Journey Clinical’s Post

I hope to see you at this free, important webinar on May 28 with one of my favorite people, the esteemed Dr. Jason Siegel!

It's still Mental Health Awareness Month, and we've got more free programming! Join us on Tuesday, May 28 for the free webinar, "Increasing Help-Seeking for Legal Professionals Struggling with Depression." Our speaker, Dr. Jason Siegel, has developed a four-step, science-based approach (called IIFF) to encourage help-seeking by people with depression. He'll discuss how legal employers and other organizations can apply IIFF to improve the likelihood of help-seeking among legal professionals and save lives. The webinar's target audience is people in organizational positions focused on improving mental health within their organizations. You can register here: https://lnkd.in/gCrf4KcB Heidi Alexander Tara Antonipillai, JD, MAPP Raul Ayala Dr. Anne Brafford, JD, MAPP, PhD Bree Buchanan Marcie Dickson Michael (Ellenhorn) Denise Gaskin - Well-Being Champion / Coach Shailini George Danielle Hall R. Javoyne Hicks Mike Kasdan Natalie Loeb Chris Newbold Dr. Matthew Thiese Robin Wolpert

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. 

In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week, I want to take a moment to reflect on a critical issue facing us today—access to care. In 2024, I completed 132 diagnostic assessments for both children and adults who were previously told it could take one to two years to receive support. These individuals have now been connected with vital services like occupational therapy, speech therapy, play therapy, group services, alcohol recovery groups, autism groups, IEP recommendations, and medication management. Through these assessments, I’ve worked alongside psychiatrists who were often surprised to find that the original diagnosis wasn't supported by proper assessments. New, more accurate diagnoses have allowed many individuals to receive the right medications and live a life they didn’t think was possible. Our current mental health system is in a dire state. We don’t have enough providers, and clinicians are not being empowered or trained to utilize appropriate assessments. Worse, the financial burden for initial assessments is astronomical. This year, I’m tired—but I can also say without hesitation that I’ve done my absolute best to improve access to care, reduce wait times, and ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of those in need for as many as I could. I'm taking a break for the rest of the year and will pick it up again next year! We need to do better, as a society, to ensure that mental health care is accessible, affordable, and effective for all. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek

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

"Conclusion: There is strong agreement from consumers, carers and health professionals that the use of seclusion and restraint is not therapeutic, breaches human rights, compromises the therapeutic relationship/trust and that it can be reduced. In the case of psychological restraint, there is consensus that it both could and should be eliminated from current practice. There is also a need for human rights and the principles embedded in recovery and trauma-informed care and practice to inform future strategies to reduce and eliminate seclusion and restraint. A person-centred and trauma-informed recovery approach is central to these principles. A number of strategies as to how best to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint have been identified and the literature points to the implementation of multi-intervention strategies, and interdisciplinary activity, as the best ways forward." - National Mental Health Commission, May 2015. https://lnkd.in/dipwTTv2

SOS: The Imagine Project's Call to Combat the Global Mental Health Crisis This is a powerful 8-minute sizzle reel where Dianne Maroney, RN MSN, founder of The Imagine Project, leads the charge against the global mental health crisis. Backed by a compelling lineup of experts, including a pediatrician, a superintendent, dedicated teachers, a school counselor, and courageous students, this video sheds light on the urgent need for mental health support worldwide. Together, they share their insights, experiences, and solutions, illustrating the critical role of The Imagine Project in transforming lives and fostering hope. Don't miss this call to action—our future depends on it. You can also view and share on You Tube: https://lnkd.in/dxeADQpk

The recent trend that was/ is circulating regarding "POV: your card declines at therapy so they bring out _____" is perceived as humorous, yet it increases misconceptions about therapy costs and therapist behavior. It's crucial to recognize that therapy fees vary widely and many therapists offer sliding scale fees to make services accessible. Misinformation spread through social media trends can influence perceptions, especially among younger generations who rely heavily on these platforms for information. It's concerning that most of today's youth may trust social media over conducting thorough research. It's essential to emphasize that therapists are committed to helping individuals navigate mental health challenges and prioritize their well-being above financial concerns. Encouraging accurate portrayals of therapy fosters a better understanding of its accessibility and the genuine intentions of mental health professionals. They do not judge you when your card might get declined .

As lived experience professionals, we often find ourselves associated with a "us and them" (people with lived experience versus clinicians) paradigm. Without invalidating the traumatisation and re-traumatisation that people with lived experience endure and often continue to endure by services globally, it is important to also acknowledge the dedication and efforts made by those remarkable clinicians who are determined to make a difference, who often carry a heavy emotional load from carrying out restrictive practices, and who often also have their own lived and living experiences. Clinicians who grieve with and for consumers, but also believe in personal recovery. One of the most remarkable yet unexpected bonuses of holding an identified lived experience role within clinical mental health services, is the conversations we have the privilege of sharing with compassionate and clinical colleagues (from new grads to staff in leadership roles) - who feel safe to share their own personal lived experiences, or their lived experience of being family/carer of someone with lived experience. It is often what brings people to work in this field. It is also part of the human experience, which does not discriminate. Those of us who have the lived experience of accessing public mental health care for ourselves can vouch for how impactful a supportive, compassionate conversation with a clinician can be. Being treated with respect and kindness can change someone's experience of mental health care. Today I recognise all of the incredible clinicians I know, who do their absolute best (yet never feel like they don't do enough), who are aware of the power they inherently hold due to their disciplines, and who do not hold their power lightly. There are so many of them.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the work GuideWell and Florida Blue are doing to prioritize mental well-being for our team members and the communities we serve. Specifically, I want to give a huge shoutout to my colleague, Dr. Naakesh (Nick) Dewan, M.D. CPE, DLFAPA, FASAM, who is leading the charge to create a consistent definition of mental well-being across the health care industry. His efforts are crucial in ensuring that we're all speaking the same language when it comes to mental health, which is the first step in creating a consistent way to measure mental well-being. Dr. Dewan's work, as highlighted in this article, is a game-changer. By establishing a clear and comprehensive definition of well-being, we can better understand the complexities of mental health and provide more effective support systems. As we move forward, let's continue to prioritize mental health equity and work towards a future where everyone has access to the care they need. https://lnkd.in/ejsjQr6H