Despite decades of efforts by various organizations, Sitka has no homeless shelter.
Mental Health
Feds investigating whether Alaska needlessly locks up kids with behavioral health issues
The investigation resulted in part from the Disability Law Center’s 2020 complaint that the state has relied too heavily on locking up children with behavioral health disorders — often at out-of-state, for-profit psychiatric institutions.
We asked Dr. Anne Zink and other Alaskans what’s bringing inspiration this winter. Here’s what they said.
It’s the darkest part of winter in a very dark year marked with loss, anxiety, economic worries, political upheaval and isolation. We’ve been asking Alaskans where they find inspiration, hope and comfort on their bleakest days. Many of them said they turned to art — music, literature, film and spiritual texts — to help get through it.
Early data shows Alaska overdose rate increasing, while suicide rate stays constant
The state Section of Epidemiology published preliminary data this week showing that Alaska’s suicide rate hasn’t gone up in the first three quarters of 2020, though unintentional drug overdoses are continuing an upward trend from previous years.
Hunker down or happy holidays? How Alaskans are choosing to celebrate this week.
When it comes to balancing the appeal of spending time with family and friends against the potential of contracting, and inadvertently spreading, COVID-19 — Alaskans are making tough decisions.
Juneau’s hospital sees surge in kids experiencing mental health crises
Bartlett’s emergency department has treated an unprecedented number of kids experiencing high levels of stress, thoughts of self-harm and suicide attempts over the past seven months.
After COVID-19 outbreak, the only state-run psychiatric facility in Alaska isn’t taking new patients
Eight people connected with the psychiatric facility, 3 staff and 5 patients, have tested positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.
Anchorage Assembly bans conversion therapy
Conversion therapy has been discredited and condemned by the American Psychological Association and many other medical and civil rights organizations.
‘One-stop shop’ social services center planned for Juneau’s Mendenhall Valley
United Human Services, in collaboration with The Glory Hall and other service providers, is coordinating the development of the Southeast Community Services Campus.
Pandemic isn’t stopping Juneau’s graduates from being hopeful about life after high school
Like many around the country, Juneau’s recent high school graduates have had to navigate online classes, separation from their peers and a socially-distant graduation ceremony without precedent.