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September 2007

CDC Report Shows Largest One-Year Increase in Youth Suicide Rate in 15 Years—Suicide rates for 10-19 year-old females and 15-19 year-old males increased significantly in 2004
To view a copy of the full press release, visit www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070906.htm

Following a decline of more than 28 percent, the suicide rate for 10- to-24-year-olds increased by 8 percent, the largest single-year rise in 15 years , according to a report released Sept 6 in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

The decline took place from 1990 to 2003 (from 9.48 to 6.78 per 100,000 people), and the increase took place from 2003 to 2004, (from 6.78 to 7.32), the report said

"This is the biggest annual increase that we've seen in 15 years. We don't yet know if this is a short-lived increase or if it's the beginning of a trend," said Dr. Ileana Arias, director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. "Either way, it's a harsh reminder that suicide and suicide attempts are affecting too many youth and young adults. We need to make sure suicide prevention efforts are continuous and reaching children and young adults."

The report is an analysis of annual data from the CDC's National Vital Statistics System (NVSS). NVSS data are comprised of birth, death, marriage, divorce, and fetal death records in the United States . Researchers looked at trends during the 15-year period by gender, age group and suicide method. It did not examine reasons for the changes in suicide rates.

An increase in the suicide rates for three gender-age groups accounts for the increase in the overall suicide rate, the report said. Rates rose for 10- to-14-year-old females, 15 -to-19-year-old females and 15- to-19-year-old males from 2003 to 2004.

·    For 10- to-14-year-old females, the rate increased from 0.54 per 100,000 in 2003 to 0.95 per 100,000 in 2004

·    For 15-to-19 year-old females the rate increased from 2.66 to 3.52 per 100,000

·    For 15-to-19 year-old males, the rate increased from 11.61 to 12.65 per 100,000

To view a copy of the full press release, visit www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r070906.htm

Additional resources
For more information on suicide prevention and youth suicide, visit www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/Suicide/youthsuicide.htm

For more information about CDC's work on suicide prevention, please visit the CDC Injury Center's website at www.cdc.gov/injury
A resource for helping to prevent suicide is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free number, 1-800-273-TALK (273-8255) or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

August 2007

If you purchased Paxil® or Paxil CR™ for someone under the age of 18 you could receive 100% reimbursement from this class action proposed settlement.  A proposed settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit about the safety and effectiveness of treating children and adolescents with Paxil®, the prescription anti-depressant. The proposed settlement will pay cash to those who submit valid claims before August 31, 2007, as well as fees for the lawyers appointed by the Court, plus expenses and the costs of the proposed settlement administration.

•  If you have records of your purchases, you can recover 100% of your documented out-of-pocket expenses.  Your pharmacy should be able to give you a record of your Paxil purchases.

•  Even if you cannot find records of what you spent on Paxil, you can still receive up to $100 by completing a claim form.

To recover ALL of the money you spent on Paxil, your documented claim must be received by August 31, 2007. For more information about the settlement or to download or request a claim form, visit www.paxilpediatricsettlement.com or call 866-494-8404 (toll free).

October 2006

Behavioral Side Effects of Benzodiazepine Full Article
Behavioral side effects associated with benzodiazepines such as clonazepam (Klonopin®), diazepam (Valium®), and lorazepam (Ativan®) can be an easily overlooked and under-recognized problem for people who have mental retardation and can be inadvertently confused with other behavioral or psychiatric conditions. This is especially important because many individuals with mental retardation cannot effectively communicate the presence of these side effects and are, for the most part, dependent upon others for detecting and recognizing these side effects. The intent of this Alert is not to suggest that benzodiazepines should never be prescribed. Rather, the intent is to inform clinicians, families, and providers about the possibility of benzodiazepine behavioral side effects, discuss implications if these side effects are not correctly identified, and provide clinical profiles suggesting the need for review by appropriate health care professionals. Full Article

Please note: Under no circumstances should a client’s benzodiazepine medication be reduced or discontinued without a thorough evaluation by, and under the guidance of, the client’s psychiatrist/ neurologist and the client’s primary care physician.

This Alert was written for the Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities by Thomas E. Hanzel, M.A., Licensed Psychologist – Retired, New Prague, Minnesota, and John E. Kalachnik, M.Ed., Director of Integrated Services, Iowa Department of Human Services, Woodward Resource Center, Woodward, Iowa. The Alert is adapted from the following original research article: “Benzodiazepine Behavioral Side Effects: Review and Implications for Individuals with Mental Retardation,” by John E. Kalachnik, Thomas E. Hanzel, Robert Sevenich, and Stuart R. Harder, which was published in the American Journal on Mental Retardation, Volume 107, Number 5: 376-410, September 2002. Please refer to the original article for further information and additional references.

September 2006

University of North Carolina's Sibling Project
Drs. Jim Cook and Ryan Kilmer from the Psychology Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte are studying how brothers and sisters of children with mental disorders are doing. If you have a child currently receiving mental health services, and other children in the home (aged 5 – 10 years), you can help us learn what families need to be successful and improve services and supports for children and families like yours. To get more information, with no obligation, please contact: Samantha at 704-687-3230 or 1-866-431-7437 (toll free).

If you decide to participate, you will be asked to answer a set of questions – some about your child who is receiving mental health services and some about each sibling. For your time you will receive $10 for answering questions about your child receiving services and up to $45 for answering questions about each sibling. You can also participate in the future and be reimbursed for your time. Your participation is completely voluntary.

September 2006

Cardiovascular Safety Warning Added for Stimulants for ADHD
According to MedPage Today™, the FDA has ordered blanket changes for labels of all stimulants, including Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine sulfate) and Ritalin (methylphenidate). Full article
The content of MedPage Today is reviewed and accredited by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME). OCME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide CME for physicians.

May 2006

Specialized, On-going Support for Children/Families Who Moved to the Twin Cities after the Hurricanes.

•  Talk Out Loud groups for adults           •  On-going adult support groups           •  Louisiana Spirit

•  Therapy for adolescent boys                 •  Camp Noah for children                       • Family & Children's Services

If you know of other on-going resources available for these families and their very special needs, please send details and contact information to info@macmh.org and we will add them to this listing.  

African American Family Services
Dr. Pamela Harris, LISCW
310 East 38th Street, Suite 120
Minneapolis, MN 55409
612-813-0782 • Email: pamela@aafs.net

Children’s Home Society & Family Services—Upcoming “Talk Out Loud” Groups:
•    Monday, June 19th 6:00-8:00 pm
•    Monday, July 17th, 6:00-8:00 pm
•    Monday, July 31st 6:00-8:00 pm (for men only)
•    Monday, August 14th, 6:00-8:00 pm
•    Monday, August 28th, 6:00-8:00 pm
Contact: Tim McGuire, LICSW, 651-635-0477 or tmcguire@chsfs.org see below for dates of sessions.  All groups will be held at the Martin Luther King Center, 270 Kent Street, Saint Paul, 55102. A light meal will be served; please call 651-635-0477 prior  to the date of your “Talk Out Loud” group and indicate how many will attend. For those with no transportation, a home visit can be arranged to provide a Talk Out loud service; call Tim McGuire at 651-635-0477.

Minneapolis Urban League
2100 Plymouth Ave. North
Minneapolis, MN
Dr. Bravada Akinsanya, 612-302-3140 • Email: bravadaakinsanya@hotmail.com

Sabathani Center
These supper club gatherings include crisis debriefing with a skilled facilitator, and access to resources in the community. To reserve a place, contact Matthea Little Smith at Sabathani Community Center: 612-821-2300 or matthea@sabathani.org. 

Sabathani Community Center’s Talking Out Loud Supper Club
Debriefing Sessions

— On-going Adult Support Groups —
Held at Sabathani Community Center; focus on recovery and wellness.
For information, contact Matthea Little Smith at 612-821-2300 or mattea@sabathani.org.

— Therapy for Adolescent Boys —
Licensed Psychologist Willie B. Garrett of Cornerstone Therapy and Recovery Center, P.A. will arrange for therapy for teen boys who have relocated to Minnesota with or without their families. For information, contact Dr. Garrett at 651-645-0980 or e-mail cornerstonetherpayandrecovery.com.

— Camp Noah —
Lutheran Social Services created the Camp Noah model to help children on the road to recovery and hope after disasters. Aimed at children in grades K-6, the week-long day camp is provided without cost to the family, and uses trained therapeutic staff as well as volunteers. One camp was held in Minneapolis during spring break, and another is scheduled for the Lakeville area early in June. For information on registration or volunteering, visit www.CampNoah.org, or e-mail campnoah@lssmn.org.

2006 Camps in Minnesota will be held at the following locations:

June 19-23: Center for Families • 3333 4th Street N. in Minneapolis

June 26-30:  Hosanna Lutheran Church • 9600 163rd Street W. in Lakeville

July 10-14:  Lutheran Church of the Redeemer • 285 North Dale Street in St. Paul

— Family & Children's Service —
They provide outpatient mental health care and community services, with offices in Downtown Minneapolis, South Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, and Bloomington. They provide family therapy, in-home therapy, play therapy, and support groups for parents, children and adolescents. They will also work with schools to help children who have academic, attendance, or behavioral problems. For intake information, call 612-728-2061. Web site is www.famchildserv.org

— Louisiana Spirit —
Anyone from another state who needs crisis counseling or resource information from Louisiana can use "Louisiana Spirit." The Lifeline phone number is 1-800-273-TALK and can be used 24 hours a day. Your call will be transferred through a "warm connection" (no need for a second call) to someone who can help you find resources in a specific area of the state.

If you are considering a move back to Louisiana, ask about access to "Connection Counselors" who are specially trained to work with displaced families.

April 2006

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing
Several area organizations are now offering Critical Incident Stress Debriefing services to support Hurricane Katrina and Rita survivors who have relocated to Minnesota.

Sessions for adults are available through African American Family Services (612-813-0782), Children's Home Society and Family Services (651-635-0477), and the Minneapolis Urban League (612-302-3140).

Group and/or individual meetings are available at no cost. The organizations' intent is to provide an opportunity to get support, connect with other survivors, and receive information on other available services. Transportation assistance or home visits are available in some cases.

March 2006

You Can Deduct MA Parental Fees
ARC of Minnesota has published a ruling by the IRS that parental fees are, indeed, medical expenses that can be deducted on federal income taxes. To read more about deductable expenses, go to http://www.arcminnesota.com/IRSParFeeLtr.htm.

Summer Jobs for Young Artists in St. Paul
ArtsWork is an art- based summer youth employment and training program made available by COMPAS. V S A arts of Minnesota partners with COMPAS in order to address accommodation needs of students with disabilities. Accommodation needs include but are not limited to transportation, communication, behavioral support, etc. To be eligible, participants must be a resident of Ramsey County and be between the ages of 14 and 21. For more information go to http://mn.vsarts.org and click on "What's New?"

January 2006

Evaluate Depression Wellness Guides
Families for Depression Awareness is inviting families (teens with depression and their parents) to participate in a paid evaluation of their Depression Wellness Guides. These guides are designed to help teens get well faster and stay well, understand how to respond to adverse reactions from the Food and Drug Administration's Black Box warning on antidepressants, know what helps teens and what doesn't, and avoid hospitalizations and suicidal behavior. To learn more about the Guides and the evaluation process, go to http://www.familyaware.org/.

2005

Hennepin County receives funding for FASD screening
The Hennepin County Board accepted a $325,000 grant from Northrop Grumman Information Technology to implement a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) screening and intervention program in Hennepin County Juvenile Court. The report is available here

Improving Maternal and Infant Mental Health: Focus on Maternal Depression
The ZERO TO THREE Policy Center’s new study, “Improving Maternal and Infant Mental Health: Focus on Maternal Depression,” by Ngozi Onunaku, discusses the impact of maternal depression on the social and emotional health of young children and recommends specific steps that early childhood programs and public health administrators can take to address the unmet mental health needs of mothers. The report is available at: www.zerotothree.org/policy.

Minnesota Legislature Approves Measures to Improve Mental Health Services for Children and Adults
The 2005 Minnesota Legislature approved several measures that will improve mental health services for children and adults by increasing funding and coverage of services based on evidence-based practices in community settings. Click here for a summary prepared by the Minnesota Department of Human Services:
www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/groups/publications/documents/pub/dhs_id_051906.hcsp

Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Alert
The Minnesota Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Mental Retardation has issued an alert for caretakers of people taking atypical anti-psychotics who may become diabetic or are subject to possibly fatal levels of hyperglycemia.  Please click on the following link to learn more:
www.ombudmhmr.state.mn.us/alerts/hyperglycemiaalert.htm

165 Western Avenue North Saint Paul, MN 55102 Phone: 651-644-7333 1-800-528-4511 Fax: 651-644-7391