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The following links for
articles (listed by date published) have appeared in
newspapers and publications that are available with
on-line editions. They are listed for your
information, education and use in the gathering of
data and knowledge to further raise awareness and
the prevention of suicide.
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July 14, 2008 - "Reno Gazette-Journal",
Reno,
NV
Nevada works to close distance
Officials
responding to a critical lack of mental health
resources are hoping technology, newly licensed
counselors, partnerships with higher education and
community education about suicide will reduce deaths
and improve the quality of life for rural Nevadans.
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July 13, 2008 - "Reno Gazette-Journal", Reno,
NV
Officials trying to spare
mental health from more budget cuts
In the face of Nevada’s
worst budget crisis in three decades, state health
and human services officials are hoping rural mental
health clinics will not suffer cuts.
Rural clinics are already
understaffed and cannot recruit for vacant
positions, creating a waiting list of up to a year
for patients who need to see a mental health
counselor, officials said.
July 13, 2008 -
"Reno Gazette-Journal", Reno,
NV
What Nevada is doing
about the rural mental health crisis
The
rural mental health crisis prompted legislators last
year to establish the “licensed clinical
professional” to increase the pool of qualified
counselors in the state, especially in rural areas.
The legislation expands the scope of practice for
some drug and alcohol counselors to work with mental
illness and emotional issues.
July 13, 2008 -
"Reno Gazette-Journal", Reno,
NV
Advocate: If you
notice symptoms, tell somebody
When Jan Bassier’s son was in middle school, he told
her he would feel better if he were dead.
Bassier, of Elko, took Brian to see their family
physician. The doctor’s diagnosis was that Brian was
healthy but needed a better diet and exercise.
“I thought his troubles had to be related to teen
angst and I didn’t pursue (psychiatric) help,” she
said, relieved the doctor found no mental problems.
But years later, Brian revealed to his family he was
abused by strangers when he was 6. He declined
counseling, saying he had worked out his issues.
Months after the revelation, he killed himself in
March 2001. His parents found paperwork in his room
filled out by his friends for Brian to be assessed
by a counselor at the county mental health clinic.
July 13, 2008 -
"Reno Gazette-Journal", Reno,
NV
What Nevada is doing
about the rural mental health crisis
The rural
mental health crisis prompted legislators last year
to establish the “licensed clinical professional” to
increase the pool of qualified counselors in the
state, especially in rural areas. The legislation
expands the scope of practice for some drug and
alcohol counselors to work with mental illness and
emotional issues.
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July 12, 2008 -
"Reno Gazette-Journal",
Reno,
NV
When health clinics are
closed, ERs and jails are the only places patients
can go
A 20-year-old woman, depressed and under a large
amount of medications arrived at the Carson Valley
Medical Center emergency room several months ago.
A physician tried to transfer the woman to a
psychiatric facility in Carson City, but the center
had no staff available. “We do not have mental
health (professionals) here to interview and
evaluate her for further risk of suicide at this
time,” the doctor wrote in his notes. “We were
consulting with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office,
who will hold her overnight, and Douglas County
Mental Health will see her in the morning. “(The
patient) was not very happy with this plan, but is
willing to go. (Her mother) says she still considers
her a high suicide risk, and is uncomfortable
observing the patient at home.” This scenario
is common at hospitals in rural Nevada.
July 12, 2008 -
"Reno
Gazette-Journal", Reno,
NV
Despite economic
boom, patients often don’t get needed treatment
Elko County is also the retail and service hub for
northeastern Nevada. Its gold rush launched an
economic boom for the growing area. But
despite the growth and prosperity, Elko County
residents who need mental health treatment often
don’t get it.
No psychiatrists work in the area, although some
travel there a couple times a month. Some patients
talk to psychiatrists over an online web camera. But
according to one 2003 state report, only 8 percent
of the mentally ill residents of Elko County got the
treatment they needed — the lowest treatment rate in
the state.
July 12, 2008 -
"Reno
Gazette-Journal", Reno,
NV
Experts are unsure
why suicides high in rural Nevada areas
Nevada’s rural counties, home to 10 percent of the
state’s population, have the highest suicide rates
in the state. The Nevada suicide rate has been
up to three times the national average since the
state began sending vital statistics to the federal
government in 1929. “It’s striking for all of
us working on this issue how clear and pronounced it
is epidemiologically, and yet how much of a puzzle
it remains,” said sociologist Matt Wray, who
authored a report on Nevada suicide in 2006 for the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “We just don’t know
why the rates are higher.”
July 12, 2008 -
"Reno
Gazette-Journal", Reno,
NV
Nevada officers pulled off
patrols to fill gap
The lack of mental health resources in rural
communities takes a toll on public safety and law
enforcement budgets when officers are required to
leave their patrols to drive citizens hundreds of
miles away to the nearest psychiatric hospital
during emergencies, authorities say.
July 12, 2008 -
"Reno
Gazette-Journal", Reno,
NV
Rural Nevada lacks
mental health care
Rural Nevada’s suicide rate is more than twice the
national average, a problem compounded by lack of
resources, remote locations and the stigma of
seeking treatment in a small town. Clinics are
often the only source of mental health treatment for
rural residents. Few mental health professionals,
especially psychiatrists, are in private practice in
the 15 non metro counties. The critical lack
of treatment for rural citizens threatens public
safety and clogs emergency rooms and jails.
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Sept 11, 2006 - "KLAS TV - Channel 8", Las Vegas,
NV
Suicide Ranks High in Nevada
Nevada is ranked third in the nation when it comes
to suicide. More people in Nevada die from suicide
than from murder or in car accidents. In 2003, more
than 430 people died from suicide and that's almost
twice the national average. Now, there is an office
in Las Vegas dedicated to preventing suicide in
Nevada.
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Sept 23, 2005 - "The Las Vegas Review Journal",
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada gets grant for suicide
prevention efforts
The federal government has announced an annual
$400,000 grant for three years to help Nevada deal
with its high youth suicide rate. Theresa Anderson,
deputy administrator of the state Division of Child
and Family Services, said part of the grant will be
used to start a pilot program to screen ninth
graders in 20 high schools in Clark County.
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Sept 11, 2004 - "The Review Journal", Las Vegas, NV
Congress OKs suicide
prevention bill
Congress approved a bill boosting federal support
for youth suicide prevention on Thursday, a year
after the son of an Oregon senator took his own
life. The Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act was named
after the son of Republican Sen. Gordon Smith.
Garrett Smith, who battled depression, killed
himself on Sept. 8, 2003, the day before his 22nd
birthday. The bill was approved by both houses of
Congress on Thursday, the day Garrett Smith would
have turned 23. Senators observed a moment of
silence before approving the bill and sending it to
the White House for President Bush to sign into law.
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