Mental Health
Last year was Alaska’s deadliest on record for opioid overdoses
Alaska lost 342 people to opioid overdose in 2023 and had the highest increase in deaths per capita in the nation.
Alaska Senate considers plan that would allow teens to independently seek mental health care
An amendment from Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, would lower the age for obtaining behavioral health care to 16.
Relocation of eroding Alaska Native village seen as a test case
The Newtok-to-Mertarvik transformation is the most advanced of several village relocation efforts prompted by climate change.
Medication is an important tool for people struggling with alcohol addiction in Alaska
There are more options than ever for treating alcohol use disorder in Alaska, including several medications that can make it easier for some people to reduce or stop drinking.
Former Southwest Alaska VPSO, pastor arrested in Texas on child sexual assault charges
Monte LaVelle Chitty, 62, was arrested April 5 in the Florida case. Former members of his Cold Bay church say the charges fit a familiar pattern.
Suicides make up majority of gun deaths, but remain overlooked in gun violence debate
Suicide is the leading cause of gun-related deaths in the United States. But it's often only an afterthought in the public debate about gun violence.
Alaska House committee advances, expands proposal to bar trans girls from girls sports
An amended bill would add elementary, middle school and collegiate sports to limits in place for high school.
Public health officials revamp efforts to protect Alaskans against lead poisoning
Fewer children get tested for lead in Alaska, so officials are launching new programs to encourage testing and provide follow-up care.
Sitka’s housing crunch hits tribal citizens hardest, study says
The survey also found that tribal citizens are leaving Sitka at a higher rate than other residents.
Lawmakers weigh whether to reduce or acknowledge rights of growing Alaska homeless population
As the state’s major cities scramble to house people, advocates say Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s protest bill would further criminalize the homeless.
Here’s the new plan to boost background checks for guns bought at shows or online
The Justice Department's new rule requires background checks for all gun sales, not just ones sold at gun stores.
The underlying effects of trauma | Line One
Join host Dr Justin Clark as he discusses trauma, and how to navigate mental health services to find the right provider for yourself.
A collective of doulas and midwives is helping Alaska Native mothers stay connected to their roots
The Indigenous birthworkers will attend medical appointments with mothers, advocate for them and help connect them to traditional practices.
Pop-up medical clinic will provide free care in Anchorage and Fairbanks in April
The clinics will offer medical, dental, eye check-ups and care.
Alaska Native remains repatriated from Oregon asylum but many Lost Alaskans still buried
Patients who died at places like Morningside Hospital in Portland, were often buried there and never returned home.
New Dillingham group calls for unified approach to overdose prevention
A group of Dillingham residents is advocating for a united effort within the entire community to protect people and help them recover.
2 Alaska health care providers sue feds over millions in unpaid costs
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium are seeking about $34 million in contract support costs.
Anchorage Health Department to offer low-cost baby check-ups
Families can bring babies up to 2 years old to the clinic for routine and preventative care.
Juneau’s hospital gets $4M from feds to improve emergency department
The project will expand and renovate the south side of Bartlett Regional Hospital's emergency department with ventilation and electrical upgrades.
Volunteers uncover fate of Lost Alaskans sent to Oregon mental hospital a century ago
A 15-year volunteer effort is helping identify the fates of thousands of Alaskans who were shipped to a psychiatric hospital in Oregon.
Bills targeting trans people are on the rise nationwide and in Alaska — most focus on children
A state House committee has advanced legislation that would restrict the rights of Alaska trans kids.
Southcentral Foundation to place a school nurse and counselors in 3 rural schools
The grant-funded program will provide a registered nurse and behavioral health consultants to McGrath, Nikolai and Takotna.
Alaska Native Medical Center begins emergency services expansion
The first phase of expansion will offer more patient beds, surgery recovery spaces, and behavioral health treatment spaces.
Huslia man reflects on father’s legacy of mental illness, recovery, and helping villagers in crisis
Lee DeWilde grew up outside of Huslia in the 1960’s, when it was a 160-person village in Interior Alaska. He remembers that his father, Lloyd DeWilde, faced some mental health struggles growing up. But despite those struggles, Lloyd later became a resource for his village.
New online tool connects Alaskans with traumatic brain injury to care
The tool lists providers who work with brain injury patients across the state.
Alaska Public Media’s mental health coverage is supported by a grant from the Alaska Mental Health Trust and our members.
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