it is.”

Added Patrick Bellon, a veteran and executive director for Veterans for Common Sense: “Credit where it’s due. It seems like they’re taking the problem more seriously. They’re being more proactive. I think they’re making an honest effort to learn from their mistakes of the past.”

Dr. Jerome Yesavage, the Palo Alto VA’s associate chief of staff for mental health and a Stanford University professor of psychiatry, said the system now is better equipped to deal with the growing need.

“There’s been a huge effort made to de-stigmatize mental-health problems by the VA and military,” Yesavage said. “The VA is much more organized to be a welcoming place for veterans with these problems.”

While Bellon does have doubts about the VA’s goal of increased staffing because the jobs are short term and not necessarily attractive to medical professionals, the hope is new state-of-the-art facilities will be a recruiting tool.

The $60 million Mental Health Center is part of a $1 billion construction boom at the Palo Alto facility over the next eight years. Another centerpiece will be a 174,000-square-foot rehabilitation center — scheduled to open in August 2014 — that will house the hospital’s polytrauma center, which has been treating some of the most grievously wounded troops since the wars began.

Yesavage said the newest building should largely be populated by younger veterans and will treat patients with severe emotional problems who might pose a threat to themselves or others. Because many of these patients are hospitalized involuntarily, three of the four wards are locked units and the entire building is designed with safety features to prevent suicides.

Paul Rieckhoff, founder and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, believes that the new Mental Health Center and other coming facilities in Palo Alto are important if the VA, nationally, hopes to catch up to the growing demand for services.

“I’m hopeful that this is something good because I think the rest of the VA looks to Palo Alto for leadership,” Rieckhoff said. “If Palo Alto can make this work, it can be a powerful model for the rest of the country.”

Hurt said the hospital has made a difference in his life. A native of the Central Valley town of Ripon, Hurt voluntarily admitted himself after family members convinced him that he needed to seek help after he spoke of hearing voices.

“We come back from war and everything just seems so normal,” said Hurt, who served 27 months in Iraq. “That just throws us off. We try to act like nothing’s wrong when something is wrong.”

Released from the VA on Monday, Hurt said he hopes to come back in August when the new building is opened to patients.

“But just as a visitor,” he said.

 


Similar news:
Category: About Mental Health  Tags: ,  Comments off
23 Jun 2012

Panetta urges greater emphasis on mental health

WASHINGTON — In confronting a surge of suicides within the military, commanding officers must make it understood that seeking help for the stresses of war should be seen as a sign of strength rather than as a sign of weakness, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Friday.

Panetta said the end of the war in Iraq and the beginning of a drawdown in Afghanistan should ease some of the strain on the nation’s troops, but it will not solve the problem of military suicides. He noted that more than half of the military members who committed suicide have no history of deployment.

Pentagon statistics obtained by The Associated Press earlier this month indicated that suicides have spiked this year to about one per day, a 50 percent increase over the same period in 2011 and higher than the rate of combat deaths.

Panetta said part of the solution lies with commanding officers who have day-to-day contact with their troops.

“We have to make clear that we will not tolerate actions that belittle, that haze, that ostracize any individual, particularly those who have made the decision to seek professional help,” Panetta said in a speech to mental health professionals focused on reducing suicides by veterans and soldiers.

At times, military leaders have sent mixed messages about the problem. Earlier this year, Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard, commander of the 1st Armored Division, drew a public rebuke from the Army when he said he was personally fed up with soldiers who chose to take their own lives, forcing others to “clean up their mess.” Pittard also counseled soldiers to seek help as part of his commentary.

He subsequently retracted but did not apologize for the comments he made in an Army blog.

Panetta said he believes the military must work to remove the stigma that so often surrounds mental health issues. He said the military will also work with other government agencies on research in suicide prevention and pledged to elevate mental fitness to the same level of importance as physical fitness.

Panetta’s comments came on the third day of a conference organized by the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments. As part of the conference, family members of suicide victims also spoke about missteps they believe the military made that may have prevented the loss of life.

Five family members described scenarios in which they believed the military missed or simply ignored warning signs of a solider crying out for help.

Ben Harris of Georgia said his brother, Marine Lance Cpl. Michael Harris, killed himself in February 2012. Harris said his brother was prescribed medicine after complaining of anxiety and depression, but when he went back for additional help, he was told by a nurse that the staff could no longer treat him because he admitted to drinking too much and subsequently qualified for having substance abuse problems.

“He left the office that day and he called me and told me he would only be going back one more time – to let them know he would no longer be requiring their services,” Harris said. “This was a few weeks before Michael killed himself,” Ben Harris said.

Harris said the admission of alcohol use or substance abuse should not be used against service members, but should be treated as the symptom of an illness and treated.

Panetta called suicide perhaps the most frustrating challenge he has come across since becoming defense secretary, in part because the trend is heading in the wrong direction even as more resources are aimed at the problem.


Similar news:
Category: Mental Health  Tags: ,  Comments off
23 Jun 2012

Donations for bullied New York bus monitor surpass $600G

An online feel-good fundraising effort for a bullied bus monitor has surpassed half a million dollars — and is growing.

As of early Saturday, more than $605,000 has been donated to Karen Klein, a 68-year-old grandmother of eight who appeared on a 10-minute video earlier this week being berated and bullied by four seventh-graders on a bus operated by the Greece Central School District, near Rochester, N.Y. Klein has also been offered a trip to Disney Land with nine guests by Southwest Airlines, FoxNews.com has learned.

“We are so happy the nation has rallied around Karen, but also deeply saddened that it happened because of such a horrifying video,” Southwest spokesman Brooks Thomas wrote FoxNews.com in an e-mail. “We didn’t do it for the coverage … It was just the right thing to do.”

Max Sidorov, a 25-year-old Toronto man who started the online fundraising drive, said he started the campaign after seeing the video online.

“It was just sickening to see, it’s disgusting what these kids were doing,” Sidorov told FoxNews.com Friday. “I felt very, very bad for Karen. I know how tormenting it can feel to be bullied. The best thing I decided to do was to send her on a vacation away from there.”

Sidorov briefly spoke to Klein, of Rochester, late Thursday and would “love” to meet her sometime, he said. The amount of donations has exponentially exceeded his initial goal of $5,000.

“I’m shocked that people are so kind and so generous to take this to such heights,” Sidorov told FoxNews.com. “I’m really proud of a lot of people and it warms my heart they’re willing to support this cause.”

The four students, including a police officer’s son, hurl repeated insults and threats at the grandmother, calling her fat and at one point suggesting that her children commit suicide. Klein told “Fox Friends” during an appearance Thursday that her eldest son did, in fact, take his life 10 years ago.

“I did not hear that part then, but yeah, it was uncalled for, that’s for sure,” Klein told host Steve Doocy.

Representatives at Indiegogo.com told FoxNews.com that they have been in contact with Klein. The campaign will continue through July 20 and it’s unclear whether she’ll have to pay taxes on the amount.

“Any amount raised will go directly to her,” a spokeswoman told FoxNews.com.

An IRS spokesman declined to comment Friday on whether Klein would be obligated to pay taxes on the donations, saying tax requirements vary depending on the individual. The donor, however, is generally responsible for paying the gift tax, according to IRS.gov.

“Under special arrangements the donee may agree to pay the tax instead,” the website reads.

Klein, meanwhile, has worked in the school system for more than 20 years as a bus driver and now a bus monitor. Klein said she wants to return to her job, but on a different bus route and with an apology from the students, MyFoxBoston.com reports.

The outpouring of support for Klein follows a recent surge in awareness of bullying that has brought the issue from the classroom to the stage and screen to the White House.

Capt. Steve Chatterton of the Greece Police Department said Klein informed investigators that she will not seek criminal charges against the four students from Athena Middle School in Rochester.

“Obviously we are upset with what we saw in the video, both as parents and police officers,” Chatterton told reporters during a press conference Thursday afternoon. “But at this time, she has decided she does not want to press criminal charges.”

In New York, Chatterton said in order to charge a 13-year-old in Family Court, the alleged crime must a misdemeanor or a felony. Harassment is a violation and does not meet that threshold, he said.

“So we’re still working … on whether it rose to the level of a crime,” he said, adding that Klein has expressed she’d prefer if school officials mete out punishment.

The four boys seen in the video have not denied their role in the incident, Chatterton said. Investigators have spoken to all four of them, as well as their parents.

“No one has denied accountability,” he said.

Greece Central School District officials, meanwhile, promised to discipline the four students to the “fullest extent” allowable following an extensive investigation.

John Auberger, the town supervisor of Greece, N.Y., a town of roughly 100,000 residents, said officials have received calls from across the country regarding the incident.

“We too are outraged by the actions of this group of students,” Auberger said, who commended Klein’s restraint as seen on the video.

Click for more from MyFoxBoston.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Similar news:
Category: Donations  Tags: ,  Comments off
23 Jun 2012

Catholic Charities Appeal enters final days

Print this Article
Email this Article

FALL RIVER — As it began its final two weeks, the Fall River Diocese 2012 Catholic Charities Appeal eclipsed the $3-million mark.

“It’s a lot of money, but it’s still a long way from our goal of raising as much as possible and surpassing last year’s total of $4,241,000,” said Appeal director Mike Donly.

Funds collected through the Catholic Charities Appeal support the charitable programs, agencies and ministries sponsored by the diocese to respond to those in need in southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

“It’s never about setting a new record, it’s really all about truly knowing that we need more money to assist those we see coming to our agencies for help,” Donly said.

“I know records get the headlines, but being able to minister to literally thousands of people who need assistance is the true goal, and we can’t do that without our steadfast supporters and hopefully many new donors who come to realize that we need their help to do this, especially in these tough economic times.”

Since its beginning in 1942, the annual Catholic Charities Appeal has been a parish-driven fund-raising effort with tens of thousands of parishioners donating whatever they are able each year to help alleviate suffering and ease the plight of those who turn to the Church for assistance.

For more information on the Appeal, call diocesan Appeal headquarters at (508) 675-1311.

Parishes leading in returns to the Catholic Charities Appeal for each deanery or area of the Fall River diocese are: in Attleboro — Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Seekonk, $104,885; St. Mary, Mansfield, $86,506; St. John the Evangelist, Attleboro, $69,662; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Seekonk, $63,375; St. Mark, Attleboro Falls, $36,867; in Cape Cod and the Islands — St. Pius Tenth, South Yarmouth, $115,247.50; Christ the King, Mashpee, $96,650; Our Lady of the Cape, Brewster, $88,257; Corpus Christi, East Sandwich, $81,550; Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, $73,264; in Fall River — Holy Name, Fall River, $47,520; St. Louis de France, Swansea, $41,109; St. John of God, Somerset, $35,312; St. Thomas More, Somerset, $33,065; St. Patrick, Somerset, $29,862; in New Bedford — St. Julie Billiart, North Dartmouth, $52,207.38; St. Mary, South Dartmouth, $51,017; Immaculate Conception, New Bedford, $43,427; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New Bedford, $41,885; St. John Neumann, East Freetown, $41,071; and in Taunton — St. Ann, Raynham, $84,609; St. Andrew the Apostle, Taunton, $43,704; St. Anthony, Taunton, $35,537; Holy Cross, South Easton, $30,031; Holy Rosary, Taunton, $26,350.

We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Rules. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment or fill out this form. New comments are only accepted for two weeks from the date of publication.
Not sure how to add your comment? Here’s how

Print this Article
Email this Article


Similar news:
Category: Charities  Tags: ,  Comments off
23 Jun 2012

VA announces recruitment effort to hire mental health professionals


Posted: Saturday, June 23, 2012 12:00 am


VA announces recruitment effort to hire mental health professionals

Contributed Article

Eastern Arizona Courier

|
0 comments

The Department of Veterans Affairs has developed an aggressive national mental health hiring initiative to improve recruitment and hiring, marketing, education and training programs, and retention efforts for mental health professionals.

To speed the national hiring process, VA developed the Mental Health Hiring Initiative, a multifaceted, sustained national marketing and outreach campaign that includes targeted recruitment of mental health providers willing to take positions throughout the country, including in rural and highly rural markets, to serve all VA medical centers and community clinics.

VA has an existing workforce of 20,590 mental health staff that includes nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.

Currently, 150 mental health-care clinicians and support staff work to provide assistance to southern Arizona veterans.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki noted that “as the tide of war recedes, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to anticipate the needs of returning veterans.”

The team at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System is already actively treating veterans through individualized care, readjustment counseling and immediate crisis services.

SAVAHCS staff has contributed to mental health excellence by its nationally recognized post-traumatic stress disorder, University of Arizona Supportive Education for Returning Veterans, homeless program, Veterans Justice Outreach, HUD/VASH Housing and substance abuse rehabilitation programs.

SAVAHCS also maintains joint ventures with Tucson homeless social programs in which veterans are located and integrated into the VA health-care system.

The initiative will help VA to meet existing and future demands of mental health-care services in an integrated collaborative team environment and continue to position VA as an exemplary workplace for mental health-care professionals.

“Mental health services must be closely aligned with veterans’ needs and fully integrated with health-care facility operations,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Robert Petzel.

“Improving access to mental health services will help support the current and future veterans who depend on VA for these vital services.”

To locate the nearest VA facility or vet center for enrollment and to get scheduled for care, veterans can visit VA’s Web site at www.va.gov. Immediate help is available at www.Veterans CrisisLine.net or by calling the Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (push 1) or texting 838255.

Posted in
News

on

Saturday, June 23, 2012 12:00 am.


Similar news:
Category: About Mental Health  Tags: ,  Comments off
23 Jun 2012

New veterans mental health center aims to help invisible wounds of …

A new facility that will provide a valuable service for military veterans opened its doors Friday in Palo Alto.

With the cutting of a red ribbon, the Veterans Administration newest mental health center opened in Palo Alto Friday. 

After two tours in Iraq, Army veteran Chris Hurt knows firsthand the mental hurt military men and women bring home with them.

“I wasn’t going out any more, I was just locking myself up and I was just drinking excessively,” Hurt said.

Hurt was briefly committed to a psychiatric unit in the old facility, suffering from post-traumatic stress.

“Compared to the other place, it’s night and day, it’s amazing,” he said.

From the gardens to the windows in the 80 rooms, the 90,000 square foot center is designed to be therapeutic.

“When you walk in and you get that comfortable feeling  and that’s a big deal you know for your peace of mind,” said Navy veteran Dawn Saugen of San Jose.

Saugen walked into the old psychiatric ward six months ago deeply depressed.

“I was on the brink of taking my own life,” Saugen recalled.

In this country, about 18 veterans a day commit suicide.

 ”In the VA, we’re making some progress but I think it’s important to remember that no suicide is tolerable.” said Dr. Robert Petzel, VA Under Secretary for Health.

Under criticism of long waits for help, the VA has now started hiring almost 2,000 mental health staffers nationwide.

More people and more centers like the one in Palo Alto, the VA said, will help heal the invisible wounds of war. 


Similar news:
Category: Mental Health  Tags: ,  Comments off
23 Jun 2012

NSW Nationals vote to scrap donations ban

The NSW Nationals have voted to scrap bans on political donations from property developers and alcohol and gaming companies, with one MP telling the party’s conference they’re redundant.

A ban on developer donations was introduced by former Labor Premier Nathan Rees in 2009 in response to the Wollongong Council sex for developments scandal.

His successor Kristina Keneally then capped donations from alcohol and gaming companies at $2000 per candidate and $5000 per party in 2010.

Backing a motion to overturn the bans at the Nationals’ state conference in Bowral on Saturday, MP Trevor Kahn said they were now unnecessary, especially after the O’Farrell government had this year also limited donations to individuals.

“We are now in an entirely different regime than we were 12 months ago,” Mr Khan told reporters afterwards.

“In years past where you could get a developer who could contribute $100,000 to a political campaign on behalf of a candidate or a million dollars to a political party that would be an entirely different situation.

“Then, you might be able to buy favors in those circumstances, but $5000 will be a cup of tea – it won’t buy you any more.”

While supported by delegates at the conference, the vote is not as yet binding on the party.

Even so, an angry Mr Rees hit out at the push to overturn the developer donations ban, saying the National Party had “opened the way for a new generation of the white shoe brigade in NSW”.

“I (banned donations) because the community had a view that there was undue influence by property developers in decision making,” he said.

“When donations come from big companies particularly those involved in controversial issues such as urban planning, the community is deeply skeptical.”


Similar news:
Category: Donations  Tags: ,  Comments off
« Previous Entries
  • RSS
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Twitter