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A coalition of national medical groups said equitable access to voting is a way to safeguard public health and avoid restrictive laws that result in adverse health effects, such as higher COVID-19 mortality rates. (Adobe Stock)

Go ahead and vote this fall; your health might thank you

Election Day is a little more than two months away and North Dakotans turned off by the political environment are urged to consider their long-term he…

Leaders with North Dakota's Parents Lead initiative say practicing morning routines, like getting ready for the bus, can be helpful in easing your child into another school year. (Adobe Stock)

Back to school blues: ND parents get the lowdown on talking to their child

Many North Dakota districts this week kick off a new school year, and a state initiative has advice for parents if their child is expressing a lot …

A 2022 survey found half of adults in the United States said someone in their family had experienced a severe mental health crisis. (Adobe Stock/AI)

ND, other states see progress with 988 but report recommends additional steps

A new report looking at the rollout of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline found a wide variance between states, with North Dakota included in the …

In a 2022 national survey of LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18, nearly 54% of trans and gender-expansive youth reported feeling unsafe in at least one school setting. (Adobe Stock)

Oklahoma tragedy felt by LGBTQ advocates in ND

LGBTQ advocates in North Dakota have joined a nationwide coalition demanding accountability over the death of a non-binary teen from Oklahoma…

Agriculture experts said even if farmers are lucky to have health insurance, behavioral health services may be considered

Despite more awareness, mental-health barriers remain for farmers

It is January and North Dakota farmers may already be looking ahead to the spring planting season. Mental health providers see hope and challenges …

As the public becomes more aware of mental-health care needs in the United States, federal officials say it's not just an issue of not having enough counselors to see patients. They say there is still a lack of parity when it comes to approving insurance benefits for those seeking care. (Adobe Stock)

Feds crack down on insurance providers for limiting mental health care benefits

In rural states such as North Dakota, accessing mental-health care can be extremely difficult. Federal officials say it's even worse when someone's …

Associations for Community Health Centers say if Congress do not extend federal funding, nearly seven million patients around the United States could lose access to primary care. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Record Demand, Community Health Centers Confront Key Obstacles

This week is National Health Center Week. The facilities help to close care gaps in underserved communities, and regional and national leaders hope …

AARP experts say greater mental well-being, achieved through activities such as hiking, is associated with reduced dementia risks. (Adobe Stock)

If You Dust Off Those Hiking Shoes, Your Brain Might Thank You

Summer is here, leading to opportunities for older North Dakotans to get outside and not only improve their physical health but their brain health…

Findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation give North Dakota high marks in some areas when it comes to child well-being, including kids' overall health. (Adobe Stock)

Policy Experts 'Look Under the Hood' for Child Well-Being in ND

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

More than 60% of rural counties lack a psychiatrist, and almost half do not have a psychologist, compared with 27% and 19% of urban counties, respectively. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Challenges, Report Has Clues to Boost Rural Mental Health Care

A new report spotlighted some of the challenges to accessing behavioral health care for the one in seven Americans who live in rural areas. Those …

About 1 in 44 children has been identified as being on the autism spectrum, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

ND's Autism Task Force Seeks Input

North Dakota has a new survey online seeking information on how to better address the needs of people with autism. Right now, state officials admit …

Policy analysts say mental health disparities among kids result from generations of discriminatory policies that create barriers to accessing health care and other economic opportunities for families of color. (Adobe Stock)

ND Child Well-Being Summary Highlights Mental Health Concerns

Despite its high ranking, an annual child well-being report said children of color in North Dakota are still being left behind. The findings also …

Since 2016, North Dakota has recorded more than 2,100 Alzheimer's deaths, with women making up 70% of those cases. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Rising Cases, ND Creates Alzheimer's Dashboard

Alzheimer's disease is one of the leading causes of death in North Dakota, prompting state officials to launch an online dashboard, where the public …

As teens and adolescents report feeling more stress and anxiety during the pandemic, those who feel supported in places such as schools were less likely to feel sad and hopeless, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

ND Provider: Teen Mental-Health Needs Are Visible

As the school year winds down, mental-health providers say they recognize many students still feel the weight of the pandemic, and in North Dakota…

Over the past decade, there's been a nearly 50% reduction in homelessness among military veterans nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

New ND Infinitive Helps Veterans Address Legal Barriers in Housing

The U.S. has made strides in reducing homelessness among military veterans, but barriers still exist in some situations. A new partnership aims to …

An annual well-being report said roughly 15,000 North Dakota children lacked health-care coverage leading up to the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

ND Children's Report Looks Good on Surface, But Concerns Lurk Beneath

FARGO, N.D. -- North Dakota ranks first in the U.S. when it comes to economic stability for children, according to an annual report measuring child …

The North Dakota Suicide Prevention Coalition holds its fourth annual Suicide Prevention Conference online today. (Adobe Stock)

ND Suicide-Prevention Grants Come at Crucial Time

BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota is rolling out another round of grants to help communities prevent suicides, and state officials say there's more …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was a 154% increase in telehealth visits during the last week of March in the United States, as the pandemic unfolded. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health-Care Access Focus of New ND Partnership

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota has long dealt with a shortage of access to mental health care in rural areas. But efforts are ramping up to make sure …

According to a new national report, one-third of Americans face the likelihood of having to leave their current home as a result of economic fallout from the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

ND Households with Kids Share Their Struggles in New Report

FARGO, N.D. - A new report confirms that vulnerable families in North Dakota are experiencing more struggles as the pandemic drags on. Households …

Mental-health experts say they're seeing growing evidence of the toll the pandemic is taking on people's mental health, and healthy coping mechanisms should be prioritized as the winter season sets in. (Adobe Stock)

Recalibrating the Fight Against Isolation During COVID

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakotans are on the front end of a long winter during a pandemic. But a mental health expert says it doesn't have to mean …

To avoid an undercount of young children in the 2020 Census, North Dakota created a Complete Count Task Force, formed through an executive order by Gov. Doug Burgum. The task force includes a tribal subcommittee. (Adobe Stock)

ND Officials Aim to Ensure American Indian Kids Counted in Census

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Making sure all children are counted is a common theme for the 2020 Census. The number of young children missed in previous …

While volunteer levels have been affected by the pandemic, informal aid groups have formed across the country to help seniors get access to supplies and services. (Adobe Stock)

Community Help Available for Isolated Seniors in ND

BISMARCK, N.D. -- As the global pandemic continues to unfold, friends and family of seniors worry about them being cut off from the rest of the world…

North Dakota health officials say parents should talk to their children about COVID-19 using a calm, factual approach that minimizes anxiety or fear. (Adobe Stock)

ND Health Officials Offer Tips for Talking to Kids about COVID-19

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota parents have a lot on their plates as the coronavirus crisis unfolds, including job concerns and keeping their …

Snow and below-freezing temperatures can lead farmers to feel isolated in the winter. (Tatiana/Adobe Stock)

Resources Available for Farmers Feeling Winter Blues

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Mental health on farms is a serious issue this time of year as the blues can settle in when temperatures drop. Brandon Delvo…

A persistent lack of sleep can lead to long-term physical health problems. (reewungjunerr/Adobe Stock)

Doctors' Advice: Put Phone Down for Good Night's Sleep

BISMARCK, N.D. – With school back in session, doctors are saying, “Well, your mom is right – time to turn the phone off and get to …

Children's Advocacy Centers of North Dakota says it is the first organization in the country to use telehealth to treat kids who have been abused. (JYPIX/Adobe Stock)

Telehealth Used to Treat Rural ND Child-Abuse Victims

BISMARK, N.D. – Rural North Dakota is getting a digital solution to the lack of mental-health resources for children who've been victims of …

Green ribbons are the symbol for Mental Health Awareness Month. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Awareness Month: Catching Conditions is Early Key

BISMARCK, N.D. – May is Mental Health Awareness Month and North Dakotans are spreading the word about this stigmatized health issue. …

Suicide-related calls to North Dakota's FirstLink hotline increased by 4,000 calls between 2016 and 2017. (Eli Christman/Flickr)

ND Suicide Prevention Hotline Providing Vital Service

FARGO, N.D. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says North Dakota has seen a disturbing spike in its suicide rate over the past …

North Dakota saw the biggest jump in suicides of any state from 2014 to 2016. (embracethewanderlust/Twenty20)

Mental Health Resources in ND: 'All Doors Are Open'

FARGO, N.D. - Mental-health officials want North Dakotans to know there are ample resources available for people who experience depression. The risk …

Many factors associated with farm stress are uncontrollable, such as weather, commodity markets and the isolated nature of farming. (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture/Flickr)

Watching Out for Warning Signs of Farm Stress

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakotans and other people around the country working on farms face unique pressures in their profession – and there's …

Kids spend an average of nine hours a day in front of a digital or media device. (Kevin Jarrett/Flickr)

Campaign Launched to Protect Kids From Addictive Tech

BISMARCK, N.D. — Children's advocates and technology insiders are teaming up in a new campaign to protect kids' brains from the potentially …

Transporting people with mental health issues can be a challenge in rural areas, so jails are sometimes used as mental health holding facilities. (Dustin Gaffke/Flickr)

Expert: Jail Not the Place for People with Mental Health Issues in ND

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota is one of five states where state law says people experiencing a mental health crisis can be held in a …

About 21.5 million Americans 12 and older were classified with substance dependence or abuse in 2014. (Sacred Heart/Flickr)

Addiction Counselor: Road to Recovery Includes Families

FARGO, N.D. -- September is National Recovery Month, and health professionals are focusing on the power of families and communities for people on the …

Speaking to someone who is showing warning signs of committing suicide is one of the most important tools for preventing it. (Department of Defense/Wikimedia Commons)

North Dakotans Come 'Out of the Darkness' to Speak about Suicide Prevention

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakotans are coming out from the shadows to speak up about suicide and suicide prevention. The Bismarck/Mandan Out of the …

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24 years in North Dakota. (Jared Keener/Flickr)

ND Looks to Bring Down State's High Teen Suicide Rate

BISMARCK, N.D. – One of the most disturbing figures in new data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation is that North Dakota teens are three times …

April is Physical Activity Month, a good time to commit to a daily walk and other moves to get into better shape. (Lindsey G/Flickr)

It's Physical Activity Month: North Dakotans Encouraged to Move

BISMARCK, N.D. – April is Physical Activity Month, and heart health and fitness experts in North Dakota say, 'Get up and move around!' As …

Family caregivers often need care themselves, but don't know where to turn. (publichealth.net)

Sometimes the Caregivers Need the Care

BISMARCK, N.D. – Advocates for people who help and care for their older friends and family members say those caregivers need more recognition …

Advocates for people with disabilities are urging North Dakota election officials to ensure polling places are accessible for the upcoming election. (iStockphoto)

ND Disability Advocates Urge Focus on Voter Accessibility

BISMARCK, N.D. - It's National Disability Voter Registration Week. More than 160,000 North Dakotans are living with a disability, and this week the …

A move to raise North Dakota's nearly lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax is awaiting approval to get onto the November ballot. (iStockphoto)

ND a Step Close to Raising Cigarette Tax

BISMARCK, N.D. - North Dakota is one step closer to raising one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the nation. In an effort to curb youth smoking…

Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among young people, according to a new report, but North Dakota health officials are getting some new help from the state. (iStockphoto)

Suicide Now 2nd Leading Cause of Death Among ND Youth, New Help Available

BISMARCK, N.D. - Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among young people in North Dakota and across the country, but the state is getting …

According to a new CDC analysis, millions of children ages 2 to 5 are being treated for hyperactivity through medications in lieu of behavior therapy. (iStockphoto)

Parents May Be Overmedicating Hyperactive Children

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a new report is urging parents of preschoolers with attention-deficit/…

State health experts have launched a new campaign aimed at curbing the growing number of heroin and prescription opioid-related overdose deaths in North Dakota. (iStockphoto)

"Stop Overdose" Campaign Highlights Heroin, Opioid Abuse in ND

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Health experts host a community meeting today in Grand Forks to talk about the growing problems of prescription drug and heroin …

Thousands of North Dakota children are facing greater challenges in life due to a parent's incarceration, according to a new report. (iStockphoto)

Thousands of ND Kids Affected by Parents' Incarceration

BISMARCK, N.D. – Some tough-on-crime policies may be having unintended consequences for thousands of North Dakota children, according to a new …

As part of Stress Awareness Month, state health officials are reminding parents and educators that the end of the school year can be a stressful time for some students. (iStockphoto)

Stress Awareness Month: Helping ND Students Cope

BISMARCK, N.D. - April is Stress Awareness Month, and North Dakota health officials say it's a good time to remember that young students sometimes …

New numbers from the CDC show that autism affects about 1 in 68 U.S. children, but doctors suggest more testing is needed. (iStockphoto)

CDC: Autism Rate Holding Steady in U.S.; More Testing Needed

BISMARCK, N.D. - April is National Autism Awareness Month and the numbers are holding steady in the U.S. according to the latest snapshot of autism …

Youth First Initiative released a new poll showing about 77 percent of Americans favor changing the focus of the juvenile justice system from incarceration to rehabilitation. (iStockphoto)

Juvenile Justice Reform Group Wants ND Youth Prisons Closed

BISMARCK, N.D. - A juvenile justice reform group wants 80 of the country's oldest and largest youth prisons closed down, including one in North …

New numbers show reports of sex trafficking in North Dakota went up in 2015. (iStockphoto)

Human Trafficking Reports on Rise in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. – Hotline calls about human trafficking are up in North Dakota. Polaris, a nonprofit group that runs the National Human …

The Supreme Court declined to review North Dakota's six-week abortion ban, effectively blocking the 2013 law permanently. (Morguefile.com/Kconnors)

SCOTUS Rejects ND Abortion Law

BISMARCK, N.D. -Women's health advocates are praising the U.S. Supreme Court for refusing on Monday to review North Dakota's six-week abortion ban…

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ND: Mental Health