NewsFeed

December 27, 2024

Trump's Threats Fuel Anxiety in Immigrant Communities

Psychologists and organizations are warning that President-elect Donald Trump's threats of mass deportations are having a detrimental impact on the mental health of many immigrants. According to experts, the uncertainty and fear caused by these threats is leading to increased anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among immigrant communities in cities such as Los Angeles and New York. Organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness are providing support services to help mitigate the effects of this stress, while also advocating for policies that protect the rights of immigrants.

https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-spanish-mass-deportation-plan-affects-mental-health-of-many-immigrants-psychologists-say-/7916480.html

December 27, 2024

US Homelessness Rises 33% Amid Camping Bans

The number of people experiencing homelessness in the US has increased by nearly 33% over the past four years, with many communities taking a hard line against homelessness by enforcing bans on camping. However, there is some positive news as homelessness among veterans continues to trend downwards, dropping 8% to 32,882 in 2024. Cities such as Dallas and Los Angeles have also seen success in reducing their homeless numbers through overhauls of their systems and increased housing for the homeless. Despite this progress, California remains the state with the nation's largest homeless population, followed by New York, Washington, Florida, and Massachusetts. Robert Marbut Jr., a former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, has called for a shift in focus from permanent housing to treatment of substance use and mental illness, while advocates argue that punishing people who need a place to sleep would criminalize homelessness.

https://apnews.com/article/homelessness-population-count-2024-hud-migrants-2e0e2b4503b754612a1d0b3b73abf75f

December 26, 2024

Biden-Harris Admin Fails on Family Homelessness Goal

The Biden-Harris Administration has committed to addressing homelessness, with HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman emphasizing evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness. However, a recent report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shows that family homelessness has risen by nearly 40% in some areas, including Denver, Chicago, and New York City, while remaining relatively stable in other communities. The count also revealed a 33% increase in homelessness among children, with over 150,000 experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2024. Experts attribute the rise to underinvestment in affordable housing resources and protections, as well as the impact of disasters such as the Maui wildfire. Some advocates are calling for a shift from prioritizing permanent housing to addressing substance use and mental illness through treatment programs and job training.

https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/nation-world/us-homelessness-tally-2024/507-b5e82068-6aa2-49fb-bd01-e55afbff33cd

December 26, 2024

California Advocates Push for Treatment Over Housing

The Biden-Harris Administration has committed to addressing homelessness, with HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman emphasizing evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness. However, a recent report from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shows that family homelessness has risen by nearly 40% in some areas, including Denver, Chicago, and New York City, while remaining relatively stable in other communities. The count also revealed a 33% increase in homelessness among children, with over 150,000 experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2024. Experts attribute the rise to underinvestment in affordable housing resources and protections, as well as the impact of disasters such as the Maui wildfire. Some advocates are calling for a shift from prioritizing permanent housing to addressing substance use and mental illness through treatment programs and job training.

https://www.khou.com/article/news/nation-world/us-homelessness-tally-2024/507-b5e82068-6aa2-49fb-bd01-e55afbff33cd

December 26, 2024

IDHS Faces Abuse Reporting Training Demands

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has been criticized for its handling of cases involving developmental disabilities or mental illness, with victims often forgetting or being unable to recount what happened due to the passage of time. An audit recommended that IDHS provide training on abuse and neglect reporting to all employees at state-operated facilities and address pay structure imbalances for management positions. The agency has acknowledged staffing shortages, including a severe shortage in intake investigators, which has led to growing backlogs and delayed investigations. IDHS is working to implement changes, including hiring more staff and implementing new technology to improve oversight. Additionally, the agency experienced a privacy breach in April when an outside entity gained access to files containing Social Security numbers of over 4,700 customers and public assistance account information for over a million customers.

https://stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/audit-finds-excessive-overtime-pay-at-illinois-agency-one-worker-logged-3-331-hours-of/article_75d25b34-c44a-11ef-9d8f-87effae4f717.html

December 26, 2024

London Osteopath Helps ME Patient Regain Mobility

Dr Raymond Perrin, an osteopath based in London, treated a patient with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a chronic illness that has no cure. The patient's condition was so severe that they were unable to leave their bed or engage in any physical activity. Dr Perrin used a combination of techniques including osteopathic treatment and cognitive behavioural therapy to help the patient manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/it-has-no-cure-but-this-doctor-believes-he-has-an-answer-to-chronic-fatigue-20241113-p5kq8e.html

December 26, 2024

Mel B's ADHD Diagnosis Affects Daughter Phoenix

Mel B, a member of the Spice Girls, revealed in 2019 that she had been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, dyspraxia, and dyslexia. Her daughter Phoenix has also been diagnosed with ADHD. Research suggests that a gene inherited from a father can affect a daughter's fertility by preventing the elimination of centrioles from her egg cells, which can make it difficult to conceive. Actress Nicole Kidman has spoken publicly about her struggles with infertility, including an ectopic pregnancy and multiple miscarriages, before giving birth to her first biological child through IVF at age 41. Additionally, a study found that children of women with insomnia are more likely to develop the condition themselves, suggesting that sleep patterns may be influenced by genetics from their mothers.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14179223/Mom-dad-Experts-reveal-parent-passes-traits-babies.html

December 26, 2024

Model Amanda Beard's Shocking Homeless Struggle

Model Amanda Beard revealed in an interview with DailyMail.com that she believes a mysterious electrical current in her apartment contributed to her downfall from success to homelessness. She had been working as an assistant at a cosmetic surgery center in LA, but was fired after suffering from mental health issues in 2016. After being spotted rummaging through trash in LA in 2018, Beard attributed her struggles to the alleged electrical current that she claimed was "torturing" her for three years.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14230777/loni-willison-homeless-decline-jeremy-jackson-split-divorce-addiction.html

December 26, 2024

Mother's Secret Wine Habit Exposed by Sons

A mother's struggles with alcoholism during the pandemic have left her feeling anxious and dehydrated, leading her to develop a habit of drinking wine throughout the day. Despite trying to hide it from her children, Matthew and Harrison, they eventually discovered her secret and began hiding evidence under their bed. The mother attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings but found the message that she would always be an alcoholic unhelpful. Her sister Colin attempted to quit drinking himself in an effort to encourage her, but this only created distance between them.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14227707/mum-boys-drink-cost-family-ANNETTE-GILL.html