Out from under: Crowdfunding is an option for people in mental health crisis
GoFundMe and other crowdfunding campaigns are common for those suffering physical ailments, but asking for help for mental health struggles is becoming more common.
Mental Health & Addiction
MinnPost’s Mental Health & Addiction coverage seeks to shine a light on issues that affect a huge number of Minnesota families yet are often ignored by the media, with author Andy Steiner writing stories related to mental health, addiction and the complex relationship between the two.
‘No-barrier’ program will expand housing options in face of Twin Cities’ HIV/AIDS outbreak at encampments
A $1 million award from the federal government will help a Twin Cities HIV/AIDS housing nonprofit serve unhoused Minnesotans with substance use disorder.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners improve care for kids in mental health crisis
One answer to the mental health care provider shortage may lie in the hands of a relatively new type of nurse. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners provide care for children and families with a whole-person approach.
‘Tomorrow is too late’: $10 million gift to expand Hazelden Betty Ford’s family programming
The gift announced Friday is the largest in Hazelden Betty Ford’s history and will provide initial funding needed to launch a National Center for Families and Children, an effort for which the nonprofit is aiming to raise $100 million.
Gun politics are tricky at the Minnesota Legislature. Why DFLers hope they can pass a ‘red flag’ law
The legislation would allow a judge to take firearms away from someone deemed a threat to themselves or others, and supporters argue similar laws around the country have stopped mass shootings, suicides and other gun violence.
Minnesota nonprofits emphasize support, treatment for victims of sex trafficking
Allina Health staff are trained to recognize potential victims, while the nonprofit Breaking Free works to connect people with housing and help with mental health and addiction.
At Wilder Recovery, cultural understanding fuels addiction treatment
Understanding subtle, or not-so-subtle, cultural differences can make or break addiction treatment.
Suburban gun clubs host suicide prevention trainings
A 2020 Stanford University study concluded that ready access to a gun is a major risk factor for suicide.
ER docs: Medical ‘paradigm shift’ makes opioid use disorder meds more accessible, saves lives
In the past, physicians needed to apply for a special permit called an X-waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. Last week, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced an end to the X-waiver program.
Hard lessons on sustainability for $30M Buffett-funded addiction treatment center in Illinois
The donation to Crossing Healthcare was a one-time gift to pay only for the buildings. It was up to clinic staff to find money to run the programs, and that has proven difficult.
‘Not sitting this out’: Minnesota Medical Association votes to support decriminalization of illicit drugs
Leaders say they believe the proposal is the first of its kind to be approved by a medical association in the United States.
More harm than good: Book details spanking’s negative impact on children — and parents
An Augsburg University professor who’d grown up in a family where spanking was the norm decided to research the practice after becoming a parent herself.
Campus religious groups step into a new realm: mental health counseling
Religious groups on college campuses that have long counseled students grappling with issues of faith or spirituality are now adding mental health clinicians in campus religious hubs, and training religious leaders to know when to refer students to psychological care.
Pat Miles discusses the ‘grim fog’ of grief — and preparing for life after a loved one’s death
Rather than having time to grieve and recover, Miles spent the first weeks and months after her husband’s death meeting with probate attorneys and bankers to sort out her financial life. She’s now published a book to help others with that.
Minnesota recovery community organizations struggle through DHS granting bottleneck
Many recovery community organizations that found out about grant awards in July still haven’t received money from the state Department of Human Services.
‘Build that bridge’: Culturally aware approach key to addressing Karen youth addiction crisis
Community bridge building, or tapping the indispensable expertise of people who have lived experience in a specific culture, is one approach that has shown some success in addressing the opioid addiction crisis among Karen youth in the Twin Cities.
Advocates say clinicians can help stem addiction in rural Midwest by prescribing medications
Unlike methadone, the traditional medication to wean people off heroin or other opioids, buprenorphine can be prescribed at primary care clinics and dispensed at neighborhood pharmacies.
Why states’ use of opioid settlement funds could look different from tobacco case
Is the massive tranche of money a target for elected officials to use for politically infused projects that will do little to offer restitution or help those harmed?
‘This problem is real’: Youth opioid addiction puts Minnesota’s Karen community on high alert
Advocates at the Karen Organization of Minnesota say Karen parents from around the state are increasingly concerned that their children are becoming addicted to opioids.
Native filmmaker seeks to bring attention to missing and murdered Indigenous women through provocative documentary
From 2010 to 2018, 8% of all murdered girls and women in Minnesota were Indigenous, making Indigenous women seven times more likely than white women to be murdered.
