Click Here to Subscribe to Receive the Update Science and Service News Updates VA TO TAKE APPLICATIONS FOR NEW FAMILY CAREGIVER PROGRAM: VA IMPLEMENTING ENHANCEMENTS TO EXISTING SERVICES FOR VETERANS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published the interim final rule for implementing the Family Caregiver Program of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act 2010. This new rule will provide additional support to eligible post-9/11 veterans who elect to receive their care in a home setting from a primary family caregiver. On May 9, staff in VA's Office of Care Management and Social Work opened the application process for eligible post-9/11 veterans and service members to designate their family caregivers. Click here for the press release
NEW SAMHSA STUDY FINDS TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE IMPROVES BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN: TRAUMA-INFORMED SERVICES AND SUPPORTS CAN LEAD TO IMPROVED SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, FEWER ARRESTS, AND REDUCED SUICIDE ATTEMPTS According to data released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), children and youth affected by traumatic events improve their functioning in community-based "system of care" programs. Traumatic events can include witnessing or experiencing physical or sexual abuse; violence in families and communities; natural disasters; wartime events and terrorism; accidental or violent death of a loved one; and a life-threatening injury or illness. The report, Helping Children and Youth Who Have Experienced Traumatic Events, shows that after 12 months of accessing services within a community-based system of care, 44 percent of children and youth improved their school attendance, 41 percent improved their grades, and youth suicide attempts fell by 64 percent. In addition, the number of youth reporting arrests in the past six months fell by 36 percent. Click here for the press release Click here for the full report JAMIE LEE CURTIS CELEBRATES YOUTH WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED RESILIENCE AND OVERCOME TRAUMA AT ANNUAL NATIONAL CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY OBSERVANCE Golden Globe award-winning actress and New York Times bestselling children's book author Jamie Lee Curtis joined SAMHSA and more than 100 public and private collaborating organizations in celebrating the sixth annual National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. This year, the national event focused on building resilience in young children coping with traumatic events and featured stories of how youth from across the country overcame early childhood adversity. Click here for the press release ARCHIVED VIDEOCAST: UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH NIMH presented this videocast in connection with National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. It was an opportunity to learn the state of the science in children's mental health and hear from NIH scientists about topics ranging from normal brain development to anxiety, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. Click here for the videocast BRAIN BASICS-ANIMATED VIDEO SHOWING HOW BRAIN WORKS Brain Basics is an online animated video which shows how the brain works. It covers how mental illnesses are disorders of the brain and describes ongoing research that helps in the understanding and treatment of these disorders. Click here to view the video NIH RESOURCES RECOGNIZING SCHIZOPHRENIA: SEEKING CLUES TO A DIFFICULT DISORDER This feature in the NIH News in Health provides a brief plain language overview of the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia. Click here for more information NIH SCHIZOPHRENIA FACT SHEET This fact sheet tells the story of research discovery, current treatment status, and future expectations for the prevention and treatment of schizophrenia. Click here to view the fact sheet NEW SAMHSA RESOURCES PROMOTING EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND PREVENTING SUICIDE: A TOOLKIT FOR SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES This toolkit equips senior living staff with resources to promote mental health and prevent suicide among residents. It includes guidelines for integrating suicide prevention into ongoing programs, hands-on tools, and training manuals. Click here to order the toolkit. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER This report presents an overview of borderline personality disorder and outlines recommendations for expanding early detection, evidence-based treatment, and family education to promote resilience and recovery for individuals diagnosed with the condition. Click here to order or download the report |