#mentalhealthprogram

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 Mental Health Retreat in India - Toyam Wellness Therapy Center, Pune

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#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – #Parents See Own Health Spiral As Their Kids’ #MentalIllnesses Worsen

by Megan Craig, M.Sc. If you or someone you know may be experiencing a #mentalhealthcrisis, contact the #988Suicide&CrisisLifeline by dialing "#988," or the #CrisisTextLine by texting "HOME" to 741741. After her #teenage daughter attempted #suicide and began to cycle through emergency rooms and #mentalhealthprograms during the past three years, Sarah Delarosa noticed her own health also declined. She suffered from mini strokes and stomach bleeding, the mother of four in Corpus Christi, Texas, said. To make things worse, her daughter's failing behavioral and #mentalhealth caused Delarosa to miss hours from her job as a home health aide, losing out on income needed to support her family. "Access to help, when it's needed, it's not available," said Delarosa, about the #hopelessness she felt as she sought support for Amanda, 16, who has been diagnosed with #bipolardisorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Amanda has at times lashed out in anger or shattered light bulbs and used the broken glass to cut herself. Delarosa often feels overwhelmed, and she has noticed her youngest son acting out. "Now we have a whole family that needs help," she said. A national shortage of #mentalhealthcareproviders, and the search for affordable care, has exacerbated strain on parents, often the primary caregivers who maintain the health and well-being of their children. Their day-to-day struggle has led to its own health crisis, say #psychologists, researchers, and advocates for families. As #parents navigate the #mentalhealth care system's shortcomings, #stress can start to take a physical and #mentalhealth toll that disrupts their ability to continue providing care, said Christine Crawford, the associate medical director at the #NationalAllianceonMentalIllness, an advocacy group that helps families find care. #Parents pour their energy into helping their #kids, often at the expense of their own health, Crawford said. "When you are worrying about whether or not your #child is going to survive the day, you are constantly living on edge," she said. "Your fight-or-flight is constantly activated." And the number of parents in crisis is greater than it seems. Recent reports from the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention, the surgeon general's office, and medical providers all show an alarming number of #kids in the U.S. are experiencing severe #mentalhealthchallenges. About 40% of U.S. #parents with #children younger than 18 say they are extremely or very worried their #children might struggle with #anxiety or #depression at some point, according to a January study from the Pew Research Center. Evidence-based therapies to address a child's #mentalhealth should include the #parents, say researchers and #pediatric #mentalhealthspecialists. But the focus on the adult caregivers and their anxiety and stress too often falls short. For example, parent-child interaction therapy coaches parents to manage their young child's #behavior to prevent more severe problems in the child later on. While this may help the #child, it doesn't directly support the parent's health. "I have so many parents sit across from me on the couch and cry," said Danielle Martinez, a #behavioralhealthspecialist at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi. The hospital is creating peer support groups, to launch by the fall, for family members whose #children are under the facility's care. "They felt so alone, felt like bad parents, felt like giving up," Martinez said, "and then felt guilty for wanting to give up." When the parent's mental and physical health deteriorates, it complicates their ability to prevent the child's condition from getting worse, said Mary Ann McCabe, a member of the board of directors at the #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation, an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine, and a psychologist in independent clinical practice. Parents are a kid's most important resource and need to be a concern, she said. Delarosa said many residential treatment centers cited a shortage of providers in refusing to admit her daughter. Amanda, who is covered through Medicaid, would be on weeks-long waiting lists while she "spiraled out of control," running away from home and disappearing for days, said her mom. In April, Amanda was admitted to an inpatient residential treatment facility nearly 200 miles away, in San Marcos, Texas. With Amanda away, Delarosa said, she had a "chance to breathe," but the reprieve would be temporary. She wants to see a #therapist but hasn't had time amid the demands of caring for Amanda and her youngest #child, a son. Before Amanda left for treatment, her 7-year-old brother started cussing, throwing and breaking objects in the home, and saying things like he wished he weren’t alive, though his #behaviors settled down while his sister was away. Other #parents also said they are feeling the strain on their mental and physical health. "The #children are in crisis. But the families are also in crisis," said Robin Gurwitch, a professor in psychiatry and #behavioral sciences at Duke University. "They are struggling to figure out how best to help their #children in a system that doesn't come with a manual." Brandon Masters, a #middleschool principal in San Antonio, developed a rash on the back of his arms and neck last year that he says his #doctor told him was connected to #stress. Even though he is insured through his job, Masters estimates he paid about $22,000 last year on care for his #teenage son Braylon, who spent 60 days in residential treatment centers in Texas and California following a diagnosis of #bipolardisorder. Braylon spent an additional month in juvenile detention later in 2022 after he bit his dad and brandished a knife. So far this year, Braylon, now 17, has attempted #suicide twice, but Masters has been unable to find a residential treatment center he can afford and that will admit Braylon. "There is this huge wave of #anxiety that comes over me that makes it difficult to be around him," Masters said. Anne Grady's 20-year-old son has autism, severe #mooddisorder, developmental delays, and other conditions. For nearly 17 years he has been on a Texas waiting list to receive full-time care. Grady, who lives in a suburb of Austin, Texas, developed a tumor in her salivary glands and temporary facial paralysis, which added to the #stress she faced navigating care for her son. "It's mentally exhausting for families," Grady said. The lack of care is "punishing the #kids and punishing for families," she said. #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com Medicaid is the state-federal program that pays medical and other health-related bills for low-income and disabled people. Yet while many state Medicaid programs pay for family therapy and parenting programs, they don't address the #parent as an individual #patient affected by their child's health under a child's plan, said Elisabeth Burak, a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families. #Parents who live in one of the 10 states that haven't expanded Medicaid, including Texas, face an additional challenge getting care for their own #mentalhealth. Still, states are starting to recognize that caregivers need more support. Many states allow Medicaid to cover services from certified family peer specialists or navigators, who have experience raising a #child with #mentalillness and additional training to guide other families. In July, California awarded money to support #parents as part of a #child #mentalhealth initiative. "The most important thing that we should give families is a sense of hope that things will get better," said Gurwitch. Instead, the lack of quality #mentalhealthcare services for #youth exacerbates their risk for illnesses. Without appropriate help, these conditions follow a #child — and their #parents — for years, she said. With Amanda returning home from the residential treatment program this month, Delarosa worries she won't be equipped to manage her daughter's bouts of #depression. "It's the same thing over and over, nonstop," Delarosa said. "I have driven myself crazy." When Grady's son turned 18, she acquired continued guardianship so she could continue arranging his care outside their home. "I love him more than anything in the world, but I can't protect him," she said. Masters, whose skin conditions have worsened, is just trying to get Braylon through his final year of #highschool, which starts this month. He's also renewing his search for a residential treatment center, because Braylon's negative #behaviors have escalated. "When they are born, you have all these dreams for your #kids," said Masters. Instead, health professionals who have cared for Braylon told Masters, he needs to be prepared to look after his son even after he finishes high #school. "No #parent wants to hear that," he said. This article was reprinted from khn.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente. Read the full article

[rejoiceayurhealthclinic]

Attention deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD) Attention deficit disorder is a mental disorder, which affects mostly children but also some adults. Symptoms: ADHD involves symptoms including inattention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour. These symptoms are associated with learning, behavioural and emotional problems. According Ayurvedic theory, there are three main constitutions make up the body (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). Vata dosha having more air & ether and Vaata is only responsible for ADHD. As Vaata is one of the three doshas which helps in controlling the different elements and their functioning. There are 3 types of ADHD: 1. Inattentive- means a person is easily distractible or inattentive but isn’t hyperactive or impulsive. 2. Hyperactive-Impulsive occurs when a person has symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity. 3. Combined ADHD- is where a person has a mixture of symptoms including hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. The Ayurvedic approach to treat ADHD is to use herbs, therapies, mediation and yoga. Ayurveda seeks to recognize the dosha in each person in order to understand any imbalances that may cause disease.  By examining the doshic qualities of modern diseases, Ayurveda can balance and heal them from the root cause.      To know more about ADHD and for book an appointment Contact us on 04111114403, 0380156343 /or email on info@rejoiceclinic.com.au ---------------------------------- #ADHD #ADD #mentaldisorder #childrendisprder #intentionproblem #behaviourissues #hyperactivity #balancedosha #Panchakarma #Ayurveda #ayurvedaMassage #Oilmassage #Herbs #Nature #Detoxification #Rejuvenation #RemoveToxins #HerbalMassage #mentalhealthprogram #holisticservices #alternativeservices #AyurvedicTreatment #mansikrog #rejoiceayurhealthclinic (at Rejoice Ayur Health Clinic) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7EuO2aHr2f/?igshid=i36igc3xf8u7

[wmhiau]

Mental Health Training For Managers – A Need For Competitive Workplaces

There are such huge numbers of various treatment choices, schools and options accessible for battling adolescent to increase conduct and enthusiastic skills upgrades. Finding exact assistance for troublesome young people isn't a simple undertaking. Guardians must take the help of expert counselors and instructive consultants that assess the requirements and requests of unmotivated children and get ready best of the recovery intends to satisfy their needs.

There is number of people experiencing conduct and passionate issues. Low confidence, terrible conduct, poor association with guardians and poor companion weight are commonly observed issues in children that make them uncomfortable and disturbed in the home setting. The social and passionate issues in stressed people can be dealt with effectively through an organized workplace mental health program.

Resilience building programs offer taught and controlled condition for low-confidence employees for guaranteeing their recovery. People experiencing insubordination, defiance, conduct issues, lying propensity, animosity, chronic drug use, low confidence, and other enthusiastic issues are treated with counseling and treatment programs. Confirmed counselors are committed to controlling dangerous individuals to accomplish sound life skills, aware conduct, and high inspiration.

Programs are planned in such ways that inspire discouraged young men and young ladies to accomplish a hopeful attitude, respect, virtues, and morals. These programs are viable in wiping out the stress and nervousness from the life of harried people. The employees face a lot of challenges at the workplace and may be going through any problems in their personal life which makes it worse at their office spaces. So, you must have mental health training for managers so that they are equipped to face any situation and help other employees too.

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Find Mental Health Retreat near Mumbai & Pune, India

At Toyam Wellness Retreat near Mumbai & Pune, embark on a journey of holistic healing with personalized therapies and Shirodhara treatments. Our mental health retreat near Mumbai & Pune fosters emotional clarity and mental resilience.

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#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – #China Sees #Suicide Rise Among Young Facing #School Pressure

- Nation’s disease control center urges tailored intervention - China’s young deal with fierce competition academically Photo by Seng Lam Ho on Pexels.com By Yihui Xie and Xiao Zibang #China has seen an increase in #suicides among young people in recent years, prompting researchers to call for a special program to help them deal with academic pressure. The number of #children aged five to 14 that died by #suicide jumped nearly 10% annually from 2010 to 2021, according to a recent study from the #Chinese #CenterforDiseaseControlandPrevention. The figure for people aged 15 to 24 fell 7% through 2017 then posted a nearly 20% increase the next four years.  The increase is small in absolute numbers yet it contrasts with a decline of 5.3% annually in the 2010-2021 period among all age groups in the country, a drop the researchers said was due to a nationwide #mentalhealthprogram. They said that #children and #adolescents have faced severe #mentaldisorders and elevated #suiciderisks from intense competition to do well at #school. Half of people suffering from #depressivedisorder in #China are #students, according to a 2022 national survey.  The researchers called on the government to prioritize developing programs targeting #children and #adolescents that adopt best practices from abroad and allow for the early identification of #suicidalbehavior. Young people in #China have long engaged in fierce competition to get ahead in #school and get good jobs upon graduation. Three years of the #Covid-19 #pandemic — which in #China meant snap lockdowns, including many imposed on #college campuses — and record #youth unemployment have also piled pressure on #youth. Earlier this year, the apparent #suicide of a boarding #school #student named Hu Xinyu gained widespread attention in #China, both because the 15-year-old boy had expressed concern beforehand about his grades and how the #police handled their investigation.  Also, many people took to #Chinese #socialmedia Thursday to express sadness over the death of #HongKong-born singer and songwriter #CocoLee. The 48-year-old had been suffering from #depression for several years, her sisters said in a statement posted on #Facebook. One person wrote on Weibo that “Coco’s passing is also a wake-up call for us to take our #mentalhealth seriously.” #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com In 2021, #Beijing unveiled a sweeping overhaul of its education tech sector, banning companies that teach the #school curriculum from making profits. Many #parents complained that pressure to engage private tutors caused excessive #anxiety at home. The researchers at the #CenterforDiseaseControl&Prevention also warned that the widespread belief among #parents and #teachers that getting good scores trumps anything else risks obscuring #mentalhealthissues plaguing #children. Photo by Seng Lam Ho on Pexels.com Read the full article

[tallmantall]

#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – Children’s Risk Of #Suicide Increases On #School Days

Unlike in #adults, #suicide risk among #children is lowest during the summer and higher during the #school year. Understanding these patterns can help prevent and treat suicidality - By Tyler Black Reading about death and suicidality can be distressing. Please read this in a moment where you feel safest and ready to do so. #Pediatricians, #child #psychologists and #psychiatrists, #socialworkers and #pediatric emergency teams know something that many people who care for #children don’t: we are much busier during the #school year. I’m a full-time emergency #psychiatrist who works at a major children’s hospital, and often when children come in for a #mentalhealthcrisis, one of the main stressors they discuss is #school. I’m sure most people assume I commonly prescribe medications as a #physician, but one of my most common “prescriptions” is advocating for reducing #school burden and load. In a 2013 #AmericanPsychologicalAssociation survey, 83 percent of #adolescents stated that #school was a cause or significant source of stress. In a 2017 survey of #school leaders in the U.K., 82 percent reported increased #mentalhealthissues among primary #school #children during the time of national examinations. In studies in 2013 and 2015, scientists studying homework in the U.S. found that primary #school #children were averaging 30 minutes of such work per night, while high-performing secondary students were averaging more than three hours per night, at the cost of their physical health and schoolwork-life balance. Whether we are talking about referrals to #mentalhealthprograms for crisis, presentations to emergency departments for #mentalhealthissues, admissions to intensive care units for urgent treatment of #suicideattempts or deaths by #suicide, an association with #school is clear. We are able to visualize this in a number of ways. By using the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention’s Wonder database to find information on #pediatric (17 years of age or younger) deaths by #suicide, I have created a “heat map” of #youth #suicide, and a #school-day association is plain to see. On weekdays and during #school months, there is a significant elevation of #suicide deaths in #children. Looking at the monthly data, we can see that this elevation is not trivial: during #school months, the increase in #pediatric #suicides ranges between 30 and 43 percent. This is in sharp contrast with #adults, where we see #suiciderates typically peak in summer months.  This situation has not improved over time: Compared with summer weekends, #school-month weekdays from 2016 to 2019 show a #pediatric #suiciderate increase of 62 percent. The increase was 42% from 1999 to 2015. If we look at far more common events, such as emergency room visits for #mentalhealthconditions, we see a strikingly similar pattern. These data come from participating hospitals in a collection done by the #CDC. #School comes with many things, good and bad. #School can be wonderful, with learning experiences, social successes and a sense of connection to others. But it can also be incredibly stressful because of academic burden, #bullying, health- and disability-related barriers, discrimination, lack of sleep and sometimes abuse. I often liken going to #school to a child’s full-time job. The #child has co-workers (classmates arranged by hierarchy), supervisors (#teachers), bosses (administrators and principals) and overtime (homework). And they have very early work hours (most #schools have hours that are very incompatible with children’s sleep patterns). Of course, work can be rewarding, but it’s also stressful. Any time I present these data to #teachers, #parents, principals or #school administrators, they are shocked. This should be common knowledge. #Pediatric #suicides and #mentalhealthcrisis rates increase sharply when #school is in and ease when #school is out. This pattern is also found in other jurisdictions, such as Japan, Germany and Finland. #James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite www.yourgiftoflife.org                            Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com There are a number of ways to potentially mitigate this distress that I wish those responsible for our children’s education would explore. Some suggestions I’d put forth: - Reduce homework (preferably get rid of it). Some of the best educational science available shows that excessive homework is of limited benefit and in fact harms children’s health and well-being. - Add a #mentalhealth curriculum. We have developed incredible educational goals for math, reading, science and the arts. There should be a dedicated pathway for a much more universal and necessary learning: how to take care of yourself; how to look out for and help others; and how to improve both the detection and prevention of #mentalhealthcrises. - Take #bullying seriously and don’t just focus on the #bullies. The #bullied and #bullies often come from similar backgrounds (histories of abuse, #trauma, chaos, deprivation, parental detachment, though this certainly isn’t universally the case). But whereas the #bullied tend to be internalizors, the #bullies are more often externalizers. #Bullies who were once victims of #bullying have the highest risk of having psychiatric problems in the future. - Restore funding for playtime, music and art in #school and de-emphasize academic overload. #Children need relaxation, comfort, beauty, fun and play. #Children who have opportunities to play and rest will learn more in their academics, and they will be able to sustain their development as they grow. - End “perfect attendance” awards and goals. While problematic truancy should be addressed, there is no less realistic notion for the rest of one’s life than the idea of “perfect attendance.” We should all, from time to time, recognize when we are at our limit and need a break. #Children should be encouraged to report when they can do so and be supported. - Start #school later. How many more decades of research do we need to show that #children need more sleep and that #adolescents do better in #school when the day starts later? It’s time to make serious structural changes to the early-morning wake-up times. - Be nonjudgmental and respect children’s identity and identity formation. This is not a “woke” concept. This is a caring, compassionate concept that works for all #children all the time. - Recognize and address #childabuse within #schools. There exist (and many readers may likely recall) #teachers who are abusive, punitive and cruel. In one 2015 study, 44 percent of undergraduates recalled a time in K–12 #school that they labeled as emotional abuse by a #teacher. And in another study published in 2019, 3.4 percent of seventh- and eighth-grade #students reported #teachers #bullied them. Every year my colleagues in the emergency department brace for the coming mid-September wave, as every year our #mentalhealthcrisis presentation volumes double and our days become much busier. Likely not coincidentally, in my jurisdiction, #school starts in the second week of September. In the new #school year, if you are someone who works with #school-age #children, ask yourself what you could be doing to reduce pressure or improve quality of life for the #children in your care. This would truly be #suicideprevention. IF YOU NEED HELPIf you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of #suicide, help is available. Call or text the #988Suicide&CrisisLifeline at #988 or use the online Lifeline Chat. #LGBTQ+ #Americans can reach out to the #TrevorProject by texting START to 678-678 or calling 1-866-488-7386. Read the full article

[tallmantall]

#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth - It’s Hard To Find #MentalHealthCare In #Washington. Join Us And Learn Tips To Navigate The System

Jennifer Luxton / The Seattle Times   By Michelle Baruchman  #SeattleTimes #MentalHealthProject engagement editor The #MentalHealthProject is a #SeattleTimes initiative focused on covering mental and #behavioralhealthissues. It is funded by Ballmer Group, a national organization focused on economic mobility for #children and families. The #SeattleTimes maintains editorial control over work produced by this team. Finding a therapist can be hard. Where do you look? What do you do if you don’t have insurance? And how can you trust that someone understands your identity and background? #Washington, like other states nationwide, is facing a crisis in providing #mentalhealthcare: a surge in demand amid the #COVID-19 #pandemic, compounded by a staggering shortage of clinicians, all as preexisting problems continue to rage. If you’re among those who have had trouble finding #mentalhealthcare, The #SeattleTimes #MentalHealthProject is offering an opportunity to learn tips for navigating the system, directly from four local #mentalhealthproviders. Join us for an hourlong conversation over Zoom at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. To register for the free online event, please visit st.news/AccessEvent. The #SeattleTimes has also compiled a list of resources for directories of therapists, specifically those who specialize in serving #LGBTQ people and #peopleofcolor. There are also tips on asking questions to determine whether a therapist serves your needs, and links to other organizations and groups providing communal support. Many therapists and #mentalhealthprofessionals are willing to offer free consultation sessions, reduced rates for clients in need and referrals to other trusted providers. #JamesDonaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle The panelists for the Feb. 16 event are: Courtesy of Ash Choi Ash Choi is a #mentalhealththerapist and consultant who works with people ages 11 years and up in their Seattle-based private practice. They specialize in gender identity development, the spectrum of food and body issues, and often, the intersection of gender dysphoria and food and body issues. Ash’s theoretical orientations are primarily influenced by relational and psychodynamic #psychology. They approach their work through a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive lens, acknowledging and addressing the ways in which intersectional systems of oppression affect the lives and livelihoods of marginalized groups. Courtesy of Lesli Desai Lesli Desai is a licensed independent clinical social worker in West #Seattle with a focus on reproductive #mentalhealth, from preconception, infertility and pregnancy to pregnancy loss and the transition to parenthood, including nontraditional paths such as adoption, donor gametes, and child-free not-by-choice. In 2021, she attained the perinatal #mentalhealth certificate, becoming roughly the 40th clinician in the state of #Washington with the credential, and currently co-facilitates several perinatal-focused groups in the Greater #Seattle area. Before private practice, Lesli was a founding clinician at Swedish Medical Center’s outpatient maternal #mentalhealthprogram and perinatal partial hospitalization program. Courtesy of Geralyn Peterson Geralyn Peterson is a master’s level therapist with an emphasis on child, couples and family therapy, and specialties in #child and geriatric #mentalhealth. She also has experience in #mentalhealth emergency and crisis work. With over 20 years’ experience, she works in Puyallup for Umbrella Counseling and Wellness providing cognitive-behavioral, narrative and family systems therapy; groups in parenting, #depression and #anxiety management; as well as supervision. She is the author of “The Up and Up on Parenting: Reframing our Children’s Mistakes as Teaching Moments.”  Courtesy of Gregory Whiting Gregory Whiting is a clinical social worker, equity and inclusion consultant, and experienced educator. He is the director of equity and inclusion for Food Lifeline, a food bank serving Western #Washington. He has independent clinical licensure in the states of California and #Washington. Gregory’s clinical social work has enabled him to serve the complex needs of a variety of #KingCounty residents such as people experiencing #homelessness, #youth in #schools, incarcerated people and medical #patients with complex treatment needs. Do you have a question for the #mentalhealthproviders that you think the event’s audience would benefit from? Ask us in the form below, and we may ask it at the event. Read the full article

[tallmantall]

#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth - It’s Hard To Find #MentalHealthCare In #Washington. Join Us And Learn Tips To Navigate The System

Jennifer Luxton / The Seattle Times   By Michelle Baruchman  #SeattleTimes #MentalHealthProject engagement editor The #MentalHealthProject is a #SeattleTimes initiative focused on covering mental and #behavioralhealthissues. It is funded by Ballmer Group, a national organization focused on economic mobility for #children and families. The #SeattleTimes maintains editorial control over work produced by this team. Finding a therapist can be hard. Where do you look? What do you do if you don’t have insurance? And how can you trust that someone understands your identity and background? #Washington, like other states nationwide, is facing a crisis in providing #mentalhealthcare: a surge in demand amid the #COVID-19 #pandemic, compounded by a staggering shortage of clinicians, all as preexisting problems continue to rage. If you’re among those who have had trouble finding #mentalhealthcare, The #SeattleTimes #MentalHealthProject is offering an opportunity to learn tips for navigating the system, directly from four local #mentalhealthproviders. Join us for an hourlong conversation over Zoom at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. To register for the free online event, please visit st.news/AccessEvent. The #SeattleTimes has also compiled a list of resources for directories of therapists, specifically those who specialize in serving #LGBTQ people and #peopleofcolor. There are also tips on asking questions to determine whether a therapist serves your needs, and links to other organizations and groups providing communal support. Many therapists and #mentalhealthprofessionals are willing to offer free consultation sessions, reduced rates for clients in need and referrals to other trusted providers. #JamesDonaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle The panelists for the Feb. 16 event are: Courtesy of Ash Choi Ash Choi is a #mentalhealththerapist and consultant who works with people ages 11 years and up in their Seattle-based private practice. They specialize in gender identity development, the spectrum of food and body issues, and often, the intersection of gender dysphoria and food and body issues. Ash’s theoretical orientations are primarily influenced by relational and psychodynamic #psychology. They approach their work through a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive lens, acknowledging and addressing the ways in which intersectional systems of oppression affect the lives and livelihoods of marginalized groups. Courtesy of Lesli Desai Lesli Desai is a licensed independent clinical social worker in West #Seattle with a focus on reproductive #mentalhealth, from preconception, infertility and pregnancy to pregnancy loss and the transition to parenthood, including nontraditional paths such as adoption, donor gametes, and child-free not-by-choice. In 2021, she attained the perinatal #mentalhealth certificate, becoming roughly the 40th clinician in the state of #Washington with the credential, and currently co-facilitates several perinatal-focused groups in the Greater #Seattle area. Before private practice, Lesli was a founding clinician at Swedish Medical Center’s outpatient maternal #mentalhealthprogram and perinatal partial hospitalization program. Courtesy of Geralyn Peterson Geralyn Peterson is a master’s level therapist with an emphasis on child, couples and family therapy, and specialties in #child and geriatric #mentalhealth. She also has experience in #mentalhealth emergency and crisis work. With over 20 years’ experience, she works in Puyallup for Umbrella Counseling and Wellness providing cognitive-behavioral, narrative and family systems therapy; groups in parenting, #depression and #anxiety management; as well as supervision. She is the author of “The Up and Up on Parenting: Reframing our Children’s Mistakes as Teaching Moments.”  Courtesy of Gregory Whiting Gregory Whiting is a clinical social worker, equity and inclusion consultant, and experienced educator. He is the director of equity and inclusion for Food Lifeline, a food bank serving Western #Washington. He has independent clinical licensure in the states of California and #Washington. Gregory’s clinical social work has enabled him to serve the complex needs of a variety of #KingCounty residents such as people experiencing #homelessness, #youth in #schools, incarcerated people and medical #patients with complex treatment needs. Do you have a question for the #mentalhealthproviders that you think the event’s audience would benefit from? Ask us in the form below, and we may ask it at the event. Read the full article

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#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth - More Needs To Be Done To Meet The #MentalHealthChallenges Facing #Veterans

Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com by TAMMY BARLET My #mentalhealth was not high on my to-do list as I transitioned from the Coast Guard to civilian life. Extending my eight-year service contract by eight months to complete a medical board only deepened my #depression. This extension kept me in Houston far from my family support system while adjusting to life with my new physical injuries. I was alone, I was hurt, and I worried about what my new future would look like. For many transitioning #veterans, this remains the case. More than 500 active duty service members transition to #veteran status every day. Moving a family, finding housing, searching for employment, starting #school, all while going through the complicated process of filing a #DepartmentofVeteransAffairs (#VA) disability compensation claim, usually takes precedence over treatment for #depression, #anxiety, #PTSD, or MST. This delicate time of leaving the routine, structure, and purpose the military provides while looking to new beginnings and unknowns can be a whirlwind of emotions for these new #veterans as they work to successfully navigate their next life chapter. Recently, the #VA created programs like Solid Start to address a gap in assisting #veterans as they transition back to civilian life. This program reaches out to newly separated service members three times during their first year of separation to connect them with #VA resources. Within the first year of this program, the #VA contacted 60 percent of active duty members who separated in 2020. Sixty percent is a good start, but, according to the VA’s 2021 National #Veteran #SuicidePrevention Annual Report, #veterans between the ages of 18-34 continue to have the highest unadjusted #suicide rate. Therefore, more must be done. #JamesDonaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle   Transitioning from active duty service member to #veteran brings many challenges and #mentalhealth stressors. Removing the barrier to access allows #veterans the opportunity to receive #mentalhealthservices from the #VA shortly after their transition. Over the past 10 years, the #VeteransHealthAdministration (VHA) increased upstream #mentalhealthprograms to address #suicideprevention. The #VA expanded #mentalhealthservices to meet #veterans’ #mentalhealth needs even if they are not enrolled in VHA. The #VA Mission Act of 2018 allows providers to deliver care via telemedical systems to #veterans across state lines. Although access had increased, staff shortages still remain. Psychiatry is the most common severe clinical shortage in 60 percent of #VA facilities, according to a 2020 Office of Inspector General report. For 42 years, Vet Centers have been VA’s unheralded program. Vet Centers offer various services, including individual and family counseling, benefits explanation, substance abuse assessment and referral, and many others. There are over 300 centers, 83 mobile units, and several outstations and community access points to serve eligible #veterans and their families, and yet, not many #veterans know they exist nor do they know who may be eligible for service. Vet Centers operate without a proper staffing model to provide service for an increasingly eligible group of #veterans and their families. Evaluating and understanding who uses Vet Centers and why will help to coordinate adequate staffing, resources, and funding. Transitioning from active duty service member to #veteran brings many challenges and #mentalhealth stressors. Therefore, these individuals are at a higher risk of #suicide the first 12 months after separation and may require increased access to services. Expanding #mentalhealth access to both VHA and Vet Centers further reduces the barriers to care. While these programs are slowly moving the needle, they miss the mark on considering other aspects of a veteran’s life that may lead to crisis. Therefore, these individuals are at a higher risk of #suicide the first 12 months after separation and may require increased access to services. As new legislation becomes law, new grants are given, and new programs are established, there remains a vast amount of unexplored #VA data that can help better identify and understand the underlying causes of #veteran #suicide. Every year since 2014, the #VA has published the National #Veteran #SuicidePrevention Annual Report. This report contains information from two years prior on #veterans who died by #suicide and their interaction with the VHA. The current annual report excludes other veterans’ benefits programs from the #VeteransBenefitsAdministration (VBA). VBA programs such as the GI Bill, disability compensation, or home loan guarantee lead to workforce skill attainment, steady income, and stable housing, which are social determinants of health. Improvements to social determinants of health positively impact health outcomes, both mental and physical. Therefore, by including VBA data in the annual report, the #VA will have a more complete picture of the impact of its programs on reducing the rate of #suicide.  The VA’s top priority is the health and well-being of our nation’s #veterans. If the #VA is serious about understanding and preventing #suicide, then we must demand a more thorough evaluation of all #VA programs. Congress needs to direct the #VA to include relevant VBA data in the annual report on all #VA programs and their impact on #veteran #suicide. Much more needs to be done to reduce the number of #veteran suicides to zero.  Tammy Barlet, MPH, is Deputy Director of the National Legislative Service for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the #UnitedStates. It is her responsibility to analyze and consult with Congress on issues related to women #veterans and health care. She served eight years in the United States Coast Guard as an Operation Specialist Third Class Petty Officer between 1995-2003. Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com Read the full article