Friday Round-Up: This Week in the News

“Nearly 23 million Americans live with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Very few of these men and women are potential mass-murderers; they need help for their own well-being and for that of their families. A few, though, need services that will keep them from harming themselves or others. The nation’s health system needs to do better at treating all types.” Mental health care in the U.S. needs a check-up (Washington Post)

“This morning’s event represented the belated kickoff of the 500 Families, 100 Days initiative—an outreach to landlords that Gray said he hoped would ‘demonstrate that the District of Columbia is a compassionate place.’” Gray Kicks Off Rapid Rehousing Outreach, But Questions Remain (Washington City Paper)

“The findings are the latest in a bleak but growing body of literature suggesting long-term unemployment has become a trap that is difficult to escape. Economists say that means the long-term unemployed could become a permanent underclass, left behind by the nation’s broader economic recovery.” Long-term unemployed struggle to find—and keep—jobs (Washington Post)

“There’s this [misconception] that people that don’t work and that are trying to abuse the system use Snap. If someone is eligible for benefits, they don’t want to be associated as one of those folks. Maybe they feel uncomfortable going in a store and using their EBT card, because someone could think they’re someone like that, they are one of those folks [that commit fraud]. That’s one of those things we try to correct. That is not the reality of the program.” Food stamps: why recipients are haunted by stigmas and misconceptions (The Guardian)