Mental Health

On today’s episode of The Confluence: We learn how health care executives are hoping to address an influx of hospital emergency room patients in need of behavioral health care; after a yearlong search, the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is welcoming its new president and CEO, the first woman to lead the organization; and we ask two curators about the significance of the new Frick Pittsburgh exhibit, “SLAY,” which brings together two paintings created 400 years apart. Today’s guests include: Brett Sholtis, health reporter with WITF; Amy Haralson Kienle, the incoming president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh; Dawn Brean, chief curator and director of collections at the Frick Pittsburgh; and Kilolo Luckett, an art historian and Pittsburgh-based consulting curator.

Several University of Pittsburgh psychiatrists are raising money to support mental health to aid in Ukraine.

More than 72% of tips to the state Attorney General’s Safe2Say Something program have involved instances of bullying, self harm, mental illness, or discrimination and harassment.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: A lawsuit being heard in Commonwealth Court next week may make public the financial records of centers offering alternatives to abortion; Steel Smiling has raised half a million dollars in its effort to give all Black Pittsburghers a positive mental health experience; and Pittsburgh-based author Angela Velez tells us about her new young-adult novel, “Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture unveiled a telephone helpline for people in agricultural communities who face mental health crises. Officials say it's a key resource in an industry that suffers from some of the highest suicide rates in the country.

Medical experts say the pandemic is taking a toll on the mental health of teens and children.

On today’s episode of The Confluence: The state has begun to regulate harmful PFAS chemicals, but plans for federal regulation could alter the trajectory; a Duquesne professor weighs in on how K-12 schools can support students’ mental health at a time when pediatric and child psychiatric groups are declaring a state of emergency; and we visit an illegal dumpsite in the east hills with a crew of “DumpBusters” ready to clean it up.

Demand for therapy has rocketed since the start of the pandemic. Many mental health professionals say that’s been hard, and some are seeking counseling themselves. Therapist Mike Elliot says COVID-19 has changed the way he practices.

COVID-19 is adding stress to Pennsylvania’s underfunded behavioral health care system.

Neal Holmes, a therapist who specializes in treating Black Pittsburghers, talks about how the past 18 months has impacted his practice.