Written By: Paolo Delvecchio, Director, Center for Mental Health Services
A recent column in the New York Times by David Brooks (“The Psych Approach,” Sept. 27, 2012) provides key insight on how children who experience serious difficulties in youth, such as experiencing trauma, often end up as adults challenged with major obstacles to success such as failure in school, substance abuse, mental illnesses, health risk behavior, chronic disease, and each of these ultimately contribute to early mortality.  Brooks cites the seminal CDC-funded Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study by Vince Felitti and Robert …

Written By: Paolo del Vecchio, Acting Lead, Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, Acting Director CMHS
Interested in living longer?  For survivors of violence, abuse, neglect, disaster, terrorism, and war, understanding the nature and impact of these traumas and working through the healing process is the key.
May marks Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States.  This is a time when we reflect on research, weigh in on prevention measures, and encourage Americans to think about and act on their mental health and wellness.  The link between trauma and behavioral health (mental health …

We offer our sympathies and support to the victims, families, staff, community and all impacted by the recent tragedies in Chardon, Ohio, Jacksonville, Florida, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  SAMHSA has reached out and stands ready to provide that support.
SAMHSA has many resources to assist with coping with the aftermath of such tragedies. Please see SAMHSA’s website to access these materials.
We should continue to work to prevent violence in our schools and communities. SAMHSA has been a leader with the U.S. Department of Education through its Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative. Find out more at: http://www.sshs.samhsa.gov/
We can all do our part to help prevent such …

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Chardon High School in Ohio, we’d like to offer support to the victims, families, and all  impacted by this sad event.
Coping with violence and trauma is challenging for everyone. Even if you are not directly affected, it may bring up some past experience of loss or trauma.
Everyone responds to news like this differently – some people have an immediate response and for others it may take some time. It is important to keep the lines of communication open with family, friends, teachers, …