NIMH launches campaign to educate men about depression.

The National Institute of Mental Health has launched a public education campaign to raise awareness of depression in men and promote the benefits of depression treatment.

An estimated six million U.S. men suffer from depression, about half as many as women. But women are more likely to seek treatment for depression, whereas men may not even recognize their irritability, sleep problems, loss of interest in work or hobbies, or withdrawal as symptoms of depression. Research suggests that men also are less likely than women to talk about depression and instead turn to alcohol or drugs, become frustrated or irritable, attempt to hide the symptoms, or engage in reckless behavior.

"For generations, men have been told they have to act tough," said U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona at a news conference announcing the campaign. "We are attacking the stigma that tough guys can't seek help. They can and they should."

The campaign, "Real Men, Real Depression," tells the stories of a fire-fighter, a lawyer, a publisher, and others who live with depression. A series of television, print, and radio announcements describe how depression affected the men and how they summoned the courage to seek help.

For information about the campaign and about depression, visit the NIMH Web site (www.nimh.nih.gov) or call 1-866-227-6464.

WEB SITE LISTS LINKS TO EMERGENCY PLANNING RESOURCES

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has established a Web site that lists several links to help businesses develop plans for preventing and responding to terrorism-related events.

The site, www.cdc.gov/niosh/ topics/prepared, includes links to the following resources:

* Emergency Planning Guide for Business and Industry, which provides information on how to create and maintain a comprehensive emergency management program;

* Developing a Preparedness Plan and Conducting Emergency Evacuation Drills, which offers advice on developing an emergency action plan, including fire prevention plans; and

* Model Shelter-in-Place Plan for Businesses, which describes how to establish a shelter-in-place program for your building.

Additional information about emergency preparedness for employers is available from several other organizations, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.

GUIDE CAN HELP EMPLOYEES HANDLE DISPUTES WITH HEALTH PLAN

On the heels of a new federal rule that expands the rights of workers and family members to appeal claims denials by health insurance carriers, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Consumers Union have issued a new edition of their guide to understanding how insurers evaluate claims and make reimbursement decisions.

The Consumer Guide to Handling Disputes With Your Employer or Private Health Plan, available free at www.kff.org/consumerguide or www.consumersunion.org, contains a checklist for understanding health insurance policies. The checklist addresses questions such as--

* Do I need a referral for a lab test or a visit to a specialist?

* Are referrals limited to providers within the plan's network?

* Are payments for certain types of care limited?

The guide also describes how each state requires insurers to handle claims disputes and how consumers can obtain independent reviews of those decisions. The guide notes that a consumer's right to appeal a denial of coverage may not apply if the employer self-insures. About half of all people covered through their employers are in self-insured plans, though many do not realize it.

A federal rule that took effect in January, however, makes it easier for everyone covered by private health insurance--even those in self-insured plans--to appeal a claim denial. For example, the rule sets tougher standards for how an insurer must respond to a consumer's complaint and how quickly it must respond.