Thursday, January 17, 2013
Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled legislation on Wednesday that would tighten gun control laws in Massachusetts while increasing funding for mental health services and enhance background checks. Is this sensible, or reactionary?
Are new proposed laws regarding guns in Massachusetts and mental health services sensible and pragmatic steps, or reactionary measures that won't increase safety? Gov. Deval Patrick introduced new legislation Wednesday along those lines in the wake of the school shootings in Newtown, CT. "I am encouraged by the palpable consensus in our Legislature that the time for action is now. All of us must pull in the same direction to bring about real change in this state and across the country," Patrick said in a press release. The bill would require gun purchasers to undergo background checks at gun shows, reduce access to high-powered rounds of ammunition, and limit licensed individuals to purchasing a maximum of one gun per month. Punishments …
Friday, December 21, 2012
Boston City Councilor Felix Arroyo held a hearing addressing how to get rid of the stigma surrounding mental illness in the Boston area.
At-Large Boston City Councilor Felix Arroyo held a hearing addressing the stigma surrounding mental health on Tuesday evening, Dec. 18. “Many feel uncomfortable talking about this topic and many may feel symptoms they do not seek help for because of there is a stigma attached,” Arroyo said. “It is easy for people to say ‘I am an asthmatic,’ but it is harder to say ‘I have mental illness.’ And we need to work to get rid of that stigma because it is the quickest way to allow folks to seek help.” According to a 2011 report from Boston Board of Health Commission study, 9 percent of adults in Boston in 2010 reported persistent symptoms of depression, meaning that they felt sad or depressed for longer than 14 days within a month. In 2009, 30 …
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Residents are invited to a public hearing with Boston Public Schools and the Boston Public Health Commission on Tuesday night to address mental health issues, especially in light of the recent tragedy in Newtown, CT.
Tuesday's Boston City Council hearing addressing the stigma of mental health illnesses comes just days after a tragic school shooting in Newtown, CT. As the nation continues to mourn and wonder why the shooter did what he did, the question of his mental health is being openly discussed. Were there warning signs? Did he ever seek treatment? For many people, there is a stigma attached to seeking mental health help. On Tuesday night, At-Large Boston City Councilor Felix G. Arroyo is hosting a hearing on "ending the mental health stigma and how the city can be a part of the effort." Previously, Arroyo assembled a task force of mental health organizations that will be represented at the hearing to discuss their work and the collaborative …
Sunday, July 1, 2012
There are several neighborhood resources for your family, but mental health experts recommend you contact your primary physician to start.
Boston's families have new tools to deal with mental illness and stress in children, thanks in part to new federal grants. There are numerous mental health resources and services available in Boston, but the first line of prevention is the family's pediatrician, said Debby Allen, Boston Public Health Commission's Director of the Bureau of Child, Adolescent and Family Health. One new program is Project Launch, which is targeted to help very young children, who don’t have serious manifestations of serious illinesses, but are acting up, or in life situations such as being homeless, or instability, such as a having mother suffering from depression. These programs are available at three Boston sites, and employ early childhood clinicians: …
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Councilors were also treated to a tae kwon do display by Boston school students.
The Boston City Council's regular Wednesday meeting was quick, with the Council approving two union contracts, as well the introduction for two future hearings on recycling in schools, and mental health services provided by the city. At-Large City Councilor Felix Arroyo called for a hearing to examine the mental health services provided by the City of Boston. "One of the issue that affects our community is mental health issues, and some of them can be the hardest to recognize if you’re self-diagnosing," said Arroyo. "There’s a stigma attached to seeking help. But we need to recognize and work on issues of mental health... and make sure resources are available for them." Arroyo said he'd like the Boston Public Health Commission to come in, …
Keith Champney
10:50 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
The NRA has its roots in the Union Army of the North. Both George Wood Wingate and Ambrose Burnside served as Union generals before founding the NRA. Ambrose Burnside lamented over the poor marksmanship of the Union Army when firing at Confederates soldiers. The KKK was founded by Confederate veterans. They couldn't have possibly been on more opposite sides, more ›