SAMHSA: Meeting of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Advisory Council (SAMHSA NAC) Federal Register
Jul 20, 2018 - Notice of a public meeting of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Advisory Council (SAMHSA NAC) on August 2, 2018. Agenda items include remarks from the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use; updates from the Department of Health and Human Services' Operating Divisions; updates from the ex-officio members, and a council discussion.
Source: Federal Register
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SAMHSA: Advisory Committee for Women's Services (ACWS); Notice of Meeting Federal Register
Jul 17, 2018 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Advisory Committee for Women’s Services (ACWS) will hold an open meeting on August 1, 2018. Agenda items include an assessment of SAMHSA's current strategies and a discussion on American Indian/Native American women with behavioral health needs. Additionally, the ACWS will speak with the Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use regarding access to behavioral health services for women and children.
Source: Federal Register
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SAMHSA: Center for Mental Health Services; Notice of Meeting Federal Register
Jul 5, 2018 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announces a meeting of the Center For Mental Health Services National Advisory Council (NAC) to be held on August 1, 2018. Items for discussion include the Center's policy issues, updates on the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee, presentations on suicide prevent, school mental health and child trauma, and a conversation with the Assistance Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use.
Source: Federal Register
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Texas Clinics Busting Traditional Silos Of Mental And Physical Health Care
Jul 5, 2018 - Highlights efforts in Texas to provide integrated mental and physical healthcare. This is especially difficult in rural areas of the state, which already struggle to recruit providers and which may not be able to support the additional workforce.
Source: Kaiser Health News
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A Conversation with Katie Peterson
Jul 3, 2018 - Radio interview with Katie Peterson, Chief Nursing Officer at Pender Community Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in Pender, Nebraska. Discussion includes Pender and its hospital, recruitment and retention, and the hospital's work with behavioral health and telehealth, among other things.
Source: Rural Health Leadership Radio
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Rural Areas Have The Highest Suicide Rates And Fewest Mental Health Workers
Jun 18, 2018 - Details the great need for mental health professionals in rural areas of the county, with a particular focus on Nebraska. 65% of non-metropolitan counties do not have a psychiatrist, and almost half of those don't have a psychologist either. Touches on efforts to recruit providers to rural areas.
Source: The Huffington Post
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HHS Makes $350 Million Available to Fight the Opioid Crisis in Community Health Centers Nationwide
Jun 15, 2018 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $350 million in new funding through the Expanding Access to Quality Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services funding opportunity. This funding will allow community health centers to invest in personnel and one-time infrastructure enhancements to address immediate barriers to implementing or expanding substance use disorder and mental health services. Applications are due July 16, 2018.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Suicide Rates Rising Across the U.S.
Jun 7, 2018 - Press release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighting the findings of their most recent Vital Signs report examining state-level trends in suicide rates from 1999-2016. Not only are suicide rates rising in almost every state, but more than half of people who died by suicide did not have a known diagnosed mental health condition at the time of their death. Although increases varied between states, twenty five states had suicide rate increase of more than 30%.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Senate Bill Seeks To Help Farmers Obtain Mental Health Services
Jun 4, 2018 - Details a bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate aiming to improve access to mental health services and financial help in an effort to reduce rural suicide, with a focus on farmers and ranchers. The bill would attempt to strengthen networks like hotlines and suicide prevention programs by channeling $10 million in competitive grants to nonprofits, state extension offices, or state departments of agriculture.
Source: KUNC
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President Trump’s Executive Order Supporting Mental Health Care for Transitioning Service Members Now Underway
May 31, 2018 - In January 2018, President Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collaborate to provide improved access to mental healthcare and suicide resources to veterans with a focus on the first year following military service. The VA has announced that the White House has approved an interagency plan to implement this directive.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
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SAMHSA Is Announcing the Availability of up to $95.9 Million for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants
May 24, 2018 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for grants totaling up to $95.9 million over the next two years through the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants in order to increase access to and improve the quality of community behavioral health services through the expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. SAMHSA expects to fund up to 25 grantees with up to $2 million per year for up to two years.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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