Sleep Can Reduce Anxiety in Worriers, Study Shows

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New research published this June in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that the lack of sleep commonly associated with anxiety disorders may actually exacerbate symptoms of worrying. Results from the study strongly support the theory that sleep loss triggers the excessive anticipatory brain activity associated with anxiety, indicating that maintaining a healthy sleep pattern can help alleviate symptoms of anxiousness.

While past research has shown that people with anxiety disorders tend to show hyperactivity in two major emotional brain regions known as the amygdala and anterior insula cortex, researchers from the present study were the first to establish a pattern of causation by directly testing the impact of sleep deprivation on anticipatory brain responses preceding emotionally salient events.

The study conducted at the University of California, Berkeley examined the brains of 18 healthy adults, once while sleep-deprived and again while well-rested. Researchers used fMRI scans to monitor brain activity while participants viewed a series of either neutral or disturbing images. Prior to viewing the images, participants were primed with visual cues intended to trigger anticipatory anxiety. The cues depicted a red minus sign to warn for unpleasant images, a yellow circle to warn for neutral images or an ambiguous white question mark intended to provoke feelings of more intense anticipation in viewers.

Idaho gets $20.3 million grant for health exchange

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by Associated Press

KTVB.COM

Posted on August 8, 2013 at 8:49 AM

BOISE — The state of Idaho has just received a $20.3 million federal grant to help craft its own health insurance exchange.

Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Executive Director Amy Dowd announced the grant Wednesday. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will be used to help create the online marketplace where individuals and small business owners can go to buy health insurance coverage.

Dowd says the federal money will help the state meet upcoming deadlines for having the exchange operational.

Idaho is one of several states creating its own insurance exchange, which is a key component to the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

The exchanges are aimed at providing a transparent way for people who don’t currently have insurance to compare and purchase policies.

Mental Health in Schools: A Role for School Resource Officers

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By Laura Usher, NAMI CIT Program Manager

In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, NAMI has been flooded with questions about how to recognize when a young person has an emerging mental health condition and how to keep schools safe. We

Man hospitalized with Idaho’s first West Nile case

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by KTVB.COM

KTVB.COM

Posted on July 26, 2013 at 11:20 AM

Updated today at 12:31 PM
BOISE — A 40-year-old Payette man is in the hospital with Idaho’s first West Nile case of the year.

Southwest District Health officials confirmed the positive test results of this potentially serious illness Friday.

West Nile is usually spread to animals and humans from the bite of an infected mosquito, not person to person. Health officials say most people that get it don’t show the symptoms, but some become seriously ill.

Symptoms include: fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash typically occurring 2 to 14 days after being bitten.

The Idaho Department of Agriculture also confirmed Friday that two horses have tested positive for the virus.

More positive West Nile tests in Ada and Canyon counties

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by KTVB

KTVB.COM

Posted on July 18, 2013 at 9:44 AM

Updated yesterday at 6:12 PM

BOISE — More mosquitoes in Ada and Canyon counties have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The Ada County Mosquito Abatement District says one sample was confirmed, while two others were sent to the Idaho State Lab for further testing.

The district says they’ve responded to and treated all of the locations where the samples were found and will continue to monitor the locations throughout the summer.

This is the second round of positive tests in Ada County. The district announced last week that mosquitoes in the area of Beacon Light and Linder Roads had tested positive for West Nile.

Click here to see the Ada County Abatement District’s mosquito tracker map.

The Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District also says more mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile were found in traps in the following areas:

NAMI Idaho

NAMI Website
NAMI Idaho was organized as the state organization of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to serve those impacted by mental illness in the state of Idaho. Pursuant to its Bylaws, NAMI Idaho will:

1. Serve as the Idaho state organization chartered by NAMI;

2. Agree to endorse the mission, values and policies of NAMI;

3. Develop statewide positions on issues relating to mental illness and advocate for such positions at the state level;
4. Assist in the coordination of local, state and national mental health advocacy efforts;

5. Serve as a conduit in communicating NAMI and NAMI Idaho issues to the local community-based NAMI Affiliates in Idaho (hereinafter referred to as

Idaho’s suicide prevention hotline expands hours

by KTVB.COM

KTVB.COM

Posted on June 27, 2013 at 10:55 AM

Updated today at 1:04 PM

BOISE — Just a year ago, Idahoans in need of emotional support had no local hotline to call when faced with suicidal feelings or thoughts.

Now, just months after staffing a call center to help those in need, the Idaho Suicide Prevention hotline will add an evening shift to its hours of operation.

The hotline can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK.

The newly expanded hours will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning July 1.

The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation and St. Luke’s Health system gave gifts of $37,500 each to fund the expansion.

Those in need of help can call the hotline, and will be connected to trained Idaho phone responders who can refer them to key resources in their communities. The ISPH also will be able to offer follow-up calls to individuals seeking help.

Eagle school’s charter revoked

by KTVB.COM

KTVB.COM

Posted on June 25, 2013 at 10:01 PM

Updated today at 10:57 AM

MERIDIAN — The Meridian School District has decided to revoke the charter held by North Star Charter School in Eagle. The move comes after a history of financial problems.

North Star Charter now has 30 days to respond to the ruling, and then a public meeting will be held. Afterward, the district plans a second vote to either keep or reinstate the charter.

Jim Miller, the chairman of the North Star Charter School Board, says the Meridian School Board considers them a financial risk.

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Plans for multi-million dollar Boise transit center still underway

by Stephanie Zepelin
Bio | Email | Follow: @ktvbstephanie
KTVB.COM

Posted on June 20, 2013 at 9:40 PM

Updated today at 7:48 AM

Related:

Suicide of 6-year-old stresses need to watch for signs

by Scott Evans
Bio | Email | Follow: @ScottEvansTV
KTVB.COM

Posted on June 12, 2013 at 5:03 PM

Updated yesterday at 1:44 PM

BOISE