New York Times article on The Americanization of Mental Illness

By ETHAN WATTERS
Published: January 8, 2010

AMERICANS, particularly if they are of a certain leftward-leaning, college-educated type, worry about our country’s blunders into other cultures. In some circles, it is easy to make friends with a rousing rant about the McDonald’s near Tiananmen Square, the Nike factory in Malaysia or the latest blowback from our political or military interventions abroad. For all our self-recrimination, however, we may have yet to face one of the most remarkable effects of American-led globalization. We have for many years been busily engaged in a grand project of Americanizing the world’s understanding of mental health and illness. We may indeed be far along in homogenizing the way the world goes mad.

Read the rest of the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/magazine/10psyche-t.html

Do you know someone who is having difficulty with drugs or alcohol? Help them take the first step to recovery by referring them to SAMHSA’s treatment line.

SAMHSA’s Treatment Referral Line is a free and confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our specialists are fluent in English and Spanish and trained to provide referrals to local treatment facilities.

1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)

www.samhsa.gov/espanol

A new pharmacy in Colorado Springs is providing low income residents with free prescription drugs. The Lord Cares (TLC) Pharmacy officially opened its doors on January 4th. TLC is one of less than ten central-fill pharmacies in the county who can qualify needy patients for Institutional Prescription Assistance Programs, and dispense prescriptions on the spot

There is no doctor on-site, so clients need to have prescriptions written by a physician before the come in to the pharmacy. TLC operates entirely on gifts, grants and donations. Currently they are using monetary donations to buy generic medication for clients. Name brand medications are being provided by individual drug companies. The pharmacy is run by the Open Bible Baptist Church

El Paso and Teller County residents who are 18-64 years of age, have no insurance, and are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for assistance. Volunteer Pharmacy Manager Randy McFee, says the actuall income levels depend on different living situations, but a general guideline is an income around $20,000 for an individual, or $29,000 for a married couple. To set up an eligibility check appointment call (719) 569-4449. Currently the pharmacy is completely staffed by volunteers. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m until 1 p.m. TLC is located at 3204 N. Academy Blvd.