Open Minds’ Post

More mental health workers are needed to meet the needs of Oklahomans, especially in specialized fields. I cover this important topic in my latest Journal Record article. #caregivers INTEGRIS Health https://lnkd.in/gVqEBTwG

In this recent publication we report on a dataset containing 17 years of linked WA health records. While the number of individuals accessing state funded services with an index diagnosis of mental disorder has steadily increased over time, there has been a disproportionally much greater percentage increase in emergency department attendances compared to community mental health and inpatient services. This is unlikely to surprise anyone working in these locations or the consumers, carers and family members who are most affected, but the magnitude of the increase is striking and looks like a system resetting at a new equilibrium point. https://lnkd.in/giG7UuSZ

Question: How can we address the mental health crisis? Answer: Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Partnerships. As a National Health Service Corps primary care physician who served in CHCs at Unity Health Care and Baltimore Medical System, I know firsthand that the transdisciplinary team was essential to deliver effective, efficient, equitable, whole-person, family-centered care that integrated physical and mental health. Whether the healthcare professionals of this primary care team included family and marriage therapists like my caring sister-in-law Nancy Ho, who works at Chinatown Service Center 華埠服務中心, social workers like my wonderful wife Amy Ho, psychologists, psychiatrists, and/or mental health counselors, CHCs know, appreciate, and deliver the integration of primary care and behavioral for the people we serve. Last year, we released this report that highlighted the need to expand mental health and substance use disorder: https://lnkd.in/e7Mh6phS. In fact, based on Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSAgov), HHS estimates, we know that we have significant gaps of up to 12.6M (7.7M for mental health + 4.9M for substance use disorder) people who need access to these important behavioral health professionals. In other words, we are only meeting 26% of the mental health need or 6% of the substance use disorder need for these key behavioral health professionals, typically for those with moderate to severe disease. Earlier this week, at our National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) offices, we hosted leaders from The Kennedy Forum (TKF), including their amazing CEO Rebecca O. Bagley, Head of Partnerships Kate Clark, and Policy Director Lauren Finke. We talked about these workforce gaps and opportunities for us to work together to close them, integrate primary care and behavioral health, and advance mental health equity for our nation. Founded in 2013 by former congressman and visionary leader Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), TKF advances collaborative partnerships help to foster greater system integration, accountability, and coordination. Please learn more and support them at: https://lnkd.in/eedk27nT. NACHC believes that CHCs are the best, most innovative, most resilient, and most diverse part of our health system and we stand united with CHCs and partners like The Kennedy Forum for and with the people they have served and will serve as "the best is yet to come." Please learn more and support the CHC movement at: https://www.nachc.org/. #HealthCenters #ValueCHCs #FundCHCs #WeAreNACHC

🔖Another Report Sheds Light on Veterans' Mental Health Care Challenges A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has once again brought to the forefront the critical issues facing our veterans in accessing the mental health care they desperately need. Despite the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)'s efforts to provide support, veterans continue to face significant barriers that hinder their ability to receive timely and effective care. 💡 Key Findings: ✔Persistent challenges in accessing mental health services within the VA system. ✔Recruitment and retention of mental health care providers remain a significant hurdle. ✔Lack of coordination between VA medical centers and community resources exacerbates the problem. ✔Urgent need for comprehensive reform to address these shortcomings. 🚨 Call to Action: This isn't just about improving a system; it's about honoring our commitment to those who served. We must demand action from policymakers, VA leadership, and stakeholders to prioritize and transform mental health care for our veterans. It's time to allocate the necessary resources, implement systemic changes, and foster collaborations that bridge the gap between VA facilities and community-based support. 🤝Join us in advocating for the change our veterans deserve. Support initiatives aimed at overhauling the VA mental health care system and ensuring our heroes receive the comprehensive support they need and deserve. #VeteransMentalHealth #SupportOurVeterans #VAReform #MentalHealthAwareness #CallToAction Let's stand together for our veterans. Share this message, spread the word, and be part of the solution. 🇺🇸

The recent parliamentary debate underscores the importance of mental health on the national agenda. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasised the necessity for a comprehensive approach, recognising mental health issues as a spectrum requiring diverse solutions. As an advocate of mental health, TOUCH is heartened by the government's commitment in this area. In our work, we have observed more youths expressing mental health concerns, underscoring the urgency for strengthened community support and destigmatisation efforts, and are taking a multi-prong approach to mental health services:   Advocacy and Education: Co-leading 'Beyond the Label 2.0' with National Council of Social Service (NCSS) since 2022, we're dedicated to destigmatising mental health conditions. Our workgroups target various settings, including families, workplaces, neighbourhoods, and schools, ensuring comprehensive support for diverse communities. Additionally, we conduct mental health educational programmes and leverage technology to foster empathy. Community Care: Our 'Live On' programme for high suicide risk, operates beyond hospital confines, ensuring accessible support for individuals in crisis. School Interventions: Collaborating with schools, we implement intervention programs to empower students in managing their emotions. Corporate Engagement: Offering mental health training and counselling services to corporates, we facilitate the integration of mental health into organisational policies, programmes, and training initiatives. Together, let's build an inclusive society where communities are enabled and supported so that individuals are better equipped to cope with life's challenges.     https://lnkd.in/gMgkFEay 

“Cost is a barrier to accessing mental health support” Great article Matt Berriman. 50% of people drop out of therapy due to time or money constraints. The question that’s often asked is how do we cure mental health issues? The question that should be asked is, how do we prevent them from occurring? www.mentally-fit.com.au #mentalhealth #positivepsychology #mentallyfit

Access, affordability, long wait times, and stigma prevent over 90 MILLION AMERICANS from getting the mental health care they need. Discover 5️⃣ powerful solutions that can make a difference!️ Click below to learn more. ⬇️ https://ow.ly/BYGg50PEq6I #TransformativeCare #Healthcare #ValueBasedCare

I've seen firsthand the bottlenecks and high-stress environment created when mental health and emergency medicine are forced to cohabitate in increasingly overcrowded ERs. This involuntary chaos not only negatively impacts care for physical and mental health patients but also accelerates burnout and puts in danger providers. Initial adoption of services like 988 and a proliferation of crisis response centers is a good start, but we have to innovate in early intervention to actually solve the problem.

As we observe National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s crucial to address the mental health disparities faced by minority communities. Discover how Vouched can help create a more equitable healthcare landscape. Let’s work together for better mental health outcomes! #MentalHealthAwareness #Telehealth #PatientIDV #HealthEquity #MinorityMentalHealth 👉 https://hubs.la/Q02HhhjL0

Mental illness is real and VIP