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The Health Care Debate And Its Impact On Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:47:03 +0000

With all the heated debate over health care reform, just what was supposed to happen to the often ignored areas of substance abuse and mental health services? At least, a new law that took effect at the start of 2010 will give parity to these services in large employee group insurance plans.

Although these important elements of health services werent entirely forgotten in the speeches in Congress and around the nation at public hearings, were they going to receive their proper attention, even as agreement on health care reform remained divisive?

In a Dec. 16, 2009, speech, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke about the need for mental health and substance abuse services as she addressed health care providers and others near Baltimore.

Sebelius spoke of the huge opportunity we have in the next couple of years to make some big improvements in the lives of Americans with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders.

She added: There are a lot of changes happening right now that could have a big impact on behavioral health: parity, health insurance reform, the growing popularity of integrated care models, an increased focus on prevention, huge gains in our understanding of the science behind mental illness and substance abuse.

Sebelius made no promises, though, leaving future measures for these dual diagnosis treatment services up in the air, but she did stress the need to work together on a solution. These changes are creating a lot of potential for progress, but we also know that nothing is guaranteed. The integrated care models that spread could have a strong mental health component. Or they could not. We might find effective ways to apply some of the research were doing. Or we might not. In order to get the most out of the next few years, all of us in government, the private sector, and the non-profit world are going to have to work hard to steer these changes in a direction that benefits our friends and neighbors with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders, she said.

What was most encouraging about her speech was the recognition of the seriousness of the problem and how common it is. She cited figures that about one in five Americans will have a mental illness this year and almost half of Americans will have a mental illness in their lifetime.

While health care reform is still up for debate, there is the implementation of the Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, which Congress passed last year and went into effect Jan. 1, 2010, for employer group health plans with more than fifty employees.

Thanks to parity, millions of Americans with mental illness and substance abuse disorders will get the care they need. Its going to help people afford their medicines. Its going to make them less likely to put off important care. And its also an important symbolic step, Sebelius said.

The law is directed to put mental health benefits on equal terms in many health plans today and applies to all plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), including self-insured plans.

But just like the debate over health care, more focus is needed on these essential services.

The Health Care Debate And Its Impact On Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services is a post from: Health

Gentiva Health Service Receives Rx Assistance From American Consultants Rx

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:58:48 +0000

Charles Myrick the President of American Consultants Rx announced the re-release of the American Consultants Rx community service project. ACRX donated over 20 million ACRX discount prescription cards throughout the country. One of the main locations in the Andalusia,AL area that will receive an initial donation of ACIRX free prescription cards,is the Gentiva Health Service. The ACRX cards are to be given free to anyone in need of help curbing the high cost of prescription drugs. Please contact Gentiva Health Service for additional information and a free card .

Due to the rising costs, unstable economics, and the mounting cost of prescriptions, American Consultants Rx Inc. (ACRX) a.k.a (ACIRX) an Atlanta based company was born in 2004. The ACRX discount prescription card program was created and over 3 million discount prescription cards were donated to the community across the country free of charge between 2004-2005.

The ACRX cards will offer discounts of name brand drugs of up to 40% off and up to 60% off of generic drugs. They also possess no eligibility requirements, no forms to fill out, or expiration date as well .One card will take care of a whole family. Also note that the ACRX cards will come to your organization already pre-activated .The cards are good at over 50k stores from Walgreen, Wal mart, Eckerd’s, Kmart, Kroger, Publix, and many more. Any one can use these cards but we are focusing on those who are uninsured, underinsured, or on Medicare.

ACRX made arrangements online for the ACRX card to be available at ACIRX com site where it can be downloaded as well. This arrangement has been made to allow organizations an avenue to continue assisting their clients in the community until they receive their orders of the ACRX cards. ACRX made it possible for future request to be made from online as well. ACRX also developed a unique marketplace at 2Spendless com site where you can also click on the ACIRX blue banner and download your free discount prescription card as well as find other key discounts.

With a backorder of over 40 million cards ACRX is working diligently to assist as many people and organizations as possible. ACRX will be working over the next few months to fulfill as many backorders as possible. It should be noted that while many other organizations and companies place a cost on their money saving cards, ACRX does not believe a cost should be applied, just to assist our fellow Americans. ACRX states that it will continue to strive to assist those in need.

Gentiva Health Service Receives Rx Assistance From American Consultants Rx is a post from: Health

Dental Health Services In Holland Patent, Utica, Rome, Oneida County, New York, New Hartford

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:38:05 +0000

Looking for dental health services in Holland Patent, Utica, Rome, Oneida County, New York, New Hartford, NY? Thankfully, there are quite a few dental health service professionals in New Hartford, NY. In fact these professionals are some of the best in the country simply because they stay up to date on the newest dental health procedures. These dental health professionals are also very personable and actually care about their patients. Unlike other dentists who have their assistants do the follow up check ups, these dentists will actually check up on their patients themselves in order to ensure that everything is healing properly. These are the types of dentists who will even call a patient on the phone to make sure that he or she is feeling alright.

If you do not live in the new Hartford, NY area, but still want such a dentist, do not worry, it is possible to find one. However, you will have to look harder. The best way to do this will be to make a few initial appointments with various dental health professionals until you find one that your personality meshes with his or her hers. This will help to make sure that your dental health experience is as pleasant as possible. Usually sedation dentists do not charge much or these first appointments, as long as you get no actual work done. In fact, some dentists even offer these types of appointments for free.

Dr. John Mecca is a famous Sedation Dentist in New Hartford, NY. He is a specialist in Sedation Dentistry, Dental Health Services, Restorative Dentistry, Implant Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry in Holland Patent, Utica, Rome, Oneida County, New York. Get the free special report and CD “Do You Experience Paralyzing Fear of Dentistry?” Find out more on Sedation Dentistry in Liverpool, NY having the celebrity smile of your dreams – Go here: http://www.sedationdentistrynewhartford.com

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A Note on Health Services and Drug Market in India

admin — Mon, 31 May 2010 13:30:37 +0000

A survey conducted by the India office of the international non-governmental organisation, Transparency International, reveals that, according to peoples actual experiences, the health service is the most corrupt service sector in India. It ranks India as one of the 30 most corrupt countries in the world. Indifferent treatment of patients, unofficial payments to providers, lack of patient privacy, and inadequate provision of medicines and supplies are some of the most common demerits and malpractices prevailing in the health services in India.

The survey, conducted with private marketing research company ORG-Marg Research, interviewed some 5000 citizens in a household survey to assess the publics perception of corruption. It covered 10 sectors with a direct bearing on peoples lives, including education, health, the police, the judiciary, and power utilities.

Too high medicinal cost accompanied by doctors consultation fees has made the proper medical treatment to become out of the reach of Indian common man, especially in the rural areas where neither licensed medical stores nor qualified doctors are available and malpractices of the Primary Health Centres, available generally in rural towns only, are well known and are practically forfeiting the veritable purpose of PHCs there. As a result thereof, not only the market of non-qualitative and banned drugs and medicines is flourishing day by day, but the unqualified doctors also are emerging fast and plundering the poor mass. On account of insufficient availability of generic medicines (patent based medicines which are cheaply produced by another process) the patients are compelled to purchase high priced branded medicines.

An analysis of drug market in India by the World Health Organisation (WHO) also reveals that Indian pharmaceutical companies are charging very high prices of medicines from patients. In India, the pharmaceutical companies are earning profits even up to ten times or more of the production cost in case of both branded and unbranded medicines. Not only is this, but the companies, by printing high retail price, are letting the sellers too to earn abnormal profits. Like the ratio between production cost and whole sale price, in many cases the retail price also is ten times or more of the whole sale price. The anti-allergic tablet named as Citrazine of Cipla Pharmaceuticals is an example. High retail prices of patented and generic medicines are making the general mass to resort to unauthentic and duplicate medicines produced by unlicensed pharmaceutical units. That is why the influence of unauthentic, unlicensed and duplicate medicine producing units in Indian drug market is day by day increasing whereby the people are being badly hit on account of low effectiveness and severe side-effects of the medicines produced by these companies. Many times the doctors too, having been affected by the commission based and gift based sale strategies of the companies producing duplicate medicines, prescribe these medicines without paying heed to the compositions and the bad effects on health on account of the use of these medicines. In some cases the sellers (chemists) let aside the prescription of doctor and sell these medicines especially to the illiterate or docile customers. Not only is this, but the manufacturing companies of these medicines also establish their links even to the government medicine purchasing authorities and seek supply orders. Not only the substandard medicines but even those harmful medicines are being produced and sold in bulks in the Indian market which stand banned at international level.

Medicines are very precious for human life and have become at present a good part of trade. Therefore, the government should take strong and effective steps to make the qualitative and cheap medicines easily available to the people. The government also should take proper measures against malpractices prevailing in the market of medicines and should instil awareness of medicine consumers against these malpractices. Such organisations should be encouraged which manufacture medicines according to the international standards but at low cost so as to make cheap medicines available in the market. The Low Cost Standard Therapeutics (LOCOST) trust at Baroda is a good example of such an organisation. This trust is making cheap production in 90 formulations of about 60 necessary medicines to cater the need of poor and needy patients. Moreover, The launching of the public use medicines easy availability programme by the Department of Pharmaceuticals of the central government through 100 public stores of generic drugs, planned to be opened up to December 2009, is worth appreciation.

To solve the problems like that of substandard medicines, harmful and banned medicines and unjustified profit margin a central drugs regulatory system has now become acutely and pressingly needed. The issue of permission as regards to the trading of imported medicines also will be settled by such regulatory system.

The government is encouraging and helping the establishment of small pharmaceutical units. Similar cooperation should be extended to the market extension of their products. The condition of minimum turnover should be relaxed in case of small units. In the present period of prevailing depression the small and medium pharmaceutical industries should be helped through stimulus package to protect them in big market. This type of measures will protect the poor and general medical consumers against their being plundered through high prices by providing them cheap medicines. Moreover, it will help making India a medicine hub.

Studies have shown that health care utilisation has been a long standing concern for most of the developing countries and is sensitive to user perceptions of quality. Patient perceptions of health services thence form an important part of health care quality assessment. Therefore, ways and means should be found out to give potentiality to important elements of making the health system adequately effective to make health services fully responsive to peoples needs and expectations.

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A Note on Health Services and Drug Market in India is a post from: Health

Mental Health Services

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:36:36 +0000

From the ancient times, the mentally disturbed people have been viewed with a mixture of fear and dislike. Their fate is generally rejection, neglect, or ill treatment. People with mental health problems are treated in hospitals by community mental health specialists, including nurses, counselors and social workers. People suffering mental health problems are in need of access by community services such as mental health services. The welfare needs of the mentally ill people are the responsibility of the Department of Social Services or health services. Mental health services are there for treating and caring for mentally disturbed persons and for encouraging mental hygiene. Mental health services provides assistance in meeting basic needs such as housing, employment, education, social services, transportation, and medical and nursing care for persons with mental illness. They assist persons with mental illnesses who are homeless in obtaining treatment and other services while making the transition from homelessness. With growing urgency, mental health services seek to promote mental health and to educate the public to pursue conditions conducive to individual growth and peaceful development. Community mental-health services were placed under the jurisdiction of local health authorities working in close association with hospital and outpatient centers. The majority of people who suffer from mental illness receive excellent treatment through mental health services. In fact, they help them recover better. Mental health service organizes major mental health events each year. Mental health service organizations helps in maintaining mental health and preventing the development of psychosis, neurosis, or other mental disorders.The Mental health services aims in providing good mental health. The main activities of the mental health services and mental health organizations are rehabilitation of the mentally disturbed, prevention of mental disorder, reduction of tension in a stressful world, attainment of a state of well-being in which the individual functions at a level reliable with his or her mental potential, encouraging mental hygiene to promote and to preserve mental health, and promoting community mental health.Government shares its mental-health function with religious groups or with other nongovernmental agencies. In US, the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) makes efforts to improve prevention and mental health treatment services for all Americans. It helps in improving and increasing the quality and range of treatment, rehabilitation, and support services for people with mental health problems, their families, and communities. It administers programs that focus on prevention, education, and delivery of quality mental health services for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families, partners, and health care providers. It supports programs for people who are at-risk for mental illness and lack mental health services. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the major funding resource in the United States for basic and applied research in mental health and in the behavioral sciences, for demonstration projects, and for the training of mental-health professionals. NIMH has developed special programs in a broad range of social problem areas, from drug addiction to suicide prevention. Many innovative mental-health services initiated in Europe includes the concept of integrated community services, the use of tranquillizing drugs, the sheltered workshop, and the employment of nonprofessional workers in positions of responsibility. The World Federation for Mental Health federation organizes international study groups and expert committees, and regional and international meetings in order to develop close contacts with mental-health workers worldwide.

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Before the reform of the health service

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:40:22 +0000

The health reform has become a hot point of departure before the presidential elections thereafter. The Obama administration developed health care reform at the center of their priorities. Whatever your political affiliation, the facts are clear that the costs are always in the last ten years. As the problem (s) should be solved?

The average person who favors government intervention is of the opinion that the reforms necessary to> Health Insurance. Do not confuse the reform of the health service. Both aspects must be completely different, but it seems that Obama has focused his energies in order to solve the problem of health care focuses on health insurance.

While there have been few concrete plans for administrative reform, many experts believe that the reform will bring a strong commitmentGovernment. Although some groups in this country who are in favor of nationalization “- have health care, there is resistance against Equality. Unfortunately, the gap seems to rely on the public system” the rest of the class. Enterprise majority of these families, and planning in the East than the upper class in a state system, while the lower half of the lower class for a nationalization.

I say to those who are in favor of a plan of nationalization, be careful what you want! The problem withthe break is, in fact, education and communication. Too often they have been conditioned to believe in the bottom of the class system are the insurance companies, the primary responsibility for the bad results that increase their premiums. Frankly, the insurance companies are in business to make money. However, if you look at the profit margins for the health insurance companies are most, you’ll see that most of the fortune of a profit margin of 10% obtained.

If the problem with theour “system” is not health insurance, which should then proceed to blame? Unfortunately, there is a reason for rising costs. Rather, there are many issues that our healthcare system too inefficient beast that we have had. There is no “magic pill correction” to our system.

When you step back and look at our system as a whole, we must admit that we have the best health careServices in the world. If this was not the case, because the richest people in the world are just flying all over the world for their medical needs met in the United States? “The fact that people living in rich countries with nationalized health systems of health care professionals do not be trusted with the usual procedures, let alone the more complex.

http://www.healthcare.pannipa.com/2009/11/before-the-reform-of-the-health-service/

Before the reform of the health service is a post from: Health

Women’s Health Services: the Need of the Day

admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:51:39 +0000

Women are naturally the caregivers. This happens to a woman by instinct, and this role usually allows them to slip into personal neglect. It so happens that women are the stronger of the two sexes when it comes to health and capacity of bearing pain both mentally and physically. It is a matter of debate whether this is the reason why they ignore their own health in the process or not.

Are The Existing Womens Health Services Adequate For Women?

The question might be wrong, if you look at the general trends of real life. It should have read, Are women responding or enjoying the facilities provided by the womens health services? Let us analyze this topic a little. There are certain health concerns and facts that every girl and boy should know right from the time of puberty. Actually the best time for the child to find out about the birds and the bees is just around this time.

If the foundation is strong, there would be a habit formation that in turn will bring the woman for regular check-ups and enjoy the womens health services offered in the area they live in. By default a woman tends to look beyond herself to take care of others. It is not uncommon to have women that have sold their entire house and every valuable thing they have to treat a member of their family.

However, when it comes to their own health, they tend to ignore it, even if they have access to the best of best womens health services. Women need to give themselves more importance. The funny part is, that she has the knowledge and experience to take care of everyone, but she never applies it to herself.

It is imperative that women learn to pay attention to their own needs, too. Neglecting ones health does not profit anybody, in anyway. Actually one should visit the womens health services to make them laugh. All you have to do is to have one check-up once in two years, at least. This is sufficient to diagnose any life threatening diseases in time for curing; otherwise you will have to face the dire consequences.

The lives of many women have been lost for mere negligence. Hence, it is advisable to have a full-check up every two-three years once you are in the 30-40s. Some diseases are totally silent, and unless they are caught and cured in the earliest stages, these are the ones who can prove fatal.

Womens Health Services: the Need of the Day is a post from: Health

High Quality Women’s Reproductive Health Services

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 06:01:03 +0000

Established in 1979, American Women’s Services is proud to lead the way in setting a standard for womens healthcare. We are fully committed to providing proficient, excellence women’s reproductive health services in a very professional, caring, and compassionate manner within USA in these locations – New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia Beach. We are competent to provide the best care available because of the extensive knowledge and experience in women’s reproductive health care that our doctors, health care teams and administration bring to their work. Our services are provided in private practice office settings to assure confidentiality and individual support for each woman.Here are few services of ours:

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Looking Into New Jersey Home Health Services and North Carolina Home Health Services

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 05:59:42 +0000

As you grow old, this means that you have to be aware of your body and the common illnesses that might affect you. What is more, you have to watch out for issues that come with aging. These include incontinence, stiffness of the muscles and joints, memory loss, and body imbalance. These are normal occurrences, as you get old. But no matter how normal these can get, there are several ways for you to minimize the signs of aging. The most general is keeping an active and healthy lifestyle. Your daily routine should consist of exercise and well-balanced diet. If you have not lived healthily while you were young, now is the right time to improve the quality of your life.

Seniors sometimes find it hard to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. This goes especially if their children are no longer living with them. If you are managing on your own and you cannot seem to cope with taking care of yourself, there are several agencies that are providing senior care services. You can turn to New Jersey home health services or any senior care and assistance all over the country. There are several benefits that you can get from agencies or organizations that provide senior health care.

First, you will be able to improve the quality of your daily life. Second, you will be provided with a private nurse to remind you of your medications, if ever there are any. Third, there are activities that will help you stretch your muscles and bones. Fourth, you will be provided with balanced meals that are prepared according to your requirements. You will be assisted day in and day out, so that you will live longer, healthier, and happier.

If you or your family does not know where to avail of senior health care services, there is one way for you to make your search easier. There are sites on the Internet that will help you find home health care and senior living assistance. Whether you are looking for New Jersey or North Carolina home health care, these sites strive to aid you with your search for senior solutions.

When choosing for a home health care resource site, opt for one that helps you find assisted living services that fit your budget. Your resource site should also be capable of providing you with a home health care service that has the capacity to comply with your requirements. These aspects are very important, in order for you to maintain a healthy lifestyle while you are away from your loved ones.

When you want to find a New Jersey home health care service provider, use an online resource site to make your search easy. Resource sites will assist you, when it comes to finding quality and reliable senior care services. These sites can supply you with financing plans that come with your assisted living options. This way, you will be able to find the best home health care that is suitable with your budget. Not only these, you will also get to know which senior care homes have poor ratings and low quality services. You can take advantage of this feature if you register on your chosen resource site. There are plenty of other benefits that you can get, when you find a senior care home through the assistance of a home health care resource site.

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School Based Mental Health Services Reduce School Violence

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:30:20 +0000

We live in a complicated world requiring complex skills. We must prepare our children to cope and to compete. They need reading, social studies, science and math more than ever, but they also need social skills, problem solving, superior reasoning and good mental health. There is a societal need to reduce the incidence of violence in our schools, as well.When children and teens are focused on problems at home or within themselves, they often do not do well in school. School success and good mental health are intrinsically tied together. Additionally, school success and good mental health are linked to life success. Identifying those youth who are in need of help can reduce suffering and improve mental health, school success, and life success. Good mental health aids development, learning, interpersonal relationships, and the ability to cope with stress more effectively.Approximately 1 in 5 children & adolescents (20%) experience the signs and symptoms of a mental health disorder during the course of a year. These children are estimated to have severe emotional or behavioral problems that significantly interfere with their daily functioning. Yet, less than one-third of the children under the age 18 with a serious disturbance receive any MH Services. Often the services they do receive are inadequate or inappropriate (Children’s Defense Fund). Ten percent of children in any given classroom (3/30) are ready to learn at the curriculum level (Dr. Adleman & Dr. Taylor UCLA School Mental Health Project).?Only 16% of all children receive any mental health services. Follow through for children receiving mental health services in school is much greater than those referred to community services. Of the 16% that receive MH services, 70-80% receive that care in a school setting (healthinschools.org), yet less than 10% of all school districts in the United States currently have an established School Based Mental Health Program (Center for School Mental Health Assistance, Dr. Mark Weist 2001, University of Maryland).To assess the effectiveness of school based mental health (SBMH) services in reducing emotional, school, home, and behavioral problems of youth, Robert Schmidt, MA and Kathryn Seifert, Ph.D. collaborated on the evaluation of outcomes for a SBMH program for a rural mid-Atlantic School district. Coordination of mental health services with educators, Department of Social Services, the Department of Juvenile Services, and the Development Disabilities program contributed to the program’s success.The project began in 1999 with a Federal grant to the school district and the project is ongoing. Youth were referred to the project from teachers, guidance counselors, parents, student self-referrals and other agencies such as the Departments of Social Services and Juvenile Services and Law Enforcement. The student’s scores on the Devereaux, BASC, CARE and several school measures such as absenteeism, disciplinary referrals, violence related suspensions, and other suspensions were measured at the beginning of services and at the beginning and end of each school year.From 1999 to 2004, 36% youth were referred because of symptoms of depression, 26% because of family problems, and 24% because of behavior problems. Examples of reasons for referral to the program included: crying in class, child can’t stay focused, student found out mom is terminally ill, youth’s parents going through divorce, and recent sexual abuse. There were 84 referrals to the program in 1999, compared to 437 students in 2002 and 239 students in 2003. Peak referral times were in October and February. Youth in the transition years of sixth and ninth grades were referred to the program most often. In 2000, 2,132 mental health sessions were provided, in contrast to an amazing 15,763 sessions in 2003.A group of 632 students who participated in the program showed significantly improved attitudes toward teachers and school, mental health symptoms, and self-esteem during and after services. Students participating in SBMH in years one and two had significantly better school attendance (56 and 57% increase) when compared to non-participants (66 and 59% decrease). Additionally for the group of participants, absenteeism increased 44% before participation and decreased 53% during participation.Students had a significant (40%) decrease in disciplinary referrals when compared to non-participants (20% decrease). Participants in years one and two had a significant decrease in suspensions (32% and 27%) from school when compared to non-participants (33 and 16% increases). Parents reported that their children were having significantly fewer problems after receiving services. Youth self-reported significantly improved commitment to school, interpersonal relationships and self-esteem, as well as fewer stress related problems. Students reported significantly reduced school maladjustment and clinical maladjustment and improved attitude toward parents and emotional well-being.Evaluation of the success of the program revealed several key components. One important component was having a central school/mental health coordinator to be an organizer, ombudsman, problem solver, program evaluator, and coordinator of the two systems. Additionally, the mental health service must be an integral part of the school system, not just an adjunct or add-on. Mental health staff need to communicate and attend meetings with school personnel. Mental health professionals can provide workshops and consultation to teachers, guidance counselors, and administrative staff.Funding for the project came from mental health third party billing and grant funding. Supplemental funds allowed mental health professionals to attend meetings, consult with school personnel, and provide services for children and youth who do not meet medical necessity criteria of their insurance companies. It is also important to include families as an essential part of the program.In a time when all programs are struggling to cope with funding cuts, collaborative programs, such as this one can make services more efficient and cost effective. Many families of troubled youth are involved in more than one service, in addition to the school. Coordination of multiple services is beneficial to the families and helps improve outcomes for youth.This project demonstrated that school based mental health services improved student well-being, behavior and school success, while showing a significant decrease in violence and other behavior problems at home and at school. The study is ongoing and a second site has been added.

School Based Mental Health Services Reduce School Violence is a post from: Health