mental-health

Medical exceptions to abortion bans often exclude mental health conditions

BY: - October 30, 2023

More than a dozen states now have near-total abortion bans following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, with limited medical exceptions meant to protect the patient’s health or life. But among those states, only Alabama explicitly includes “serious mental illness” as an allowable exception. Meanwhile, 10 states with near-total abortion bans (Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming) explicitly exclude mental health conditions as legal exceptions, according to an analysis from KFF, a health policy research organization.

Pa. Senate committee advances bill to restrict children’s access to social media

BY: - September 19, 2023

A state Senate committee on Tuesday unanimously voted to advance a bill that would add restrictions to children’s social media use. Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), one of the prime co-sponsors of SB 22 along with with Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), said during the Communications and Technology Committee hearing that the goal of the legislation was […]

COMMENTARY

Suicide prevention is a priority for me now

BY: - September 10, 2023

If you or someone you know is in a crisis, call, text or chat the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. In Colorado, you can contact Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255. If you need help with grief and loss, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers advice and resources. […]

COMMENTARY

For the mothers the pandemic has left behind

BY: - August 8, 2023

Moms are tired. Bone-tired. That’s the word that comes up again and again whenever I talk to other mothers these days. No matter how strong you think you are, the last few years have taken a crushing toll. Everyone bears the scars of the pandemic in different ways. But there have been so many other […]

‘Young people are showing the adults the way,’ Shapiro says about mental health investments

BY: - May 17, 2023

Shapiro — who also made the trip to promote his $44.4 billion budget proposal — said school districts should get to decide how best to help their students.

COMMENTARY
USE ONCE ONLY -- PARENTS AND KID ART

Parents had high rates of anxiety and depression during COVID. That affected kids | Opinion

BY: - January 22, 2023

Decades of research clearly demonstrate that the mental health of parents and their children are inextricably linked.

COMMENTARY
Direct service providers rally for more money in the 2022-23 state budget at the Pennsylvania state Capitol on May 24, 2022 in Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

Let’s get serious about ending prudent pay in Pennsylvania | Opinion

BY: - October 20, 2022

Lawmakers should pass the bill before the end of the year.

Wolf admin. celebrates launch of 988 helpline, says there’s more work to be done

BY: - July 20, 2022

In Pennsylvania, 988 will connect callers and texters to one of the commonwealth’s 13 crisis call centers for support. In communities where mobile crisis mental health teams are available, the call centers can dispatch those teams to “provide on-site support and interventions,” according to DHS. 

Abortion rights advocates. (Photo by Astrid Riecken/Getty Images).

Experts warn of the mental health toll if Roe v. Wade is overturned

BY: - June 14, 2022

On May 3, the day after Politico first reported a leaked draft opinion that showed the nation’s highest court was set to strike down the ruling, the American Psychological Association said in a statement that it was “deeply concerned” about the prospect, citing potential “harm to women’s mental health.”

Schools stare down teen mental health crisis as they prepare for largely virtual year

BY: - August 23, 2020

Psychologists and pediatricians say children learn and develop best in schools, where they can socialize with peers under the eye of watchful adults. 

COMMENTARY

Growing mental health concerns deserve sustainable investment | Opinion

BY: - May 22, 2020

Even before the pandemic, counties’ abilities to meet service needs had been compromised by stagnant funding over a decade, at the same time that mandates, service needs and demands continued to increase.

COMMENTARY

Occupational therapists have a role to play in Wolf’s plan to fight mental illness. Here’s how | Opinion

BY: - January 28, 2020

Expanding occupational therapy in the prison systems will increase quality of life and potentially reduce recidivism in Pennsylvania.