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Minnesota's Center for Rural Policy and Development said in rural settings, parents are often forced to take a child to the emergency room during a mental health crisis. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Rural MN families have few options for youth mental healthcare

Gaps in mental health care are a common research topic right now and for Minnesota youth in rural areas, a new report showed their families face big …

AARP says between 3 million and 4 million Medicare enrollees nationwide are estimated to benefit from the new out-of-pocket federal cap every year between 2025 and 2029. Of the total, 40,050 are in Minnesota. (Adobe Stock)

Picture becomes clearer on drug cost savings for older Minnesotans

Consumer advocates have long detailed how older adults struggle to manage the cost of their medications but hope is emerging in Minnesota and elsewher…

In August, experts advise parents to pay attention to their child's mood, to spot and help soothe any anxiety from back-to-school jitters. (Adobe Stock)

Back to school time: Easing your child into the routine

Minnesota children will soon head back to school and experts have a few tips to get them back into a routine and make sure they're in good shape…

According to the national organization Inseparable, Minnesota's 988 mental health crisis call line is within federal goals related to answer rates. (Adobe Stock)

MN part of deeper look into '988' crisis line effectiveness

A new report examined the rollout of the 988 mental health crisis line in each state, including Minnesota. The revamped National Suicide and Crisis …

Violence Free Minnesota reported in 2018 through 2022, nearly 67% of bystanders or intervenors to domestic violence were killed by an abusive person using a firearm. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS ruling instills hope for domestic violence prevention groups

Domestic-violence prevention organizations in Minnesota continue to express relief over a U.S. Supreme Court ruling dealing with abusers having …

The research community reported sexually exploited boys commonly experience adverse mental health effects including depression, PTSD and substance use disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Report sheds light on service gap for boys who are sexually exploited

Experts in the fight against the sexual exploitation of minors said there is a gap in highlighting how young men are targeted and new research said ma…

The pandemic brought a new focus on mental-health care needs, but the industry says it's still adapting to increased demands for services. (Adobe Stock)

Mental health care and MN's facility crunch

Human services leaders say Minnesota is in a mental-health crisis, complicating efforts to manage behavioral health facilities. Closure plans for …

Uninsured people are more likely to support public health insurance programs, but are less likely to vote than people with health insurance, according to the American College of Physicians. Studies show this trend has contributed to a lack of Medicaid expansion in states that could benefit from it. (Adobe Stock)

Medical community: Voting plays role in boosting health care access

Voting is not only good for democracy, it is also good for your health, according to one of the nation's largest medical associations. The American …

According to the most recent Minnesota Student Survey, rates of online gambling increased from 2.4% in 2019 to 4.6% in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Measuring the online gaming and gambling risk for MN youth

Minnesota announced this week it has joined a multistate lawsuit against Facebook's parent company Meta, over claims of addictive social media …

New research being presented within the American College of Surgeons showed not only did pediatric trauma cases move higher during the pandemic, but disadvantaged patients also had significantly worse trauma outcomes than less vulnerable patients. (Adobe Stock)

Study links pandemic with uptick in pediatric trauma cases

Medical researchers are out with new findings, which underscore how some communities saw more devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new …

Federal health officials say dementia affects nearly 7 million Americans. That number is projected to double by 2060. (Adobe Stock)

Closing care gaps, finding wellness tools for those with dementia

This fall, a key federal agency is taking applications from providers who want to join a nationwide model to improve Alzheimer's care. Minnesota …

Health coverage aid groups and providers warn if you wait until the last minute and rush your enrollment for an insurance plan, you could end up in the wrong program or with benefits that do not suit your needs. (Adobe Stock)

Health Coverage 101: Early research, expert guidance keep pitfalls at bay

When it comes to open enrollment and navigating health insurance options, experts say starting your research sooner rather than later is the best …

In 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than four in 10 students felt persistently sad or hopeless. Education observers said it has prompted more demand for mental health services in schools. (Adobe Stock)

Assessing Need for School Counselors Amid SRO Debate in MN

Minnesota lawmakers could soon be called into special session in response to a controversy over school resource officers. The situation has prompted …

The CDC says there are five action steps someone can take in helping a friend or loved one who is having suicidal thoughts. In addition to openly talking about the matter and connecting them with help, a key step is following up after they have been seen by a provider. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Sees Troubling Reversal in Suicide Numbers

New provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that nearly 50,000 Americans died by suicide last year. The record …

From left, Kareem Weaver, Tanji Reed Marshall and Alonso Jaque-Pino discussed the science of reading at an American Federation of Teachers conference. (Photo courtesy of AFT)

Teachers, Leaders Respond to Criticisms of K-12 Schools

With a new school year a little more than a month away, educators remain steadfast in fending off attacks from some parent groups and conservative …

Desde la izquierda, Kareem Weaver, Tanji Reed Marshall y Alonso Jaque-Pino hablaron sobre la ciencia de la lectura en una conferencia de la Federaci�n Estadounidense de Maestros. (Foto cortes�a de AFT)

Maestros, líderes responden a las críticas de las escuelas K-12

Con un nuevo año escolar a poco más de un mes de distancia, los educadores se mantienen firmes en defenderse de los ataques de algunos …

In its most recent year of data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 4,000 American children were killed by guns. (Adobe Stock)

Giving MN Kids a Voice on Addressing Gun Violence

Minnesota children are in summer vacation mode, but some are taking time to call attention to how they and their peers have been affected by gun …

A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found that nearly one-fourth of adults 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. (Adobe Stock)

MN Communities Use Grants to Cure Social Isolation Blues

Concerns about loneliness among older people aren't going away. But an annual grant program for community-level projects could bring more Minnesotans…

Findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation show Minnesota has an overall high ranking for child well-being. But advocates warn that lack of access to early child education could derail outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Shines in Child Well-Being Report, But Pandemic Shows its Impact

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like Minnesota fared better in the …

Beyond wellness checks and important screenings, health experts recommend women take personal time to reflect or relax to keep the stress from building up. (Adobe Stock)

Women's Health Month: Adding Personal Wellness to Your To-Do List

As Women's Health Month continues, experts in Minnesota and elsewhere are reminding women to prioritize their well-being. The Centers for Disease …

School social workers, who are trained mental health professionals, say working with younger students often allows more access to families as they try to help develop a more nurturing environment. (Adobe Stock)

MN Applies 'Trauma Layer' to Early-Childhood Intervention Work

This week is National School Social Work Week, and in Minnesota, there are efforts to enhance support for students and families in early-childhood …

Beyond direct counseling, school social workers will sometimes hold group discussions with students as they try to cope with a tragic incident on campus. (Adobe Stock)

School Districts Share Responsibility to Help Students Heal After Violence

Extra security is in place at a Minnesota school after one student was fatally stabbed by another. The staff, including social workers, is tasked …

Problem gambling experts say commercials for sports betting apps often portray the activity as a fun, social event, with not enough information about the potential risks. (Adobe Stock)

Researcher: Sports-Betting Apps Don't Always Produce Touchdowns

The Super Bowl is almost here, and people who have wanted to try sports-betting apps will be putting their money down. Minnesota has not yet …

Those behind a new report calling for a more robust behavioral-health workforce say like other professions, the pandemic has placed a lot of strain on provider networks around the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Mental-Health Workforce Has Capable Help Waiting in Wings

Like many other states, Minnesota has its share of provider gaps when it comes to mental-health care, and a new report cited steps Congress and other …

In the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey, nearly 150 11th graders reported obtaining scratch-off tickets on a daily basis. (Adobe Stock)

Lotto Tix as a Gift? MN Campaign Says Don't Buy Them for Youth

With Thanksgiving over, the holiday shopping season has the full attention of many Americans. But in Minnesota and elsewhere, people are being asked …

Some 70% of public schools in the United States reported an increase in the percentage of students seeking mental-health services at school since the start of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

MN School Mental-Health Staffs Navigate Funding Maze

Two months into the new school year, Minnesota social workers in schools say resources still are hard to come by for providing mental-health services…

Despite having one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country, Minnesota officials say racial disparities in health coverage have worsened in the state. (Adobe Photo)<br /> <br /><br />

Minnesotans Urged to Do Careful Research Ahead of ACA Enrollment

At 4%, Minnesota has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the U.S., but those still looking for a health plan, or who want to change their policy…

Minnesota recorded 570 gun-related deaths last year, and a majority of them were listed as suicides. That's promoted calls for increased education about the safe storage of firearms. (Adobe Stock)

MN Report Amplifies Concerns About Guns, Suicide Link

For the second year in a row, suicides represent nearly 70% of all gun deaths in Minnesota. Those working to stop gun violence hope the new data …

While Minnesota hasn't joined the group of states to legalize sports betting, more debate is expected in future sessions as supporters argue about the potential for additional state revenue. (Adobe Stock)

Football is Back, Prompting Warnings to Avoid Gambling Traps

The Vikings and Gophers recently kicked off their new seasons, and for local football fans wanting to navigate online sports betting, there are …

While there are continued disparities, an annual report says Minnesota has seen progress in elevating kids out of poverty, with 12% of children falling into that category. (Adobe Stock)

Disparities, Mental Health Cloud MN Child Well-Being Summary

Minnesota once again gets a high ranking among states for child well-being, but an annual report says the state's disparities remain a challenge…

State health officials say the number of suicide deaths and the suicide rate in Minnesota have increased consistently for 20 years. (Adobe Stock)

MN Embraces 988 Line, But Mental Health Care Concerns Linger

Mental-health advocates hope the revamped National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and its new simplified number of 988, allows more people in crisis to …

A new student-led effort in Minneapolis, supported by the CDC's Preventing Violence Affecting Young Lives grants, is one of eight projects around the country to receive funding. (Adpbe Stock)

Student Peace Advisory Group Takes Flight in MN

Students may be settled into their summer break - but in Minnesota, some remain focused on setting a peaceful tone ahead of their return to school …

Surveys show a third of households with children have a gun, and nearly half of gun-owning households with children do not store all of their firearms safely. (Adobe Stock)

'Public Health Emergency': Protecting Youth from Gun Violence

Congress continues to debate possible changes to the nation's gun laws after the recent school shooting in Texas. In the meantime, efforts move …

Mental-health professionals working in schools report seeing more student referrals, but are often short-staffed in helping them. And there are growing waiting lists for providers outside the classroom. (Adobe Stock)

MN Educators Amplify Message on Mental-Health Demands in Schools

This story is part of our continued look at mental-health demands playing out in Minnesota schools. It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and Minnesota …

An ACLU report says Minnesota's student-to-social worker ratio is 852-to-one, well above the recommended level. There are also wide ratios for numbers of school nurses and psychologists. (Adobe Stock)

MN School Social Workers: Mental-Health Demands are Real

COVID cases are down in much of the U.S., but the pandemic's lingering effects are growing larger. School social workers in Minnesota point to mental-…

Researchers say even before the pandemic, Americans were logging between seven and 10 hours of screen time per day. (Adobe Stock)

Blue Light from Screen Time Prompts Health Warnings

The pandemic shows no signs of ending soon. And with working from home and distance learning still a reality for many households, health experts say …

School social workers say making students feel like they can talk to staff about their safety concerns can help improve campus environments. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Threats, School Social Workers Help Foster Welcoming Environments

This week saw a Duluth high school go on lockdown because of a threat received by authorities. School social workers across Minnesota say with campus …

In recent years, Minnesota has seen anywhere between 400 and 500 gun-related deaths annually. (Adobe Stock)

Retooling MN Gun-Violence Prevention for 2022

Gun-violence prevention in Minnesota is likely to see some different approaches in 2022. That's according to a statewide group, which says one …

Groups like the American Heart Association report thar nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of heart disease. (Adobe Stock)

New Research Links Pandemic with Higher Blood Pressure

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- High blood pressure among Americans was already a concern before the pandemic. Researchers now say the crisis has created greater …

Accountability groups say larger police departments, such as the one in Minneapolis, are beholden to their unions and often slow to implement reforms. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Mpls. Vote, Views on MN Police Reforms Keep Evolving

MINNEAPOLIS - Nearly 18 months after the murder of George Floyd, efforts for police accountability and best practices continue to take shape in …

School social workers and educators face a dual dilemma this fall, trying to help students cope during the pandemic, while also serving as a sympathetic ear for fellow staff. (Adobe Stock)

MN School Staff Feeling Weight of Pandemic

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota students are back in class today after a mid-October break for annual teacher workshops. Not only are there lingering …

School social workers say it might be hard for some students to feel comfortable exercising their in-person social skills again after more than a year of distance learning. (Adobe Stock)

COVID Stress Prompts Reminders of Welcoming Classroom Environment

ST. PAUL, Minn. - School districts across Minnesota have either started the new academic year, or will soon. As they welcome students back despite …

A new national study says today's students may earn $49,000 to $61,000 less over their lifetime because of the impact of the pandemic on their education. (Adobe Stock)

Research Indicates Kids Need Boost in Getting Caught Up for School Year

MINNEAPOLIS -- A new study shows American kids are returning to school an average of four to five months behind in their learning, and it's worse for …

Leading up to the pandemic, an annual report says Minnesota continued progress in providing economic stability for children for families. But there's concern that post-pandemic data will later show that some of that progress was derailed. (Adobe Stock)

MN Still Ranks High for Child Well-Being, But Not for Everybody

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota continues to see encouraging results in child well-being, according to an annual report measuring key outcomes. However…

Through its Minnesota scholarship program, the Children's Defense Fund says it has noticed more teens dealing with multiple, compounded obstacles such as mental-health issues and homelessness. (Adobe Stock)

Scholarships Show Cases of Triumph Amid New Challenges for Teens

MINNEAPOLIS -- Children's well-being advocates say issues such as housing instability are prominent today as they work with minors in difficult situat…

In addition to police accountability bills, Minnesota lawmakers are debating the state's next two-year budget. (Adobe Stock)

Tug-of-War Continues Over MN State Budget Priorities

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. -- Minnesota's divided Legislature enters the home stretch of the current session with a new budget still needing approval…

Those who back laws permitting medical aid in dying say they would not lead to a

Medical-Aid-in-Dying Bill Reintroduced at MN Capitol

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota lawmakers soon could revisit debate on whether to allow medically assisted dying for terminally ill patients. …

Apart from eviction concerns and food insecurity, a new report says 8% of Minnesota households with children report not having health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

New Report Underscores Plight of MN Families During Crisis

MINNEAPOLIS -- There's new evidence that many Minnesota families are dealing with hardships during the pandemic. A new national report includes state-…

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MN: Mental Health