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Articles Archive for May 2011

Military Families »

[ 27 May 2011 | 3 Comments ]
Memorial Day – Not just another day off

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May each year to remember those who died in service to our Nation.  It is one of our Nation’s most somber and patriotic observances. The significance of Memorial Day is sometimes mistaken as a free Monday off from work. In fact, Congress made Memorial Day into a three-day weekend with the National Holiday Act of 1971, possibly promoting the “day-off” perception. Although we do appreciate the time…does the magnitude of action of the men …

Mental Health, Public Awareness and Support »

[ 25 May 2011 | 7 Comments ]
Ask SAMHSA: Questions About Mental Health Awareness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we would like to take your questions about preventing mental illness and promoting behavioral wellness! While the month of May is winding down, it is critical to recognize the importance of mental health awareness.  In 2009, 12 million adults aged 18 and older (5.3 percent) reported an unmet need for mental health care in the past year. These respondents included 6.1 million adults who did not receive any mental health …

Recovery Support »

[ 20 May 2011 | 75 Comments ]
Recovery Defined – A Unified Working Definition and Set of Principles

In August 2010, leaders in the behavioral health field, including people in recovery from mental health and addiction problems and SAMHSA met to explore the development of a common, unified definition of recovery.  Prior to this conversation it was very apparent as to the need of a common definition. In fact, SAMHSA had separate definitions for recovery from mental and substance use conditions. These different definitions, along with other government agency definitions, complicate the discussion as we work to expand health insurance coverage for treatment and recovery support …

Alcohol, Children, Community and Recovery Support, Education, Prevention, Public Awareness and Support »

[ 11 May 2011 | One Comment ]
When A Pregnant Woman Drinks, So Does Her Baby

May 8 – 14 is Alcohol and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week. SAMHSA wants to use this as an opportunity to raise awareness and educate the public about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
According to the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Alcohol Use in Pregnancy, when a pregnant woman drinks, so does her baby; thus, women, their partners, families, and friends need to understand that no amount of alcohol has been proven safe during any stage of pregnancy. Alcohol causes abnormalities when it crosses from the mother’s bloodstream through the umbilical …

Health Reform, Mental Health, Public Awareness and Support »

[ 5 May 2011 | One Comment ]
May is Mental Health Month: Let’s Do More for 1 in 4

Guest post by
David Shern, Ph.D., President and CEO
Mental Health America
May is Mental Health Month, a tradition that Mental Health America began over 50 years ago to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all.
Mental health is integral to our overall health and a major factor in all aspects of our lives. We see it play out in our relationships, in our performance at work or in school, and in our general health. We all live with daily threats to …