Behavioral health staff say social restrictions are causing spikes in anxiety, depression, substance use, and self-harm — for students, parents and just about everyone experiencing the disruption of the pandemic.
Mental Health
A tiny home community could be a new start for Sitka’s chronically homeless
Despite decades of efforts by various organizations, Sitka has no homeless shelter.
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.