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Among teens using social media, 54% said it would be at least somewhat hard to give up, while 46% said it would be somewhat easy, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Expert wants oversight of social media giants amid declining teen mental health

Earlier this year, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford took legal action against five of the biggest social media platforms, claiming they have no …

According to The Jed Foundation, everyone has

How to handle challenging conversations this holiday season

In today's politically polarized world, holiday office parties and family gatherings can lead to increased tensions, arguments and even long-term …

On a scale of 1-10, Gen Z'ers said COVID-19 has affected their physical health (4 of 10) and their mental health (6 of 10), according to the Linus Report. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Care: A Top Priority for Gen Z

Research on social trends shows emotional and mental health is at the core of Gen Z's identity. The Pew Research Center considers anyone born after …

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, firefighters have been found to have higher attempt and ideation rates for suicide than the general public. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health App Launches for NV Emergency Responders

Being a first responder can bring all kinds of challenges, and a new "app" - available free in Southern Nevada - is designed to help emergency …

According to Mental Health America, more than 18% of the U.S. population is Latinx/Hispanic. Of those, more than 16% reported having a mental illness in the last year. (Adobe Stock)

Nevada Program Helps Hispanic Youths with Mental Health

A free 12-week program is aiming to help Hispanic youths and their families in the Vegas Valley achieve better mental health. Familia Adelante…

In the 2023 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Nevada ranks 46th in education, 38th in health, and 44th in family and community factors that affect children. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Nevada Near Bottom of List for Children's Well-Being

Nevada is not making the cut when it comes to children's well-being in the state. According to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book, out this week…

Nevada's Gov. Joe Lombardo became the first governor in the nation to veto a medical aid-in-dying bill. (Adobe Stock)

NV Governor Vetoes Medical Aid-In-Dying Bill

This week, Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed Senate Bill 239, which would have allowed medical aid in dying in Nevada. The bill would have given mentally …

According to the CDC, the number of people living with Alzheimer's disease is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060. (Adobe Stock)

Group Helps Nevadans Navigate Dementias, Alzheimer's Disease

One Nevada group wants to help educate Nevadans on how to make people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease feel "seen" and supported, especially …

According to Mental Health America, Nevada also ranked 51st in the country in 2021 for its prevalence of mental illness and the lowest rates of access to care. (Adobe Stock)

NV Mental Health Advocate Urges 'Check-In' Amid Streak of Violent Events

Nevada mental health professionals want to remind everyone it is OK to not be OK. According to Mental Health America, in 2022 Nevada ranked last in …

Around 78% of participants are concerned or very concerned Pharmacy Benefit Managers decide which drugs are available to consumers, according to the poll by Lake Research Partners. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

National Poll: Bipartisan Support to Regulate Pharmacy Benefit Mangers

A new national poll shows Nevadans, like most Americans, do not want to pay more for prescription drugs. The poll conducted by Lake Research …

Advocates say SB 163 would help recognize and streamline gender-affirming health care for folks in Nevada, (Iv�n Moreno/Adobe Stock)

NV Bill Looks to Secure Gender-Affirming Care

A Nevada bill is seeking to secure gender-affirming health care for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in the state. SB 163 would …

The U-S. Department of Justice is calling on Nevada to ensure children have access to therapy,<br />behavior supports, crisis services and care coordination in their communities. (Berit Kessler/Adobestock)

Feds Find NV Failing Children With Behavioral-Health Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Justice said the State of Nevada unnecessarily institutionalizes children with behavioral-health disabilities, and the problem …

Experts say Nevada suffers from a huge shortage of pediatric behavioral-health specialists, which makes it difficult for youths in crisis to get help. (SeventyFour)

NV Makes Gains But Remains Near Bottom on Kids’ Well-Being

Nevada ranks 47th in the country for child well-being, according to the 2022 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, but the numbers …

Latinos have succumbed to COVID at two to three times the rate of white Americans, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. (Dubova)

Higher Latino COVID Death Rates Spur Interest in End-of-Life Options

Hispanic groups are coming together to encourage people to have end-of-life conversations with their loved ones before illness or tragedy strikes…

A UNLV study found Nevada has only one mental health professional for every 460 residents, and the shortage of pediatric providers is particularly severe. (Zinkevych/Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Awareness Month: NV Advocates Press for Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and advocates in the Silver State said drastic changes are needed to improve access to services. The latest …

In a survey from the American Psychological Association, about half of adults report being uneasy when it comes to returning to in-person interactions. (Bongkarn/Adobe Stock)

Tips to Manage Return-to-Office Stress

This spring, a lot of Nevadans are returning to the office after working from home for more than a year, which can trigger bouts of anxiety. Experts …

Experts say parents can reduce kids' dependency on screens by setting a good example themselves and arranging more outdoor family activities.(TheVisualsYouNeed/AdobeStock)

New Year's Resolution: Reducing Kids’ Screen Time

Some families make New Year's Resolutions to cut down on screen time, and experts have some tips for actually getting your kids to put down the cell …

A new report finds that Nevada needs to develop family support programs within the community.(Vejaa/Adobestock)

Nevada Gets a D+ for Children's Mental Health: Report

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Nevada scored a D-plus for children's mental health, according to a new report from the Children's Advocacy Alliance. …

A new report shows that Nevada seniors are 16th in the nation for getting in some exercise. (AARP)

Report: NV Seniors Face High Rates of Hunger, Suicide

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- A new study shows seniors in Nevada had some of the worst rates of hunger and suicide in the country, even before the pandemic…

According to a new survey, 92% of Americans agree that deductibles should be low enough to not get in the way of a person's access to health care. (DoubletreeStudio/Adobe Stock)

Survey Confirms Frustration with Healthcare Costs

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- A new survey shows most Americans are worried about out-of-pocket healthcare costs - deductibles, premiums and co-pays, and …

Children's mental-health-related visits to the emergency room have increased since April. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Parents, Teachers Urged to Learn Signs of Teen Mental-Health Crisis

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- As the spread of the coronavirus continues, behavioral-health experts say it's as important as ever to make sure children and …

Staying connected with family and friends, staying hydrated and going for walks are simple steps that can help survivors of traumatic events cope during the holidays. (Damir Khabirov/Adobe Stock)

New Year's Coping Tips for Survivors of Trauma

LAS VEGAS - People who advocate for survivors of traumatic events are urging folks to take care of themselves during this holiday season. In Las …

Nearly a third of households with children nationally reported struggling with mental health, feeling down, depressed or hopeless. (goodluz/Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Hits NV Families with Kids Especially Hard

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Many Nevada kids and their families are struggling with health care coverage, mental health, housing and hunger due to the …

Mental Health America ranks Nevada 51st overall for its prevalence of mental illness and limited access to mental health services. (Adobe Stock/twinsterpro)

Pandemic, Employment Take Toll on NV Mental Health

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Financial and emotional stressors are taking a toll on Nevadans' mental health as the pandemic continues and the holidays near…

Las Vegas casinos can open next week, but Nevada Gaming Control Board guidelines will limit capacity to 50% and require new cleaning and social-distancing policies. (Linda72/Pixabay)

Nevada Casinos Bet on Social Distancing to Reopen

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Hospitality and gaming is the dominant industry in Las Vegas, but the frenzied environment tourists have come to expect will be …

The National Association of Counties is asking Congress for more direct, flexible funding to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, including an additional $75 billion for hospitals and healthcare providers. (nvdoctors.org)

U.S. Counties Want More COVID-19 Financial Aid from Congress

LAS VEGAS -- The National Association of Counties has joined seven other organizations in praising the coronavirus financial relief approved by Congre…

Hotels and casinos in southern Nevada employed about 164,400 people in 2018, accounting for 16.8% of the region's total employment. (Skeeze/Pixabay)

With Las Vegas Casinos Closed, Will Gamblers Quit?

LAS VEGAS -- Gambling is an impulse-control disorder on par with drugs or alcohol because it stimulates the brain's reward system and can be addictive…

Los psic�logos dicen que el miedo al desabasto de productos en los estantes se convierte en una profec�a que auto-cumple: Si crees que se acabar�n, se acaban. (Alexas_Fotos/Pixabay)

¿Por qué la Acumulación de Papel de Baño? Los Psicólogos dicen que es por Ansiedad y Vulnerabilidad.

LAS VEGAS -- Cuando la predicción del clima incluye una nevada o un huracán, esperamos que la gente junte alimentos y otros productos; ¿…

Psychologists say fear of empty grocery shelves becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy - if you believe shelves will become empty, they will. (Alexas_Fotos/Pixabay)

Hoarding Toilet Paper? Shrinks Say It's Anxiety and Vulnerability

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - When a blizzard or hurricane is in the forecast, you expect people to stock up on food and other supplies - but what's behind the …

A new study on mass shootings shows that assault-style rifles are used about 25% of the time; while handguns are most often the weapon of choice. (Ultra1s/iStockphoto)

Report: Most Mass Shooters Have 4 Things in Common

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Mass shootings often are preventable – and a majority of the weapons were obtained legally, according to a …

Between 30% and 40% of foster children have individual education plans and need an adult's consent to receive special services at school. (Jmiltenburg/Morguefile)

NV Volunteers Needed to Oversee Educational Needs of Foster Kids

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Legal aid groups are searching for a special group of volunteers to advocate for foster kids within the school system…

Nevada is one of 16 states that now places more than 90 percent of foster children in family settings. (Mitchell Findley)

More Nevada Foster Kids Finding Families

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Foster children in Nevada are finding new families more often these days, with the rate of family placements improving by …

In Nevada, people facing guardianship are now given a court-appointed attorney who represents their interests before a judge. (AARP)

New NV Hotline to Report Abuse by Court-Appointed Guardians

CARSON CITY, Nev. – After a rash of high-profile cases, a brand new hotline has just been established for Nevadans to report abuse or neglect …

Veterans' groups say they hope the president will call for protections for public lands in his State of the Union address. (Kurt Kuznicki)

Military Groups Push Trump to Protect Public Lands

PHOENIX, AZ – As President Donald Trump gets ready to deliver his State of the Union speech, more than 1,200 veterans have just sent him a …

First responders and festival employees hurt in the mass shooting have a strict deadline of one week to file notice of a claim in Nevada. (Mariordo/Wikimedia Commons)

Deadline is Sunday For Survivors to File Notice of Workers' Comp Claim

LAS VEGAS — The survivors hurt during Sunday's massacre include many people who worked at the festival, as first responders, and at the …

Families of Nevada children with autism say the waiting times for therapy are unacceptable and are pushing for sufficient funding in the state budget. (tangle eye/morguefile)

Parents, Advocates Speak Out at Autism Town Hall

RENO, Nev. – Dozens of people concerned about losing services for their children with autism gathered Monday night at a town hall meeting in …

A new report calls on Nevada state prisons to lessen their reliance on solitary confinement as discipline.(MarkHiggins/iStockphoto)

A Call for Changes to Solitary Confinement in Nevada Prisons

CARSON CITY, Nev. – A new report calls for major changes to solitary confinement in Nevada state prisons. Researchers surveyed 291 people …

If a child seems unusually stressed-out about going back to school, it could be a sign they're facing problems that require a closer look from parents. (Pixabay)

Tips for Seamless Back-to-School Transition for NV Children, Parents

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Mid-August means late nights and lazy mornings – and endless hours playing Pokemon. But all that must soon make way …

About 55,000 Nevada children are growing up absent from a parent who's in jail or prison. (iStockphoto)

55,000 Nevada Kids Separated from Parents by Incarceration

LAS VEGAS - About 55,000 children, or 8 percent of all Nevada kids, grow up with a parent serving time in prison or jail, according to a new report…

About 88,000 Nevadans signed up for health insurance through Nevada Health Link during the last open enrollment period. (Arizona PIRG)

Nevada Enrolls 88,000 in Health Insurance Marketplace

CARSON CITY, Nev. - The numbers are in and 88,000 Nevadans enrolled or re-enrolled in health coverage through the federal insurance marketplace…

Nevada's CARE Act, which took effect Jan. 1, requires hospitals to ask patients to designate a caregiver to help after discharge. (Renown Skilled Nursing)

Health Advocates Look to CARE Act to Reduce Readmissions

CARSON CITY, Nev. - The federal government says one in five elderly patients is back in the hospital within 30 days of leaving, so Nevada health …

The open enrollment period for health insurance coverage in 2016 through NevadaHealthLink.com ends Sunday, Jan. 31. (wavebreak/iStockphoto)

Targeting Nevada’s Remaining Uninsured

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Time is short for Nevadans to sign up for subsidized health insurance through the state marketplace; the deadline is just six …

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Nevada ranks in the top 10 for the number of calls to the national human trafficking hotline. (saiyood/iStockphoto)

Nevada Among Worst States for Human Trafficking

LAS VEGAS - January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and the problem is particularly severe in Nevada. Statistics show the Silver State …

The Nevada Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges moved from Chicago to Reno, Nev., in 1969. They provide expert advice to judges and officers of the court all across the nation on the issue of domestic violence. Courtesy: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Judges Across U.S. Look to Reno for Help

RENO, Nev. - It is an issue that is gaining plenty of national attention this month, and odds are few Nevadans know Reno is the place many judges …

Julie Ostrovsky says her 17-year-old son Mitchell has benefited from applied behavior analysis treatment for autism. Courtesy: Samantha Ostrovsky

New Services at Risk for More than 1,800 NV Children with Autism

LAS VEGAS - Intensive early intervention is considered to be key for effective treatment of autism, and it looked as if Nevada was going to reach out …

PHOTO: About 22 military veterans take their own lives every day, and legislation coming up for a vote this week in the U.S. Senate would prompt a third-party evaluation of the mental health and suicide prevention programs intended to help them. Image courtesy State of Nevada Dept. of Health and Human Services.

Veteran Suicides at Center of Bill in U.S. Senate

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Military veterans in Nevada and across the country may gain access to improved mental health services, if the U.S. Senate …

PHOTO: Along with lights, trees and presents, the holiday season can be filled with stress, anxiety and even depression. As one antidote, experts recommend turning the focus to the kinds of gifts that money can't buy. Photo credit: City of Sumter, South Carolina.

Some Nevadans May Find Holidays Stressful

CARSON CITY, Nev. - For Nevadans who have experienced loss, are less fortunate, or find themselves in a family overcome by stress, the holidays can …

PHOTO: Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval says he will direct millions of dollars in new funding to the state's Department of Health and Human Services to address what some people are calling a mental health crisis. Photo courtesy Gov. Sandoval's office.

Governor Approves $3.5 Million to Beef Up NV Mental Health Services

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Gov. Brian Sandoval says he will direct $3.5 million in new funding to mental-health services to help reduce the need for …

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NV: Mental Health