A newspaper finds that the insurance company that manages medical care for many Georgia children has denied or partially denied more than 6,500 requests for psychotherapy between 2019 and mid-2022.

Monday on Political Rewind: The Legislature's outcomes are still front of mind for Georgians. Chancellor Sonny Perdue decried a cut to the University System and mental health advocates mourn a failed expansion. Plus, CBS' 60 Minutes is under fire for an interview with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. 

Ten people have been charged with murder in Otieno's death at a Virginia psychiatric hospital earlier this month. Caroline Ouko and attorney Ben Crump reflect on his life and what happens next.

More states are moving to specialized managed-care contracts solely to handle medical and behavioral services for foster kids. But child advocates, foster parents, and even state officials say these and other care arrangements are shortchanging foster kids’ health needs.

Thursday on Political Rewind: Speaker David Ralston died Wednesday surrounded by family. As 73rd Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, he leaves a strong legacy of bipartisanship. Today on Political Rewind, a panel of journalists who covered the speaker remember his life.
 

“Investing in mental healthcare saves lives and dollars — we have known this for decades, but until now did not fully understand the monumental impacts of neglecting to act,” said Daniel Dawes, professor and executive director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Methadone helps people quit addictions to drugs like heroin, oxycodone and fentanyl. But for the first three months of treatment, patients must report daily to a clinic to get methadone — a problem for rural Georgians.

In 2018, a 17-year-old gunman killed 10 people at Santa Fe High School. But even with an influx of time and money for mental health services, the community is still struggling with grief and trauma.

Mental health advocates celebrated the launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, but some people voiced concerns that using the service could lead to police involvement or forced hospitalization.

With the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline set to launch in days, several states have been beset by staffing crunches, dropped or rerouted calls and lack of planning.

In January, the Pew Charitable Trusts launched a project dedicated to reducing suicide rates by making risk assessment a part of routine hospital visits. 

Lawmakers in Georgia are expected to introduce an omnibus mental health bill at the steps of the Capitol at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. House Speaker David Ralston will announce the bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Todd Jones and Democratic Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver.

Even when mental health is covered, providers of behavioral health services can be tough to find. And there are not always enough of them to treat rising pandemic-related anxiety or depression.

The deadline to sign up for a health plan on the marketplace is Jan. 15.

Trieste has a reputed approach to bringing people with mental illnesses out of hospitals and into the community. Now the region's hard-right politicians are breaking the system apart.

The Georgia Mental Health Policy Partnership and Substance Use Disorder Community shared a vision Monday for moving through the COVID-19 pandemic and shift perceptions around mental health, substance use, and well-being.

The coalition is offering positive policy solutions based on the American Rescue Plan funds for the 2022 Georgia legislative session to reform policies impacting the Georgia Mental Health Policy Partnership and Substance Use Disorder Community.