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Though Connecticut's benefits cliff persists, there are other programs helping people maintain benefits of some kind when their income pushes them over the limit. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

CT Day of Action raises awareness on 'benefits cliff'

Today, groups working with lower-income families in Connecticut are raising awareness about the state's "benefits cliff" with a day of action…

Nearly 60% of Connecticut's almost 113,000 undocumented immigrants do not have access to any form of health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Day of action focuses on CT undocumented residents' health care needs

Today, Connecticut health care advocates are holding a student day of action. They will speak to state lawmakers about raising the age limit for …

Research shows inpatient emergency services drop by 70% after a stay in a peer-run respite center. (Adobe Stock)

CT bill creates mental health peer-run respite centers

A Connecticut bill under consideration in the Legislature would establish peer-run respite centers to help people with mental illness. Senate Bill 37…

Insurance rates on plans offered in the Connecticut Affordable Care Act Exchange rose on average around 9.4%, reduced from the requested 12.4%. Small-group plan rates increased on average 7.4%, reduced from a requested increase of 14.8%. (Adobe Stock)

CT insurance committee fails to advance legislation

Connecticut's Insurance and Real Estate Committee failed to advance any bills by its legislative deadline. Almost 40 bills were brought before the …

In Connecticut, Alzheimer's caregivers provide 201 million hours of unpaid care, which is valued at $4.2 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates for Alzheimer's patients seek more help from CT lawmakers

People who support those with Alzheimer's disease are in Hartford today, asking Connecticut lawmakers to do more for families facing the brain …

Religion is an important part of Black LGBTQ+ youth's lives, with 77% being raised with religious values. But the report notes most respondents said their religion was

Report finds Black LGBTQ+ youth hardships easing a bit

A new report said Black LGBTQ+ youth are seeing more equality, in Connecticut and the U.S. but it does not always mean greater opportunity. The …

Research shows older veteran populations make up the bulk of suicide deaths, although experts say it is due to the size of this group. (Adobe Stock)

CT mental-health pros seek ways to reduce veteran suicides

Connecticut and U.S. mental health professionals are working to address suicide among military veterans. Research shows a 95% increase in veteran …

Too much political news can cause stress, which has been linked to a series of physical health impacts, including inflammation, a compromised immune system, digestive issues, heart disease and weight gain. (Adobe Stock)

Research: Too much political news can affect your health

As beneficial as it is to keep up with current events, too much political news can be detrimental to a person's mental health. Numerous studies are …

Report: More than 119,000 young adults in CT 'disconnected' or at risk

Connecticut has what one group sees as an overwhelming population of "disconnected" young people, from ages 18 to 26, who aren't in school and aren't …

The American Health Professionals Association has recommended a series of strategic measures to aid the public health community in improving civic participation, including adding voting and civic participation to the Healthy People framework, educating public health professionals and partners about the importance of inclusive voting policies, and advocating for policies to make voting easier. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Voting critical to improving U.S. health care

A new report concluded voting benefits your health as much as democracy. The American College of Physicians study showed poor election practices …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds loneliness costs the U.S. economy around $406 billion a year, along with an estimated $6.7 billion a year in Medicare costs for socially isolated older adults. (Adobe Stock)

Loneliness, isolation on the rise around the holidays

As festive as the holidays can be, isolation and loneliness peak at this time of year. A 2022 survey finds 55% of Americans experience increased …

A report by DataHaven showed health inequities have led to around 14,000 deaths in Connecticut, predominantly among the state's Black population. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Discrimination rampant in CT, US health care

Despite efforts to the contrary, people across Connecticut and the U.S. experienced discrimination in health care. A DataHaven report found between 1…

About 60% of adults with medical debt said they have cut back on necessities such as food or clothing, while more than half of adults from households with incomes below $40,000 reported they have used up their savings to pay for their medical debt. (Adobe Stock)

CT residents struggle with medical debt despite available financial aid

Health care advocates said too often medical patients in Connecticut who are eligible for financial aid to help cover the cost of their care are not i…

Only 4% of adults feel the government is functioning properly, a Pew Research Center poll found. Discontent for both political parties is only growing, and most people equate negative sentiments with modern political debates. (Adobe Stock)

Tips for navigating difficult conversations this holiday season

As political divisiveness grows, holiday gatherings at home and work can lead to increased arguments and severe relationship damage. National …

The University of Connecticut is offering a program to prepare students to become licensed professional counselors. It combines a 600-hour internship where students combine clinical work with what they learn in class, as part of a move to develop a better pipeline into the behavioral health system. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT needs to bolster child behavioral health system

A report has found Connecticut could do more to strengthen its youth behavioral health system. Connecticut and the U.S. are facing an increasing …

The United Way of Connecticut found 89% of 988 callers in crisis reported their feelings of crisis declined during a call. In the state, fewer than 1% of callers required active rescue from emergency responders, while the national average is 2%. (Adobe Stock)

A Year of 988: CT Mental Health Advocates Cite Benefits

A little more than a year ago, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline adopted the shorter number 988. Since then, mental-health advocates in …

A 2023 Gallup poll found adults younger than 30 and those earning less than $24,000 per year suffer higher levels of daily loneliness. (Adobe Stock)

CT Group Aims to Address Growing Trend of Loneliness

A Connecticut group is working to reduce the growing trend of loneliness. The Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness, a part of For All Ages…

In Connecticut, 128,000 family caregivers provide 201 million hours of unpaid care to people affected by Alzheimer's disease, estimated to be worth $4.2 billion. (Adobe Stock)

CT Group Aims to Expand Access to Alzheimer’s Treatment

During Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, experts are seeking better access to Alzheimer's treatment drugs. In Connecticut, 80,000 people age 65 …

Although Connecticut's rankings in most health-related areas declined in the latest Kids Count Data Book, the state saw minor improvement in the number of children with health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT Children Need Health, Education Investments

Investments in education and health are needed to bolster Connecticut's children, a new annual report found. In the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids …

As part of Connecticut's Plan on Aging, more funding has been allocated to bolster senior center programs. This is to help provide services for the state's growing older population, which is set to increase by 57% by 2040. (Adobe Stock)

'We Welcome Everyone': CT Senior Centers Rebound Post-Pandemic

As Connecticut and the rest of the U.S. leave the COVID-19 pandemic behind, senior centers are welcoming back participants they have not seen in a …

According to data from Connecticut's Public Health Department, one in nine adults in the state reported having poor mental health for 14 days or more in a month. Meanwhile, one in six adults in the state has been diagnosed with depression. (Adobe Stock)

CT Aims to Keep People Safe During Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which spotlights the issues in Connecticut and across the U.S. Although suicide rates in …

April to October 2020 saw a 31% increase in emergency department visits for mental health concerns in pre-teens and teens, ages 12 through 17. (Adobe Stock)

More Can Be Done to Boost Youth Mental Health in CT, U.S.

Connecticut ranks among the top 10 states in offering access to mental health services for its youth population, according to the latest report from …

If passed by Congress, military survivors of sexual trauma could receive peer-support services at their local Veterans Affairs office. There are more than a dozen offices throughout Connecticut. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Bill Offers Peer Support to Military Sexual-Assault Survivors

Bipartisan federal legislation introduced this week would provide more personalized mental health services to survivors of military sexual assault and…

In 2020, Connecticut had 219 firearm deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Hartford Launches Hospital-Based Gun-Violence Intervention Program

With firearm deaths in Connecticut and across the country on the rise, a new initiative in Hartford aims to interrupt gun violence through a …

The Gallup-Lumina report also found the financial cost of college is an important reason some students don't continue their education. The average student debt for Connecticut residents is $35,000. (Adobe Stock)

College Students Who "Stopped Out" Want to Return, But Face Challenges

In the wake of disruptions and losses due to COVID-19, research shows the majority of college students in Connecticut and beyond who left school over …

With the expiration of the federal Child Tax Credit, the Recovery For All Coalition is calling for a state-level child tax credit of $600 per child for families earning less than $210,000 a year. (Adobe Stock)

CT Coalition Calls for Public Investments Ahead of Legislative Session

A coalition of Connecticut's labor and community organizations has sent a letter to Gov. Ned Lamont and lawmakers outlining public investments they …

A spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services says COVID outbreaks among staffers and patients have led to temporary halts to addiction-treatment admissions during the pandemic. (Google Maps)

Union: CT Must Address Staffing at Addiction Treatment Centers

A Connecticut health-care workers' union is raising concerns over what it calls a "staffing crisis" in addiction services that led the state to close …

For the Livable Communities grant, AARP Connecticut prioritized funding projects that enhance affordable-housing options for people age 50 and older and create safe public spaces for older adults as well. (Adobe Stock)

AARP CT Grants Support Enhancing Outdoor Rec, Community Spaces

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The latest round of an AARP Connecticut program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to organizations and municipalities improving …

Connecticut's Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services says the state is closing Hartford's 10-bed mental-health treatment center because the building's lease was not renewed. (Adobe Stock)

CT Closing Mental Health, Addiction Facility for Young Adults

HARTFORD, Conn. - Connecticut plans to close a transitional living facility in Hartford next month for people ages 18 to 25, which means fewer …

According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, fentanyl was involved in 85% of drug overdoses in the state in 2020. (Adobe Stock)<br />

CT Addiction-Prevention Groups Seek Aid to Lower Fatal Overdoses

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Addiction-prevention specialists in Connecticut are pushing for investments in substance-use disorder programs to combat the …

According to AARP Connecticut, 47% of family caregivers have had at least one financial setback, such as having less money for retirement or savings, or cutting back on their own healthcare spending. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Aid Could Offset Costs for CT Family Caregivers

HARTFORD, Conn. - In Connecticut, more than 460,000 people care for close friends or family members who can't manage on their own - and their …

According to the 2021 Kids Count Data Book, the number of Connecticut children ages 3 and 4 not enrolled in preschool has dropped in the last decade, from 38% in 2009-2011 to 34% in 2017-2019. (Adobe Stock)

Report Suggests More CT Families Backslid Financially in Pandemic

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut ranks in the top 10 states for children's education and health, but its families rank lower in terms of economic well-…

According to a CDC survey conducted from August 2020 to February 2021, people who reported an unmet mental-health care need jumped from 9.2% to 11.7%. (Adobe Stock)

CT Group Seeks to Break Stigmas Around Mental Illness

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and groups in Connecticut are hoping to increase understanding and acceptance of the …

A New London peer-navigator program could aid first responders in mental-health emergencies. Only 30% of New London police officers have crisis-intervention training, according to the city's Human Services Department. (Mario Beauregard/Adobe Stock)

One CT City Makes Emergency Mental-Health Calls a Priority

NEW LONDON, Conn. - A first-in-the-state pilot program could soon offer a different approach to how agencies in Connecticut respond to emergency …

In Sept. 2020, opioid deaths in parts of the United States were 25 to 50% higher than in 2019, according to a GAO report about the effects of the pandemic on the need for mental-health and substance-use care. (Adobe Stock)

State Health-care Workers in Middletown Seek End to Staffing Crisis

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed there has been greater demand for behavioral health …

According to a new report by the Marie Christie Foundation, one in five college faculty members has had one-on-one discussions with a student about that student's mental well-being. (Adobe Stock)

Report: For Mental-Health Concerns, College Students Turn to Faculty

HARTFORD, Conn. - Emotional distress among college students is on the rise, and a new report says faculty members want more mental-health training to …

According to the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, over 1.1 million COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have been detected among people with disabilities living in congregate settings. Connecticut accounts for about 0.02% of that number. (Adobe Stock)

On World Autism Acceptance Day, Advocates Seek More Than Awareness

HARTFORD, Conn. - Today is World Autism Acceptance Day, and this year, advocates for people with developmental disabilities are raising awareness …

The most recent count of Connecticut's homeless population saw a 4% decrease between January 2019 and January 2020, but that was before the pandemic, and numbers have likely jumped since then. (Adobe Stock)

CT Lawmakers Consider Bill to End Homelessness

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A landmark bill that would make housing a human right for all Connecticut residents is making its way through the General Assembly…

Video featuring patient Dan Winter, on his use of the Dementia Values and Priorities online tool.

On World Alzheimer’s Day, New Tools for End-of-Life Decisions

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Today, in honor of World Alzheimer's Day, a new online tool makes its debut to help people decide whether they want doctors to …

New research confirms that placing children in kinship care with grandparents or other family members improves outcomes. (Aline Dassel/Pixabay)

Connecticut Setting Trend in Foster-Care Placement

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut is making great progress in placing foster children in family settings and kinship care, according to a new …

More that 750,000 people with disabilities are incarcerated in the United States. (USA-Reiseblogger/pixabay)

Criminal Justice Reform Benefits People with Disabilities

HARTFORD, Conn. – The criminal justice reform bill making its way through Congress will help thousands of people with disabilities re-enter …

Young people in the foster care system who feel their identity isn't supported may suffer serious impacts to their mental health. (Momentmal/Pixabay)

Report: CT Foster Teens Need Identity Development Support

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Adolescents in foster care need additional support as they explore their racial, spiritual and gender identities, according …

Connecticut has the third highest cost of incarceration in the nation. (TayebMEZAHDIA/pixabay)

Formerly Incarcerated Need Jobs, Opportunities

HARTFORD, Conn. – People who've spent time in Connecticut jails and prisons are asking the state to invest in opportunities for all instead of …

After 1978, the number of women in prison nationwide increased at twice the rate of men. (jodylehigh/Pixabay)

CT Succeeding in Reducing Incarceration Rates for Women

HARTFORD, Conn. – The rate of incarceration for women in Connecticut is falling faster than the rate for men, but a new study finds that's not …

A permanent connection with a caring adult is important for a young person's development. (Free-Photos/Pixabay)

Report: Adolescents in Foster Care Need Opportunities to Thrive

HARTFORD, Conn. – Positive interactions with the child-welfare system can be particularly critical for adolescents, according to a recent …

Countries that restrict access to military-style weapons have far fewer mass shootings. (meketrefe/Pixabay)

Expert: Mental Illness, Mass Shootings Not Linked

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The latest mass shootings have led to calls for enhanced reporting of mental health records. But mental health experts say that …

Keeping high-needs patients healthy reduces hospitalizations and emergency room visits, according to a new report. (CDC/Amanda Mills)

Report: Community Health Workers Improve Outcomes, Cut Costs

HARTFORD, Conn. – Community health workers, who provide a link between patients and clinical care, can improve the health of high-needs …

More than 55,000 Connecticut residents receive home- and community-based services funded by Medicaid. (agilemktg1/Flickr)

AHCA Could End Home-, Community-Based Care for Thousands in CT

HARTFORD, Conn. – The GOP health bill now in the U.S. Senate would be especially harmful to seniors and people with disabilities, according to …

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CT: Mental Health