Children living in poverty are more likely to have mental health problems, and their conditions are more likely to be severe. Of the approximately 1.3 million children who were recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits in 2013, about 50% were disabled primarily due to a mental disorder. An increase in the number of […]
Archives for September 2015
Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data in Electronic Health Records
Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SO/GI) data in electronic health records (EHRs) is essential to providing high-quality, patient-centered care to LGBT individuals. SO/GI data collection has been recommended by both the Institute of Medicine and the Joint Commission as a way to learn about which populations are being served, and to measure quality of care provided to LGBT people. […]
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Triangle of Life App for Children
A new mobile game app helps children who have experienced trauma by letting them use their tablets or smartphones to practice life skills they have learned in the therapist’s office. During the game, TF-CBT Triangle of Life, created by mental health professionals at Allegheny Health Network and students at the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie […]
Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards Training Toolkits
The Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, with funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health, has created a pair of toolkits to assist with the implementation of the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) Standards throughout the state of Maryland. The Toolkit for Health Care Delivery […]
Association Between Social Integration and Suicide Among Women in the United States
Middle-aged women with a solid social life face a significantly lower risk for suicide than those who live in relative isolation, new research suggests. Moreover, friendships and outside activities were found to offer protection against suicide even for women who struggled with mental health issues, such as depression. “Suicide is one of the leading causes […]
Suicide in Indian Country: The Continuing Epidemic in Rural Native American Communities
A review of suicide in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities found that successful suicide prevention programs used in these communities generally (1) address risk factors while “building individual self-efficacy and positive self-image,” (2) “are strength-based and culturally sensitive,” and (3) include traditional healing practices as well as cultural/spiritual development. After reviewing the literature, […]