mental health

Berkshire Advocates Raise Awareness of Mental Health Issues

Lucas Willard — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:08:15 +0000

May is nationally recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, and mental health advocates in the Berkshires are becoming involved to educate the public about the resources available for those living with mental illness.

As part of a way to draw attention to mental illness is his local community, North Adams mayor Richard Alcombright recently called together a discussion with mental health professionals and representatives of area mental health service providers.

"Really what we wanted do this week was to get out some awareness and get it going," said Alcombright.

Forum in Putnam County Addresses School Safety

Allison Dunne — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:04:00 +0000

A New York State Senator from the Hudson Valley is holding a roundtable later this morning on school safety. He is hosting the forum with a county sheriff.

Western Mass. Police Officers Train With Berkshire Actors

Lucas Willard — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:52:00 +0000

On Friday, actors from the Royal Berkshire Improve Troupe portraying real-life mental health crisis situations helped train law enforcement officers from across Western Massachusetts.

Organized by the Berkshire County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the unscripted role-playing designed to increase an officer’s confidence in handling a call involving individuals with mental illness, comes after a 40 hr training course the officers participated in to recognize and deal with mental health crises.

Conn. Lawmakers Studying Mental Health Care With Few Details on Newtown Gunman

Lucas Willard — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 03:00:00 +0000

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers are reviewing mental health care following the Newtown school shooting, even though they and the public have little insight into what might have been ailing the 20-year-old gunman.

A prosecutor says he cannot release any information about Adam Lanza's mental health because of state conduct rules for attorneys.

His office is reviewing whether details of Lanza's mental state can be released to the public after the police report is completed, possibly in June.

Gov. Patrick Will Push for Increase in Mental Health Funding in Next Budget

Lucas Willard — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:43:31 +0000

Prior to his State of the Commonwealth address earlier this week, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick outlined a comprehensive public safety plan which aside from new gun laws, included a significant increase in funding for the state’s Department of Mental Health.

Advocates Concerned About Mental Health Clauses in Gun Control Law

Pat Bradley — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:59:40 +0000

The new firearms limitations passed in New York State include provisions that restrict those with mental illnesses from gun ownership. While mental health advocates don’t have a problem with tightening the state’s gun laws, they are concerned that the mental health clauses could inadvertently create more problems.

Vox Pop : Medical Monday with Dr. N. Michael Murphy : 1/14/13

Patrick Donges — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Today on Medical Monday to answer your questions on issues of mental health and end of life care is Dr. N. Michael Murphy, founder of the Love, Loss and Forgiveness Project.

A graduate of University College in Dublin, Ireland, he completed his residency in psychiatry at Boston State Hospital.

Conn. Gov. Names Members of Sandy Hook Advisory Panel

Lucas Willard — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:00:00 +0000

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has named 16 people, a group that includes mental health and public safety experts, to a panel recommending changes to state laws and policies in the wake of the deadly elementary school shooting in Newtown.

Vermont to Get $30M for New Psychiatric Facilities

Pat Bradley — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:30:00 +0000

Mass. Advocates, Lawmakers Want Action on Mental Illness in Next Session

Lucas Willard — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 23:25:00 +0000

In the weeks following the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn, politicians and pundits across the country have been searching for a solution to help prevent a similar tragedy from occurring in the future – and in the neighboring state of Massachusetts, lawmakers and advocates are hoping that a discussion on mental health issues can be made a priority in the next legislative session. WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard has more...