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Behavioral health providers confront disparities and the ‘misconception of what therapy is’
“A lot of folks from various different backgrounds feel a lot of shame when it comes to seeking help, when it comes to admitting that ‘I’m struggling right now,’” said Sheldon Jacobs, a family therapist in Southern Nevada. “And I think that there are a lot of cultural norms that make it more difficult for […]
Federal legislation would regulate anti-abortion centers
The first crisis pregnancy center (CPC) opened its doors in 1967 in Hawaii, after the state legalized abortion. Now there are at least 2,550 operating in the U.S., including at least seven in Nevada. The centers, which are usually operated by or affiliated with religious non-profits, have long avoided regulatory requirements that are standard for […]
Sisolak, Lee warn Nevada not isolated from assaults on abortion rights
In post-Roe v. Wade America, states and the federal government are left to navigate the legal ramifications of the Supreme Court overturning a 50-year legal precedent. As reproductive health centers, medical professionals, and legislatures that support abortion rights cope with the uncertainty, Republicans and motivated anti-abortion rights activists are pushing for a national ban. Nevada […]
Anti-abortion centers: Unregulated, misleading, and close as possible to abortion clinics
Editor’s note: Destinee G., a source mentioned in this article, asked only her last initial be used out of concern for professional and personal retaliation for sharing her experience. Destinee G.’s period was late in February 2021. It wasn’t that abnormal. Until that year her menstrual cycle was irregular. But by the next month, she […]
Pills, powders laced with fentanyl cause increased deaths by overdose among Southern Nevada youth
Overdose deaths from people under 25 years old doubled from 2019 to 2020 in Clark County. Those numbers continue to climb in 2021, according to preliminary data from Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD). The increase in deaths are associated with counterfeit pills like M30, a prescription opioid, or Adderall and powders like cocaine, but most […]
Butterflies are free – from protection in Nevada
A bill draft authorizing the Nevada Department of Wildlife to protect monarch butterflies, bees and other terrestrial invertebrates advanced from the Nevada Legislative Joint Interim Standing Committee on Natural Resources, yesterday. While the Nevada Department of Agriculture has authority over insects that are considered pests, no agency has authority over non-pests like butterflies, bees, snails, […]
UNLV study traces links between unaffordable housing and child mistreatment
A single mother in Nevada makes $10.50 per hour on minimum wage, or about $21,840.00 a year if she works full time. And then there’s the rent. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Las Vegas is by one estimate $1,372, and for a two-bedroom, $1,622 – $16,464 or $19,464 annually. Even at hourly […]
Legislative panel preps mental health bills for 2023 session
State lawmakers Thursday signed off on several behavioral and mental health initiatives they want to see prepped as legislation for next year’s legislative session. The bill draft requests (BDRs) include a proposal to require health care providers who are authorized to diagnose an opioid use disorder to offer information on evidence-based treatment options, and better […]
A month into 988, call volumes up, but state behavioral health infrastructure isn’t
A month ago, on July 16, the nation and Nevada launched 988, the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, connecting people in emotional distress to 24-hour, 7-day-a-week free and confidential support. It was step one in creating the nation’s first comprehensive crisis behavioral health care system based on having someone to call, […]
Guideline is 1 social worker for every 250 students. NV schools have 1 for every 8,730.
As the first week of school comes to a close with a shortage of nearly 3,000 teachers in the state, Nevada faces another staffing shortage in its education system — mental health professionals. The state would need 35 times as many school social workers, 3.7 times as many school psychologists and twice as many school […]
Substance abuse conference focuses on state’s increased fentanyl overdose rates
Community experts discussed the impact of fentanyl on Nevada’s opioid epidemic at the third annual Southern Nevada Substance Misuse and Overdose Prevention Summit Wednesday. The conference hopes to break down silos between key providers and implement best practices for budding health concerns in the community. “It’s so important that we both learn from other agencies […]
Racist practices in health care can cause medical trauma, PTSD
Note: This story mentions suicide. As of July 16, 9-8-8 is the new, nationwide three-digit hotline phone number for Americans to call when they or someone they love are in crisis and need to be connected with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. Glahnnia Rates was a thriving 32-year-old public health professional last autumn. […]