New research from North Carolina State University finds that mental health courts are effective at reducing repeat offending, and limiting related jail time, for people with mental health problems — especially those who also have substance use problems. For their study, researchers evaluated 97 people in Minnesota who had mental health problems and had committed […]
Individual
Sustaining Safe Spaces for Community-Based HIV Prevention and Control among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men
The creation and sustainment of “safe spaces” may play a critical role in community-based HIV prevention efforts by providing social support and reducing environmental barriers for vulnerable populations, a new study from an Oregon State University researcher has found. Safe spaces often are run by community-based organizations working with vulnerable populations. They can be used […]
Signs of Suicide Shows Promise as a Middle School Suicide Prevention Program
A study to evaluate the effects of the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program in middle schools found that, three months after completing the program, children who participated in SOS were significantly more knowledgeable about suicide and depression than children who had not participated in the program. Children who reported suicidal ideation prior to participating in […]
The Social Costs of Gender Nonconformity for Transgender Adults: Implications for Discrimination and Health
Discrimination may trigger risky health behaviors by transgender Americans, a new study suggests. Transgender adults who deal with more discrimination are more likely to smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol and drugs, and attempt suicide, the study revealed. The study wasn’t designed to prove a cause-and-effect relationship between discrimination and risky health behaviors among transgender people, but […]
Evidence for the Effectiveness of a National School-Based Mental Health Program in Chile
A national school-based mental health program that is now reaching almost one quarter of all elementary school students in Chile appears to have produced significant improvements in both behavioral and academic outcomes, such as attention problems and school attendance, among participating students. The results of a study by a team of Chilean and U.S. investigators […]
Gender Injustice: System-Level Juvenile Justice Reforms for Girls
The National Crittenton Foundation, in partnership with the National Women’s Law Center, has released “Gender Injustice: System-Level Juvenile Justice Reforms for Girls.” The report presents research and data showing that, in the last two decades, girls’ presence in the juvenile justice system has increased at all stages of the process. Key findings include the following: […]