Taylor Knopf

handcuffs against a black background, which many county sherrifs departments use for transporting psychiatric patients

Despite pitfalls, counties leave psych patient transport in sheriffs’ hands

March 23, 2021 by Taylor Knopf Leave a Comment

Despite pitfalls, counties leave psych patient transport in sheriffs’ hands - North Carolina Health News

When given the chance to rethink police involvement in responding to people in mental health crisis, most counties maintained the status quo. This is the third part in an occasional series examining the consequences of North Carolina’s increased use of forced psychiatric treatment.

By Taylor Knopf It’s common for law enforcement officers to respond to people in mental health crises. Desperate family members often call 911 if they believe a loved one is at risk of harming themselves. If a patient expresses suicidal intent, health professionals will sometimes call for the police assistance. And in North Carolina, sheriffs’ […]

Psych nurses want freedom from old law putting their practices at risk

March 17, 2021 by Taylor Knopf

Psych nurses want freedom from old law putting their practices at risk - North Carolina Health News

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are helping fill the huge gaps in mental health care across the state. But North Carolina’s law tying them to a physician has put some of their practices and patients in jeopardy.

By Taylor Knopf Olehonna Lynch started Pembroke Center for Wellness in 2010 because she wanted people in her home community to receive the best mental health care possible. Lynch, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, said that before she started her practice the residents of Robeson County waited up to three months for an outpatient psychiatric appointment. […]

illustrated graphic showing the interior structure of HCV along with how the surface appears

NC prisons must test and treat inmates for hepatitis C under class-action settlement

March 10, 2021 by Taylor Knopf

NC prisons must test and treat inmates for hepatitis C under class-action settlement - North Carolina Health News

After three inmates sued the North Carolina Department of Public Safety for failing to treat their hepatitis C, all prisoners will have access to testing and treatment of the virus.

By Taylor Knopf Inmates in North Carolina prisons will now receive testing and treatment for hepatitis C, as well as education about how the virus spreads, according to a federal class-action lawsuit settlement on Monday. In 2018, three state inmates sued the Department of Public Safety saying they were denied treatment for their hepatitis C […]

photo is a close up of hands cuffed behind someone's back

NC didn’t track the data on mental health commitments, so some advocates did it instead.

December 21, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

NC didn’t track the data on mental health commitments, so some advocates did it instead. - North Carolina Health News

Advocates found the state had a big problem, but because no one was counting, no one was aware of how many psychiatric patients were being treated against their will. This is the second story in a series about how more people in mental health crisis end up involuntarily committed for treatment and why that’s a problem.

By Taylor Knopf Robert Ward has been representing clients with mental health issues when they come before a judge in involuntary commitment hearings for almost a decade. And in recent years, he noticed his caseload increasing in Mecklenburg County. Ward, the assistant public defender, asked his local clerk of court’s office to share the number […]

Sheriff removes leg cuffs from a psychiatric patient after transporting the man from one hospital to another

More NC psych patients are ending up handcuffed in a police car. Why?

December 14, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

More NC psych patients are ending up handcuffed in a police car. Why? - North Carolina Health News

North Carolina’s use of involuntary commitment for mental health patients increased by 91 percent over a decade. This is the first in an occasional series of stories where we’ll explore what factors are contributing to this rise and what it means for patients.

By Taylor Knopf When Sonia Padial’s grieving son swallowed too many Tylenol, she took him to the hospital for help. She says her son, Andrew — whose name has been changed to protect his identity — has autism. He struggles to process emotions, especially around loss. He’s an introvert and forms stronger bonds with animals […]

Mental health patients fill the ER, waiting weeks for help

October 13, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

Mental health patients fill the ER, waiting weeks for help - North Carolina Health News

Due to a lack of mental health community services, more patients are languishing in emergency departments — sometimes for weeks — waiting for an inpatient psychiatric bed to open up somewhere in North Carolina.

By Taylor Knopf Bridget Narsh said she was unhappy that her son, Mason, spent 26 days this summer in a “windowless room” at UNC Hospital’s Emergency Department in Chapel Hill. Mason is a 15-year-old with autism, ADHD, anxiety and PTSD. The changes and disruptions generated by the coronavirus pandemic have been difficult for him and […]

shows a tile wall, each tile has the handprint of a child and some text on it as a proxy for child abuse

Pandemic increases hardships on families, children

September 30, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

Pandemic increases hardships on families, children - North Carolina Health News

Some experts worry the coronavirus pandemic may be contributing to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which could have lifelong consequences.

By Taylor Knopf Child advocates are worried that increased hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic could have long-term negative physical and mental health impacts for kids. In July, 30 percent of North Carolina adults with children reported that they were behind on their rent or mortgage payments and/or they could not afford enough food for […]

shows two adults providing applied behavior analysis, otherwise known as ABA therapy, with two young people.

Are students with disabilities being left behind? Challenges of virtual learning.

September 16, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

Are students with disabilities being left behind? Challenges of virtual learning. - North Carolina Health News

Students in special education programs are struggling to adjust to online learning during the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to setbacks and hospitalizations for some.

By Taylor Knopf As school districts across the state deliberated over whether to bring students back to the classroom or teach them virtually, social media message boards filled with comments from North Carolina parents with strong opinions on all sides. But for Brooke Rose, there was no ideal option for her family in Wake County, […]

The key to COVID-19 communication? Keep it simple.

August 21, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

The key to COVID-19 communication? Keep it simple. - North Carolina Health News

COVID-19 is complicated, and the world's understanding of the virus has evolved over the last few months. We've gathered input from experts on how leaders can communicate clearly and why it's so important to do so.

By Taylor Knopf Stopped on the street, someone asked state health and human services secretary Mandy Cohen, “Are you the ‘three Ws’ lady?” “Yes I am,” she responded. The memory makes Cohen chuckle. More importantly, she said, the slogan is getting into people’s heads. As North Carolina slowly reopens, Cohen and public health officials have […]

Health care professionals grab disposable takeout containers outside. Providers have been responding to the coronavirus pandemic in the state.

UNC helps launch COVID-19 mental health app for health workers

July 22, 2020 by Taylor Knopf

UNC helps launch COVID-19 mental health app for health workers - North Carolina Health News

The free Health Heroes app assess symptoms of stress and depression and helps connect those on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic connect to care.

By Taylor Knopf When COVID-19 descended on North Carolina, Rebecca Tallman, a nurse at UNC Medical Center and single mother, decided to isolate from her two children as she cared for patients sick with the contagious virus. During her 12-hour shifts, Tallman cares for patients’ physical needs while also providing emotional support. Since hospitals have […]

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