Insurers Blocking Coverage for Drug or Alcohol Related ER Visits

The practice of denying coverage to insured individuals who visit emergency rooms after using drugs or alcohol is similar to the widespread practice of denying mental health services for other types of care.

Link: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/04/er-visits-after-drinking-may-not-be-covered.html

Young Man With Autism Tortured Under Premise of Treatment

Very sad information coming from a lawsuit against the Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton, Massachusetts, where an 18-year old boy with autism was subjected to aversive and electroshock therapy several years ago.  These cruel practices must be discontinued, and indeed, it looks like the center is under special rules as well as scrutiny.

More information on this story here: http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/undercover/video-of-teen-restrained-shocked-for-hours-to-be-played-in-court-20120410

United Nations Releases World Happiness Report

This month the United Nations has released its first-ever World Happiness Report, available in PDF format through the link below.  Can you guess who the happiest people are?

Link: http://www.earth.columbia.edu/articles/view/2960

Increasing Justifiable Killing Linked to Weak Gun Laws

A fascinating article in The Guardian shows a 25% increase in justifiable killings since 2005 in the United States.

Link:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/05/stand-your-ground-gun-control-data

Brief Therapy 'Bursts' May Offer Help to Traumatized Children

This sounds like what I know about EMDR Therapy.  Brief therapy is also shown to be effective among people entering recovery for substance abuse.  The bonus is that the treatment is cheaper, as well as being effective.

Link:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/text/2017896124.html