Articles, Leading Stories
DMH receives funding boost for FY2014
By Phyllis Hanlon
In a switch from previous years, Gov. Deval Patrick announced a 3.3 percent increase in the overall budget for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) for FY2014....
Vermont grapples with budgetary priorities
By Janine Weisman
The Vermont Department of Mental Health’s current fiscal year $174 million budget represented a 15 percent increase to enhance community services in the only state which...
Teen suicide study highlights need for better training
By Janine Weisman
Suicidal thoughts are common among U.S. adolescents, many of whom receive mental health treatment before the onset of suicidal plans or attempts, the first large-scale study on...
Media coverage impacts Asperger’s patients, families
By Susan Gonsalves
Media coverage of the Newtown, Conn. murders did little to dispel the stigma and misunderstanding of people with Asperger’s Disorder. Instead, early reports that the shooter,...
Combating school shootings will take deeper approach
By Catherine Robertson Souter
The public and media react quickly and vehemently in the wake of traumatic events like the school shootings in Newtown and Columbine. Who were these kids? What made them commit...
Ban on reparative therapy put on hold
By Pamela Berard
A California state law that bans licensed mental health professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts (often called reparative or conversion therapy) on...
Task force working on mental health legislation
By Pamela Berard
State and national lawmakers are mulling legislation on gun control, mental health care and benefits for first responders in the wake of Connecticut’s Sandy Hook...
The professional chef: Behind the menus
By Catherine Robertson Souter
Running a restaurant, with its long hours, demanding schedules and high rates of failure, would be the epitome of the nightmare job for some people. For others, it’s the...
The Affordable Care Act: What it means for psychologists
By Phyllis Hanlon
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has given the green light for partial application now with full implementation of the...
ACOs hope to save money
By Phyllis Hanlon
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act represents one of the most ambitious health care reform initiatives this country has experienced. One of the law’s provisions...