Finland Tops World Happiness Report List — Again — As US Rises To No. 16

NPR: Americans Got A Bit Happier Last Year, But They've Still Got Nothing On The Finns
The World Happiness Report's annual rankings remain remarkably stable despite the lingering effects of the pandemic across the globe. Finland once again ranked the happiest according to people's self-reported assessment of their lives on a scale of zero to 10, with zero being the worst possible life they could have expected to have, and 10 being the best. Finland's neighbors, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway, all ranked in the top 10. The United States saw its ranking edge up slightly from last year, from 19th to 16th. (Dean Hopkins, 3/18)

And trauma during infancy is studied —

The Washington Post: Trauma In Infancy Can Have A Lingering Effect Throughout Life 
Are infants too young to experience and remember painful emotions or traumatic events? A growing body of research suggests no, and researchers believe that if left untreated, trauma experienced in infancy can sometimes result in lifelong health consequences. Beyond such obvious triggers as war and terrorism, exposure to domestic violence, natural disasters such as a house fire, physical abuse and community violence are examples of experienced events that can be traumatic for infants, experts say. (Reilly, 3/20)

In other mental health news —

AP: Most Vermont Barracks Now Have A Mental Health Crisis Worker
Nearly all of the state police barracks in Vermont now have an embedded mental health crisis worker. The Burlington Free Press reports that the Vermont Department of Public Safety has hired mental health workers for nine of its 10 barracks, who ride in cruisers with troopers and interact with the public alone while the trooper stays in the car when it’s safe to do so. (3/19)

AP: Lawmakers Seek Increase In School Mental Health Services 
Connecticut lawmakers are looking at ways to increase mental health services for school students, and a recent report has illuminated where the help is needed most. The legislative task force, led by the state Department of Health, began meeting late in 2021 to look at how and where the services should be offered. (3/20)

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Mental Health Emergency Center Receives $2.5 Million
More funding has been procured for the Milwaukee County Mental Health Emergency Center, as the center eyes a September opening. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced last August that he was allocating $5.7 million for the center, which will serve county residents. This week, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced in a news release that she had worked to secure just over $2.5 million for the center, 1525 N. 12th St., Milwaukee. “Many people are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges as the result of a pandemic that has brought disruption, isolation and stress," Baldwin said in the release. "We need to provide more support for people and this legislation does just that, including better mental health services for kids who have had to endure a great deal throughout this pandemic." (Casey, 3/18)

Salt Lake Tribune: Officials Hope Mental Health Facility Can Reduce Burden On Hospitals, Jails
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox broke ground on the Washington County Receiving Center on Friday with representatives from state, county, law enforcement agencies and mental health providers in attendance. The facility, which will be completed in the next eight months, will offer social detox for those with substance abuse problems, beds for those needing more long-term care and crisis response teams. “For far too long, we’ve been asking our law enforcement officers to do things that are not their responsibility and put them in terrible situations,” Cox said, adding that local police often carry the burden of being mental health therapists in addition to responding to crises. (Lee Bitsóí, 3/19)