Mental Health News Feed

The resources on the PovNet site are general information only, and should not be regarded as legal advice.
If you need specific help about your own legal situation, consult a qualified advocate in your own community.

May 17, 2008 - 11:46pm

Mental Health News Feed

March 22, 2007 - 9:13am

The following articles are fed through PovNet from outside mainstream and independent news sites, advocacy organizations, non-profits and government sites with the keywords mental health. These stories are not moderated and do not necessarily reflect the views of PovNet.

Police pushed to swap Tasers for more talk

VANCOUVER -- Members of the Canadian Mental Health Association told an inquiry into the use of Tasers yesterday that they want police to de-emphasize the use of the weapons and learn some "talking skills."
Read more [Times Colonist News Feed]

Addiction to technology real, potentially deadly: psychiatrist

Technology addiction is a real and potentially deadly affliction that is poorly understood by mental health professionals, says a psychiatrist who studies the phenomenon in the context of school shootings.
Read more [Vancouver Sun (News)]

Progress on panhandlers

Banning panhandlers from city streets and slapping them with $100 fines does not address the underlying mental health and addiction problems at the root of this social malaise. And it clearly doesn't work.
Read more [The Star (Editorial)]

Veterans’ Office Covering Up Soldier Suicides: US Lawmakers

WASHINGTON - US lawmakers have accused the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of being out of control and of covering up the high suicide rate among Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. “The VA healthcare system has been pushed to the edge in dealing with the mental health care needs of our veterans,” Bob Filner, chairman of [...]
Read more [Common Dreams - US News]

Iraq War Strains US Army Mental Health System

FORT DRUM, New York - Fort Drum, a bleak U.S. Army base in upstate New York, is a test case for how the military is handling a looming mental health crisis. The military and its critics agree on one thing — there are not enough therapists to treat all the soldiers who return from Iraq and [...]
Read more [Common Dreams - US News]

Manitoba gives $2.8M boost to mental health services

Marking the start of Mental Health Week in Canada, Manitoba's government announced Monday that it will spend nearly $3 million to improve community mental-health and addictions services.
Read more [CBC - Manitoba]

Province Announces $2.8-Million Boost For Mental Health And Addictions Services

'The doctors said I'd never be able to walk, talk, eat'

This is the last profile in a series about this year's recipients of the Courage to Come Back Awards. It's the 10th year the Coast Mental Health Foundation has recognized those who have inspired others by their ability to overcome great obstacles.

CONSTRUCTION LAUNCH FOR DUBÉ CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Saskatoon Health Region, the Ministry of Health and special guests today officially kicked off construction of the new $20-million Irene and Leslie Dubé Centre for Mental Health, which will improve mental health services in the region and the province.

National Mental Health Week

May 5-11, is National Mental Health Week 2008. The theme of this years Mental Health Week is Mental Health: Make it Your Business. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) wants Canadians to achieve a better work-life balance.
Read more [Nation Talk - native newswire]

Province contributes $1.9 million for children's mental health centre

The Alberta government is contributing $1.9 million towards the Tuer Children’s Mental Health Centre expansion in Calgary to provide assistance to children and families struggling with complex mental health issues.

Operated by Wood’s Homes, these facility upgrades will help the 94-year-old agency meet increased demand for mental health services. The expansion will enable Wood’s Homes to accommodate the increased demand for mental health services due to rapid population growth. Children and families in rural Alberta will also be assisted through outreach services. Community agencies and not-for-profit groups that assist youth use the Children’s Mental Health Centre for training sessions, case conferences, teleconference training and community committee work.

Mental Health Commission of Canada Outlines Startling Statistics at Public Forum on Homelessness & Mental Illness

VANCOUVER, April 28 - The statistics are disturbing, but there is hope. That was the message from the Honourable Michael Kirby, Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, as he delivered the keynote address at the Collaboration for Change forum in Vancouver today.
Read more [Nation Talk - native newswire]

Forgiveness her key to recovery

The Province will profile this year's recipients of the Courage to Come Back Awards. It's the 10th year the Coast Mental Health Foundation has honoured those who have inspired others by their ability to overcome great obstacles. The six recipients will be honoured at a gala dinner May 8 at the downtown Hyatt Hotel. Today's profile is of Marlene Swift, the recipient in the addiction category.
Read more [The Province]

Kaiser Foundation Recognize 2008 National Awards for Excellence Winners at Calgary Event

CALGARY, April 25 - The Kaiser Foundation has honoured seven outstanding Canadians and organizations selected for this year's National Awards for Excellence (NAE) in the fields of mental health and addictions.
Read more [Nation Talk - native newswire]

Homeless Crisis Grows While Canada Prospers

by Daphne Bramham - April 19, 2008

Not since the Great Depression have so many Canadians been homeless or at risk of losing the roofs over their heads. But what makes the homeless crisis different from the 1930s is that this is not the result of a natural disaster. It's the result of a perfect storm of failed government policies...Canada has become the only developed country in the world that has neither a national housing plan or a national mental health strategy.

The Government of Canada helps Canadians with disabilities find meaningful employment

Budget 2008 addresses population growth pressures, workforce challenges in health

Budget highlights:

Health and Wellness program spending increases by $1.1 billion, or 9.1 per cent, to $13.2 billion.
Base operating funding to health authorities increases by $524 millionto $7.1 billion, an average eight per cent increase.
$1.4 billion for capital projects in 2008-09 including infrastructure projects, information systems development and the purchase of vaccines. Total includes $1.3 billion for capital grants to health authorities. Over $3.3 billion in capital support is planned over the next three years. This is an increase of $294 million over the previous plan, with $151 million of this increase for capital maintenance and renewal.
An additional $20 million addresses workforce priorities. Funding is over and above dollars already provided through the province’s Health Workforce Action Plan.
$157.5 million for health promotion and injury and disease prevention. Of this funding, $3.7 million will be used to implement an infection prevention and control strategy and standards.
$29 million allocated for initiatives under the Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force, including increasing the number of mental health and residential treatment beds, as well as introducing comprehensive mental health services for inmates.

Happy Earth Day 2008 - some health equity thoughts!

Today is Earth Day 2008 - and a very happy birthday to a much-abused dear old planet Earth!

Statistics Canada has released this morning an update to its Human Activity and the Environment series that reports, among other things, that the emission of green house gases are up by 25% from 1990 to 2005. Lots more troubling indicators, including a stunning chart showing the remorseless rise in mean global temperatures.

Clean air and moderate temperatures are fundamental to good health. As Toronto braces for more smog days and extreme heat alerts, it’s important to remember that a safe and healthy environment, like most other determinants of health, is a fundamental health equity concern.

Some people in our city are more financially able to mitigate some of the worst effects of smog and heat than others (with air conditioning, vacations out of the city, etc.).

The Government of Canada helps Canadians with disabilities find meaningful employment

From drugs and sex to a life of hope

Every Monday until May 5, The Province will profile this year's recipients of the Courage to Come Back Awards. It's the 10th year the Coast Mental Health Foundation has honoured those who have inspired others by their ability to overcome great obstacles. The six recipients will be honoured at a gala dinner May 8 at the downtown Hyatt Hotel. Today's profile is of Trisha Baptie, recipient in the social-adversity category.