Garra Lloyd-lester’s Post

On this week episode of the Zac Clark Show, I had a conversation with Shairi Turner, MD, MPH, Chief Health Officer of Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line, the only 24/7 nationwide crisis-intervention text-message hotline in America, boasts over 65,000 trained volunteers ready to provide support and resources to those struggling with mental health. In my conversation with Dr. Turner, we delve into the national mental health epidemic. Despite its devastating scope, Dr. Turner's solution-oriented approach is both surprising and inspiring. We covered a wide range of topics, including: - What is Crisis Text Line and how is it making an impact. - The disproportionate impact of mental health challenges on minority communities. - Racial disparities in accessing mental health services and treatment.  - The rise in bullying and self-harm among our youth. Childhood trauma. - The power of empathy to combat stigma.  - 6 KEY elements every community needs to foster a healthy and supportive environment for our youth.   - Solutions and hope for a brighter future. This is the critical issue of our time. Please give this hopeful discussion a listen. How to watch and listen: https://lnkd.in/eDNEMGar https://lnkd.in/eDEKVuDj https://lnkd.in/edrJKc79

This is going to be an excellent webinar, I promise. Please register, share, come along and get informed #MentalHealthLaw #HumanRights

The surge in hospitalizations due to mental health disorders reflects not only an increase in the prevalence of these disorders but also challenges in access to appropriate mental health care and support services. In recognition of Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, NCEF would like to highlight that addressing the root causes of these disorders requires a multifaceted approach that includes early intervention programs, community-based mental health services, increased mental health literacy and destigmatization efforts. Furthermore, collaboration between healthcare providers, educators, policymakers and community organizations is essential to implement effective prevention and intervention strategies.  Through our Mental Health Initiative, NCEF has brought together key providers in the community to help shift the provision of mental health services in Collier County. We are proud to collaborate with esteemed organizations that exemplify the highest efficacy standards. Our Blueprint Partners include David Lawrence Centers, Florida State University College of Medicine, Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida, Healthcare Network, and NAMI of Collier County. Together, we are committed to making a difference in children’s mental health. 

Global Mental Health: policy interventions to protect young people’s mental health - EARLY BIRD OPEN NOW! https://bit.ly/4awYFIK We are delighted to present ‘Global Mental Health: policy interventions to protect young people’s mental health’, the 2024 Jack Tizard Memorial International Conference. Youth mental health is now recognised to be a critical and important component of life chances. Providing timely and effective treatment and care is essential, yet services even in high income countries are under strain. The global context offers fresh perspectives, in that 80% of the worlds young people live in low and middle income countries, where there are few services, clinicians, or infrastructure. Models from high income countries will not work there. Taking a transdiagnostic perspective, the speakers will set out public health, community, social and health systems evidence on what works for whom and where. Book before 22 April to take advantage of some fantastic savings for this two-day online event! https://bit.ly/4awYFIK

We strongly encourage you to listen to this "Mental Health in America" episode where experts discuss how emergency responders handle mental health crises. Julie Wertheimer of Pew, Joseph Getch of PRS, and B.J. Wagner of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute Health Policy Institute explore the effects of 988 and 911 services on public safety and care access. #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters.

The key message I took from the NSW gov Social Media Summit yesterday was that a multi-faceted approach is key to making online social environments safer for young people. Some of the voices of reason in the discussion included: 🌸 Murray WRIGHT, NSW Chief Psychiatrist: we can’t talk about causation in the relationship between social media and mental health with any confidence; relying on restrictions alone will not equip young people to cope with social media challenges throughout their lives 🌸 Dr Sarah Maguire: everyone needs protection from harmful information online, not just young people 🌸 Dr Joanne Orlando: building social media literacy in young people and parents is crucial; banning it just puts the problems on hold. 🌸 Julie Inman - Grant: we’ve worked so hard to have open conversations about online safety with young people; the unintended consequences of a ban could be to drive these conversations underground ReachOut Australia’s new research also reveals that social media provides a crucial gap in support for young people experiencing mental health challenges

When patients and families are incorporated into the healthcare environment, patient safety practices become much more robust. Thank you, Georgetown University alum Steven Coffee, for always sharing your voice and championing patient-provider collaboration against diagnostic errors. #patientsafety #healthcare #patientexperience #patientadvocacy #patientadvocate #healthcareleaders #healthcareleadership #healthcareeducation #PSAW2024 #PSAW24

This webinar will explore recent findings from a comprehensive study conducted by researchers at the University of Sydney, which revealed the proportion and burden of mental health conditions in Australia directly attributable to childhood abuse and neglect. Dr Lucy Grummitt will discuss effective interventions and policy-driven solutions to mitigate the impact of childhood maltreatment, and the need to treat childhood maltreatment as a critical public health issue. Points she will cover include: • Causal Impact: The robust evidence establishing childhood maltreatment as a significant causal factor for mental health conditions. • Data-Driven Insights: Insights from national surveys and studies that highlight the scope and scale of the problem in Australia. • Policy Implications: The importance of implementing policy-driven solutions to prevent childhood maltreatment, including examples of effective policies from other countries. • Practical Interventions: Identifying effective interventions and support programs that can be implemented to support children and families affected by maltreatment. Register here: https://ow.ly/pPCq50Sytn8

A report based on our consultations with people with lived experience of mental ill health has been released by USAID. There are a lot of important things in this report (and some important things that didn't make the report). But I want to highlight that people with lived experience are pushing USAID for robust, intentional lived experience engagement in its development and implementation of global mental health policy. Our asks of the Agency include: -The development of an organization-wide framework that holds USAID accountable for lived experience engagement across mental health and psychosocial support programming. -Visible lived experience leadership within the Agency -Pay people with lived experience for their expertise when asked to consult or engage with the Agency. AND MY FAVORITE - Spend time and invest resources into building the capacity of lived-experience led organizations on the ground. These organizations exist and have brilliant, innovative solutions to mental health systems change. https://lnkd.in/gZ73wmKE 

Access to mental health support shouldn't depend on your background or postcode. Yet for many ethnic minority communities in the UK, cultural and systemic barriers continue to stand between them and the care they need. Research consistently shows that members of ethnic minority groups are less likely to access mental health services early, often only reaching out when in crisis. This isn't just about individual choices – it reflects deeper systemic challenges that we must address together. The solution lies in genuine partnership between NHS Trusts and the third sector. Community organisations often hold the trust, cultural understanding, and local knowledge that are essential to breaking down these barriers. By working together, we can: -Develop culturally sensitive mental health services that reflect diverse needs and experiences -Build trust through community engagement and representation -Create accessible pathways that feel welcoming and relevant -Address language barriers and cultural stigma around mental health -Ensure service design includes voices from all communities The cost of inaction is too high. Every person deserves equal access to mental health support when they need it. It's time for meaningful collaboration between sectors to turn this aspiration into reality. What barriers have you observed in your work? How can we better support mental health access for all communities?