With the shortage of mental health clinicians and the growing number of individuals that suffer from these illnesses, the buzz surrounding telehealth has grown. The push for telehealth utilization in the future is probably going to be similar to the huge mandate for electronic health records in previous years. Eventually, all mental health providers will have to jump on board and meet health care reform needs by offering telehealth services to patients. What is holding most professionals back from utilizing this technology now? One of the major issues to implementing change and new policies is TIME. Psychiatrists, mental health practitioners and other providers are often slammed with patients. With an average of 8- 11 patients per day, each requiring 30-60 minute visits, there is no time for lunch let alone research and training on appropriate software. Due to the shortage of mental health clinicians, another issue is staffing. There is often not enough staff to conduct appointments using telehealth software. These are all issues that must be addressed in the near future. Knowing that a telehealth mandate is probably in the near future, it is time to begin planning and moving forward. How do we slowly get there before the mandate pushes us there quickly? Stay tuned!
With the shortage of mental health clinicians and the growing number of individuals that suffer from these illnesses, the buzz surrounding telehealth has grown. The push for telehealth utilization in the future is probably going to be similar to the huge mandate for electronic health records in previous years. Eventually, all mental health providers will have to jump on board and meet health care reform needs by offering telehealth services to patients. What is holding most professionals back from utilizing this technology now? One of the major issues to implementing change and new policies is TIME. Psychiatrists, mental health practitioners and other providers are often slammed with patients. With an average of 8- 11 patients per day, each requiring 30-60 minute visits, there is no time for lunch let alone research and training on appropriate software. Due to the shortage of mental health clinicians, another issue is staffing. There is often not enough staff to conduct appointments using telehealth software. These are all issues that must be addressed in the near future. Knowing that a telehealth mandate is probably in the near future, it is time to begin planning and moving forward. How do we slowly get there before the mandate pushes us there quickly? Stay tuned!
With the shortage of mental health clinicians and the growing number of individuals that suffer from these illnesses, the buzz surrounding telehealth has grown. The push for telehealth utilization in the future is probably going to be similar to the huge mandate for electronic health records in previous years. Eventually, all mental health providers will have to jump on board and meet health care reform needs by offering telehealth services to patients. What is holding most professionals back from utilizing this technology now? One of the major issues to implementing change and new policies is TIME. Psychiatrists, mental health practitioners and other providers are often slammed with patients. With an average of 8- 11 patients per day, each requiring 30-60 minute visits, there is no time for lunch let alone research and training on appropriate software. Due to the shortage of mental health clinicians, another issue is staffing. There is often not enough staff to conduct appointments using telehealth software. These are all issues that must be addressed in the near future. Knowing that a telehealth mandate is probably in the near future, it is time to begin planning and moving forward. How do we slowly get there before the mandate pushes us there quickly? Stay tuned!
If you have been in this world for at least a few years, you probably realize that their is a large mental health crisis. This came be blamed on a number of different reasons. Here are just a few: The amount of mental health inpatient beds has decreased, there is an increasing shortage of mental health clinicians and a growing number of individuals that suffer from mental health illnesses. As you know, this has been a recipe for disaster that has lead to a growing number of suicides, incarcerations, overcrowded psychiatric facilities and emergency rooms. What is the solution to this crisis? The solution lies in the community. Clinicians have the biggest opportunity to keep individuals happy and healthy when they are surrounded by others that love them. If clients receive the care they need while in the community, the need for emergency care, jails and psychiatric beds decreases. How do we link the community, clinicians and individuals that suffer from mental health illnesses? Telehealth is the answer!
Telehealth is an alternate way of providing treatment to individuals outside of face to face visits. It can range from telephone calls, video meetings via smart phones or computers, to secure messaging. Some of the positives to this tech innovation is that it decreases the need for travel for clients. Another plus is that it allows clinicians to provide services to a larger number of individuals more effectively and efficiently. A potential flaw to Telehealth is the need for a stable internet connection. If the connection is unstable or not reliable the videoconferencing experience can be a hindrance to providing and receiving quality care. The world is evolving while the mental health crisis continues to grow. It is time to fight this battle with new innovations like Telehealth and finally BRIDGE THE GAP.
With the shortage of mental health providers, individuals with mental health illnesses are more likely to encounter law enforcement than clinicians. Due to this, prisons and jails are overcrowded. The rate of mental health illnesses in the prison system is prominent. Mental Health America ([MHA], 2019), states that approximately 1.2 million individuals in the U.S. with a mental illness currently reside in jail or prison. Research shows that these alarming statistics are associated with decreased access to mental health care in the community. In fact six out of ten states with low access to mental health care have the highest incarceration rates in the U.S. These states are Georgia, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama (MHA, 2019).
Within the prison system, there is not an adequate number of mental health clinicians to care for the millions of individuals with illnesses. This means that conditions often worsen or deteriorate. After being released from jail, many of these individuals are left homeless and without insurance (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2019). The lack of adequate support causes individuals to once again experience encounters with law enforcement and return to jail. This is known as the revolving door effect. This process with the lack of adequate support both in and out of jail or prison contributes to the current mental health crisis in our country. The U.S. is in dire need of a solution. Telehealth/telepsychiatry is a feasible and alternative option.
Did you know that a large percentage of individuals that suffer from mental health illnesses are African American? In fact, we tend to suffer from more severe forms of mental health illnesses such as Major Depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder than any other race (NAMI, 2019). Why do you think this is? Lack of access to care, education and the mental health stigma are all large factors. Let’s talk.
#1- Lack of Access to Care– Why does this exist? Racial tension and discrimination are probably two of the largest reasons. For most of America’s history the African American population has been treated and viewed as an inferior species. They were initially enslaved and then continued to be discriminated against even after slavery ended. With the majority of clinicians being white males, few African Americans feel comfortable attending appointments. They don’t trust the providers to provide non bias care. On the opposite side of this spectrum is that many health care workers are not culturally competent. This means that many providers do not understand the African American culture and may often misdiagnose conditions (NAMI, 2019). Due to this, mental illnesses go untreated and become more severe. Lack of insurance and low income are also reasons that contribute to the lack of individuals seeking care. However, they are not at the top of the list because with or without insurance African Americans are still hesitant to seek care.
#2- Lack of Education- Now “lack of education” does not mean that we as African Americans are not educated. It simply means that the population is not receiving the correct information about mental health illnesses. Many times, we are not presented with any facts beyond what we see or hear. This lack of education and resources concerning mental health illnesses exists in every culture and population. Individuals do not discuss mental health illnesses including providers. Because of this, many of the conversations being held concerning these disorders are not correct. If you had a family member who suddenly appeared to be acting differently, would you recognize signs of mental illness? Many illnesses are not recognized until they are further along in development. The misunderstanding of mental health illnesses often leads to the shaming of individuals with these disorders. They are afraid to talk about issues they may be experiencing. This also leads to a lack of early treatment and our next topic, stigma.
#3- Mental Health Stigma- Now there are several pieces that contribute to this stigma. Let’s start with religion and spirituality. Many African Americans including myself have strong faith systems. In the times of storms, it was the belief in a higher power that kept many of our ancestors and our families going. A concern with this strong faith system however is the belief that the only way to conquer mental health illness is with God and no other support systems. In actuality, treatment can include a variety of different methods with spirituality and faith at the forefront. Research shows that individuals in therapy or other treatment regimens that also have a strong bond with a higher power or belief systems tend to have more positive outcomes.
Another contributor to the stigma is family. Many African American families are close knit. We usually stick together and attempt to handle all problems on our own. If you need counseling, you go to the preacher. No family issues are discussed with outsiders. This mindset keeps family problems, family problems. It often prevents individuals from getting the help or support they need. This causes issues to be transferred from generation to generation.
Now having read all of this information and having broken down many of the issues we face as African Americans in dealing with mental health illnesses, what’s next? Use this information to bring about a positive change in our community. Get educated and educate others. If you are a provider, no matter your race or religion, please take the time to become culturally competent in other cultures outside of your own. Spread mental health awareness. Let others know that there is support. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. Join me in BREAKING THE STIGMA!
In the United States this year, there has been a total of 17 deadly mass shootings. Many of these devastating and life changing events have been blamed on “mental illness.” This is alarming and misleading! Individuals that suffer with mental health illnesses are more likely to be victims of violent crimes than perpetrators. Think about it. Have you ever witnessed a family member or friend experience an episode of major depression or severe anxiety? Did they truly want to be around people? Crowds were probably avoided by any means necessary. If these individuals appeared to be a threat to anyone it was themselves. In the El Paso shooting the majority of individuals harmed were Hispanic. In the Dayton, Ohio incident the majority of individuals were African American. This isn’t mental illness. Let’s call it what it really is. HATRED for people. The individuals committing many of these crimes have a hate geared towards others simply because of the color of their skin. This hate has nothing to do with mental illness. Individuals that truly suffer from mental health illnesses are already dealing with enough uphill battles. There’s no need to add the title of violent perpetrator to that list. Let’s stay educated and focused. #BreaktheStigma
Can you immediately look at an individual and determine if they have depression or anxiety?
What do these individuals look like? Does everyone look the same? The answer to this question is NO. Do not be so quick to judge a book by its’ cover. Mental illnesses do not have specific looks. An individual can participate in activities as usual with family and return home and debate suicide behind closed doors. Despite what outward appearances may show, inside an individual’s mental health may tell a different story. Discovering what a person is truly dealing with may require further assessment and listening. Do not expect individuals to look like they have an illness or act a certain type of way. Let’s judge less and help more! Kimberly Natson Hall
Have you ever craved something so strongly that your palms sweat at the thought of having it? Your heart races every time you think about it? You would do almost anything to get it? When you are unable to get it you feel sick or sad? This.. my friends.. is how I feel about SEAFOOD. I love it. I can eat crab legs and shrimp everyday of the week! Seafood is my addiction. What is yours? We all have a few.
On a serious note, food addiction is a real disorder. In many situations, it occurs as a reaction to stressful or traumatic events. Foods that are consumed are usually unhealthy. The craving or need for food is often correlated with the release of dopamine (“feel good” chemical messenger released by our bodies that evokes pleasure). Individuals receive some form of relief from the stress when dopamine is released. This in turn causes the behavior to continue, which leads to addiction.
Addiction to drugs works almost the same way. What makes an addiction to drugs different than food? One of the major differences is potency. Side effects or repercussions from excessive drug use can be life threatening. An example of this is withdrawals. These symptoms can occur physically and cognitively as a reactions to not receiving drugs. They can range from hallucinations and heart palpitations to more severe symptoms like seizures or heart anomalies.
Did you know that a large number of individuals with substance abuse issues also have other co-occurring mental illnesses? Approximately 7.9 million people in the U.S. have substance use disorders with another form of mental illness. Why does this occur? Many individuals turn to alcohol or other drug use as a form of self treatment for the initial mental illness. The thought is that drugs decrease the symptoms of mental illness. Drug use worsens symptoms. Substance use disorder combined with another mental illness is often difficult to treat. You have to provide care for both disorders without aggravating or elevating symptoms of the other. This is a challenge for both clinician and client.
Now that you understand some of the concrete reasons behind addiction, what can you do to be more supportive of others? How can we save someone from drowning or becoming completely overwhelmed by their addictions? Reach out to them. Let them know you are there. Help them to get the support they need. Ultimately, the decision to change has to be made by the individual. However, it can be much easier to make this step with a strong system of support.
Posted below are local resources for substance abuse treatment. Please feel free to post more in the comment section below for your area.
Before we move forward with our blogging relationship, I think I should tell you a little more about me. Now I am not very good with talking about myself but here goes! I hope from reading a brief version of my story you can fully understand my love not only for nursing but psychiatric nursing.
“I can do all things through God who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. From a young child, my family always instilled in me the qualities of kindness and perseverance. They encouraged me to dream big and reach for the stars. As I grew older I realized that not only did I want to become the best person I could be, I also wanted to help others reach their full potential. My mother worked in the field of health care and she showed me the importance of persevering in the times of storms and also showing kindness to others.
In 2008, I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Ga. I gained much of my experience working on medical surgical, trauma and telemetry units. I even tried my hand in plasma donation. Finally, I was offered a position at a state psychiatric hospital in Augusta, Ga. I had the opportunity to work on both the forensics and admissions units. Psychiatric nursing grabbed my heart.
While working at the state psychiatric hospital, I was able to use many of my skills and training to assist individuals in reaching their full potential. I also witnessed firsthand disparities that this population suffered from. Individuals are rehabilitated within the hospital, only to return in less than 30 days. It is a “revolving door” effect. Individuals and their families are in pain and turmoil because they cannot understand what is happening and why.
I began to research and ask questions. Individuals often have difficulty attending follow up appointments in the community after discharge. Research shows that community involvement and attending these appointments plays a major role in treating symptoms and decreasing readmission rates in patients. Why are individuals not attending? Issues with living in rural areas and transportation is at the top of the list. Waiting in long lines for hours to be seen by the psychiatrist or health care clinician is next. The inability to develop a personal rapport with health care clinicians is documented as well. The list goes on and on. Global Mentality Inc, is a nursing innovation that will provide for individuals and clinicians.
I am also a full time student, enrolled in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Augusta University. I am a mother of three beautiful daughters whom I adore. I hope to instill in them the principles and values that were introduced to me as a young child by my family.
