Browse by topic for recent National Council press releases, advisories, reports and findings on mental health and addictions treatment issues.

Learn about experts available for media interviews. For media inquiries, contact 301.984.6200, ext. 228 or Communications@thenationalcouncil.org.

Mental Illness in the News

• Illinois campus tragedy—mental health experts available for interviews
• Reporting on Britney Spears and allegation of mental illness?
  National mental health experts available for media interviews
• Help for veterans' mental health
• Statement on Virginia Tech shootings
• Mentally ill don't belong in jails
• Mental health and addictions providers in New Orleans face soaring caseloads and challenges two years after Hurricane Katrina
• Two years after Katrina, findings from a survey of mental health and addiction providers in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

On Capitol Hill

• Congressional briefing: measuring effectiveness of mental health programs
• House passes mental health and addictions parity bill.
• House passes legislation to give formerly incarcerated persons a second chance
• New legislation seeks to improve access to community mental healthcare

Treatment of Schizophrenia

• Statement: Gaps in healthcare for persons with schizophrenia
• Backgrounder: Schizophrenia and continuity of therapy overview
• Press release: People with mental illness slipping through fault lines along continuum of care: recommendations for bridging gaps
• Executive summary: Consensus statement on the continuity of medication therapy for the treatment of schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses
• News brief: Half of mental health patients leaving inpatient facilities fail to transition to critical community-based care — National Council to develop standards to ensure continuity of care
• CATIE Phase 3 compares cost effectiveness of drugs: Providers must have access to full array of medications to treat schizophrenia
• CATIE Phase 2 results endorse individualized care for schizophrenia: Need for comprehensive, community-based treatment and supports

National Council News and Initiatives

• The National Council Conference included presentations on topics such as treating mental illnesses and addiction disorders among returning veterans
• Latest Research on Cycle of Addiction and New Medications to be presented at annual conference
• New Mental Health and addiction treatments unveiled at National Council’s annnual conference
• National benchmarks to improve mental health and addictions services
• Mental Health First Aid arrives in the U.S.
• National Council invites submissions for 2008 Awards of Excellence
• New National Council board, chaired by Elizabeth Earls
• Helping Hands: Answering needs in the wake of Greensburg tornado

Saving Lives: Comprehesive Care for Persons with Mental Illness

• Issue brief: An avoidable tragedy: the relationship of premature death and serious mental illness
• Press release: Ignoring health needs of persons with mental illness proves fatal, National Council calls for comprehensive care

Barriers to Treating Mental Illness

• Press release: New survey shows product liability litigation may jeopardize treatment outcomes for people with severe mental illness
• Key findings from survey of psychiatrists who treat patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
• PSA and safety disclaimer to limit the danger of television advertisements promoting lawsuits relating to the use of antipsychotic medications

• Community mental health system reports $304 million in uncompensated costs on Medicare drug benefit
• Testimony calls senate's attention to challenges with Medicare drug plan
• National Council offers unique resources to help mental health providers transition to Medicare Part D