In the News

Major depression is a leading cause of disability in the United States The new screening guidelines emphasize that it is common,painful, costly and treatable.

NAMI New York's Hakeem Rahim, EdM, MA testified for NAMI at a Senate hearing on reform of the mental health care system. Video and text are presented.

$500 million would provide a great help for people needing mental health care. States across the country cut mental health funding during the recession by approximately $4 billion

NAM's report “State Mental Health Legislation: Trends, Themes and Effective Practices” recognized three states—Minnesota, New York and Virginia–as nationalleaders. NAMI itself has many great executive directors. but it doesn't hurt that Minnesota's directoris willing to make herself a thorn in the side of decisionmakers.

NAMImedical director Ken Duckworth is consulted an advises that depending on the severity of a situation, a person can start by simply asking the neighbor, “Do you have a friend or family member I can call for you?”

Police are being asked to fill the gaps that have been created by aninadequate mental health care system.

Many doctors worry that these drugs are used despite no published research into their effectiveness and potential health risks for children so young

Advice columnist Carolyn Hax recommendsNAMI Family-to-Family education program

NAMI Report on State Mental Health Legistion in 2015. See www.nami.org/statereport for full PDF copy of report (75 pages)

Taking antidepressants during the second or third trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder.