Health
Latest IN HEALTH NEWS
Douglas County launching local program to restore people’s legal competency as they await trial
People who are booked into jails statewide have long waited several months — even more than a year — for beds at state mental hospitals, so their competency to understand court proceedings can be restored. Douglas County is now working on a local solution to that problem.
See the latest COVID-19 stats for Lawrence and Douglas County on The Lawrence Times’ stat dashboard at this link.
Find out where you can get the free COVID-19 vaccine at this link.
MORe HEALTH NEWS
Bert Nash, O’Connell Children’s Shelter teaming up to offer new supports for young people in Douglas County
Two Douglas County nonprofits have announced a partnership aimed at improving mental health care for children, young people and their families.
New play, panel discussion on reproductive justice argue ‘Choice is everything’
A community-workshopped production illustrating how birthing people have strived for reproductive justice across time made its debut Wednesday, and audiences have two more opportunities to join in the conversation.
Experts share statistics, resources to combat drug addiction and overdoses in Douglas County
Although a significant number of Douglas County overdose deaths involve opioids, deaths related to stimulant overdoses are increasing, too, especially among people of color.
Lawrence health department to host event on local opioid overdoses, resources
An upcoming community event aims to educate and spark conversation about the local impact of the nationwide opioid crisis.
Lawrence behavioral health providers say some TRC patients wait in ‘bottleneck’ for longer-term treatment
Patients who need more help than what the Douglas County Treatment and Recovery Center can provide are often stuck waiting for longer-term care that isn’t available in town, according to local behavioral health administrators.
WIC services will now be available on location in Eudora
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health is partnering with the Eudora school district to expand access to WIC services by making them available onsite at district offices in Eudora.
Connections Choir to return; it aims to help stroke survivors and people with Parkinson’s disease
A series of three therapeutic choir events intended to help stroke survivors and people with Parkinson’s disease starts up again Thursday.
Kansans want legal marijuana but a few Republican leaders keep blocking it
A new poll again shows Kansans broadly support legalizing marijuana for medicinal or recreational use, but it seems as unlikely as ever that lawmakers will launch a new cannabis industry.
Most Kansans support expanding Medicaid, abortion rights, new survey finds
A significant majority of Kansans support expanding Medicaid — including more than half of Republicans — according to the 2023 Kansas Speaks public opinion survey.
Lawrence High journalism students ask school board candidates about staff turnover, mental health during forum
Lawrence High School journalism leaders on Wednesday asked candidates running for school board about student bonds with teachers amid turnover and supporting students’ mental health needs.
Bert Nash is now a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, the center announces
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center got news that it has achieved full certification under the state’s new model for behavioral health clinics.
Gardens across Lawrence school district allow students to learn by growing
There’s now a blooming garden at every school site in the Lawrence school district, and students are learning how to grow food inside and outside of classroom settings.
Older Kansans want lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana and expand Medicaid
Kansas is one of the few states that doesn’t offer legal access to marijuana, and one of just nine states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid. Kansas seniors will be lobbying lawmakers for both.
Renewed hope: Douglas County drug court graduate has created a new path for herself
Over the past couple of years, Hope Thommen and Jason Hall have been the only constants in each other’s lives. Everything has changed for the better in sobriety, and they’re putting broken pieces back together.
Kansas child death report shows increase in gun-related deaths, suicides
State officials warned that fentanyl has become a significant threat to Kansas adolescents, though numbers for child homicide and suicide still far outstrip child drug-related deaths.