It’s not an understatement to say that many of us have experienced trauma over the last few years as we’ve been forced to deal with the fallout from the pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, social unrest, and a dire economic outlook. Unfortunately, the youngest among us have...
A thorough understanding of infant mental health can help pediatric practices and other healthcare providers ensure that the emotional, psychological, and social needs of infants and their families are met. These needs impact everything including how we think, feel, and act. Ensuring that practices meet...
Even before the pandemic, mental health services in the United States were approaching capacity. A brief prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services in March 2020 concurred. The report examined trends in this field from 2014 to 2018 and found that: Utilization rates...
It’s well known by now that many young children and teens have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation reached such a critical juncture, that the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a state of emergency due to the intensifying challenges around child and adolescent mental...
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Why is it so important that we create awareness and take action? Because the data is alarming. Every day, approximately 130 Americans die by suicide. That is one person every 11 minutes. There is one death by suicide for...
Do you like listening to podcasts? Mental Health New Radio has a new podcast series called “The Self-Care Chronicle with Dr. Marsha Brown – Mental Wellness for the Mental Health Professionals” that’s absolutely worth a listen for anyone working in the field of behavioral healthcare. Self-Care...
What is population-based care and why should it matter if you’re a behavioral healthcare provider? In this podcast, "Understanding Population-Based Care", you’ll learn about this emerging healthcare model, how it goes hand-in-hand with value-based payments, and the impact it will have on your practice. According to...
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness--it’s actually a sign of strength and confidence. Yet, so many people are reluctant to reach out for help with their mental health needs because of the stigma that is still (incorrectly) associated with mental health. Military...
The lives of refugees and immigrants often have unique experiences that can be traumatic for many. Egette Indelele, a child refugee who escaped the Rwandan genocide, founded Safe Haven in order to assist refugee and immigrant students and their families with mental health and mental...
Listen in on an incredible conversation with Hersch Wilson, a 30-year veteran volunteer firefighter/EMT, and author of "Firefighter Zen: A Field Guide to Thriving in Tough Times." Hersch offers insightful wisdom to help people thrive during stressful times. He shares his thoughts about how to...
A Home Within was founded in 1994 with a mission to heal the wounds of complex trauma and loss experienced by many foster youth. Local networks of volunteer clinicians provide individual, open-ended, relationship-based psychotherapy for young people who are, or previously were, in foster care....
A whirlwind of events over the past few months has added daily stressors to our lives, making it harder to cope, let alone thrive. A healthy approach to nutrition helps us manage external stressors and calibrate our mental health. A well nourished brain allows us...
Value based payments are here to stay. Figuring out how to measure your outcomes to get paid for your work is just one of the challenges behavioral health organizations face as they plan for the future. Not all that long ago, start up mental health programs...
The financial impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on businesses can not be understated. No industry has been immune, but some, including behavioral health, have been hit harder than others. Stay at home orders have dramatically decreased the ability to conduct in-office visits for...
The field of behavioral healthcare has changed. 60-65% of human service agencies bound to a fee-for-service model fail. Medicaid margins are razor thin when you consider the exceedingly low payments mental health counselors receive versus the escalating costs of delivering quality care, forcing many direct...
Psychiatric nurse practitioners are instrumental in providing treatment and helping patients cope with psychiatric disorders including ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, and anxiety, as well as a whole host of other conditions. They work with individuals, families, groups, and communities, assessing their mental health needs before...
Smartphones were first introduced to the mass market in 2007. While there are both positives and negatives that have come from using this innovative technology, the change in culture and society — as it relates to physical and mental health — has been dramatic. Studies have...
Mental healthcare is a booming business. It is also unique because discussions about profit, using the word "sales", and the downsides of this industry are rarely, if ever, spoken about. It's time to start! Sit back, relax, and listen as co-hosts Dave Ballenberger, MSW, and Kristin...