“Start year with mental health screening - United Press International” plus 1 more

Start year with mental health screening - United Press International

Posted: 29 Dec 2010 09:47 PM PST

Published: Dec. 30, 2010 at 12:53 AM

BOSTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The start of a new year is a perfect time to take stock of your emotions and address mental health issues, a U.S. psychiatrist advises.

Dr. Douglas G. Jacobs, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the founder of Screening for Mental Health Inc., suggests this New Year's, gauge your emotional well-being by taking a free, anonymous mental health self-assessment at www.HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org.

The Web site, sponsored by the non-profit Screening for Mental Health, offers brief questionnaires for depression, alcohol problems and other mood and anxiety disorders.

The questions are designed to assess whether an individual may be at risk for a disorder. For those who score positive, referrals to local treatment resources are provided.

"Everyone struggles with stress or the blues from time to time," Jacobs says in a statement. "It's a normal part of life. But if you have been feeling sad, anxious or irritable for more than two weeks, it could be a sign of a more serious health issue."

This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php
Five Filters featured site: So, Why is Wikileaks a Good Thing Again?.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Adults with autism face many struggles - KABC

Posted: 29 Dec 2010 05:22 PM PST

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- One-point-five million people in the U.S. have autism. About 80 percent are under 22, and research shows most do note end up living independent lives.

Some call the number of kids who will become adults with autism over the next five years an autism tsunami. That's because most state and federal assistance programs for autism stop at age 22, leaving these young adults with no place to go.

Paul Voss, 35, has Asperger's syndrome -- a form of autism. Through his job as a maintenance man, he earns money, independence and self esteem -- things many adults with autism are missing.

"When you have Asperger's syndrome it's a struggle," said Voss.

He got his job through the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation, one of the few groups devoted to adults with autism.

"It's very frustrating, you see that beautiful little child on Time Magazine but you don't realize they're going to be 24 and 37 and whatever," said Mary Meyer, a mother of an autistic adult.

Her 36-year-old daughter Susan also found work and a creative outlet through the foundation.

"You usually don't have to worry about housing for children, jobs for children. Once you get to be an adult it's a lot more complex," said Susan Meyer.

Linda Walder Fiddle started the group in memory of her son Danny, an autistic boy who suddenly died from a seizure at the age of 9.

"So that really was the inspiration, Danny's life and the fact that I realized there were few, if any, programs for adults and we need to create a different world than what existed for adults," said Walder Fiddle.

Only three percent of autistic adults live independently. Just six percent hold paid, full-time jobs. The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation helps people with all aspects of adult life including finding an apartment, staying active and job training.

"We're very loyal, we're very trustworthy, we're very responsible," said Susan Meyer.

For Voss, the foundation provides purpose.

"Never give up on the belief that there is a place out there for you," said Voss.

The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation is based in New Jersey, but leaders are developing program models and blueprints so communities around the U.S. can launch similar programs.

Get more Health & Food »

Tags:

health, health & food, denise dador