News

Mental Health Systems takes a proactive approach in communicating to the community about mental health issues, services and successes. Follow along with us as we promote healthy community practices through print, broadcast and social media. Please let us know if you see an item that would be of interest to others in the MHS community. Submit it here.

Accepting Parents Boost Mental Health of LGBT Teens

CNN - A new study finds that a supportive family environment can have a positive impact on the general and mental health of gay, lesbian and bisexual children. Researchers were able to define specific behaviors by parents and family that were perceived as being either accepting or rejecting of teens' sexual orientation, and to connect these behaviors to mental and general health outcomes in children. They found that teens from families who supported their sexual orientation were less likely to abuse drugs, experience depression or attempt suicide than those in less accepting families.

Mental Health Systems and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Open New Program

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and Mental Health Systems, Inc. (MHS) hosted an open-house for a groundbreaking program to rehabilitate female offenders on Tuesday, December 7. CDCR and MHS collaboratively operate the program, known as Casa Aurora located in Bakersfield. It is the only Female Rehabilitation Community Correctional Center (FRCCC) in California, and is the first program of its type in the nation.

December 2010 - Staying Well During The Holidays

The holidays are approaching and for many Americans that means adding unwanted pounds to their waistlines. From the office holiday party to Aunt Margaret's famous eggnog, it can be a challenge to not indulge in things you only get once a year. However, there are things that you can do to stay well and still have fun.

Find some tips and healthy new recipes at this month's Wellness Blast. You can click here to download this issue.

Americans Continue to Live with High Levels of Stress: Survey

Time -- The majority of Americans continue to live with moderate to high levels of stress, the annual Stress in America survey by the American Psychological Association finds. While people know it isn’t healthy, the find it difficult to manage or reduce stress. Worries about money are rising among Americans. The online survey found that 76 percent of adults cited money as a cause of stress. In last year’s survey, 71 percent reported it as a cause. The survey also found children pick up on their parents’ stress.

Health Law's New Patient-Centered Outcomes Board Takes Shape; More Insurance Waiver Requests Expected

Kaiser Health News' Daily Report -- The Washington Post reports on a new entity: the Board of Governors of the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. "If you're not familiar with the board, you're not alone. Created by the health-care overhaul law, it's one of the newest and least known panels in government. But the work of its 21 members, if successful, could increase the public's knowledge of medical treatments for everything from attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder to cancer.