ncmentalhope.org

WASHINGTON — At the height of the Iraq war, the Army routinely fired hundreds of soldiers for having a personality disorder when they were more likely suffering from the traumatic stresses of war, discharge data suggests.

Under pressure from Congress and the public, the Army later acknowledged the problem and drastically cut the number of soldiers given the designation. But advocates for veterans say an unknown number of troops still unfairly bear the stigma of a personality disorder, making them ineligible for military health care and other benefits.

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It’s going on four years since our Indy cover story, “Imagine Dix,” about the potential for a Raleigh Central Park on what remains of the Dorothea Dix Hospital campus — about 306 acres of land. I see, within that story, the subhead, “Decision in ’07?” No, there was no decision in ’07, or ’08, or ’09, and there won’t be one in ’10 either, because Dorothea Dix Hospital is not yet closed and won’t be — shouldn’t be — as long as the state’s mental health programs remain screwed up to the max.

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Cumberland County’s sobriety court will break new ground in September when it is called to order for the first time.

Officials said the court will be the first in the state – and one of a few in the nation – to focus on people charged with drunken driving before they are convicted.

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Victim struggled with mental health isses.

RALEIGH — Allegra Dahlquist, one of four teens accused of taking part in the 2008 overdose and beating death of an Eagle Scout from Apex High School, pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder and several conspiracy charges.

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GUILFORD COUNTY – County officials could be on course in the next few weeks to take another look at the possible benefits of consolidating human service agencies.

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners first considered the idea during a January retreat, but settled on working for more streamlining and consolidated intake services for the Department of Social Services and the departments of public health and mental health.

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TAMAR ZAIDENWEBER, a 24-year-old graduate student at Georgetown University, lost her insurance coverage under her father’s health plan in 2008 because she was no longer financially dependent on him. Because of the new health care law, she will be able to rejoin his policy.

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GUILFORD COUNTY – As national leaders turned their attention this week to bullying in schools, some school districts are extending policies to cover staff.

Guilford County Schools will begin the new school year with a new anti-bullying staff policy the Board of Education approved this week.

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Richmond County psychiatric patients may languish in an emergency room or crisis center for up to a week before being admitted to a mental hospital.

A report released Friday by a non-profit found the average wait time for psychiatric patients across the state was 2.6 days, but a provider in Richmond County said the wait can be up to a week for patients here.

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Candidates for local and state office pledged their support Tuesday to agencies serving people with mental health needs, but acknowledged that budget troubles could make the task difficult.

Seventeen hopefuls for county commissioner and the N.C. General Assembly attended a meet-and-greet event at Covenant Presbyterian Church sponsored by Metrolina Provider Network, an organization of 17 county agencies that serves people with developmental disabilities and mental health needs.

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After a Greenville man hit by a Taser died Monday, Greenville Police said they are reviewing the incident.

Police tried to deliver papers to Andrew Torres, 39, on Augusta Street Monday, to have the man involuntarily committed.

Torres, according to his family, suffered from mental illness for a few years.

Torres became combative, according to police, when they tried to apprehend him.

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