NOAH's arc
A psychiatric facility for disturbed teens in New Orleans—the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital, or NOAH— is about to close due to lack of funds. Right now there are no psychiatric children beds in Orleans, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, but the state has frozen NOAH's operating budget and have it slated for elimination. Now kids with psychiatric illnesses have no place to go, precisely when they need the help the most. Another sad legacy of Katrina.
Teen mental health care center in limbo
RELATED: Katrina response may require greater mental-health resources
Comments
This post isn't a comment on this hospital's closure but the study linked below does make one wonder about the prognosis for children who have been hospitalized.
"Adolescent Psychiatric Hospitalization and Mortality, Distress Levels, and Educational Attainment - Follow-up After 11 and 20 Years"
From the abstract - "Conclusions: The association between psychiatric symptoms sufficient to result in psychiatric hospitalization during
adolescence and later mortality, emotional distress, high school completion, and educational attainment is striking."
http://www.people.virginia.edu/~psykliff/pubs/publications/best%20et%20al%202004.pdf
Posted by: Joe | May 16, 2006 12:47 PM
While "Baghdad ER" might not be appropriate viewing for some, the warning that such a program may "Trigger Mental Health Issues" is going too far.
I was once in a psychiatric hospital where treatment was largely morning bingo for ice cream. Since TV therapy was a primary activity, I chose to watch Wonderland which was a series sharply criticized by NAMI. I was moved but no damage was done to me.
According to NAMI's March 28, 2000 press release, "NAMI Warns ABC Television: "Wonderland" Is Hazardous To Public Health", I was at real risk since Wonderland might "... generate turmoil or despair in anyone who is in treatment."
The only turmoil and despair I experienced before and after viewing Wonderland was knowing that my OCD & depression were to be treated next morning with bingo for ice cream once again.
(Liz, Great idea, "Why don't we get the troops OUT of Iraq. That would be the best thing for the soldiers' mental health.")
Posted by: Joe | May 16, 2006 03:30 PM