mental health services

A law passed this year gives the state the authority to treat arrested people within jails or in an outpatient basis if the person can be safely released and treated.

260 Missourians are waiting in jails for mental health services

Clara Bates

The people imprisoned were supposed to receive rehabilitative mental health services that allow them to stand trial, but they have been found to languish in jails — often for months — without having been found guilty of any crime.

Licensed psychologist Kerry Karaffa (right) is pictured above with Georgie, a Galápagos tortoise that is approximately 35 years old. Karaffa has been embedded within the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine since August 2016, where he works directly with vet students to provide mental health services and conducts research. Karaffa is also an animal lover and pet parent to many different species of animals (not including Georgie - he is just a friend)!

Health & Wealth

Embedded mental health providers in vet schools: 'In the culture, we start to learn the ins and outs'

Anna Spidel

Kerry Karaffa is a University of Missouri Counseling Center psychologist that is embedded within the MU College of Veterinary Medicine and works directly with vet students.

Politics

Nixon pushes Medicaid expansion for mental health services

Gov. Jay Nixon is reiterating his push for Medicaid reform, saying expanding the program would cover the 50,000 currently uninsured Missourians who need…