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Sydney Morning Herald – April 27, 2009
Summary: According to an article by Patrick McGorry, Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, untreated mental disorders among young adults pose a great risk to society in the form of substance abuse and violence. According to McGorry, “Young adults have the worst access to mental health care and, despite links between offending behaviour, mental disorders and substance abuse, there are virtually no specialised adolescent forensic mental health services in Australia.” The Australian government has taken some initial steps to expand the availability of youth mental health services, but more reform is needed.

Chico News & Review – April 16, 2009
Summary: A recent article in Chico News & Review reported on the opening of Club Stairways in Chico, California. This nonprofit gathering place, currently housed at the Jesus Center in Chico, is based on the Clubhouse model of Fountain House in New York City. Mike Little, Executive Director of Club Stairways, has been offering housing and support services for those with mental illness for 8 years through Stairway Recovery. He also serves as president of the local National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter. Little researched the Clubhouse model and used it to create the program. He felt that the interaction of members, who participate in the daily operations of the program, set the Clubhouse model apart from other kinds of services.  In less than 2 months, Club Stairways has grown to 57 members.

The Boston Globe – April 15, 2009
Summary: A recent article in the Boston Globe advocated a more open dialogue about suicide, recognizing it as a major cause of preventable death. Ninety percent of suicides can be prevented, according to the American Association of Suicidology. “Suicide takes more lives than homicide and HIV/AIDS combined, yet it is shrouded in secrecy and blame for the dead, the injured, and their loved ones,” said Ellen Connorton, founder of the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention. In the state of Massachusetts, leaders, urged by dedicated advocates and families, have secured funding for innovative suicide prevention programs. These programs cover a broad spectrum, providing training and services in schools, workplaces, neighborhoods and businesses, as well as critical support and intervention for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

News Release – Brussels, February 19, 2009
Summary: John Bowis MEP, Conservative health spokesman in the European Parliament, was quoted after MEPs adopted a report on the subject of mental illness,  “There is still far too much stigma surrounding mental illness yet one in four people will suffer from it at some point in their lives. The cost of not acting – especially in a recession – is high. We need greater action to raise awareness and to combat the social exclusion associated with poor mental health.” 

Canwest News Service – January, 14, 2009
Summary: According to a recent article published by Canwest News Service, the military in Canada has achieved success in treating mental illness among soldiers and removing some of the stigma associated with it. Bill Wilkerson, the Chairman of the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health, recently held a meeting of representatives of some of Canada’s top businesses to learn how the military and Veterans Affairs made managing and treating mental health a priority for the armed forces. Wilkerson feels that if the military can take some of the stigma out of mental illness, so can private employers. Taking action could save them billions of dollars.  According to the forum, the costs of mental disorders now exceed 50 billion dollars a year in Canada.

The New York Times – December 28, 2008

Summary: The New York Times recently reported on the opening of Laurel House in New Jersey. The opening of the Clubhouse was the result of several years of lobbying and fund-raising by a handful of parents who had seen what didn’t work for their adult children and wanted to try something new.  “They want to lead productive lives, and they want not to be a burden to society,” said Tom Malamud, 70, of Glen Ridge, who became executive director of Laurel House after working for 42 years at Fountain House in Manhattan.