When emergencies strike:
Investing in personal wellness first to make sure no one ends up last.

Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.’ A notoriously accurate assertion, however, I’m inclined to think that in life, not only are death and taxes certain but also interruptions of wellness and unexpected misfortunes are also guaranteed. Interruptions in wellness can range from, accidents, to injuries, to diseases, to trauma, to unexpected loss and everything in between. It is humanly impossible to go through life and never encounter an interruption of wellness be it brief, longterm, minor, or life altering, unexpected interruptions in wellness are unavoidable. For the most part we do a pretty good job recovering from interruptions in wellness, more often than not successfully surviving and overcoming such interruptions is in large part related to the surge of support and care we receive from our friends, family and loved ones when crisis strikes.

But what happens when someone faces chronic interruptions in wellness that albeit manageable, are by their very nature impossible to overcome?

Learning to live alongside a chronic condition can be daunting, not only for the chronically affected individual but also for all those who love and care for them. When you care for or support an individual living alongside a chronic condition, mental or otherwise, more often than not as a caregiver, you yourself begin to absorb the effects of the chronic interruptions of your loved one either by proxy or directly. For individuals who act as long term caregivers for persons with a chronic condition a sort of double edged sword scenario emerges. Not only are caregivers tasked with having to manage the chronic interruptions in wellness of their loved one but also they must face and overcome unavoidable, unexpected interruptions in their own wellness. At times self-care may seem impossible and burnout may seem inevitable but it doesn’t have to be.

It is a natural and noble impulse to want to rush to the aid of a loved one when they are suffering. This admirable human impulse is generally manageable when the nature of suffering has a clear beginning and end. The surge of energy, focus, and life force mustered by friends, family, and loved ones during a crisis can be critical in order to successfully support and care for someone experiencing an interruption in wellness. When you find yourself responsible for supporting and caring for an individual afflicted with a life-long chronic condition the instinctual urge to come to the rescue, however can become unmanageable, unrealistic, and unhealthy. What makes matters more complicated is the fact that for individuals facing chronic conditions, the need for ongoing support and care is often significantly greater, requiring far more emotional energy.

They need help not only surviving episodic interruptions in wellness but also in learning how to successfully live alongside of the condition itself. This is especially true for those living with severe and persistent mental health conditions. Their need for care is ongoing with varying levels of intensity and those charged with their care can find themselves ‘on-call’ ostensibly for the rest of their lives. This difficult reality is far from ideal, the potential for burn out is high, which ultimately does not benefit either party involved.

For this reason, the importance of self care cannot be emphasized enough. A chronic condition just like any interruption in wellness will touch the lives of far more than just the individual experiencing it first hand. As they say before take off:

“In case of emergency, air masks will drop from the ceiling, please put on your own mask before helping others.”

As a caregiver, one must never forget that your wellness comes first or everyone will end up last.

Next time we will take a look at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the supports and educational programs they provide to family, friends and caregivers of individuals living alongside a mental health condition and ways to get involved with the local and state NAMI’s who serve your hometown.

Until then we are interested to know what types of wellness tools you, as caregivers, use to prevent burn-out and maintain self-care.

Earlier this month we’ve seen the unexpected passing of two great American icons, Anthony Bourdain, a world renowned chef, author, travel documentarian and television personality and Kate Spade, an American fashion designer and businesswoman who founded a handbag empire, both of whom appeared for all intents and purposes, to be wildly successful in business and in life. Despite their success, however, both died by suicide, leaving many wondering how such successful and beloved celebrities could be the victims of such a tragic end. Often the passing of a public figure can be just as devastating as losing a family member or loved one, in fact studies have shown that there is often a spike in suicide rates following the death of a celebrity, for example suicide rates rose by at least 10% in the months following the passing of beloved comedian Robin Williams.

Although such tragedies can be devastating, they also allow for an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations regarding suicide and spread awareness regarding ways in which such a tragedy may be prevented. There is much to be gained from the meaningful discussions regarding ways in which suicide may be prevented, yet for any meaningful change to occur such conversations and investigations into prevention and support services must be ongoing.

Suicide can be difficult to prevent and even more difficult to understand. Despite the fact that 2/3 of people who commit suicide are depressed at the time, reports from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) reveal that suicide is very rarely caused by just one factor, in fact 54% of individuals who die by suicide have no known mental health conditions. Although, CDC findings paint a dim picture, reports that identify warning signs related to suicide reveal that there are ways in which suicide can be prevented. To enhance your understanding of how you can support someone you are worried about let’s review what we know about the ways in which suicide affects our society.

Nearly 45,000 Americans commit suicide each year, with rates spiking during the spring. As the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, suicide remains the 3rd leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-24 and the 2nd cause of death for those 24-35 years of age. Between 1999 and 2016 suicide rates have increased in every state, except Nevada, which was consistently high throughout the period. Studies also reveal that suicide has grown by nearly 30% nationally with the rate of suicide increasing among women and men of all ethnicities, races, and age groups. The CDC estimates that each suicide intimately affects at least 6 other people, with an average of 1 person committing suicide every 16.2 minutes, with this in mind we can assume that up to 600 people are intimately affected by suicide every single day. Without a doubt the effects of suicide are far reaching.

Although there are many factors that cause suicide there are known ways to identify if someone you know may be at risk. Beyond explicit expressions of wanting to die or making plans for suicide, warning signs include being isolated, increased anxiety, feeling like a burden, increased anger or rage, feeling trapped or in unbearable pain, and expressions of hopelessness, to name a few. In addition to identifying common warning signs, the CDC has several recommendations for ways in which you can support someone if you are worried they are thinking about suicide. The simplest and perhaps most effective way of supporting someone you are worried about is to not only ask them if they are thinking about suicide but simply be present and actually listen to what they want and need. Follow up is also critical in supporting someone you care for that may be at risk of committing suicide

Beyond offering support and care to someone you fear may be at risk for committing suicide there are many organizations both local and national that provide support services for suicide prevention. If you or someone you love are experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors please access support by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, visiting their website or websites such as www.bethe1to.com, or by texting HOME to 741741.

Despite the fact that May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month since 1949, there is still much room for growth regarding improvements to mental health care as a whole and the ways in which mental health is viewed and addressed by the general populace.

In honor of this national observance of Mental Health Awareness let us first review the most recent statistics available from the Center for Disease Control, which reports that:

• 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health issue of some kind within their lifetime.
• 1 in 10 youths will experience a period of major depression.
• 1 in 25 people will live alongside a serious mental health diagnosis, often of the pathological variety, for the entirety of their life.

Other accredited sources estimate that anywhere between 50-80% of the general population will be affected by a mental health condition at some point in their lifetime. Such empirical evidence sheds light on the irrefutable fact that the majority of the population will be affected by a mental health condition at some point in their lifetime. The widespread understanding that mental health conditions reach nearly every level of society cannot be denied, yet it still remains difficult for affected individuals to disclose their struggle publicly, making the national observation of Mental Health Awareness Month all the more important.

It is undeniable that the lingering presence of stigma related to mental illness has largely affected our ability to have open and meaningful discourse regarding the very real and widespread nature of mental health and potential pathways to its improvement. Even as we become more open to addressing the existence of mental illness as a whole, there is still great hesitancy and avoidance when it comes to self-identifying as an individual personally affected by a mental health condition. This is to recognize that despite the growing recognition and public discourse surrounding mental health and the increasing calls to “stomp out stigma” and “come out of the shadows,” those living alongside the most severe and persistent mental illnesses still struggle to address their mental illness candidly without shame or the fear of negative recourse.

It is easy for everyone to lament the reality that mental health conditions affect most people, however, the fact that it remains difficult to personally associate or self-identify as an individual that is living alongside a mental health condition, is telling. It appears that the vast majority of the populace is ready to address the existence and significance of mental illness, eagerly offering sentiments of support or cries of outrage, yet, the voices and faces of those affected by mental illness willing to publicly identify themselves as a part of the affected population are still few and far between. Such hesitancy to self-identify is likely due to the fact that there remain consequences, real and perceived, to coming forward as an individual living with a mental health diagnosis.

The current realities regarding the ways in which mental health affect our society only increases the importance of national observations such as Mental Health Awareness Month, which allow peers, advocates, and allies the opportunity to collectively bring attention to mental health issues on a national scale using joint campaigns. Each year provides new opportunities for mental health organizations to spread awareness nationally and locally. The effectiveness and reach of Mental Health Awareness campaigns have steadily grown in importance and visibility, largely due to the rise of social media and digital platforms, which have the ability to reach nearly every sector of our society. The growing success in publicizing and showcasing campaigns and initiatives during the month of national observance reaffirms the importance of mental health awareness campaigns that now more than ever, provide a space and opportunity for people from all backgrounds to participate in supporting the national observance throughout the Month of May.

With the rise of hashtags and “share worthy” content the reach of Mental Health Awareness month has grown greatly, providing momentum for initiatives that continue long after the month ends. By taking advantage of hashtags and social media tags many organizations have been able to effectively curate yearly themes and calls to action. For the past 10 years Mental Health America, the organization responsible for the establishment of mental health awareness month in 1949, has spearheaded the use of unique themes to guide activities and events celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month.

Addressing the vital importance of the body and mind connection when working toward improving mental health and well-being this year’s theme, Fitness #4body4mind, is a call to action that is relevant and beneficial to all individuals regardless of their mental health status. This month’s #4body4mind campaign addresses both the ways in which mental health can benefit from physical health and the ways in which mental health affects the physical body.

Addressing concerns, from sleep to exercise and everything in between 2018’s #4body4mind campaign sheds light on one of the most basic understandings of improving mental health. Maintaining good physical health has remained a fundamental part of successfully sustaining not only mental health but overall well-being. With this in mind it is clear that this year’s theme is not limited to the experiences of those living with a diagnosis as it invites all individuals to examine the role the body mind connection plays in our lives, opening the conversation of mental health to all people.

In showcasing additional opportunities to participate in and support this year’s campaign, next time we’ll take a deeper look into this year’s Mental Health America #4body4mind campaign by further exploring the 2018 theme and Mental Health America’s annual toolkit!

In the meantime don’t hesitate to take advantage of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month toolkit by clicking here to download the toolkit free of charge.

In the meantime we encourage you to take advantage of the hashtags, #MentalHealthMonth, #mhm2018, and #4body4mind to join the conversation online and to show your support throughout the month of May and beyond.

Even though calls for Community Integration date back to the beginning of the survivors’ movement in the 1960s, we have only seen significant or effective implementation of services that would support community integration in the past 10 years. This reality is both disappointing and shocking in light of the long standing support of and advocacy for community integration among individuals most affected by their mental health diagnosis. The importance of community integration and its potential to drastically improve outcomes among those living with a mental health diagnosis has gained tremendous support among mental health experts, especially in light of the tendency for those experiencing a mental health crisis or diagnosis to become isolated and disconnected from their communities. Such isolation can drastically affect not only an individual’s feelings of self-worth but also their belief that they can overcome their diagnosis. Clearly the lack of community integration has had wide reaching consequences that have historically been ignored or unaddressed.

There are several reasons for the lack of such implementation, however, the predominant barriers have been insufficient funding and a longstanding tendency to disregard the voices of those most affected by a diagnosis. The tendency to disregard peers is additionally exacerbated by the widespread and inaccurate assumption that individuals affected by a severe and persistent mental health diagnosis are beyond repair and incapable of recovering or managing their diagnosis.

Some of the most important aspects of successful implementation of Community Integration include, services such as vocational rehab, supported housing exclusively for individuals living with a mental health diagnosis, support groups, and other peer based services. The overarching goal of such implementation is not only to improve outcomes and support an individual’s ability to live independently but also to encourage community participation within programs supporting related initiatives. With this in mind it is hard to deny the fact that there exists a fundamental need for communities as a whole to participate in the implementation of community integration. Community institutions and organizations, especially within the faith community, have long existed as a natural supports that have the potential to fill in the gaps in available services.

As previously stated existing initiatives and services that receive government funding and insurance coverage for services primarily include group homes and day programs. Despite the fact that some funding and support does exist the mere existence of these programs is significantly weakened by the meager funding relevant services receive, which is often minimal at best. Although treatment and support for the mental health community has grown it clearly still has a long way to go.

In light of the failures to properly implement community integration, which is frequently exacerbated by the lack of action that follows prolonged discussions, which are often too often concerned with the legitimacy of community integration as a whole rather than actual plans to mandate actual community integration initiatives. The process has been painstakingly slow. In spite of these weaknesses, the mental health community’s growing demands for improvements, especially among persons who have lived experience believing community integration has the potential to vastly improve outcomes, yet it is undeniable that improvements are highly dependent on widespread community support, which extends beyond the mental health care community..

In light of the slow-moving journey to community inclusion and supports for those affected by a mental health diagnosis, many peers and non governmental organizations have taken matters into their own hands to spread the message of recovery, the establishment of community support groups, and most notably the creation of online communities, support groups, and resources.

The internet which is highly accessible to many people provides support for those working towards the management of their diagnosis, while fighting stigma and isolation. Although the many improvements are needed to achieve community integration and improved outcomes, online communities have provided an alternative, safe place for peers to connect via shared experiences to overcome and live with their diagnosis.

With this in mind we are curious to know your thoughts and ideas regarding the growth and implementation of community integration. To help guide you it is helpful to consider the following questions:

• How can community members and individuals working in the mental health care system advocate for community integration?
• Outside of faith based communities what natural supports within communities have the potential to improve community integration? How can the government, communities, and the mental health community at large effectively take advantage of and use such natural supports?
• Are schools and governmental bodies responsible for the (re)integration of students and adults affected by mental health diagnosis?
• How can communities provide support for community integration outside of initiatives funded by state and federal bodies?

Having previously explored the common tendency to blame mental illness as the underlying cause for unspeakable tragedies of mass violence, it may come as a surprise that nearly all results of research concerning linkage between mental illness and violence reveal that those living with a mental health diagnosis are more likely to be victims of violence not perpetrators. Studies show that instances of gun violence related to mental health diagnoses frequently does not extend beyond self-harm. Although the topic of violence and mental illness often takes precedence in public discourse, it barely scratches the surface when it comes to the reasons and needs for improvement of mental health services.

 

Regardless of any assumed linkage between violence and mental health diagnoses it should be understood that the need for access to mental health services and community supports is paramount. Mental health services, if effectively implemented, can be highly effective, preventative measures for not only any individual suffering from a psychological or behavioral problem with a propensity for violence but also for all peers living with a mental health diagnosis. Services for mental health should exist to serve the community at large not by only preventing crisis but also by assisting in the management of crisis and the overall improvement of outcomes.

 

The desire for improved outcomes and a compassionate and effective system of care highly informs the current movement for peer support and community inclusion within the mental health community, understanding why and how this movement arose makes it all the more meaningful.

 

Reflecting on the history of trends in treatment over time, the significance of the current movement, which focuses heavily on advocating for peer partnership and implementing peer support and community inclusion programs cannot be overstated. Up until the 1950s, the general treatment for individuals suffering from a severe mental health diagnosis included, extensive use of shock therapy, lobotomies, and long-term hospitalization that often resulted in individuals spending the remainder of their lives confined to a hospital. The 1960s experienced not only the widespread introduction of the use of psychiatric medicine but also the beginnings of the anti-psychiatry movement. Referring to themselves as ex-patients and at times ex-inmates, survivors began to establish a network of ex-patient groups who banned together, originally demanding not reform but the complete abolishment of the psychiatric system. Anti-psychiatry was a prevailing theme that heavily influenced the early years of the movement giving rise to such ex-patient advocacy groups as the Insane Liberation Front and the Network Against Psychiatric Assault.

 

The 1970s saw the rise of several monumental civil rights movements including the women’s rights movement, the gay rights movement, and the disability rights movement. The lesser known survivor movement also gained momentum alongside the more publicly visible calls for equality, acceptance, and tolerance. At this time the concept of peer-support began to form among many ex-patients of the survivor movement. Peer-support, they believed could provide a solution to the broken and at time abusive system of care many living with a mental health diagnosis found themselves victim to at this times.

 

To this day the guiding principle of peer-support rests on the belief that through shared experience and mutual support individuals living alongside a mental health diagnosis can help themselves and their peers in manifesting better outcomes and rectifying a broken system of care. Advocates for peer-support believe individuals living with a mental health diagnosis are more equipped than most professionals charged with their care to provide support and guidance to peers experiencing a similar crisis or working towards stability. Shedding light on the invaluable nature and potential power of shared experience in achieving recovery or management over one’s diagnosis, the peer movement was a significant step towards recapturing feelings of agency, self-determination, and hope within the community.

 

Following the radical anti-psychiatry movement of the 60s and 70s, the 1980s saw the once vigilant anti-psychiatry and anti-capitalist sentiment held by many of the ex-patient groups replaced by more moderate calls for reforms. Individuals living with a mental health diagnosis began to identify as consumers rather than ex-patients or ex-inmates. Many we’re willing to moderate their more extreme views in the hopes that with such moderation actual reform would be attainable, yet radial organizations still existed and continue to exist at varying degrees.

 

At this time the survivor/consumer community was experiencing the full effects of deinstitutionalization. Soon after the number of homeless persons skyrocketed throughout the country and local jails were flooded. Services available in communities were insufficient and fragmented. Little to no alternatives to institutionalization existed in the aftermath of the deinstitutionalization movement increasing the likelihood that individuals experiencing a mental health crisis would to be re-institutionalized in community service programs, imprisoned, homeless, or otherwise untreated.

 

Since the 1950s peers have been speaking out against psychiatric abuses, the misuse of seclusion, the loss of agency, the loss of dignity, and the lack of self-determination most experience at some point in time during their treatment. Yet only in the past 10 to 15 years have we seen the systemic failures of the mental health care system addressed or rectified. In spite of the delays actual implementation of solutions consumers persisted until their voice was heard.

 

Qualitative research regarding the present Consumers/Survivors Initiatives, such as community inclusion and peer-support programs, reveal that they are an effective means of implementing community integration and improving overall outcomes.

 

The origins of the community inclusion movement can be traced back nearly five decades, but a continual lack of funding and support has remained a barrier to implementation. In the recent past there has been a trend towards more support, however, the goals of community integration are still being debated. Nevertheless, the history of community integration and the associated peer movement sheds light on our current state of the affairs, how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

 

Next in the series we will address the way community integration currently exists and how it does and can improve quality of life by reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for those living alongside a mental health diagnosis.

 

Until then here are some questions to ponder:

• How do you feel community integration could improve outcomes for those affected with a mental health diagnosis?
• In what ways can communities support the integration movement?
• Beyond the known benefits of the current initiative what do you see as potential benefits to inclusion? Do you foresee any potential barriers to or weakness of the integration movement?
• What are additional ways to support individuals with a mental health diagnosis in overcoming barriers to wellness?

 

Please don’t hesitate to comment below and share this post!

It goes without saying that there exists and has existed since our first experiences of mass gun violence a deep desire to see a change within our society that will prevent future similar atrocities. By and large we want to see the development of effective and practical prevention strategies that will make communities, schools, and general populations safer, more protected, and more prepared.

Yet we struggle to find a stable guiding force with the power to enact such change.

Time and time again the only bodies positioned to intervene, to protect, or respond to a community’s call for assistance have failed to be effective. Time and time again we have seen a failure of follow through, resulting in communities becoming witnesses to an individual’s progression towards violence yet powerless to intervene in any way to stop them.

The topic of gun regulation remains the primary point of focus in many of the fiery and emotional discourse that arises in the wake of such tragedies, however, discussions regarding improvements to mental healthcare do exist. The existence of the topic of mental health in discussion has the potential to be very significant for manifesting improvements within the mental healthcare community.

The debate regarding guns and the protection of the second amendment is powerful and goes much deeper than simply a response to mass gun violence. Only recently have we seen the passage of deliberate, preventative gun limit legislation, let alone any legislation that mandates funding or support to developing and sustaining the mental healthcare system–a system that has the most viable potential to serve as an effective prevention method.

The gun limits legislation, recently signed into law by Florida Governor, Rick Scott, have great starting points, including reforms like raising the age limit to purchase firearms, extending the waiting period by three days, and imposing restrictions on firearm purchases to name a few. For our cause, however, the most significant mandate of the legislation exists beyond the relatively drastic gun limits it imposed. In addition to gun limits, the bill mandated the allocation of more funds to support and improve mental health services throughout Florida.

The inclusion of this mandate for a deliberate allocation of funds to improve mental health services has the potential to be an incredible step towards capturing and manifesting an actual method of prevention through developing and enhancing mental health services.

It may be disheartening to recognize that deliberate actions leading to the allocation of support and funds to mental health services have at times been a result of a tragedy but such action should be celebrated, nonetheless.

We should never forget that the current state of mental health services is in many ways a silent chronic tragedy affecting thousands of individuals from all walks of life. Regardless of the cause behind an increase in the concern for mental health resources, members of the mental health community should not hesitate to take full advantage of the support received, regardless of the reason.

In the wake of tragedy, have we stumbled into an opportunity to truly develop and improve our mental health community?

Next time we’ll take a closer look into the benefits of the growing Community Inclusion Movement not only on preventing gun violence but also on improving outcomes for individuals living alongside a severe and persistent mental health diagnosis.

Until then we want to know,
● What questions are raised for you as we dig deeper?
● What solutions can you imagine?
● Can you think of ways to garner support for the cause beyond the support arising
merely from reaction to an unspeakable tragedy?
● What do you think are the most important benefits to investing in mental
healthcare?
● In what other ways can we positively capitalize on public discussions on mental health?

The recent tragedy that occurred in Parkland Florida at Stoneman Douglas High School, sent shockwaves through the country, once again igniting a fierce public debate primarily focusing on firearm regulation, access to mental health services, and strategies for prevention. Time and time again the resulting discussions and debates fail to lead to any significant prevention strategies, frequently focusing more on who or what is to blame rather than investigating solutions that will effectively prevent a future instance of violence. In almost all cases we see the debate and push for reform lose the momentum needed for change, only resurfacing as a topic of interest in the aftermath of similar instances of mass violence.

With no guiding force providing effective prevention or intervention strategies, the responsibility to report unusual behavior rests almost entirely on community members. Since the days of Columbine there has been a growing public sentiment encouraging people to “see something, say something” ostensibly so the appropriate governing bodies can “do something.” Yet what are we to do when the relevant governing bodies fail to take action in response to a community’s appeals for aid and intervention.

In the case of Nikolas Cruz we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that numerous community members saw something worrisome in his behavior, numerous individuals made reports regarding their concerns to authorities, yet no agency in a position to do something did anything. Despite a school record rife with documented instances of problematic behavior and nearly 40 interactions with local law enforcement, including reports to the FBI there was not one instance of deliberate intervention made that may have prevented Nikolas Cruz from killing 17 people at his former High School. In fact CNN reported the only time psychiatric services were discussed “a counselor from the nearby Henderson Behavioral Health facility felt it unnecessary to invoke the Baker Act, a Florida law which allows police to take a mentally ill person into custody.”

Documentation of changes in behavior is one of the most fundamental methods of effectively intervening to prevent instances of individuals harming themselves or others. In the hospital such documentation exists in a patient’s medical histories yet in the world beyond a controlled healthcare facility documentation of worrisome behavior is largely guided by the public sentiment “see something, say something, do something.” It is clear that documentation of and reports of unusual or potentially dangerous behavior is not enough.

In the hopes of continuing the conversation regarding preventative measures and effective intervention methods we hope to further address several points of interest that delve into the realities surrounding the failures to take preventative measures, potential solutions, and foreseeable barriers to proposed solutions:

• The Follow-Up
  What public body/bodies are responsible for implementing preventative measures?
  • How can Red Flag Laws be implemented to provide short term intervention?
  • Which governing bodies are responsible for evaluating failures of prevention, and assessing accountable parties?
  • Should accountable parties be subject to consequences for failures to act?
• Prevention
  • How can we allow fluid and universally accessible documentation between public agencies or entities such as law enforcement, the educational system, and healthcare providers to bolster efforts of prevention?
    • What are current protocols regarding follow-up to reports of worrisome behavior
    • Can such universal access be achieved without infringing on certain HIPAA regulations and privacy measures?
  • What are the limits to involuntary commitment procedures?
    • Could short-term crisis care provide an effective intervention treatment?
    • What facilities beyond hospitals can provide care and intervention to an individual in crisis, or an individual at risk of harming themselves or others
  • How can we utilize existing community support to prevent similar tragedies
    • How can faith based communities provide support?
    • How can the “see something, say something, do something” trend be reframed to be more effectively used by communities?
  • What is the role of the school systems in providing mental health services?
• Stigma
  • To what degree does stigma impact an individual’s decision or in the case of a minor, a family’s decision to seek mental healthcare services?
    • To what degree does stigma impact a mental healthcare provider’s decision to direct individuals to seeking care?

As members of the mental healthcare community what are other areas of interest you feel should be explored to continue the conversation and identify solutions and preventative measures?

Affecting nearly every region of the globe the unprecedented magnitude and frequency of natural disasters that occurred in 2017 proved to be devastating. No region was hit harder than the Caribbean, most notably Puerto Rico, who endured three consecutive hurricanes in rapid succession that all but destroyed the country. The storms devastated Puerto Rico’s infrastructure leaving nearly the entire nation without electricity for months. The impacts of the disaster still linger on today as Puerto Rico remains significantly dependent on outside aid, while citizens struggle to recover from the devastation.

Caresoft wasted no time joining the relief effort purchasing supplies to send to a Puerto Rican Group Home. Providing a different form of relief to the communities Caresoft serves and reminding Caresoft of the invaluable safeguards its software provides to facilities who face a natural disaster.

Understanding that many facilities do not operate electronically, Caresoft is acutely aware of the vulnerabilities associated with non digital documentation, which are perpetually at risk since such irreplaceable documentation does not exist beyond its physical copy. In instances of natural disasters, including the one endured by the group home in Puerto Rico, the destruction of documentation has the potential to disrupt a facility’s entire operation, erasing years of extensive medical documentation, observations, and histories, hindering their ability to provide proper treatment or services to individuals receiving care.

As a longstanding member of the healthcare software industry with 18 years serving the mental healthcare community and those who operate within it Caresoft has remained deeply invested in providing optimized mental healthcare documentation software to caregiver facilities and service providers.

Since its incorporation we have maintained an unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for individuals living alongside a mental health diagnosis by providing mental healthcare documentation software that optimizes a facility’s operations, processes, and delivery of service.

There is no way of stopping future natural disasters or instances of physical destruction, however Caresoft’s mental healthcare documentation software provides facilities the opportunity to prepare for the unexpected. The associated benefits are endless providing solutions and improvements to existing weaknesses, ensuring Caresoft is able to fulfill its goal of improving the realities and outcomes affecting those living alongside a mental health diagnosis and the individuals who care for them.

The safeguards provided by Caresoft gives an immortality to a caregiver or facility’s irreplaceable mental healthcare documentation, in extreme cases, shielding observations and treatment notes from physical destruction.

Caresoft knows that the challenges and obstacles facing those providing support and services to individuals living alongside a mental health diagnosis are not limited solely to natural disasters. With that in mind what other “disasters” can Caresoft help you prepare for?