At a suicide prevention event at Walla Walla High School in Walla Walla, Wash., last month, participants choose necklaces of different colors representing how suicide had affected their lives.CreditGreg Lehman/Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, via Associated Press

Heather Murphy wrote an article for the New York Times that provided some helpful tips from experts to help somebody that may be struggling with depression.

Reports of Kate Spade’s suicide and struggle with depression instantly transformed her from symbol of polished prep to a blunt reminder that suffering affects all types. Three days later we woke to the news that another beloved figure, Anthony Bourdain, had taken his life.

These two tragedies have inspired hundreds to tweet some version of the same message: Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.

But deep in the comment threads, some have also been debating a more uncomfortable question: What do you do when a friend is depressed for such a long time that you’ve started to feel that that nothing you can do will make a difference, and your empathy reserves are tapped out? There are no easy answers. But here are some tips from experts:

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Volunteer Community Hero

Jason Noriega

Congratulations to the recipient of the 2018 Volunteer Community Hero award. These awards recognize community members who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of our community members. A big congratulations to Momentum’s Board of Director, Jason Noriega!

Jason Noriega is committed to serving, improving and making a difference in the lives of Santa Clara County residents diagnosed with mental illness.

As a true community leader, Jason has not left it up to others to remove the barriers associated with accessing quality treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders. He has been committed to serving, improving, removing the stigma, and making a difference for persons faced with these issues.

For the past seven years Jason has been an extraordinary Board member. He has been an active evangelist for Momentum’s mission, digs deep into his personal network and constantly keeps his eyes peeled for opportunities that can promote the agency and well-being of those served.

KCAT TV original series aired an episode on February 4th that spotlights stories of People Doing Good Things. Some of Jason’s impressive and inspiring contributions to our community were shared with host Lissa Kreisler during this episode.

Momentum’s traveling exhibit (A Day in the Life of Recovery) was unveiled this past week at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara. Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-District 17), Mike Fox, Sr. (first underwriter for this amazing exhibit), Kaiser Leadership (Chris Boyd, Sr. VP; Barry Hughes, PhD., Clinical Director) and many others – as well as community members participated. Thank you Kaiser Permanente for hosting such a spectacular unveiling! Real stories – real people.

You can learn more about the exhibit at:
http://momentumforhealth.org/a-day-in-the-life-of-recovery

Repealing the ACA could lead to less coverage for medicines and therapy—and possibly, a return of behavioral health disorders as ‘pre-existing conditions.’

By Francie Diep

If the Affordable Care Act is repealed, what’s going to happen to the tens of millions of Americans who need treatment for addiction, depression, and various other mental health conditions?

It’s a pertinent question because Obamacare had lots of provisions designed to make sure the mentally ill receive proper coverage. In 2016, Health and Human Services provided $94 million in grants through the Affordable Care Act for free clinics to screen and treat their patients for substance use disorders. With the potential for an ACA repeal, the long-term survival of those programs is now in question.

“For mental health and substance use disorder professionals, people working in the field, I think it’s a huge concern,” says David Mineta, an Obama administration-era deputy director at the Office of National Drug Control Policy. (Mineta is now CEO of a mental health-care services nonprofit in California.)

Read full article here: https://psmag.com/what-an-obamacare-repeal-would-mean-for-mental-health-treatment-50408499556d#.4fuqrkis4