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Hobbs establishes prison oversight commission to recommend reforms
Gov. Katie Hobbs is calling for a top-to-bottom review of the Arizona prison system, where inmates and their families have complained about a wide range of issues and a federal judge recently found medical care to be “plainly grossly inadequate.” The governor issued an executive order on Wednesday establishing an “independent prison oversight commission” to review problems in the prison sy[...]
Statewide hotline to support mental health during and after pregnancy
Mental and behavioral health conditions are also a leading cause of maternal mortality in the U.S. In Arizona, nearly half of all pregnancy-associated deaths are due to mental health or substance use issues, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Dr. Saira Kalia, a perinatal psychiatrist at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, and Dr. Kathryn Emerick, also a perinatal [...]
Recognize signs for preventable public health crisis
Arizona ranks in the top half of states for adults reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression. The number of suicides in the state increased in 2021, after leveling off the two previous years. It is an upward trend that moves us backward.
Tucson cafe doubles as training program for people with mental illness
Located in downtown Tucson, Café 54 serves as an employment training program for people with mental health conditions or developmental disabilities. In Arizona, more than 1 million adults have some sort of mental health condition – but about one-third do not get needed health care, often because of cost.
Youth access to mental health care improved under Jake’s Law, but persistent barriers hamper its reach
In March 2020, Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law a sweeping set of measures designed to help curb rising rates of suicide and expand access to mental health treatment for Arizona residents with and without insurance.
Judge: Ducey cannot deny Covid relief dollars to schools based on mask requirements
Gov. Doug Ducey cannot deny Covid relief dollars to schools that impose mask mandates or give vouchers to parents so they can remove their children from those schools, a federal judge has concluded.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, partners inspiring health through different lens
During the last five years, while Arizonans have reported feeling physically healthier, mental distress has increased. To help address this, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and partners are actively working to implement an integrated medical management strategy that blends physical health, behavioral health, and the vital social determinants of health.
Helping youth overcome stress, become leaders
Supporting the mental health needs of Arizona youth can help create lasting change in our community. If you or someone you know could benefit from the programming that Youth4Youth offers, call (623) 208-3230 or visit youth4youth.org.
Fund 988 crisis lifeline
Join me this month in urging your public officials to fund 988. We all play a role in changing the culture around mental health. Together, we can ensure #MentalHealth4All.
Eliminate 55-bed mental health limit
Our system is broken in many ways. But again, there are many narrow fixes with broad positive implications which start the process of improvement. This is one of those narrow fixes. The 55-bed cap is a monumental failure – it should be eliminated.
Easy access to mental health help crucial to suicide prevention
My son died by suicide in 2011. He was a son, brother, uncle, and United States soldier. In my heart I wonder if he had easy access to mental health help he might be here today.
COVID-19 crisis underscores importance of investing in mental health
COVID-19 has been a lesson in resiliency. The global pandemic reminds us of what we can accomplish as a people and underscores the value of a strong health care system.... […]
