Articles, Leading Stories

May 1st, 2014

Other changes show mixed results

By Janine Weisman

In other areas, DSM-5 included a new chapter on Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders that recognized two new disorders: hoarding disorder and excoriation (skin-picking)...

May 1st, 2014

Movement of Taunton State patients still causing furor

By Phyllis Hanlon

Since 2012, when Gov. Deval Patrick announced plans to close Taunton State Hospital, proponents and opponents of the move have continued to clash over the decision. While the...

May 1st, 2014

State’s plans for Taunton announced

By Phyllis Hanlon

Anna Chinappi, director, Office of Communications and Community Engagement at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, provided a fact sheet that outlines the state’s...

May 1st, 2014

Reports: suicidal thoughts pre-date enlistment

By Rivkela Brodsky

Among other findings, new research suggests that soldiers experience the onset of suicidal thoughts and attempts before enlisting in the military and that many cases are linked...

May 1st, 2014

Inpatient beds: Demand but short supply

By Phyllis Hanlon

The process of deinstitutionalization, along with the subsequent closure of facilities and reduction in beds, began some 35 years ago. While community services were hailed as...

May 1st, 2014

Psychiatric hospital still slated to open this summer

By Catherine Robertson Souter

When the new state mental health hospital, Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital, comes on line in Berlin, Vermont, in July, it will have all the bells and whistles. With private...

May 1st, 2014

Bullied children at risk for worse mental, physical health

By Rivkela Brodsky

Long after bruises have healed, kids may be dealing with the effects of painful bullying experiences on their mental and physical health.

A new Boston Children’s...

May 1st, 2014

Tragedy underscores need of intervention

By Howard Newman

When tragedy struck Ken and Danielle Lambert six years ago, they grieved for a short while and then took action. They never wanted anyone to experience the type of heartbreak...

May 1st, 2014

Program adapts to changing system and challenges

By Pamela Berard

The Victims of Violence (VOV) Program of the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts may have won an award for innovation – but it has done so without wavering from its...

May 1st, 2014

Study: Neurofeedback helpful for ADHD

By Catherine Robertson Souter

According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of children aged 4-17 diagnosed with ADHD in the past 10 years has risen dramatically, from 7.8 percent in 2003 to 11...