Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
New York City Launches Initiative Focused On The Mental Health Of Pregnant Women, New Mothers
The Wall Street Journal: A New York Initiative To Promote Mental Health
Doctors in New York City will soon be asking new mothers some extra questions during medical visits. Along with “How’s your baby?” they’ll also ask, “And how are you?” The new initiative to screen all pregnant women and new mothers for maternal depression was announced Tuesday by Chirlane McCray, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s wife, at a news conference at Bellevue Hospital. (MacMillan, 11/17)
The Texas Tribune: Report Recommends Police Reform Mental Health Policies
Holding up San Antonio as an example, a report by a justice system policy group recommends that law enforcement agencies change their practices regarding mental illness, sex workers and addiction without waiting for legislative action. (Silver, 11/17)
North Carolina Health News: Proposed Cuts To Mental Health Services Rankle State Officials, Lawmakers, Advocates
Cardinal Innovations, one of North Carolina’s state-funded mental health managed care organizations, announced last week it would be changing the benefits offered to people with mental health and substance use issues and intellectual and developmental disabilities, effective this Friday. In a bulletin issued to service providers dated Nov. 11, Cardinal announced that people currently receiving services such as treatment from a Community Support Team, which provides “community-based mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation services” for people with “complex and extensive treatment needs,” will continue to receive those services. But effective Nov. 20, no new clients will be eligible for the service. (Hoban, 11/17)
The Columbus Post-Dispatch: Families Struggle With Ohio’s Mental-Health-Care System
Debbie Sizemore begged emergency-department doctors to reconsider. But they said her delusional husband wasn’t a threat, not to her or anyone. (Riepenhoff, Wagner and Kurtzman, 11/18)
In related news -
The Washington Post: It’s 3 A.M. And You’re Feeling Depressed. How Technology Is Transforming Mental Health Care.
When he’s having a hard time coping, the 23-year-old Maryland man can get extra support with a few quick taps on his smartphone. That takes him to the Big White Wall, an online service that provides help 24/7 to people who are struggling with problems such as depression, stress and anxiety. It offers educational resources and courses led by mental health professionals. It also offers peer encouragement through virtual conversations. ... The service, which has been running in the United Kingdom for nearly a decade, is now drawing attention from several U.S. health systems looking for ways to increase access, especially in rural areas with few if any psychiatrists, counselors or even social workers. (Sun, 11/15)
