Alaska has a shortage of health care workers, especially in rural areas. Students from around Southeast came to Juneau to explore careers in behavioral health, a field that covers mental health and substance abuse.
Mental Health
After scathing audit, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority says fixes are underway
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority CEO Mike Abbott sounded like he was talking about an invasive medical screening when he described being audited. He updated lawmakers on how the trust is fixing problems identified in a scathing audit report.
In rural communities, jails house psychiatric patients awaiting transport to hospitals
When Alaska residents go through a severe mental health crisis, many rural clinics lack the resources to ensure their safety. About 10 patients are held in the Haines rural jail each year awaiting transport to hospitals.
Why Mount Jumbo won’t be logged anytime soon
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority board has approved a land exchange of up to 40,000 acres in Southeast. The land will change hands between the trust and the U.S. Forest Service — including parcels like Mount Jumbo in Juneau.
Public health data shows 13 percent rise in Alaska suicides
According to the latest report, suicide “was the leading cause of death” among Alaskans aged 10 to 64 years old. From 2012 to 2017, Alaska has alternated in having either the first- or second-highest rates of suicide nationwide.
Shooting death continues to raise questions
Cody Eyre, 20, was fatally shot by law enforcement in Fairbanks on Christmas Eve, 2017. His grandmother plans to hold a rally on Capitol steps in Juneau on the anniversary of his death to call for better mental health crisis intervention training.
When a step back into prison is really a jump forward on the road to recovery
Alexandria Niksik has been in and out of prison for seven years. Her most recent return home only lasted 16 days. But what might look like failure from the outside is actually a key step toward success and recovery from alcohol misuse.
State asks for new housing units to help Alaskans in recovery
Alaska has seen a dramatic rise in opioid abuse over the last several years, with over 100 fatal overdoses attributed to opioids last year.
Report: Suicide is Alaska’s fifth-leading cause of death
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services report shows that for 2017, suicide was the fifth-leading cause of death in the state. Nationally, it’s the 10th-leading cause.
Addiction treatment community reacts to new clinic in Juneau
The new clinic is different in a few ways. It’s a for-profit company and it doesn’t currently offer in-house counseling — and that has some in providers in the community worried.