Mental Health / Public News Service

Adverse childhood experiences may cause an increase in gun crimes by when children reach adulthood. In 2022, Iowa reported 367 gun deaths, including 65 homicides and 288 suicides. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Traumatized Iowa kids commit more gun crimes as adults

New research by social scientists showed children who suffer traumatic experiences growing up are more likely to use firearms defensively as adults…

According to the mental health advocacy group Inseparable, insurance companies force patients to go out-of-network much more often for behavioral health care because of limits on the number of available providers and lower reimbursement rates. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Advocates: Unfair insurance policies causing DE mental health crisis

Mental health advocates in Delaware and beyond are concerned certain practices by insurance companies are creating a crisis by hindering many patients…

Recent data from KFF Health show 90% of Americans said there is a mental health crisis in the country. Alaska's geography and racial and cultural diversity makes providing adequate mental health services especially challenging. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Addressing Alaska's 'staggering' mental health care crisis

Advocacy groups said the country needs a better national system for responding to mental health emergencies. In Alaska, the absence of services for …

The Georgia Apex Program, funded by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, brings mental health services directly into schools. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Georgia’s school mental health report card reveals urgent gaps

Georgia faces a growing mental health crisis among children, with schools on the front lines. Georgia schools received millions in grants last year …

In Alabama, an average of 110 children and teens lose their lives to gun violence each year, 61% to homicide and 30% to suicide. Nationally, gun deaths among youth follow a similar trend, with 62% classified as homicides and 33% as suicides. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

AL lawmakers urged to prioritize children's health, safety

As Alabama's legislative session kicks off, one advocacy group is calling for urgent action to protect children's health and safety. VOICES for …

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, nearly 48 million Americans provide care to an adult family member or friend, with 61% also holding jobs. (ChayTee/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Push for caregiver tax relief gains momentum in Ohio, nationally

During his campaign, President Donald Trump promised tax credits for family caregivers. With Trump now in office, advocates in Ohio and across the …

Among Delaware residents who visit the ER or hospital for mental health or substance use treatment, only 35% get follow-up care within 30 days, according to Inseparable. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Experts: DE insurers improperly deny claims for mental health treatment

Statistics show millions of Americans deal with mental health issues but a recent study found insurance companies often deny coverage for emotional il…

The 2024 State of Child report reveals that in 2021, Tennessee families benefited from tax credits, with 24 percent claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit averaging $2,130, and 25 percent claiming the Child Tax Credit averaging $3,128. (Oksana Kuzmina/Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Report: 20% of TN children under five live in poverty

Tennessee's "State of the Child" 2024 report shows some progress, but also highlights ongoing concerns. The report from the Tennessee Commission on …

Patients are nearly nine times more likely to go out of network to meet with a psychiatrist, according to research from the nonprofit RTI International. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, February 3, 2025

Insurance ‘clawbacks’ hurt MD mental health specialists

Some mental health care providers said a number of insurance company practices are driving them out of the insurance network, including the little-…

Provider organizations in the state, including the Mississippi State Medical Association and Mississippi Hospital Association, have been supporters of Medicaid expansion. (Pixabay)

Path to Medicaid expansion in MS remains uncertain

As Mississippi lawmakers move forward with a potential Medicaid expansion, advocates said the state cannot afford further delays while thousands …

Of the more than 56,000 Utah students who have been diagnosed with major depression, mental-health advocates say almost half do not receive proper treatment. (Adobe Stock)

Utah could play stronger role in promoting student mental health

Advocates for mental health say Utah policymakers need to consider the important role schools can and should play in keeping at-risk students safe and…

Studies show that mental-health literacy and life skills decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety and help children succeed. (Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

Mental health access critical for MI students

Some 125,000 children in Michigan struggle with major depression, which can hinder learning, behavior and relationships, according to a recent survey…

More than 1.3 million New Jerseyans have a diagnosed mental-health condition. (Adobe Stock)

NJ lawmakers improving mental health access

While New Jersey has recently been proactive in ensuring access to mental-health coverage, whether insurance companies are meeting those needs is a …

In 2020, nearly every victim service provider in Ohio experienced a 37% cut in their Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding, significantly impacting their ability to support survivors. (ozerkina/Adobe Stock)

Federal funding instability challenges Ohio's crisis support services

Service providers and advocacy groups in Ohio and across the country are facing uncertainty following recent executive orders that have thrown federal…

Rural Iowans face more challenges than urban residents when it comes to diagnosis of dementia, medical and long term care as well as support services for caregivers, according to the Alzheimer's Association. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Iowa 'critically short' of dementia services

Families of rural Iowans with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia face a crucial lack of mental health services and advocates are meeting …

In 2022, Ohio's WIC program served an average of 160,145 participants per month, including 38,097 women, 40,358 infants and 81,690 children. (Adobe Stock)

WIC benefits in Ohio unaffected, but federal spending review sparks concern

The White House has rescinded a directive that froze federal grants and loans after a federal judge ruled it unlawful. While the freeze was lifted…

High school students with depression are more than twice as likely to drop out than their peers. (Adobe Stock)

School services could help IL further address youth mental health

About half of youths experiencing depression in Illinois are not receiving treatment. While the state ranks fairly well nationwide when it comes to …

Rural communities, low-income people and BIPOC people have the least access to health care in Arkansas. (onephoto/Adobe Stock)

Work requirements could be coming for AR Medicaid recipients

Changes could be coming for Arkansans who are on Medicaid. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is proposing to add work requirements for some Medicaid …

The National Association of School Psychologists and other organizations have declared a national youth mental health emergency, with Florida's trends reflecting the broader crisis. (sasint/Pixabay)

Florida schools struggle to fund mental health services amid growing demand

With Florida facing a youth mental health crisis, outdated Medicaid reimbursement policies are leaving schools struggling to meet growing demands…

More than two dozen states have passed laws that either ban or heavily restrict gender-affirming care for trans youth. (Adobe Stock)

Trial kicks off in challenge to ND's ban on gender-affirming care

Opening arguments begin today in a lawsuit challenging North Dakota's ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth. The case stems from a law …

An estimated one in five parents of children under 18 in the U.S. experienced mental illness in the past year. (grooveriderz/Adobe Stock)

New parenting skills app helps rural OR families

Researchers at the University of Oregon say a new online parenting skills program has helped improve mental health for rural Oregon families…

Washington state currently ranks among the lowest in the nation in serving people with mental health challenges. (Talia Mdlungu/peopleimages.com)

Regulating insurance companies may help WA mental health care ‘crisis’

Washington state mental health care providers are rallying behind a new bill, aimed at addressing what they are calling the mental health care crisis…

The CDC says guns are the leading cause of death for American children. That fact has kept calls for restricting firearms and gun safety as major rallying cries for advocacy groups. (Adobe Stock)

Under Trump, how will gun violence prevention fare?

President Donald Trump has been busy signing executive orders since his inauguration. Gun violence prevention advocates in Minnesota hope he isn't …

A report by a company that offers AI assistance in building resumes, says 28% of workers have left a job due to stress or burnout. (Adobe Stock)

Study reveals heavy workloads can affect IN employee mental health

New research is finding extra responsibilities at work can take a heavy toll. A report from Scripps Health shows a link between mental health …

A 2024 survey found one in five adults who were part of

NYers face insurance barriers to getting mental health care

More than 3 million New Yorkers have a diagnosed mental illness but only around one in three can get the care they need to treat it. The barriers …

A 2022 report from the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable found one school psychologist for every 548 students, one school social worker for every 580 students and one school counselor for every 457 students. In the years since, this has only grown because of a workforce shortage. (Adobe Stock)

CT school services aid kids' mental health despite staff shortages

Connecticut schools are helping kids address mental health issues. Some experts feel they are a frontline system in the ongoing crisis and help link …

Studies suggest up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually. (motortion/Adobe Stock)

NM bill would help domestic abuse survivors get legal assistance

Women surveyed about why they stayed in an abusive relationship often said they did not have the money to leave. Now, a bill introduced in the New …

A new report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families said proposed cuts in Medicaid funding would cripple Iowa's rural health centers, where many children rely on the program for health insurance. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Threatened Medicaid cuts would hurt rural Iowa kids most

Advocates for young Iowans worry proposed federal cuts could affect families who rely on Medicaid for their health care. A new national report …

Virginia has the sixth largest difference between rates of Medicaid enrollment in rural areas versus metro areas. (Adobe Stock)

Rural VA communities most affected by possible Medicaid cuts

Medicaid cuts proposed by congressional lawmakers may end up affecting the most rural communities in Virginia and the country. A new report by …

Health providers in rural Colorado, which operate on thin margins, could see more uncompensated care costs if proposed Medicaid cuts clear Congress. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Medicaid cuts would disproportionately affect rural Coloradans

As the new Congress considers cutting Medicaid by more than $2 trillion, a new report details how the move would disproportionately affect rural …

Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, who authored the bill, said every year 101 young Hoosiers lose their lives to alcohol-related deaths. (Adobe stock)

Bill aims to broaden Indiana Lifeline Law

Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with plans to expand the state's Lifeline Law, which protects those seeking emergency help in alcohol-related …

Arizona has the largest difference in the share of children covered by Medicaid/CHIP in small towns and rural areas compared to metro areas, according to the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. (Beth Van Trees/Adobe Stock)

Report: Medicaid plays crucial role in rural Arizona

Rural Arizonans, especially children, are more likely to rely on Medicaid for health coverage compared to people in metro areas, according to a new …

At Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers, 45% of patients use Medicaid to cover their health care services. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New report: 1 in 3 kids in rural Wisconsin insured by Medicaid

As Congress considers cuts to Medicaid, a new report showed one in three children living in rural areas of Wisconsin are insured by the health …

As of 2023, Medi-Cal covered 22% of non-elderly adults in urban areas and 14% in rural areas. (Pcess609/Adobe Stock)

Report: Proposed cuts to Medi-Cal will hurt rural CA the most

Rural Californians would be hurt the most by huge proposed cuts to Medicaid, known in California as Medi-Cal, according to a new report from …

A $3.3 million Rutgers University grant was part of a Biden era Department of Education initiative to expand access to school-based mental health services nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

NJ spending on student mental health is up, challenges remain

While New Jersey has made gains in K-through-12 mental health support, advocates said the state needs to do more. In recent years New Jersey has …

A report card from the group Inseparable found Pennsylvania has one school counselor for every 369 students, while the recommended ratio is 1 to 250. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Pennsylvania lagging in school-based mental health support

As young people struggle with mental health issues, schools often provide the best avenue for getting them help. However, Pennsylvania has fallen …

Nearly 7% of students have major depression, according to the study of Maryland's youth mental health care. (Adobe Stock)

More mental-health specialists needed in MD schools

Advocates said the kids aren't all right and want to tackle the youth mental health crisis head on in schools. A study of Maryland's youth mental …

Wyoming ranked 43rd in the nation for youth mental health in 2022. Lawmakers are struggling to agree on the role schools should play. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming lawmakers debate school’s role in youth mental health

In Wyoming, lawmakers are split on the role schools should play in improving children's mental health, although experts said they are pivotal…

A 2022 report found New York State has one school psychologist for every 648 students, one school social worker for every 773 students, and one school counselor for every 288 students, far exceeding recommended ratios. (Adobe Stock)

NY schools working to improve kids’ mental health

Schools in New York and nationwide continue to play an important role in bolstering kids' mental health. New York made a $1 billion investment in …

Nearly 41% of children in small towns and rural areas rely on Medicaid for their coverage, compared with about 38% in metro areas. (Karen Roach/Adobe Stock)

TX Medicaid recipients could be facing cuts

A study by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families showed most people who live in small towns and rural areas use Medicaid for heal…

In 2021, Ohio spent approximately $1.3 billion on child welfare services, ranking it among the top states for reliance on local funding, with counties shouldering nearly half of the cost. (Mediaphotos/Adobe Stock)

Addressing Ohio’s youth care crisis

Finding appropriate placements for youths entering Ohio's child welfare system has become increasingly difficult. Rachel Reedy, outreach and member …

In 2022, 182,000 children were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP in Nebraska, almost 53% of total Medicaid recipients in the state. Last year, Nebraska expanded eligibility for kids with special needs who live with their parents. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Medicaid cuts threaten Nebraska youth

Advocates for young Nebraskans worry proposed federal cuts could affect families who rely on Medicaid for their health care. A new national report …

A new report from Georgetown University showed the effects a proposed cut to Medicaid would have on rural New Mexico, where residents already have worse health outcomes than those in cities. (Rob/Adobe Stock)

New Mexico's rural families fear proposed federal cuts to Medicaid

With President Donald Trump back in office, Congressional Republicans are eager to extend his 2017 tax cuts, which likely means slashing the Medicaid …

In 2022, 52% of rural hospitals no longer had maternity wards, compared to 36% of urban hospitals. Cuts to Medicaid funding would affect already struggling rural medical facilities. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Medicaid cuts threaten rural PA residents, hospitals

Federal safety net programs face major potential cuts as the Trump administration pursues budget reductions, with a House GOP proposal suggesting $2.5…

Coloradans are nine times more likely to be forced to choose an out-of-network provider for mental health care, than for primary physical care, which leads to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients. (Adobe Stock)

Insurance companies denying coverage for Coloradans' mental health care

More than 1 million Coloradans are living with a diagnosed mental health condition but insurance companies are denying coverage for care their policie…

More than 400,000 people are enrolled in MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program, according to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. At least 40,000 recipients continue in an

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Rural ME braces for Medicaid cuts as lawmakers eye corporate tax breaks

Children and families in rural Maine would face the greatest harm should proposed funding cuts to the federal Medicaid program be implemented…

Around 22% of people in Kentucky are covered by Medicaid, according to the health advocacy group KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Medicaid changes would hit KY and other rural states hard

Nearly one-third of Medicaid funding could be on the chopping block as lawmakers look for ways to reduce the national deficit. A new report found …

Rural Idaho children rely on Medicaid. More than 490,000 Idahoans live in rural communities. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Study: Rural Idahoans depend on Medicaid coverage

Rural communities in Idaho and other states rely heavily on Medicaid for health coverage, according to new research from the Georgetown University …

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Mental Health

Traumatized Iowa kids commit more gun crimes as adults

Advocates: Unfair insurance policies causing DE mental health crisis

Addressing Alaska's 'staggering' mental health care crisis

Georgia’s school mental health report card reveals urgent gaps

AL lawmakers urged to prioritize children's health, safety

Push for caregiver tax relief gains momentum in Ohio, nationally

Experts: DE insurers improperly deny claims for mental health treatment

Report: 20% of TN children under five live in poverty

Insurance ‘clawbacks’ hurt MD mental health specialists

Path to Medicaid expansion in MS remains uncertain

Utah could play stronger role in promoting student mental health

Mental health access critical for MI students

NJ lawmakers improving mental health access

Federal funding instability challenges Ohio's crisis support services

Rural Iowa 'critically short' of dementia services

WIC benefits in Ohio unaffected, but federal spending review sparks concern

School services could help IL further address youth mental health

Work requirements could be coming for AR Medicaid recipients

Florida schools struggle to fund mental health services amid growing demand

Trial kicks off in challenge to ND's ban on gender-affirming care

New parenting skills app helps rural OR families

Regulating insurance companies may help WA mental health care ‘crisis’

Under Trump, how will gun violence prevention fare?

Study reveals heavy workloads can affect IN employee mental health

NYers face insurance barriers to getting mental health care

CT school services aid kids' mental health despite staff shortages

NM bill would help domestic abuse survivors get legal assistance

Report: Threatened Medicaid cuts would hurt rural Iowa kids most

Rural VA communities most affected by possible Medicaid cuts

Report: Medicaid cuts would disproportionately affect rural Coloradans

Bill aims to broaden Indiana Lifeline Law

Report: Medicaid plays crucial role in rural Arizona

New report: 1 in 3 kids in rural Wisconsin insured by Medicaid

Report: Proposed cuts to Medi-Cal will hurt rural CA the most

NJ spending on student mental health is up, challenges remain

Pennsylvania lagging in school-based mental health support

More mental-health specialists needed in MD schools

Wyoming lawmakers debate school’s role in youth mental health

NY schools working to improve kids’ mental health

TX Medicaid recipients could be facing cuts

Addressing Ohio’s youth care crisis

Report: Medicaid cuts threaten Nebraska youth

New Mexico's rural families fear proposed federal cuts to Medicaid

Proposed Medicaid cuts threaten rural PA residents, hospitals

Insurance companies denying coverage for Coloradans' mental health care

Rural ME braces for Medicaid cuts as lawmakers eye corporate tax breaks

Proposed Medicaid changes would hit KY and other rural states hard

Study: Rural Idahoans depend on Medicaid coverage