Posts Tagged: depression

Will California follow Oregon’s ‘strategic’ approach to psychedelics?

Image courtesy of 24K-Production

by RICH EHISEN posted 03.06.2024

There is a growing acceptance in mental health circles that some psychedelics – particularly psilocybin, MDMA, Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and mescaline – have great promise for treating certain mental health disorders, including post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. But some observers fear legalizing it could kick off a psilocybin Gold Rush that emphasizes profits over patient care.

Stem cell agency launches research into mental health disorders

Gene therapy, image by Natali _ Mis

by DAVID JENSEN posted 10.05.2023

California launched a $111 million research program last week aimed at developing genetic tools and treatments to help the millions of persons afflicted with mental disorders ranging from autism to schizophrenia. Dubbed ReMIND, it is the largest such concerted effort in the nation.

Expanded access to exercise will make a healthier California

Image by Rawpixel via Shutterstock

by BY FRANCESCA SCHULER posted 04.17.2023

Access to a safe and consistent place to exercise can help improve the health and well-being of countless Californians.

2014: A look back at key stories

UC Davis students protest occupy Mrak Hall to protest tuition increases. (Photo:: Sacramento Bee, via Associated Press)

by JOHN HOWARD posted 12.30.2014

Californians started 2014 the way they ended the previous year – parched by drought, hoping for an improved economy, outraged at Capitol corruption scandals and, finally, looking some relief at the fuel pump. Compared with the drought, the rest of the top stories of 2014 seemed almost trivial. Almost, but not quite.

Indigenous farm workers have scant access to mental health services

Irene Gomez, manager of a domestic violence and mental health outreach program for indigenous farmworkers in Oxnard, helps a client. (Photo: Scott Erickson.)

by HANNAH GUZIK posted 06.17.2014

Although many counties have programs that provide at least some medical care to this population, access to mental health services is extremely limited in most parts of the state. This is despite the fact that indigenous farmworkers are believed to face higher amounts of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder than the general population.

OPINION: Today we have a tremendous opportunity to address this crisis. Thanks to health care reform and a growing, aging population, employment in the health services sector is projected to grow far faster than California’s economy overall – 27 percent by 2020. Many of these are good jobs – positions like radiology technician and therapy assistant – that pay $35,000 or more a year without requiring a college degree. And men of color are significantly underrepresented in these fields.