Recent News

Editor’s Note: This article initially appeared in the March 2023 issue of the Danya Dialogue Newsletter (published March 14, 2023).   In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women's History Month in perpetuity. During this month, we honor the extraordinary achievements of American women. HHS Region 3 MHTTC proudly salutes Annelle Primm, MD., MPH, a […]

Journey to a Trauma Informed Life provides culturally and LGBTQ+ sensitive mental health services in Erie, Pennsylvania. The practice, which began in 2019, consists of 12 therapists who represent the diverse populations they serve.   Learn more

Over a 20-year period, estimated national costs of self-injury death increased by 143%, from $0.46 trillion to $1.12 trillion (1999-2000 to 2018-2019). Deaths by suicide and non-homicide opioid and other drug intoxication, whether deliberate or not, are included in the self-injury mortality category.   Learn more

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows suicides increased in 2021 to the highest levels seen in four years. According to the findings, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 48,183 Americans died by suicide in that year with a rate of 14.1 suicides per 100,000 people. […]

Kenyatta Johnson, a member of the Philadelphia City Council, facilitated a roundtable discussion with members of local agencies and nonprofit organizations to develop strategies for impeding gun violence. The forum provided an opportunity to collaborate on supporting victims or co-victims of gun violence who are confronting the challenges of trauma.   Learn more  

A coalition of healthcare organizations in Virginia has started a new effort that aims to reduce physician burnout and encourage more healthcare workers to seek treatment from mental health professionals. The "All In: Caring for Virginia's Caregivers" initiative will honor hospitals and health systems as well-being champions if they eliminate intrusive mental health inquiries from […]

New poll data from the Pew Research Center reveals that parents of children under 18 reported being "extremely" or "very" concerned (40%) or "somewhat" concerned (36%), respectively, about their children struggling with anxiety or depression.   Learn More

The Central East MHTTC has released new products for those coping after losing someone to suicide. We collaborated with the Region 3 Suicide Prevention Learning Collaborative and Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. to develop two versions of an infographic on suicide postvention.   Suicide Postvention Information for Loss Survivors Suicide Postvention Information for Behavioral Health […]

The effects of gun violence in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania are well known to the students at Youth Enrichment Services (YES). Teens' suggestions for lowering gunfire around the county are included in the organization's "Reducing Gun Violence in Our Community: Teen Voices and Visions" study, which was published last month. YES spent a year training youth […]

Through the introduction of its new Mental Health Fellowship program, which will assist master's level individuals in obtaining their licensing as they counsel patients, Jewish Family Services hopes to alleviate some of the shortage of mental health professionals in Delaware.   Learn more

The Caesar Rodney School District’s new five-year strategic plan will concentrate on social and emotional learning. This shift will increase access to counseling and other mental health services in schools, as well as lesson plans that inform students about various mental diseases and the resources available for receiving care.   Learn More

According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 41% of American adults reported at least one instance of intense psychological distress between March 2020 and September 2022. This distress is also strongly related to disability status and income.   Learn more

A growing movement of counselors are transforming therapy by using culturally responsive techniques. These approaches examine the external pressures, stressors, and layers of oppression that keep therapy from serving many marginalized communities.   Learn More

Community Care of West Virginia has received $1,250,000 in funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The financial award will support school-based behavioral and mental health services for youth in the north central region of the state.   Learn more

Partnerships between schools and community organizations offer students more comprehensive mental health support. These partnerships, which bring psychologists or social workers into school buildings, help school districts address ongoing mental health clinician shortages.   Learn more

A newly released U.S. Surgeon General report outlines five key essentials for ensuring mental health and well-being at work: Protection from Harm, Connection and Community, Work-Life Harmony, Mattering at Work, and Opportunity for Growth.   Learn More

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) has a new online tool to assist parents and other caregivers in seeking confidential mental health care for their kids. Participants can anonymously ask questions about mental and behavioral health resources and how to use them during free, weekly online chats hosted by DHHR's Kids […]

A new report published by the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine examines the economic and mortality burden of mental health inequities in America, specifically as it relates to indigenous populations and racial and ethnic minoritized groups. Economic Burden of Mental Health Inequities in the United States found that over a […]

Faith community nurses can play a pivotal role in improving the mental health of persons who attend churches, mosques, synagogues and other houses of worship, according to new research out of the West Virginia University School of Nursing. Learn more

A new 24/7 crisis service helpline is available for Pennsylvania’s and Virginia’s farming populations seeking mental health help. The AgriStress Helpline is an evidence-based suicide prevention lifeline designed for agricultural communities. Farmers and ranchers are experiencing multiple stressors, such as disruptions to food supply networks, reduced crop yields and livestock productivity due to natural disasters, […]

The Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware public school systems have been ranked among the top 10 in the U.S. according to a new study conducted by WalletHub (numbers 4, 5, and 6, respectively). WalletHub’s analysis is based on evaluating two key dimensions - quality and safety – using 32 relevant metrics. Schools in the District of […]

Cultural Inclusiveness and Equity (CIE) WISE, a new companion training to Classroom WISE, is now available. The Central East MHTTC developed the 3-part package in partnership with the National Center for School Mental Health. This online resource was designed to help K-12 educators and school staff gain knowledge about how inequities in education impact student mental health and how […]

Virginia’s Behavioral Health Utilization and Expenditures dashboard will track how Medicaid enrollees use their insurance for mental health and developmental disabilities services. The dashboard is part of a multi-phase initiative to improve the quality of behavioral health care and reduce strain on the state psychiatric facilities. Learn more

The D.C. Board of Education’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC) released their annual report to the agency on July 20. The report includes citywide survey findings about how students coped with their mental health challenges during the 2021-2022 school year. The SAC consists of 10th-12th graders who attend Washington, DC public and charter schools. Learn More