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An Important Step: Increasing Investments in Behavioral Health

Newly filed legislation from the Baker Administration seeks to increase investment in behavioral health, representing an important step toward sufficient investment in a comprehensive health system that acknowledges and addresses the critical intersection between physical and behavioral health. Read more.

Contact Your State Representative Today to Support
FY23 Budget Amendments 

Happy 2-Year Anniversary to Network of Care Massachusetts!

Get Creative! 

MAMH is partnering with the Massachusetts Health Council to host our 3rd Annual Mental Health Matters Youth Expressions Art Contest, open to middle school and high school students (grades 6-12). Win cash prizes for original artwork, videos, and songs around the theme Refresh your Mental Health! Entries are due May 2. Learn more. View past winners.

News of Note

President Biden announced the reappointment of MAMH Board member James T. Brett to serve as a member on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Learn more. 

Commonwealth Medicine, on behalf of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Resources, intends to post an RFP for a Middlesex County Restoration Center Pilot Program. More details.

A new report on Bridgewater State Hospital demonstrates that there is continued work to be done to protect the rights of individuals confined at the facility. View report.

America's School Mental Health Report Card provides an easy-to-understand snapshot of school mental health policy in each state. View Massachusetts specific data here. View full report.

California is closing its Division of Juvenile Justice. Read about the state's new approach aimed at reversing decades of poor outcomes for youth offenders and public safety with the establishment of the Office of Youth and Community Restoration. View article.

Research News

New research conducted by the University of Colorado at Boulder found that people exposed to more green space during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic reported significantly less depression and anxiety. Learn more.

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to increased levels of stress and isolation that can affect substance use risks. Researchers found that the number of drinking days reported by U.S. adults increased during the early stage of the pandemic and were sustained for some, but not all, population groups. Learn more.

The benefits of exercise related to cardiovascular benefits and counteracting stress are significantly greater in those with anxiety or depression, with a 22% risk reduction. Learn more.

An international team of researchers, including individuals from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, published two of the largest and most comprehensive studies to date on the genetics underlying schizophrenia. This provides a much-needed starting point for developing new diagnostics and treatment. Learn more. 

Events

Take advantage of the many opportunities for in-person and online training across the Commonwealth! 

Check out our Events page to see what's happening in the behavioral health advocacy community this month!

Interested in trainings for supporting older adults with behavioral health needs in the community? Check out our Older Adult Training Calendar!

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