Panel advises depression screening for US teens

Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2009 in News Articles | 0 comments

This article by Lindsay Tanner of the Associated Press discusses the recommendations of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force that all doctor’s be required to provide annual depression screening to teenagers.  The full recommendations will appear in the April issue of the journal, Pediatrics,  and emphasize that when followed by treatment, these diagnoses will identify and help a significant portion of young Americans that may otherwise not be appropriately diagnosed and treated.

Read the Associated Press Release here. 

“Feel like a good cry? You need a good laugh more.”

Posted by admin on Mar 24, 2009 in News Articles | 0 comments

Judy Nosler and  Gail Birks of Aurora Mental Health Center are certified laugh leaders.  Theirs and other laugh seminars are attracting impressive crowds and giving people an opportunity to reap the numerous benefits of laughter.  Particularly in tough economic times, these workshops are providing a valuable outlet for stress, which can contribute to healthier, happier lifestyles.

Click here to read the entire article in the Denver Post, written by Jennifer Brown. 

Colorado earns a ‘C’ on mental health services

Posted by admin on Mar 12, 2009 in News Articles, Research/Publications | 0 comments

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has published its 2009 Grading the States Report Card: A Report on America’s Health Care Systemm for Adults with Serious Mental Illness.  NAMI has given Colorado a "C" grade.  The score is a combination of four categories:

1-  Health Promotion and Measurement

2- Financing and Core Treatment / Recovery Services

3- Consumer and Family Empowerment

4- Community Integration and Social Inclusion

Click here to read an article regarding the grade in the Colorado Springs Gazette

Click here to see the full report

Cities Taking Charge on Health Care

Posted by admin on Mar 9, 2009 in News Articles | 0 comments

Denver Mayor Jon Hickenlooper and Shepard Nevel, Colorado Health Foundation Vice-President of Policy and Operations, published an op-ed on the Denver Post website discussing challenges facing the current health care system, especially in urban areas. 

"Health care in Colorado and nationally has reached a tipping point, nudged by unsustainable cost increases and an economic crisis that has exacerbated the challenges of uninsured and underinsured, critical provider shortages, stark disparities based on income and ethnicity, fragmentation of services, and a payment system that discourages quality and efficiency. "

Read the entire editiorial here. 

Treating mentally ill saves you money?

Posted by admin on Mar 9, 2009 in News Articles | 0 comments

Gene Davis, of The Denver Daily, authored an article published on March 3rd discussing the treatment of mentally ill offenders in community based settings, rather than the more costly alternative of incarceration.  The article touches on the potential for cost savings and the impact recovery can have on recidivism.  Click here to read the article. 

Also, click here to read an article published in the Denver Post discussing the population boom and associated costs of the Corrections System in the United States and specifically in Colorado.