Vaping: More than just blowing smoke
By Phyllis Hanlon
In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a National Youth Tobacco Survey and found that 2.39 million teens are “vaping” (i.e., using an electronic smoking device). As this trend continues to grow, parents, schools and health professionals struggle with ways to effectively address the problem. William T. Mautz, Ph.D, of Children’s Neuropsychological Services in Andover, Arlington and Newton, Massachusetts and Exeter, New Hampshire, indicated that his practice treats a large teen population from both public and independent schools and the problem of vaping cuts across all settings. He explained that teens don’t recognize the dangers involved [More]
Tags: Marijuana, kids, teens, vaping, electronic smoking device, flavors, dangers, getting high, Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program, cancer, e-cigarettes
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Vermont and Conn. launch Web sites as resources
By Catherine Robertson Souter
Recognizing that the Internet has become a first point of contact for many people looking to access mental health care information, the states of Vermont and Connecticut each recently announced the launch of Web sites aimed at creating greater access to information, discussion forums, basic advice and contact or hotline numbers. In Vermont, the Center for Health and Learning has partnered with the Vermont Department of Mental Health in developing a site geared toward suicide prevention. The Vermont Suicide Prevention Center (VSPC), was recently created as a state-wide resource designed to support prevention efforts and assist communities in implementing suicide [More]
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Vermont bill would change involuntary treatment laws
By Rivkela Brodsky
A bill sitting on Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin’s desk will change the state’s involuntary treatment and medication laws for psychiatric care. The state currently requires two separate court hearings on involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital and later, on involuntary medication, a process that state officials and hospital administrators say was taking too long. A new bill that saw bipartisan support among lawmakers in the latest legislative session would allow the hearings to take place at the same time and sets something of a timeline to treatment in a hospital. Other changes include that an “interested party” can request an [More]
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Vermont cancer patient program provides vital support
By Janine Weisman
The holiday season – and all of its demands – can be stressful enough for healthy people. But for those facing a cancer diagnosis, it’s a particularly tough time of year. “At the holidays, I can tell you that the sad story is that cancer doesn’t rest,” says Kathleen McBeth, M.A., a licensed psychologist master, and coordinator of the Cancer Patient Support (CPS) Program in Burlington, Vermont. The independent, non-profit organization offers free comprehensive supportive services to cancer patients and their families throughout northern Vermont and upstate New York. Sadness, grief and anxiety are normal reactions for a newly diagnosed [More]
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Vermont case shines light on assisted outpatient treatment use
By Catherine Robertson Souter
A recent court case in Vermont may change the way the state can utilize involuntary outpatient commitment, also known as assisted outpatient treatment (AOT). Vermont’s Legal Aid Mental Health Law Project successfully argued a case in front of the state’s Supreme Court in April asking that a client be released from his AOT since the state had failed to prove that he will become a danger to himself or others in the near future. Across the United States, AOT has become more common in the past decade, with 45 states having some form of the law on their books. (Connecticut, [More]
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Vermont decreasing use of restraints during transport
By Pamela Berard
The state of Vermont is renewing efforts to decrease the use of restraints on mentally ill residents who are involuntarily put in state care. State law – passed in 2003 and updated in 2005 – declares that residents should be transported with “the least restrictive means necessary.” Despite the law, data compiled by the Department of Mental Health shows that the use of metal restraints is static. They were used for involuntary transport of adults 58 percent of the time in 2011 (59 percent in 2010). For “secure” transports (transporting by uniformed sheriff’s services), metal restraints were used 73 percent [More]
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Vermont examining its residential facility needs
By Pamela Berard
A report recently presented to the Vermont state legislature outlines preliminary recommendations related to the development of a new secure residential facility to address the needs of individuals with mental illness. Frank Reed, commissioner, Department of Mental Health, Agency of Human Services (AHS), prepared the “Report on Secure Residential Facility: Plan for Siting and Design” in accordance with “Act No. 26: An Act Relating to Capital Construction and State Bonding,” in which the Secretary of Human Services was tasked with conducting an examination of the needs of the AHS. The report considered siting and designing of a secure residential facility, [More]
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Vermont grapples with budgetary priorities
By Janine Weisman
The Vermont Department of Mental Health’s current fiscal year $174 million budget represented a 15 percent increase to enhance community services in the only state which until recently had no government-operated psychiatric beds. It wasn’t enough. Developing a strong community mental health system will require another $20 million, Finance and Management Commissioner Jim Reardon informed lawmakers during January mid-year budget adjustment discussions. Expenditures included mobile crisis teams to monitor patients at risk and new beds in transitional housing. Much of that increase is offset by decreases in other departments so the general fund impact is about $4.5 million. “If we [More]
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Vermont mayors cite mental health reform as priority
By Janine Weisman
The mayors of eight Vermont communities have named mental health reform their top legislative priority for 2014 to draw attention to the plight of emergency rooms and law enforcement agencies across the state coping with rising demand for services. “There is a fairly acute problem in this area right now. We see that in the strain of law enforcement. We see it in the strain on our hospitals,” says Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger. “We have seen some unfortunate events, very high profile events, that have affected Vermonters over the last year and there is an active policy discussion going on [More]
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Vermont moves to cover PTSD for first responders
By Janine Weisman
Legislation to provide workers compensation benefits for first responders who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder in the line of duty has passed both the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate. Now awaiting Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s signature as of New England Psychologist’s press deadline, the effort has made its way further than similar proposals that appear to have stalled this year in Connecticut and Florida. Vermont House Bill 197, introduced by Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas (D-Bradford), deemed PTSD compensable under the state’s workers compensation act for police officers, firefighters, and rescue or ambulance workers diagnosed up to three years after retirement. [More]
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