Iowa House approves bill protecting parents’ authority amid heated debate over ‘conversion therapy’ risks The Iowa House passed House File 2557 after extended, emotional floor debate about parental rights and protections against a state-created category of child abuse; supporters say it defends parents, opponents warn it could permit harmful, unregulated practices for gender‑diverse youth.

The Iowa House has controversially passed a bill aimed at protecting parental rights, igniting fierce debate over its potential to allow harmful practices on gender-diverse youth.

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#IA #CitizenPortal #ChildProtection #MentalHealthSafety #IowaParents #ParentalRights

Draft bill 644 would ban AI‑provided therapy, restrict chatbots and set civil penalties Draft bill 644, presented to the committee, would bar offering or advertising AI‑provided mental health services in Vermont, require that therapeutic communications be delivered by licensed humans, cite academic findings of chatbot harms and deaths in bill findings, and assign enforcement authority to the attorney general and professional regulators.

Vermont's draft bill 644 aims to protect mental health patients by banning AI-driven therapy and imposing hefty penalties for violations, citing alarming research on chatbot-related harms.

Learn more here!

#VT #AIEthics #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthSafety #VermontMentalHealth #TherapyRegulations

Kansas AG backs bill to ban AI training that impersonates humans or provides clinical advice Attorney General Chris Kobach urged the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee to pass SB405, which would ban knowingly training AI to simulate humans, provide clinical advice, encourage self-harm, or perform other listed harms; the bill creates state and private civil remedies and penalties including fines up to $50,000 per violation.

Kansas is considering a groundbreaking bill that could ban AI from simulating humans or giving mental health advice, citing serious risks to children and society.

Learn more here!

#KS #CitizenPortal #DigitalEthics #AIAccountability #MentalHealthSafety #KansasAIRegulation

Senate panel advances narrower substitute of AI companion-chatbot bill after extensive testimony The committee adopted a committee-substitute for SB 796 that narrows the original scope to core safety obligations: incident reporting, basic mitigation duties for covered systems, and enforcement, while sending more complex definitions and details to summer workgroups and JCOTS.

Virginia's Senate is taking action to protect minors from potentially harmful AI chatbots, mandating age verification and strict reporting measures to ensure child safety.

Learn more here

#VA #AIEthics #CitizenPortal #VirginiaChildSafety #MentalHealthSafety #TechRegulation

Researchers recruit rural youth for lethal‑means safety study to inform counseling tools CSU Extension regional behavioral‑health specialist Kirsten Wolfsburg and Dr. Maya Haas (CU Anschutz) asked working‑group members to help recruit youth (up to 19) who previously experienced suicidal ideation and had firearm access for a one‑hour, $40 Zoom interview to inform a safety‑planning tool.

A groundbreaking study is seeking rural youth to share their experiences with firearm safety, aiming to create vital counseling tools that could save lives.

Learn more here

#CO #CitizenPortal #YouthSuicidePrevention #MentalHealthSafety #RuralHealthInitiatives

House committee advances substitute for HB 70 to fund EHR, expand MAT and implement justice‑involved Medicaid billing The House Health and Human Services Committee unanimously moved first substitute HB 70 forward, a bill to fund an electronic health record for correctional health services to implement a justice‑involved Medicaid waiver, expand targeted medication‑assisted treatment and authorize a $500,000 pilot for AI monitoring of inmate communications.

Utah's House Health and Human Services Committee just took a leap forward in correctional health, paving the way for a groundbreaking Medicaid waiver that could transform inmate care and save costs!

Learn more here

#UT #CitizenPortal #HealthCareAccess #SubstanceUseDisorder #MentalHealthSafety

Rock Hill superintendent's 100-day findings approved as board lays out measurable follow-ups Superintendent Dr. Elder presented highlights from her first 100 working days, including more than 90 classroom visits and an initiative inventory; the board approved her 90/100-day findings 7-0 and asked staff to return with measurable metrics tied to adopted board goals.

Rock Hill Schools' Superintendent Dr. Elder just unveiled her transformative 100-day findings, setting the stage for measurable progress in student achievement and community engagement.

Get the details!

#SC #CommunityEngagement #EducationReform #MentalHealthSafety #CitizenPortal

AI in therapy on the committee's radar: staff present state examples, members raise safeguards concerns Staff briefed the advisory committee on other states' approaches to AI in behavioral health (Illinois, Nevada, Utah); members raised concerns about insurer use of AI, disclosures, privacy and a cited court case involving AI-produced therapy interactions and patient harm; the committee asked staff to continue collecting materials and partner with stakeholders.

As states grapple with the implications of AI in behavioral health, concerns are rising over safety, insurer autonomy, and the tragic cases that underscore the need for strict regulations.

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#KS #MentalHealthSafety #KansasBehavioralHealth #PolicyReform #AIEthics #CitizenPortal

Here’s the truth: if people don’t feel physically and psychologically safe, nothing else lands — not engagement, trust, or performance.

Take a listen: www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/79

#HeadspaceForTheWorkplace #MentalHealthSafety #ConstructionWorkingMinds

Too often, workplaces wait until something goes wrong to respond. But what if instead, we got really good at catching what goes right?

www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/79

#HeadspaceForTheWorkplace #MentalHealthSafety #ConstructionWorkingMinds

NEW podcast episode, featuring a conversation w/ longtime safety-culture thought-leader Bill Sims. We bridge physical safety & mental health to show how safety culture can be a powerful foundation for resilience.
www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/79

#HeadspaceForTheWorkplace #MentalHealthSafety

Policy Review Committee Approves Academic Standards and Compliance Policies Committee reviews and approves several policy revisions, including academic standards and suicide prevention.

The West Chester Area School District is making groundbreaking updates to its policies, including crucial changes to academic standards and mental health initiatives.

Learn more here!

#PA #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #MentalHealthSafety #CivicAwareness #PennsylvaniaSchools

Congressional Hearing Discusses AI Risks in Healthcare and Mental Health for Patients Experts stress need for safeguards against AI-induced healthcare biases and mental health risks.

Congress is diving deep into the complex world of AI in healthcare, raising urgent questions about patient safety and mental health.

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#US #CitizenPortal #AIEthics #USAHealthcare #PatientCareReform #MentalHealthSafety

Is Ketamine Clinics: Pros or Con Men

The DOPE DEALER examines the underbelly of the K-boom
Watch: youtu.be/10S9Havzjhw

#KetamineTruth #PsychedelicWatch #MentalHealthSafety

@lucid.news.bsky.social
@safepsychedelics.bsky.social
@mindfoundation.bsky.social
@psychedelicscience.bsky.social

Is Ketamine Clinics: Pros or Con Men

The DOPE DEALER examines the underbelly of the K-boom
Watch: youtu.be/10S9Havzjhw

#KetamineTruth #PsychedelicWatch #MentalHealthSafety

@lucid.news.bsky.social
@safepsychedelics.bsky.social
@mindfoundation.bsky.social
@psychedelicscience.bsky.social

Become a certified trainer in #mentalhealthsafety!

Join us May 28 for the #VitalCog in #Construction Train-the-Trainer #SuicidePrevention Workshop hosted by TCS Mechanical near Austin.

Register now: www.eventbrite.com/e/vitalcog-i...

#MentalHealth #ConstructionSafety #TrainTheTrainer

Don’t miss this! FREE #MentalHealthSafety webinar June 3 @ 4PM ET w TJ Lyons, CSP, Rebecca Severson, CIH, CSP & me

*Apply JHA to emotional risk
*Report incidents with #mentalhealth in mind
*Build a holistic safety culture

Register now: bit.ly/MentalHealthSafety
#SuicidePrevention

You’ve downloaded the #MentalHealthSafety Guide — now help make it even better.

Join us June 3@ 4PM ET for a FREE 1-hr webinar to explore tools in action & share your insights.

Open to all bit.ly/MentalHealthSafety
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealth #SafetyCulture @thementalelf.bsky.social

Tacoma School Board highlights community engagement and student celebrations at recent events Community members discuss budget initiatives while celebrating cultural student accomplishments in Tacoma.

The Tacoma School District's latest board meeting unveiled inspiring community initiatives that celebrate cultural heritage and promote holistic student success.

Get the details!

#WA #MentalHealthSafety #CitizenPortal #CulturalCelebration #TacomaSchools #StudentSuccess

Free Tools and Guides — Dr. Sally

Thx to all who made the #ConstructionSafetyWeek + #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth mashup so impactful!

Coauthors TJ Lyons & Rebecca Severson & the hundreds who downloaded & shared the #MentalHealthSafety Guide.

DOWNLOAD: www.sallyspencerthomas.com/free-tools-a...

WEBINAR: bit.ly/MentalHealth...

Free Tools and Guides — Dr. Sally

Downloaded the #MentalHealthSafety Guide? If not, grab it here: bit.ly/FreeToolsAndGuides

Now take the next step

Join us June 3 @ 4PM ET - FREE webinar

Register: bit.ly/MentalHealthSafety

@thementalelf.bsky.social @jbsinger.bsky.social @iaspinfo.bsky.social @annamueller.bsky.social

The wait is over! The #MentalHealthSafety Guide is here.

This FREE eBook gives safety pros & mental health advocates the tools to plan, own & commit to emotional wellbeing at work.

Download now: bit.ly/FreeToolsAndGuides

#ConstructionSafetyWeek #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth @iaspinfo.bsky.social

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
The #MentalHealthSafety Guide is HERE. #ConstructionSafetyWeek & #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth. We’re launching a FREE, practical guide connecting job site safety & emotional wellbeing.
bit.ly/PRESS-RELEASE-MH-Safety
#PeerSupport #SuicidePrevention #ConstructionWorkingMinds

#MentalHealth folks: You’ve mastered safety planning for individuals—now it's time 2 learn from safety pros abt mental health safety @ work

Hazards are hiding in plain sight

Tomorrow, we launch the #MentalHealthSafety Guide to help build the bridge

@jbsinger.bsky.social @thementalelf.bsky.social

You inspect the harness—But do you check in when someone’s slipping into addiction or depression?
This #ConstructionSafetyWeek,
PLAN 4 #MentalHealthSafety
OWN your role
COMMIT to protecting minds & bodies
Free guide drops tomorrow
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth @thementalelf.bsky.social @who.int

To my fellow #mentalhealth pros: Construction safety has something to teach us.
When something goes wrong, they ask what failed in the system, not what’s wrong with the person.
This #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we're bridging the gap. New guide drops this week #MentalHealthSafety

COMING TOMORROW: The #MentalHealthSafety Guide
“I could walk a mile in your shoes, but I already know they’re just as uncomfortable as mine. Let’s walk next to each other.”

Mental health = job site safety.
Support is a safety tool.

#ConstructionSafetyWeek #MentalHealthAwareness

The construction industry trains for slips, trips & falls—why not stress, burnout & despair?

This #ConstructionSafetyWeek + #MentalHealthAwareness Month, we’re launching a new concept: #MentalHealthSafety.

Guide drops Wednesday. You’ve got fall protection—now you’ll have this. Stay tuned.

Colorado establishes youth restraint and seclusion working group to review practices Colorado forms working group to address youth restraint and seclusion policies by July 2024

Colorado's new House Bill 1200 could revolutionize youth care by addressing controversial restraint and seclusion practices—are we ready for this change?

Click to read more!

#CO #YouthCareReform #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthSafety

#ConstructionSafetyWeek = #MentalHealthSafety
Virtual Bootcamp on #MentalHealth Safety & Worker Wellbeing — May 6th. Is your safety leadership future-ready?

May 6, 2025 | 9AM–12PM MT | Zoom
Early Bird: $325 (ends April 30th!)

Register now: bit.ly/BootcampPsychSafety