Massachusetts Gov. Patrick Signs Bill To Help State Identify, Treat Children With Mental Illnesses
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) on Thursday signed into law a bill that will help the state identify and treat children with mental illnesses, the AP/Boston Globe reports. The law will:
- Encourage physicians to screen children for mental illnesses during visits;
- Provide training to help teachers, guidance counselors and nurses identify the mental illnesses in students;
- Require the state Department of Early Education and Care to provide consultation services in early education and care programs to help identify children with mental illnesses earlier; and
- Establish a behavioral health research and evaluation council that will promote collaboration among state agencies to ensure that children with mental illnesses receive appropriate services.
According to a recent report from Children's Hospital Boston and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, each year about 100,000 of the more than 140,000 children in the state who require treatment for mental illnesses do not receive such care (LeBlanc, AP/Boston Globe, 8/21). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
