Native communities across Alaska are seeking a key to understanding the epidemic of suicide. The film screened Tuesday last week during the First Alaskans Institute 2017 Elders and Youth Conference held prior to the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage last week.
Mental Health
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority hires new CEO
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority has hired a new CEO almost a year after the ousting of its long-time leader. Mike Abbott will take over the trust on November 1. He currently serves as the Municipal Manager of Anchorage and previously worked as the chief operating officer for the Anchorage School District. He will…
Experimental Oasis project gives inmates ‘something different in prison’
The Department of Corrections is the largest mental health care provider in the state, and the administrators at Spring Creek Correctional Center want to make it one of the most effective, too. They’re treating inmates who have mental illnesses with new innovations — porches and paintings.
Alaska Mental Health Trust funds city homeless coordinator for Juneau
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority has agreed to fund a housing and homelessness coordinator for the City and Borough of Juneau. This follows the Trust Land Office’s clearing of a downtown lot with a sprawling homeless encampment.
Juneau police clear downtown homeless camp
Juneau police have cleared a downtown encampment on Alaska Mental Health Trust land. The Juneau Assembly’s task force is mulling strategies for dealing with the community’s homelessness crisis.
Potential initiatives would enshrine Medicaid expansion, ACA provisions in state law
One initiative would require insurers to cover people with pre-existing conditions. It also would allow parents to cover their children until they turn 26.