ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Advocates say the mentally ill are far more likely to be victims of violence than to be attackers, faulting media reports and gun rights interests for perpetuating inaccurate stigmas following recent crimes, including the Connecticut school shootings by a reportedly troubled 20-year-old.
Harvey Rosenthal, executive director of the New York Association of Rehabilitation Services, says referring to the mentally ill with phrases like "violent psychotics" and "monsters" vilifies one-fifth of Americans who have various psychiatric disabilities.
He says defamatory media will shame and deter many from seeking help, though most can substantially recover from disabling conditions with personalized services.
He and other advocates said Thursday recent emphasis on 24-hour emergency phone lines, peer support, housing, family services, managed care and outreach are showing results.
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Friday, May 17 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:28:27 GMT
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Friday, May 17 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:09:46 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million dollars for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery. The lump-sum cash value of the jackpot is an estimated $376.9 million.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 2:49 PM EDT2013-05-16 18:49:22 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to $550 Million dollars for Saturday's drawing after none of the tickets sold for the Powerball game Wednesday evening matched all six numbers drawn.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to $550 Million dollars for Saturday's drawing after none of the tickets sold for the Powerball game Wednesday evening matched all six numbers drawn.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-16 11:42:27 GMT
Authorities say they plan to resume the search for an upstate man now that a body found in the Hudson River earlier this week has been identified as his companion in a canoe that capsized last December.
Authorities say they plan to resume the search for an upstate man now that a body found in the Hudson River earlier this week has been identified as his companion in a canoe that capsized last December.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:03 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:03:28 GMT
Top Senate Democrat Charles Schumer plans to revive legislation that would protect journalists and their employers from revealing their sources
Top Senate Democrat Charles Schumer plans to revive legislation that would protect journalists and their employers from revealing their sources, days after it was revealed that the Justice Department secretly obtained Associated Press phone records.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 6:09 AM EDT2013-05-14 10:09:21 GMT
The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving.
The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving, uniting behind AT&T's "It Can Wait" slogan.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:31:14 GMT
Scientists from Baylor University are scheduled to exhume the remains of undocumented and unidentified immigrants buried in the Falfurrias city cemetery Sunday.
Scientists from Baylor University are scheduled to exhume the remains of undocumented and unidentified immigrants buried in the Falfurrias city cemetery Sunday.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:24 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:24:33 GMT
The forecast over the weekend calls for warm, humid and a little breezy conditions. Lows will be in the 70s and highs near 90 degrees for both Saturday and Sunday.
The forecast over the weekend calls for warm, humid and a little breezy conditions. Lows will be in the 70s and highs near 90 degrees for both Saturday and Sunday.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:04:21 GMT
The State of Texas has filed a lawsuit against BP America and other defendants in connection to their roles in the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore oil spill.
The State of Texas has filed a lawsuit against BP America and other defendants in connection to their roles in the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore oil spill.
Friday, May 17 2013 2:36 PM EDT2013-05-17 18:36:10 GMT
Something magical is happening on the ice at Sugar Land Ice and Sports Arena.
Something magical is happening on the ice at Sugar Land Ice and Sports Arena. A group of children with autism, and others with chromosomal and mental disorders, is learning social interaction, physical endurance, and self assurance in the ice rink.
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