Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
California Governor Signs Bill Allowing Easier Forced Mental Health Holds
San Francisco Chronicle: Newsom Signs Bill Making It Easier To Place People On Psychiatric Hold
California will expand its standards for involuntary medical treatment to include people whose mental illness or drug addiction inhibits their ability to keep themselves safe, under a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom. ... Advocates of SB43 said it was needed because the law currently applies only to people who are unable to provide their own basic food, clothing and shelter or who are found to be mentally incompetent. (Bollag and Egelko, 10/10)
On social media's effect on mental health —
USA Today: Utah Lawsuit Claims TikTok Baits Children Into Destructive Habits
“We're tired of TikTok lying to Utah parents," Cox said. "We're tired of our kids losing their innocence and even their lives addicted to the dark side of social media." Utah officials cited public health concerns and research showing the impact social media has on children's mental health, including risks of depression, anxiety, higher levels of developmental sensitivity and disruptions to neurological development. (Nguyen, 10/10)
AP: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Say Social Media Is Harming Kids
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Tuesday called for social media platforms to adopt better content-moderation policies and other fixes, saying modifications need to be made to addictive apps that can harm young people’s mental health. The couple spoke at a panel discussion coordinated by their Archewell Foundation in New York City as part of a second annual mental health awareness festival hosted by a nonprofit called Project Healthy Minds. (Hadero, 10/10)
Also —
Axios: America's Mental Health Crisis Is Getting Worse
A trio of new studies paints a grim picture of how overdose deaths, depression and barriers to care are weighing heaviest on disadvantaged and minority groups — and are aligning to widen health disparities as the U.S. emerges from the pandemic. (Owens, 10/11)
Axios: Surgeon General: Mental Health Key To Healing Political Divisiveness
The issue of mental health is "fundamentally impacting the fabric of society," U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said during a recent event hosted ahead of Tuesday's World Mental Health Day. Political divisiveness, climate change, COVID, gun violence and social media are among stressors taking a simultaneous toll on mental health, which in turn fuels more harmful behaviors. (King, 10/10)
The Texas Tribune: As West Texas’ Population Grows, The Need For More Mental Health Care Does Too
About five years ago, Midland County faced a hard truth: Its jail was full. The swelling was caused in part by an increase in incarcerated people who needed mental health evaluations. The nearest behavioral center, where those evaluations could take place, was also at capacity. (Ramos, 10/10)
Houston Chronicle: Lina Hidalgo Returns From Leave, Talks National Mental Health Month
Harris County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to designate October as National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, approving the measure as County Judge Lina Hidalgo presided over her first meeting since returning from medical leave to receive treatment for clinical depression. ... On Tuesday, she urged others to recognize the signs that they need help. “Let’s educate ourselves and our children about that,” Hidalgo said, adding that “treatment does work, and it’s fantastic.” (Rice, 10/10)
