Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 1867 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Police are often first responders to mental health crises, but tragedies are prompting change

Julianne Hill

April 01, 2021 |

ABA Journal |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Eugene, Oregon

Chicago's debate over which responses to mental health crises will avoid needless police shootings and other tragedies led city council members to the CAHOOTS model. The Eugene, Ore., program sends two unarmed first responders to provide links to needed services without bringing people to jail or a hospital. This diverts about 20% of 911 calls away from police, saving the city millions and improving outcomes for people in need. A much larger city has different needs. Chicago police have crisis intervention team training. A small co-responder team of mental health professionals will be added at first.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Parent burnout was an issue even before the pandemic. Could respite centers be the answer?

Hadley Barndollar

March 31, 2021 |

Seacoast Online |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Hampton, New Hampshire

A respite and resource center in New Hampshire is offering a reprieve to overburdened and stress-riddled parents during the coronavirus pandemic. The Relief Parent Respite and Resource Center has received positive reviews from those who have used the services available, but it can be cost-prohibitive for low-income families.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Translating Portugal's Approach to Drugs and Addiction

Elana Gordon

March 31, 2021 |

Undark |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Portugal

In the 20 years since Portugal decriminalized possession of personal amounts of all drugs, deaths from HIV and overdoses declined and more people take advantage of expanded drug treatment programs. Treating the country's addiction-related problems as a health concern rather than a crime has been embraced domestically and copied by other places, including most recently in the U.S. by Oregon. Portugal's experience serves in part as a cautionary tale about tailoring policies to local conditions and following through on ideals with clear, measurable approaches. Copying the program outright is not simple.

Read More
Go to Original Story
When ‘om' can help you take care of Mom: Meditation, mindfulness useful tools for many caregivers

Beth Adams

March 29, 2021 |

WXXI |

Podcast |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Mindfulness and meditation practices have been shown to reduce stress and neurological biomarkers of aging while also improving an individual's mood, resilience, and cognitive performance. To help connect caregivers to these practices, some programs are now offering classes at community centers.

Read More
Go to Original Story
‘Somebody cares': How schools are helping with student well-being

Chelsea Sheasley

March 24, 2021 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kennesaw, Georgia

To combat the mental health impacts of pandemic-era remote and hybrid learning, Palmer Middle School in Georgia established a grief-support group, a "stress busters" group, a book club, and a series of virtual lunch sessions with games and music to help students make connections and learn coping skills. More than 90% of students reported decreased stress levels after participating in the stress busters program, and their school attendance records also improved.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Sanbornton Connect(s) seniors aging in place

Roberta Baker

March 24, 2021 |

The Laconia Daily Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sanbornton, New Hampshire

Sanbornton Connect is a local information exchange and social network for aging residents who share advice about meeting the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of living out their years independently in their own homes. The network started just before the pandemic, but quickly filled a vacuum left by the community's shutdown. Three dozen residents gather monthly on Zoom to trade tips and hear from experts. The goal is to provide personal connections in a sparsely populated town, and in a way that helps people plan before they're in a crisis as their health declines.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How a Colorado town is untangling behavioral health care from the criminal justice system

Sady Swanson

March 22, 2021 |

Coloradoan |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Fort Collins, Colorado

Acting on a recognition that police and the criminal justice system are too involved in responses to mental health and substance abuse crises, UCHealth formed mental health response teams that partner with Fort Collins police on such calls. In about 80% of calls the teams handled, no arrests were made while people received treatment or were referred to needed services. This program plus one that diverts certain criminal cases into treatment, which can result in dismissal of charges, have built-in drawbacks but have begun de-emphasizing criminal-justice remedies when people need other help.

Read More
Go to Original Story
A month into pilot program, Portland Street Response Team brings hope to the streets

Laural Porter

March 19, 2021 |

KGW-TV |

Broadcast TV Talk Show |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

In its first month of operation, Portland Street Response Team began intervening with people on the streets who are experiencing substance abuse or mental health problems. The program, modeled on Eugene, Oregon's CAHOOTS program, provides counseling and paramedic services on 911 calls that once were handled only by police or fire officials. The pilot program is limited to one neighborhood and daytime hours, but will expand if results continue to show positive impacts. The target neighborhood was chosen for its cultural diversity and large numbers of people experiencing homelessness.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Rescuers take advantage of mental health services during tragic year

Emily Mieure Tom Hallberg

March 17, 2021 |

Jackson Hole News & Guide |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Teton County, Wyoming

First responders who face devastating emergency response outcomes in Wyoming are finding support through the Teton Interagency Peer Support group. The group anonymously connects the first responders with trauma-informed counselors – so far, 135 people have utilized the service.

Read More
Go to Original Story
‘Meeting people where they're at': How mobile crisis-response teams work

Charnel Anderson

March 15, 2021 |

TVO |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Thunder Bay police formed IMPACT (Integrated Mobile Police Assessment Crisis Team), pairing crisis responders with mental health expertise with police officers to respond 24/7 to people experiencing mental health crises. Instead of defaulting to police responses, which risk the use of force and often land people in custody or a hospital, the teams often are able to get people connected to needed social and health services. So far the team has managed to divert about 40 percent of calls to helping services.

Read More
Go to Original Story