 Depression and anxiety occur at high rates among students. Whether it's dealing with the pressures of school and social life, or worrying about the state of the world, children have a great deal of weight on their shoulders. In some cases, taking a day off from school can help a student recharge and can help reduce the effects of depression and anxiety. However, most schools do not consider mental health as a valid reason to miss school. A new bill introduced in New York aims to change that.
Mental Health Days Suicide is the second leading cause of deathamong children age 10-18. The number of children and teens treated for suicidal ideations has nearly doubled. It is clear that there is a desperate need for mental health care. If students cannot take a day from school to treat their mental health issues, then the problem can be compounded. Mental health days are important to a student's well-being. If a student is experiencing a day where their depression or anxiety is overwhelming, they shouldn't be forced by school policy to go to school. They should be given the opportunity to get help. Two states have already adopted policies that would allow students to take mental health days. In Oregon, students are allowed five mental health days during a three-month period. In addition, Utah now recognizes mental health as a valid reason for missing school. New Bill A new bill introduced in New York would make mental or behavioral health an acceptable excuse for missing school. The hope is that children will not be penalized for taking care of their mental well-being. In addition, mental health days could be used to help school personnel and staff identify individuals who need further care and attention. Schools should have appropriately trained staff who can help students receive the care they need to avoid excessive absenteeism. Some parents support the idea of mental health days, while others fear that students will take advantage of the plan. However, students who need mental health days often lie about being sick in order to miss school anyway. Providing designated mental health days could help prevent the lies and alert parents to the fact that their children may need help. If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation call (509) 991-7058. 12/9/2019 California Program Would Provide Confidential Mental Health Care to First RespondersRead Now  It is no secret that more first responders lose their lives to suicide rather than in the line of duty. A Ruderman Foundation studyfound that in 2017, 243 first responders died by suicide compared to 222 who died in the line of duty. It is clear that there is a mental health crisis among our first responders. More and better mental health care is needed to help provide these individuals with the support they need. A new program in San Diego County will hopefully provide that assistance.
Mental Health Stigma Recognizing the need for mental health care and assistance for their employees, many counties offer some type of program to help. However, the stigma of seeking mental health care still runs rampant through first responder agencies, and many choose not to seek help. Some first responders see mental health care as a sign of weakness and worry about the effects seeking help can have on their careers. It is a difficult balance to maintain, given that the jobs of first responders require a degree of toughness. These individuals often have to put themselves in danger to do their jobs. A new program proposed by County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher seeks to reduce the stigma and help first responders get the care they need. The program named for Cal Fire Captain Ryan Mitchell, a firefighter who died by suicide in 2017, hopes to overcome the culture where first responders don't seek help. The program would provide confidential resources that would hopefully eliminate some of the barriers that prevent first responders from seeking treatment. The program also calls for a stigma reduction media campaign aimed at first responders. The program will also provide assistance to retired first responders. The traumatic nature of public safety can often lead to individuals developing post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD does not disappear just because someone is no longer on the job. Treatment and support are still needed even when an individual has retired. Sometimes the symptoms of PTSD don't fully manifest until someone has settled into retirement. The hope is that the program will encourage other agencies to improve their mental health care. If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation call (509) 991-7058.  Parents frequently worry about the effect screen time has on their children’s mental well-being. There is the perception that the use of tablets and phones can lead to issues with mental health. However, a new study has shown what experts have been saying for years. Screen time is not associated with mental health issues.
The Study The study published in Clinical Psychological Science explored how screen time affects the mental health of adolescents. Researchers compared a baseline survey given to 388 adolescents in rural and urban areas of North Carolina. Surveys were administered three times a day over a two-week period to the same adolescents. The survey asked questions related to time spent using technology and mental health. Researchers found that phone ownership and social media usage were unrelated to depression, anxiety, and inattention or hyperactivity. Some significant associations were found in the study. The study noted that adolescents who sent more text messages reported lower depression symptoms. In addition, it found that individuals who spent more time on technology for school work were more likely to exhibit signs of inattention and hyperactivity. The study also noted that adolescents who spent time on technology creating their own content actually experienced better mental health. This may be due to the benefits of creativity in children. Limitations of the Study There were some limitations to the study that may make it not as conclusive as we would hope. The study was based on self-reporting by adolescents. A more in-depth analysis of screen time usage and the content of text messages could further help understand the emotional well-being of individuals. However, researchers are hopeful that the study will help parents relax when it comes to the use of technology by their children. Parents should focus on having an open dialogue and spending time with their children rather than fighting over screen time. This should open up an opportunity to establish practices for helping children who are growing up during the digital age. If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation call (509) 991-7058.  Suicide is on the rise in the United States, especially in rural areas of the country. The findings of a study from Ohio State University found an astonishing rise in suicide rates for adults age 25-64. The study noted key factors such as lack of insurance and availability of guns that may have contributed to the rise.
The Study The study evaluated nationwide suicide data from 1999-2016 among adults age 25-64. Researchers created a county-by-county estimation of suicide rates. During that time period, suicide rates climbed by 41% from a rate of 15 suicides per 100,000 residents in 1999 to a rate of 21.2 suicides per 100,000 residents in the last three years of the study. Suicide rates were higher in less populous counties and areas where there were lower incomes and diminished access to resources. From 2014-2016, the suicide rates were considerably lower in large metropolitan counties than they were in rural counties. The highest suicide rates were concentrated mostly in Western states. The highest rates were found in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Rural counties in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia also had very high suicide rates. Moving Forward Researchers hope that the findings of their study will help narrow the focus of where suicide prevention help is most needed. The study helps highlight some of the factors that contribute to suicide rates, including a lack of resources and access to guns. The hope is that the study results can help drive further efforts toward assisting people in crisis in getting the help they need. In 2015, a nationwide prevention initiative was started in an effort to reduce the rate of suicides by 20% by 2025. Given the rise in suicide rates, it doesn't appear that the goal is attainable. However, the patterns and trends uncovered in the Ohio State study could be used to help shape future suicide prevention initiatives. Providing better access to mental health resources in rural counties could go a long way toward helping alleviate the problem. If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation call (509) 991-7058.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injury accounts for millionsof emergency department visits every year. In 2014, 812,000 children visited an emergency room for a traumatic brain injury. There are many different causes of brain injury. However, a recent studyshowed that consumer products are likely to be the cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children. The study found that most TBIs in children are caused by products such as beds, flooring, and sports equipment.
The Study The study focused on products and activities linked to TBI in children and teenagers. Researchers analyzed data related to over 4 million nonfatal TBIs reported in emergency rooms between 2010 and 2013. There were 1.1 million cases of TBI in teenagers aged 15-19 years old. There were 835,000 in children aged 10 to 14 years old, 683,000 in children aged 5 to 9, 1 million in children aged 1 to 4, and 380,000 in babies under a year. The study found that over 70% of TBIs in children were the result of a consumer product. It found that 42% of head injuries in infants were the result of home furnishings and fixtures. Within this group of home furnishings and fixtures, beds were found to be the most likely to cause a TBI, particularly among infants and children aged 1 to 4. This is not surprising given that young children spend much of their time at home. Car seats were found to be the fifth leading cause of brain injury in young children. While properly used car seats can save lives when they are used for purposes other than protecting a child in the car, they can be dangerous. Sports and recreation products contributed significantly to TBI in children aged 5 to 9, accounting for 32% of all injuries. These products were also significant contributors to TBIs in children aged 10-14 and teens aged 15-19. Among the sports and recreation products, bicycles, footballs, and basketballs were the most likely to cause a TBI. The study had some limitations given that the severity of the injuries was not investigated. In addition, it focused solely on injuries that resulted in a trip to the emergency department and not on other possible TBIs. If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation call (509) 991-7058.  Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common diagnosis among children in the United States. It is characterized by a lack of ability to focus and concentrate. Many children diagnosed with the condition are prescribed medication to control the symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 5.2%of American children take medication for ADHD. The drug Methylphenidate (MPH) is one of the most popular ADHD medications, and a new study warns parents that the drug may be affecting the brains of children who take it.
The Study MPH is usually sold under the brands Ritalin or Concerta. It has shown to be effective in treating ADHD, but its effects on children's brains were unknown. There hasn't been enough research performed to determine the effect it had on the brains of children. Researchers from the University of Amsterdam set out to determine the effect the drug had on the white matter of children's brains. White matter is the tissue in the brain that carries signals and is an important part of learning and overall brain function. Thestudylooked at 50 boys, and 49 adult men all diagnosed with ADHD. None of the participants had taken MPH prior to the study. This was a crucial part of determining the effects of the drug on a developing brain. Study participants were divided into two groups. One group took MPH for 16 weeks, and the other group took a placebo. Before and one week after the trial, the participants underwent MRI scans that assessed their white matter levels. The Results The results of the study showed that MPH had different effects on the white matter of children versus that of adults. In adult men who took the drug and the children who did not take the drug, the white matter levels were unchanged. In children who took the drug, there was an increase in white matter readings. The long-term implications of these findings are unclear. However, it is clear that MPH affects the development of brain structure. Researchers caution parents and doctors to make informed decisions when deciding to prescribe ADHD medication. If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation call (509) 991-7058.  The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is currently considering altering the entry for intellectual disability in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5). The DSM-5 is an essential tool for psychiatrists, researchers, insurers, and others who rely on it to determine whether someone is worthy of a diagnosis.
Proposed Change At issue in the change is the connection between two of the three criteria diagnosing intellectual disability. The three criteria for diagnosis are: 1) deficits in intellect; 2) deficits in adaptive functioning or daily life skills; and 3) onset in childhood. One sentence included in the DSM-5 seems to suggest that adaptive functioning deficits are required to be caused by deficits in intellect. It reads, "the deficits in adaptive functioning must be directly related to the intellectual impairments." In 2018, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) requested that the sentence be struck from the DSM-5. The APA has instead proposed that the language be replaced with language that states “deficits in adaptive functioning are a consequence of intellectual deficits.” A date has not been determined for when the language will be replaced. Concerns About the Change Experts agree that intellect and adaptive behavior are separate concepts. It is impossible to distinguish which adaptive functioning deficits are caused by IQ, educational opportunities, or mental health issues. This would make it difficult to diagnose intellectual disability because it cannot be established whether the adaptive functioning was a consequence of intellectual deficits. This could lead to an under-identification of individuals with intellectual disability and prevent people from receiving the services they need. The state of Texas, in the case of Moore v. Texas, used the language currently in the DSM-5 to find a man who would be executed as not having an intellectual disability. Texas noted that his adaptive functioning deficits were the result of a lack of education and not directly related to his intellectual functioning. The Supreme Court overturned the case and found that Moore did have an intellectual disability. If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation call (509) 991-7058.  The California Legislature has set aside $50 million this year for schools who are willing to try new ways of detecting and preventing mental illness in the school. The state is calling on school districts to fill in the gaps in mental health care and treatment for children and teens. The Mental Health Student Services Act establishes a program where county behavioral health departments can team up with local schools to establish campus-based mental health services. The goal of the program is to recognize and treat mental illness before it becomes severe and disabling. The hope is to prevent suicides, homelessness, and suffering.
California lawmakers have been working towards moving mental health services from the clinic to the classroom for years. It is believed that services provided at school could be the first line of defense by recognizing mental health conditions early. Most mental health conditions present themselves when a person is in their early to late teens. This makes schools the perfect place to detect illness early. School Support The legislation has been encouraged by school leaders who recognize that a student’s mental health can affect their academic performance. Many schools across the state have already initiated mental health programs on their campuses. The hope is that many more schools will seek funding to establish their own programs. Schools should play a larger role in the overall wellness of their students, and integrated mental health programs can go a long way toward accomplishing that goal. Lawmakers believe there will be a positive response from schools and that many school districts will seek to participate. Schools in California have long provided some degree of mental health care in the form of special education, but there is a growing consensus that it is not enough. Some people may think that it's unusual for schools to be involved in mental health care. However, school is where children spend much of their time and are being closely observed. It is an ideal location for services to be provided. Programs already in place at some schools have been demonstrating success. The Mountain View-Los Altos High School District employs more than half a dozen therapists to help hundreds of students. Students are treated primarily for anxiety and depression. The school also uses initiatives such as anonymous referral boxes which give school employees tips on students who may need some help. If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation call (509) 991-7058.  During the postpartum period, approximately 85% of women experience some type of mood disturbance. Even those women who have never suffered from a mental illness can experience the after-effects of the postpartum period. Many women suffer from what is known as "baby blues," which is a feeling of sadness and anxiety that occurs in the first couple of weeks after delivery. However, some women go on to experience more serious conditions.
Women are often afraid to seek help for their postpartum mental illness. Some women fear that they will be seen as weak and unable to care for their child. Other women fear that efforts to seek help could even lead to their children being taken away from them. However, it is important that we recognize the various types of postpartum mental illness and that greater awareness of these conditions can help women. Postpartum Depression Postpartum depression usually appears during the first few months but can appear at any time after delivery. Some women even experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy. It is clinically indistinguishable from other types of depression and includes symptoms such as:
Significant anxiety symptoms can also occur postpartum. Most women feel a general sense of anxiety and nervousness, but some women can experience anxiety attacks and hypochondria. In addition, some women report intrusive and obsessive thoughts about things such as harm coming to their baby. Postpartum Psychosis Not as common as anxiety and depression, postpartum psychosis is a rare and serious event. The onset of symptoms can begin as early as 48 to 72 hours after delivery. The symptoms closely resemble those of a bipolar manic state. Women with postpartum psychosis experience rapidly changing moods, confusion, and erratic or disorganized behavior. Delusional beliefs often centered on the infant, can occur. There is a significant risk of infanticide and suicide. Seeking Help It is crucial that women with postpartum mental illness seek the help they need. As a society, we must recognize these conditions and not place a stigma on needing mental health treatment. Women should be supported when they suffer from a postpartum mental illness so that they can work on getting through it. If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation call (509) 991-7058.  Around 1 in 68 children in the United States is believed to have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ASD is an umbrella term for conditions where individuals communicate and behave in ways that are different from people who are neurotypical. This sometimes manifests in issues with speech, nonverbal communication, social skills, and the repetition of behaviors. In some cases, individuals with ASD have emotional outbursts that can sometimes be destructive and dangerous.
Sudden outbursts of aggressive behavior are an unfortunate reality for individuals with ASD and their families. In order to minimize the harm these outbursts can bring, it may be helpful for caregivers to have advanced notice that an outburst is coming. Scientists have now developed a wearable device that they say can predict outbursts in individuals with ASD. Wearable Device The new device can be worn on the wrist. The technology detects signs of stress by monitoring the individual's heart rate, skin temperature, sweating, and arm movements. Scientists say the device can predict an outburst approximately 60 seconds before it happens with an accuracy rate of 84%. To test the device, scientists conducted a study involving 20 children with ASD who were prone to aggressive outbursts. The children wore the devices for a period of 87 hours. Researchers noted physiological changes and changes in behavior. Researchers then looked at this data to determine the types of changes that preceded an aggressive outburst. Advanced Warning Having advanced warning of an aggressive outburst can be a gamechanger for those caring for individuals with ASD. It can prevent caregivers from being caught off guard and give them an opportunity to potentially redirect or calm the aggression. They would also be able to remove that person to a safe environment or remove other individuals from the space for their safety. A great deal can be accomplished with even just a minute’s notice that an outburst is about to begin. If you or a loved one has a mental disability and has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Elizabeth Kelley specializes in representing individuals with mental disabilities. To schedule a consultation call (509) 991-7058. |
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