U.S. Spends $9 Billion on Child Mental Illness
from Reuters
 Treating depression and other mental disorders in U.S. children cost $8.9 billion in 2006, making mental illness the most expensive condition to treat in childhood, U.S. government researchers reported. An estimated 4.6 million children were treated for mental disorders in 2006 at an average cost of $1,931 per child. More
UIUC School of Social Work's New Home.... National NASW Elections
from NASW IL
 This past Friday, I had the honor and pleasure of attending the dedication of the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) School of Social and the Children and Family Research Center's new home at 1010 W. Nevada Street, in Urbana, Ill. I note the new address, because many people remember the school's old home a block away at 1207 West Oregon, which as Dean Wynne Korr has noted possessed many "quirks," however the school's legacy, as Dean Korr also noted "has never been dependent on facilities." More
Oak Forest Mom Named 'Mother of the Year'
from Southtown Star
Social worker. Single mom. Student. Now add "Working Mother of the Year" to Kim Deschamps' resume. The 25-year-old single mother from Oak Forest, Ill., received the honor from Working Mother magazine earlier this month. And she's been floored by the announcement ever since. More
FRONTLINE Investigates What Really Happens to Mentally Ill Offenders when They Leave Prison
from PBS
This year, hundreds of thousands of prisoners with serious mental illnesses will be released into communities across America, the largest exodus in the nation’s history. Typically, mentally ill offenders leave prison with a bus ticket, $75 and two weeks worth of medication. Within 18 months, nearly two-thirds are re-arrested. In this follow up to the groundbreaking film "The New Asylums," FRONTLINE examines what happens to the mentally ill when they leave prison and why they return at such alarming rates. More
NASW 2009 Election
Online voting for the NASW 2009 national elections is available at https://www.intelliscaninc.com/nasw2009.htm
To access their ballots, members will need their membership ID. Candidates’ profiles and an official copy of the ballot were printed in the April issue of the NASW News (center spread) for those who choose to mail in their vote. Please note that, individual member mailings of election materials will not be sent out this year.
The deadline for voting is May 22. Online voters must register their votes no later than 8:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. CT, 6:30 p.m. MT, 5:30 p.m. PT. Please help us get the word out to members.
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Would-be Parents Turn to Foster Kids as Adoption Costs Rise
from USA Today
The recession has pushed the high cost of private adoptions out of reach for many prospective parents, prompting more of them to look into adopting hard-to-place foster children. At Adoption-Link in Oak Park, Ill., a lot of people call to inquire about private adoptions, but when told the fees, they say, "Oh my goodness, I can't afford that," says director Margaret Fleming. She refers them to foster care. More
VA Reports Fourth Positive HIV Test after Unsterile Hospital Equipment Used
from The Associated Press via The Chicago Tribune
Thousands of veterans were at first shocked to learn they should get blood tests for HIV and hepatitis because three hospitals might have treated them with unsterile equipment. Now, just a couple of months after the Department of Veterans Affairs issued the dire warnings, veterans are growing frustrated by the lack of information from the tightlipped federal agency. Nearly 11,000 former sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines could have been exposed to infectious diseases because three VA hospitals in the Southeast did not properly clean endoscopic equipment between patients. More
Children Who Get ADHD Drugs Score Higher on Tests
from Reuters
Children given stimulants to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms score higher on math and reading tests than children with the condition who do not get drugs, researchers said. A study that tracked 594 children diagnosed with ADHD from kindergarten through fifth grade found the 60 percent who were prescribed drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall performed better on standardized tests than peers with ADHD who were not given medication. More
Illinois Program Aims to Curb Spread of HIV
from the Belleville News-Democrat
The St. Clair County Health Department and the Illinois Public Health Association have begun a new outreach initiative in an effort to curb spread of HIV in Southwestern Illinois. The initiative − Illinois HIV Care Connect − is designed to raise awareness about a statewide network of services available to HIV-positive individuals. More
Intervention Program 'Checks on' Students
from The State Journal-Register
While not a direct result of the school shooting in Columbine, Colo., 10 years ago today, the program at Wilcox is part of a coordinated attempt in the Springfield School District to work with troubled students, the concern for whom heightened after that incident and others like it. More
Victory for Social Work Confidentiality in the Illinois House!
SB 1507 passes House by a vote of 116-0!
On Tuesday, April 28, 2009, the social work community in Illinois celebrated a victory for social work confidentiality as SB1507 passed the Illinois House of Representatives by a vote of 116-0. SB1507, which amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act. In a provision that allows a social worker to voluntarily disclose privileged information acquired from persons consulting the social worker in a professional capacity if it is in the course of formally reporting, conferring, or consulting with administrative superiors, colleagues, or responsibility to maintain confidentiality.
The bill has now passed both houses and will go to Governor Pat Quinn to be signed.
Please contact the main sponsors of the bill, in the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives to express your thanks. They include:
Senate Sponsors
Sen. David Koehler - Jacqueline Y. Collins - Christine Radogno
House Sponsors
Rep. Sandra M. Pihos - Renée Kosel- Elizabeth Coulson - Dan Reitz - Robert W. Pritchard
Their contact information can be found at http://ilga.gov/. Additionally, please contact your State Representative thanking them for their vote. Their contact information can also be found at http://ilga.gov/.
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Support the Post Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009!
Urge your Senator to support S.711, the "Post Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009"
Background
The mental health needs of the 1.64 million troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to make headlines. Over 18 percent of troops who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, nearly 300,000 troops, have symptoms of post traumatic stress or major depression. Another 19 percent have experienced a possible traumatic brain injury. Further, only 53 percent of service members with PTSD or depression sought help over the past year. The suicide rate among our military is at its highest point in 26 years and our male veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide than civilians. Additionally, the stigma that has long been present in the military creates a situation where mental health needs are not adequately tended to by professionals.
Senator Max Baucus recently introduced S. 711 to implement a mental health screening program throughout the military. This legislation is based on the premiere program in the country for caring for Montana National Guard members suffering from PTSD, which was extraordinarily successful. S. 711 will require mental health screenings before deployment, upon return home, and every six months for two years. This basic and effective program will help safeguard the mental health of our entire military.
Action Requested
Please contact your Senator and ask him or her to support this critical legislation. If your Senator is already a cosponsor of S. 711, you can send him or her a thank you note.
Take Action!
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