I’m always passing along some kind of mental health news update, advocacy alert, or call for action here at Mental Health Notes, but, that’s what you get when you read a mental health blog. There’s always a ton of stuff going on in the news, regarding health insurance, and involving advocacy groups.

Today’s call for action comes from Mental Health America.

Back in April, I told you about how U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation (H.R. 5613) to block proposed federal Medicaid regulations, including limits on rehabilitation services for people with mental health problems.

Yay!

Because every one of us who contacted our representatives helped make that happen, Mental Health America would like us to contact them again regarding an upcoming vote this week on legislation that contains the same delay on Medicaid regulations – this time, as an amendment to the supplemental war funding bill.

From Mental Health America:

Amending the war funding bill seems to be the best way to overcome opposition to delaying these ill-advised regulations. But, the President has threatened to veto the war funding bill for various reasons, so we need to generate as much support in the Senate as possible.

Mental Health America has conveniently made it possible for you to contact your representatives about this issue via email. Even easier is that you don’t have to come up with your own well-drafted message. Just enter your contact information and click “send.” (But, keep in mind, original messages probably do carry the most impact, so feel free to add your own thoughts and opinions.)

Image: WV Senators Robert C. Byrd and John D. Rockefeller: Newscom

Remember! You have until May 31, 2008 to enter the Mental Health Notes Birthday Giveaway, and forever to join the This Is Why I ROCK! series!

Post from: Blisstree

Delay Medicaid Regulations In The War Funding Supplemental Bill

Anyway…

First, let’s take a look back at some of the things that have gone on here at Mental Health Notes this week. We kicked off the stress-busting Goin’ to the Chapel series with Molly McDonald (which wraps up later today), learned how Harry Potter saved J.K. Rowling’s sanity, took a really brief peek into possible new French legislation regarding eating disorders, and pondered the University of Virginia’s new policy on students with mental illness. Oh, and of course, I’m still accepting applications for This Is Why I ROCK!

Next, let’s get up to speed with what’s going on with advocacy groups. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) April newsletter is online with information about postpartum depression legislation and about about peer services and training, as well as discounts on the DBSA 2008 National Conference. The UIC National Research and Training Center and the NAMI STAR Center are conducting the cultural competence survey regarding consumer-run mental health programs. And, in honor of Mental Health Month (it’s in May – just around the corner!), Mental Health America has developed the Get Connected theme.

Now, let’s acknowledge some scientific-, research-, and government-related mental health news. Last week, the Health Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation (H.R. 5613) to block proposed federal Medicaid regulations, including limits on rehabilitation services for people with mental health problems. Small businesses and the insurance industry haven’t succeeded in beating back mental health parity in Arizona this time around. New research suggests anxious or depressed children are more likely to grow up and work occupations that cause anxiety and depression.

And, finally, what’s going on in the rest of b5media’s Science & Health Channel? Angelique weighs in on the French bill to stop media promotion of “extreme thinness” over at Breaking the Mirror. Ruth at Eating Fabulous tells us about the cognitive and motor development benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for babies. Mary Emma Allen honors Charlton Heston’s Alzheimer’s battle and nods to her co-blogger Liz Lewis’s tribute, as well as Jean Murray’s thoughts on the matter.

That’s all for this week! If you have any Saturday Sanity-worthy news, send it my way and I’ll get it in next week’s edition!

Image credits and sources here, here, here, and here.

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Upgrade Your Brain

• If you missed Wednesday’s post about Prescription for Change, the Consumers Union petition to the FDA to make it easier for consumers to report side effects of medications, I highly recommend checking it out.
• In other drug news, the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Programs now have a total of three “AZ & Me” prescription assistance programs (particularly interesting for those of you who take Seroquel and Seroquel XR.
• Mental Health America has issued another call to action for us. This one regards proposed cuts in Medicaid funding for rehabilitative, case management, and school administrative services – all of which include mental health services and support of “Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008″ (H.R. 5613). Of course I sent a letter to my decision makers, but I had to giggle while I was doing so because I’m positive dear old Nick Rahall is getting tired of finding emails from me! God bless him, though. He always responds via snail mail with his views on the matter and a nice thank you. Find out if your decision maker(s) are cosponsoring H.R. 5613, and send a letter of support.
• Another update from Mental Health America: “No Health Without Mental Health,” Mental Health America’s 2008 Conference in Washington, D.C. is right around the corner (June 4-7), and Mental Health America President and CEO David Shern, Ph.D. has prepared a 30-second video to invite us all!
• Why is it that when states experience budget problems, health and education services are usually the first to suffer? I honestly don’t know which is worse: increased taxes, or decreased health services and laid off state employees. At this point, I’m pretty sure I feel the latter is much worse.
• New findings regarding genes and their relationship to schizophrenia could lead to new treatment options for managing the mental illness.
• Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have stumbled upon some findings they may not only help “test” patients for depression, but may also help speed along the process of finding the best antidepressant.
• And, I’m a bit late on reporting this, but better late than never, right? The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the reauthorization of the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (S. 2304) on March 9. According to the article, the bill “will help provide states and counties with the resources needed to design and implement collaborative efforts between the criminal justice and mental health systems.”

That’s all for this week, folks! If you think you have any Saturday Sanity-worthy news, send it my way before next Saturday!

Image source and credit.

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Drugs And Government Issues