Weekly Update: 5 Stories in Mental Health News January 17th
Oklahoma Counseling Institute Begins Article Series on Evidenced-Based Care
What is the difference between Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient mental health treatment? Where should a clinician go to learn more about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Emotionally Focused Therapy? Find out on the Oklahoma Counseling Institute.
Incarcerated Individuals in Oklahoma Wait More Than a Year for Mandated Mental Healthcare
According to Oklahoma County Detention Center CEO Brandi Garner, 480 days is the average length of time an individual incarcerated in the Oklahoma County Jail for mental health concerns must wait before receiving treatment. According to Garner, one individual waited 1,026 days before being transported to a state treatment facility. Read more on KOCO.
US Senator Speaks Candidly About Mental Health and Inpatient Treatment
Senator John Fetterman recently discussed his battle with depression that led him to seek inpatient mental health treatment in early 2023. Fetterman reported that initially he was anxious to pursue treatment for depression due to the potential political repercussions, but that he has since received support from colleagues on both sides of the political aisle. Read more on NBC.
Federal Act Increases Funding for Mental Healthcare in US Schools
In 2022, the Safer Communities Act (SCA), a national initiative aimed at decreasing gun violence, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. According to an announcement by Vice President Kamala Harris, $285 million of the SCA funding will be dedicated to hiring 14,000 mental health counselors in US schools. Read more on The Hill.
Researchers Develop Hypothesis for Why Electroconvulsive Therapy May be Effective
With up to an 80% effective rate, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in a controversial intervention used in the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Though it has been used in mental health treatment for decades, researchers have only recently identified the specific electrical activity in the brain that is affected by ECT, leading to symptom alleviation. Read more on Science Daily.
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The Oklahoma Counseling Institute is proud to provide educational articles, a members-only resource database, and continuing education courses for providers in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and beyond! Learn more at www.counselinginstitute.org OCI is an approved CEU provider for the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Board of Behavioral Health, and Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors!