In Liberia, Survivors of Ebola and Civil War Now Struggle with Mental Illness
Published by PBS
In 2014, an Ebola outbreak ravaged three West African countries. Now many of the same communities are facing a new health struggle: mental illness. In rural Liberia, diseases such as depression and schizophrenia are often considered a “curse” and relegated to treatment from spiritual healers. Special correspondent Molly Knight Raskin reports, in partnership with the Pulitzer Center.
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New Report to Mark 10‐year MHPAEA Anniversary Finds States Failing at Parity
Mental Health Weekly
A new report released Oct. 3 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) has found that 32 states have received failing grades for statutes designed to ensure equal access to mental health and addiction treatment. Observers say they had hoped to see a lot more progress in the 10 years since the federal law passed.
We Must Treat Mental and Bodily Health the Same. It’s a Matter of Human Rights.
The Washington Post
Almost 10 years have passed since Congress required that insurers offering mental-health services for illnesses of the brain, such as depression or addiction, do so no more restrictively than illnesses of the body, such as diabetes or cancer. And yet most insurers today still do not comply with the law.
In Syria, an Ugly Peace Is Better Than More War
The New York Times
At their summit in Helsinki, Finland, in July, President Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia reportedly agreed to end the Syrian war and to move Iranian forces away from the Syria-Israel border. President Trump has also indicated that he is willing to accept President Bashar al-Assad’s remaining in office and is prepared to withdraw American forces from Syria. This is a start. But more is needed to end the violence in Syria.
Jimmy Carter’s Human Rights Message Resonates in Atlanta and Globally
Atlanta Magazine
On July 24, Jimmy Carter’s earnest roundtable discussions with around 70 human rights defenders and religious leaders from 36 countries countered the divisive tone of local election headlines. Carter spent the better portion of seven hours advocating repeatedly for the “equal treatment of all people” regardless of nationality, race, religion, or gender.
All 5 Living Former First Ladies Condemn Trump Border Policy That Separates Families
The Washington Post
In the span of about 24 hours, all four living former first ladies have added their voices to the chorus of public critique, calling the practice “immoral,” “disgraceful” and a “humanitarian crisis.”
Living First Ladies Speak Out Against Trump's Border Family Separation Policy
Time
With Rosalynn Carter adding her voice to the choir of political figures who are speaking out against the Trump administration’s zero tolerance immigration policy, all five living first ladies have now publicly come out against the controversial policy, which separates children from their parents as families try to cross the border into the U.S.
Nearly Eradicated in Humans, the Guinea Worm Finds New Victims: Dogs
The New York Times
For 30 years, scientists have fought to eliminate a horrifying parasite. Suddenly, it has begun infecting dogs in Chad, threatening to undo decades of progress.
Liberia Women Gaining Access to Information
Africa 54, Voice of America
As Liberia continues to recover from a decade-long civil war and the devastating effects of the Ebola outbreak, Liberian women are beginning to find their voices with the help of the Carter Center’s access-to-information and access-to-justice programs. VOA reporter Kim Lewis has more on this story.
Liberia’s Progress in Advancing Mental Health
Africa 54, Voice of America
Liberia has gone from having just one psychiatrist for the entire country to employing almost 250 clinicians serving all 15 counties. Learn about the Carter Center’s work with the Liberian government to boost mental health for adults and children by training health workers and supporting a national mental health law. VOA reporter Kim Lewis reports from Liberia. (The story runs from 5:42 through 12:06.)
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter Receives Award During Mental Health Forum
WSB-TV
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter received an award during the 23rd annual Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum. During the forum, new data on children’s mental health in Georgia was released by the CDC.
Carter Center Sends Team to Nicaragua to Offer Assistance in the Dialogue
Univision
The Carter Center, founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, sent a mission to Nicaragua to offer assistance in developing a dialogue to resolve the political crisis in the country, after more than 40 people, mostly students, died in massive protests against the government of President Daniel Ortega.
South Sudan Halts Spread of Crippling Guinea Worms
The New York Times
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, appears to have stopped Guinea worm disease within its borders, the country’s health minister announced Wednesday.
Guinea Worm Disease Transmission Stopped in South Sudan
Associated Press
South Sudan has gone 15 months without a single reported case of Guinea worm disease, the nation's health minister said Wednesday, suggesting a major victory for global health officials trying to eliminate the painful affliction.
South Sudan Reaches Milestone in Eradicating Debilitating Guinea Worm
CNN
Amid war and devastation in South Sudan came glimmers of hope Wednesday as the world's newest nation announced a milestone step toward eradicating a debilitating disease.
Carter Center Say Kenya's Polls Were a Setback for Democracy
Associated Press
Kenya’s 2017 elections were a setback to this East African country’s democratic development, the Carter Center has said.
Waging Peace
Rotarian
An interview with Mary Ann Peters is a master class in the art of diplomatic responses. Asked about her most difficult assignment, the former U.S. ambassador responds that “difficulty and challenge are two sides of the same coin.”
Jimmy Carter's Vision for Peace
Rotarian
It’s a crisp, sunny day in late October, and school groups are touring the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta.
Fierce Optimism
Harvard Public Health
Donald Hopkins couldn’t sleep. It was sometime after 2 a.m., early October 1980, at the old Hotel Chantilly, in Geneva. He reached toward the nightstand and grabbed a pen and a ruled notepad—items that are always within reach—and pulled back the covers.
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