Lauren Silverman, KERA

In Texas, People With Mental Illness Find Work Helping Peers

KFF Health News Original

Peer support, well-known in addiction treatment, is gaining ground for people with serious mental illness. Texas and 35 other states are training and paying peer support specialists to help bridge a gap in mental health treatment.

In Texas, Abstinence-Only Programs May Contribute To Teen Pregnancies

KFF Health News Original

Across the U.S., the number of teenagers having babies has hit a record low — it’s down to about 1 out of every 45 young women. That trend hasn’t extended to certain parts of Texas, however, where the teen birth rate is still nearly twice the national average.

Kratom Gets Reprieve From Drug Enforcement Administration

KFF Health News Original

The agency has decided to leave kratom off its list of highly restricted drugs for now. The DEA is asking for public comment and help from the Food and Drug Administration in evaluating kratom.