| Suicide Prevention Program |
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Firearms Storage in Homes with Children at Risk for Self-Harm
Scott, J., Azrael, D., & Millerm M.
Pediatrics
March 2018
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OBJECTIVES: To describe firearm storage practices in homes with children who have
versus do not have self-harm risk factors.
METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative probability-based online survey of US adults conducted in 2015 (n = 3949; response rate 55%). Respondents self-reported whether they lived with children and were a caretaker/health care decision-maker
for a child. Household firearm ownership was ascertained for all respondents; how firearms were stored in homes with guns was asked of gun owning respondents only; all respondents were asked whether their child had a history of the following self-harm risk factors: depression, mental health conditions other than depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
RESULTS: Household firearms were present in 43.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34.4-64.7)
of homes with children who had a history of
self-harm risk factors
(n = 52), compared with 42.3% (95% CI: 35.2-49.7) of homes in which no child had self-harm risk factors (n = 411). Among parents or caretakers with firearms, 34.9% (95 % CI: 20.2-53.2) stored all guns locked and unloaded when they had a child with a history self-harm risk factors, compared with 31.8% (95% CI: 25.9-38.3) when none of their children had such a history.
CONCLUSIONS:
Millions of US children live in homes in which firearms are left loaded or unlocked or both. A child's history of depression, mental health conditions other than depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder does not appear to appreciably influence caretaker decisions about whether to (1) have firearms in the home, or (2) store all household firearms in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations (ie, locked and unloaded).
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Discerning Suicide in Drug Intoxication Deaths
Rocket, I.R.H., et al.
PLOS One
January 2018
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Objective
A paucity of corroborative psychological and psychiatric evidence may be inhibiting detection of drug intoxication suicides in the United States. We evaluated the relative importance of suicide notes and psychiatric history in the classification of suicide by drug intoxication versus firearm (gunshot wound) plus hanging/suffocation-the other two major, but overtly violent methods.
Methods
This observational multilevel (individual/county), multivariable study employed a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to analyze pooled suicides and undetermined intent deaths, as possible suicides, among the population aged 15 years and older in the 17 states participating in the National Violent Death Reporting System throughout 2011-2013. The outcome measure was relative odds of suicide versus undetermined classification, adjusted for demographics, precipitating circumstances, and investigation characteristics.
Results
A suicide note, prior suicide attempt, or affective disorder was documented in less than one-third of suicides and one-quarter of undetermined deaths. The prevalence gaps were larger among drug intoxication cases than gunshot/hanging cases. The latter were more likely than intoxication cases to be classified as suicide versus undetermined manner of death (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 41.14; 95% CI, 34.43-49.15), as were cases documenting a suicide note (OR, 33.90; 95% CI, 26.11-44.05), prior suicide attempt (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 2.11-2.77), or depression (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.38 to 1.88), or bipolar disorder (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.10-1.81). Stratification by mechanism/cause intensified the association between a note and suicide classification for intoxication cases (OR, 45.43; 95% CI, 31.06-66.58). Prior suicide attempt (OR, 2.64; 95% CI, 2.19-3.18) and depression (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.17-1.87) were associated with suicide classification in intoxication but not gunshot/hanging cases.
Conclusions
Without psychological/psychiatric evidence contributing to manner of death classification, suicide by drug intoxication in the US is likely profoundly under-reported. Findings harbor adverse implications for surveillance, etiologic understanding, and prevention of suicides and drug deaths.
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A Simple Emergency Room Intervention Can Help Cut Suicide Risk
Chatterjee, R.
NPR
July 11, 2018
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Many people who attempt suicide end up in an emergency room for immediate treatment. But few of those suicide survivors get the follow-up care they need at a time when they are especially likely to attempt
 suicide again.
Now, a study shows that a simple intervention conducted by staff in emergency departments can reduce the risk of future attempts. The intervention involves creating a safety plan for each patient and following up with phone calls after discharge.
"It reduced the odds of suicidal behavior by half," says
Barbara Stanley, a psychologist at Columbia University and the lead author of the study. "That's a phenomenal difference."
"When someone goes to the emergency room for a suicide attempt, they are at risk of another suicide attempt for the next three months," says Stanley. "It's like a ticking time bomb."
This is the first large-scale study of the
Safety Planning Intervention, which Stanley and her group developed in 2008 and which has been adopted at hospitals and clinics around the country. It can be provided by a physician, a nurse or a social worker and requires very little training.
"The interesting thing about the Safety Planning Intervention is that it is a relatively brief intervention and can be used in a lot of different [health care] settings," says
Brian Ahmedani, director of behavioral health research at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, who wasn't involved in the new study.
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Suicide is a National Epidemic. We Need to Treat it Like One.
Jonathan Javitt
The Washington Post
July 5, 2018
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Just a month has passed since the high-profile deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, yet suicide has already dropped off the public radar. That's because it's far too easy to personalize individual tragedies; far more difficult is confronting the public-health crisis at hand.
Suicide claims the lives of
more than 120 Americans each day. Each year, more Americans die from suicide than were
killed in action during the entire Vietnam conflict. It's time we confront this epidemic with the same determination that tamed HIV/AIDS. To do this, we must address the biology of suicide.
Today, we regard suicide as a failure of psychology and perhaps personal circumstances, rather than a failure of neurochemistry. In fact, suicidal depression may be as treatable as diabetes. It's just that we may have been focusing on the wrong chemical target in the brain.
For 60 years, the medical community has treated depression with drugs that target serotonin, the chemical in the brain that makes us feel good. Although these drugs help many people cope with symptoms of depression, they are not effective in treating suicidal ideation or behavior.
The medical literature and the Food and Drug Administration clearly recognize that these drugs
can increase the risk of suicide in vulnerable patients - especially young adults and teens. In fact, researchers have been
forced to exclude potentially suicidal patients from clinical trials for antidepressants. With little success in developing new antidepressants, most major pharmaceutical companies have essentially abandoned their efforts in psychiatry.
Fortunately, science shows that old treatments can lead to a new future. Despite six decades of antidepressant research, the only treatment
currently approved by the FDA for severe and suicidal depression remains electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This treatment might seem antiquated, and it is known to cause memory loss, confusion and more severe complications. However, it has recently been shown to
cut the incidence of suicide in half , compared with serotonin-targeting antidepressants alone.
To read the entire article
click here.
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Frequency of Prescription
Opioid Misuse and Suicidal Ideation, Planning and Attempts
Ashrafioun, L., Bishop, T.M., Connor, K.R., Pigeon, W.R.
Journal of Psychiatric Research
March 2017
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Abstract
The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between past-year frequency of prescription opioid misuse and past-year suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts. Secondary data analyses were conducted using data from 41,053 participants of the 2014 National Survey of Drug Use and Health. Past-year frequency of prescription opioid misuse was grouped into 4 categories: none, less than monthly (1e11 times), monthly to weekly (12e51 times), and weekly or more (52 times or more). Binomial logistic regression analyses adjusted for demographics, overall health rating, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders to test the associations between frequency of prescription opioid misuse and suicide-related variables. Compared to those who did not endorse prescription opioid misuse in the past year, prescription opioid misuse was significantly associated with suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts for each frequency of use category in unadjusted models (p < 0.05). In adjusted models, frequency of prescription opioid misuse remained significantly associated with suicidal ideation (p < 0.05 for each frequency category); however, only the group reporting weekly or more use on average was associated with suicide planning and attempts (p < 0.05). The findings provide novel specificity regarding prescription opioid use in relation to suicide-related outcomes further supporting enhanced access to suicide prevention and nonpharmacological approaches to pain management across various settings.
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| Suicide Prevention Providers |
August 2018 |
As we enter August, the Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Program would like to share several articles and events which may be of interest to you. Thank you for submitting your upcoming events, trainings, workshops, recent media coverage and funding opportunities. Please consider forwarding these announcements to any of your colleagues that may be interested in attending any of these great events and trainings.
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American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Grief and Loss Support Services in Western Massachusetts
Greater Springfield in East Longmeadow -
Survivors of Suicide Loss
Contact Name
: Diana & Paul Lewis; 413-525-7752 or
dprof52@aol.com
Meeting Place
: Forestiere-Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St
East Longmeadow, MA
Meeting Day(s)/Time
: 3rd Mondays every month 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Peer facilitated, No Fee, Group does not meet on major holidays
Northampton - Surviving a Suicide Loss
Contact Name
: Geraldine Unger, 413-203-1200 or
sas4healing@gmail.com
Meeting Place
: Forbes Library (Watson Room), 20 West Street,
Northampton, MA
Meeting Day(s)/Time
: 2nd Tuesday every month 1:00 - 2:30pm
Greenfield - Surviving the Loss of a Teenage or Adult Child
Contact Name: John Kick, 413-253-9523 or
jkick1@comcast.net
Meeting Place: Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 164 High Street, Conference Room A, Greenfield, MA
Meeting Day(s)/Time: 1st and 3rd Monday every month 6:00 - 7:30pm
Pittsfield - Healing After Suicide Loss
Contact Name: Peggy Morse, 413-441-6316 or
peggyf@verizon.net
Meeting Place: Berkshire Children & Family, Family Resource Center, 480 West Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Meeting Day(s)/Time: 1st Thursday of every month 6:00 - 7:30pm
Peer (Survivor) Facilitated, No Fee
Department of Public Health
Suicide Prevention Program's Community Advisory Board is Seeking New Members
The Suicide Prevention Program's Community Advisory Board (CAB) is Seeking New Members for the Coming Year!
The mission of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) is to provide a way for community members to give meaningful input into the development of services, programs, and policies that address their needs. The CAB seeks to support the creation of comprehensive, community-based suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services that are accessible, inclusive, responsive, of high quality, and that supports the saying, "Nothing about us without us."
Join us! If you want to have a voice in suicide prevention services and programs, and have experienced any or all of the following, we would love to hear from you!
- Personally impacted by suicide
- Have lived experience with mental health challenges
- Currently or previously received suicide prevention/mental health services (such as counseling, support groups, trainings, etc.)
- 18 years of age or older
Applications are now being accepted through August 17th. Meetings are held monthly on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8:30pm. The first meeting with new members will be held on Wednesday, September 12th, from 6:30-8:30pm in the Greater Boston area. We ask for a year-long commitment, from September, 2018-August, 2019.
Heywood Hospital
MENder's Support Group
MENder's brings together guys facing similar issues including illness, anger, stress, substance abuse, relationship problems or major life changes. By using a whole host of techniques, participants can develop the skills to deal with stressors. Members of support groups often share experiences and advice.
- Athol MENder's Support Group takes place the first and third Monday of each month from 7:30 - 9 pm in Athol Hospital's Hillis Board Room. For more information, call (978) 630-6455.
- Garderner MENder's Suport Group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at Heywood Hospital's Medical Arts Building, Conference Room, 242 Green Street, Gardner, MA. For more information, visit: www.heywood.org/mensproject or contact Michael.Ellis@Heywood.org
Military Family Support Group
The Military Family Support Group offers a safe place for family members of both active and former military members to share their experiences, struggles and hope in overcoming the invisible wounds of war that affect thae entire family unit. Veterans and their loved ones can suffer from one or many of the following: survivor's guilt, separation anxiety, emotional numbing, adrenaline seeking, depression, anxiety, insomnia, alcohol and substance abuse, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury. The group coaches and supports military family members to find healing, balance, and strategies for positive re-integration for military members with their family and society. The Military Family Support Group also connects families with local resources. For more information, contact Crystal Bean at 978-320-9804.
Suicide Attempt Survivor Support Group
Have you or a loved one attempted suicide and survived?
Could you benefit from a support group which provides a safe environment and promotes resiliency, increased self awareness of risk, encourages help-seeking and support? If so, consider joining a free monthly support group at Heywood Hospital. Meetings take place on the 4th Tuesday of every month from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Heywood Hospital Education Conference Room.
For more information call
978-630-6166 or email
Anne.Jasinski@Heywood.org
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Suicide Survivor Support Group
This group is intended for individuals who lost someone they know to suicide. All are welcome to attend. Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Heywood Hospital Education Conference Room. For more information, contact Lynn Kvingedal at (978) 632-3240 or email
lchaves@comcast.net.
Individuals with questions can also contact the Mental Health Unit at (978) 630-6377.
Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention
General Membership Meeting
Date: September 10, 2018 from 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Location: 160 Gould Street, Needham, MA
I Was Talking to a Friend Anthology
I Was Talking to a Friend
will be an anthology of poetry and personal essays that will share the stories and voices of everyday individuals centered on suicide prevention, mental wellness, resiliency and strength. While there are participant
guidelines, (
click here for guidelines
) this is not a competitive process.
Visual art such as painting and drawing can be included in the anthology as well. Both electronic and print versions will be made available. Proceeds from all sales will go toward beginning to help the MCSP become self sustaining outside of the state budget.
People of Color and Ally Caucuses
The Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention announces two new caucuses addressing racial social justice in suicide prevention work:
MCSP People of Color Caucus
MCSP White Ally Caucus
For more information contact:
Berkshire County Suicide Prevention Coalition
Monthly Board Meeting
Every second Wednesday of the month from 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Location: Brien Center for Adolescent Services, Conference Room, 251 Feen Street, Pittsfield, MA
General Membership Meeting
Bristol County Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition
General Membership Meeting
Location: St. Thomas Church Hall, 111 High Street, Taunton, MA
For more information about meetings, events and membership contact Annemarie Matulis at
matulisannie@msn.com
Grief Support Roundtables for Suicide Loss Survivors
Taunton
3rd Thursday of the month from 7:00pm - 8:30pm
St. Thomas Episcopal Church Rectory, 115 High Street, Traunton
Fall River
2nd Monday of the month from 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Blessed Trinity Parish, 1340 Plymouth Avenue, Fall River
Kathy Nemkovich, Facilitator -
kathynemkovich@gmail.com, 508-672-4854
New Bedford
Location and day of the week TBA
Michele Bailey, Facilitator -
mbaileyflood@gmail.com, 508-243-6933
Attleboro
Public Library at 74 North Main St. The program will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Contact coordinator Jacquie O'Brien, Attleboro's public health nurse, at 508-223-2222, ext. 3244 or email:
gaaspc@gmail.com
Westport
The Samaritans of Bristol County host two SafePlace Suicide Prevention Grief Support gatherings once twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. For more information call 508-673-3777.
Cape & Islands Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition
General Membership Meeting
2nd Thursday of every odd-numbered month from 11:15am - 12:45pm
Location:
Barnstable County Courthouse, Room 11/12
3
195 Main Street, Barnstable, MA
Central Massachusetts Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition
General Membership Meeting
For more information about meetings, events and membership contact Steve Boczenowski at
boczeno@gmail.com
Greater Boston Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition
General Membership Meeting
General membership meetings will be held at Samaritans, Inc. at 41 West Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA. For more information about meetings, events and membership contact
Ron White at
MetroWest Suicide Prevention Coalition
Call2Talk
Call2Talk, a direct service of the United Way of Tri-County, is an emotional support and mental health helpline that actively engages with callers to help alleviate their feelings of despair, loneliness and potential suicidal ideation. Callers are encouraged to freely express their concerns and challenges to help them work through their own solutions. Through validation and nonjudgmental listening, callers are made to feel safe and are empowered to face their issues and feel emotionally safe. Part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network of Crisis Centers, Call2Talk currently provides phone support, free call talker training, as well as community outreach, education and support.
Crisis Line: 508-532-2255/1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Business Line: 508-370-4857
General Membership Meeting
Location: United Way of Tri-County Building - 4th Floor, 46 Park Street, Framingham, MA
Montachusett Suicide Prevention Task Force
Coalition Meetings
Meetings are held the first Monday of each month, at Heywood Hospital, in Board Room (adjacent to Gift Shop), from 10:00 am - 11:30 am.
Newton Cares: Coalition for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health
Coalition Meetings
Location: Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street, Newtonville, MA
For more information about meetings, events and membership contact
Question, Persuade, Refer
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is an evidence-based, suicide prevention program for anyone. It is a simple technique that offers everyone strategies and approaches to responding to someone experiencing distress. Attendees learn what to do, what to say, and how to get help. The more people who know how to act, the more lives may be saved. Please consider hosting a QPR training for your group. Newton Cares, the city's suicide prevention and mental health coalition, will provide the trainers & all of the necessary materials. To schedule a training for your group, call 617-796-1420 or email us at newtoncares@newtonma.gov.
Northeast Suicide Prevention Coalition
General Membership Meeting
For more information about meetings, events and membership contact Debbie Helms at
dhelms@fsmv.org
or 978-327-6671
Pioneer Valley Coalition for Suicide Prevention
General Membership Meeting
Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month.
Contact Robert Reardon at
rreardon@tapestryhealth.org
for time and place.
Plymouth County Suicide Prevention Coalition
Riverside Community Care
8th Annual Conference
Integrating Treatment: Exploring the Links Between Trauma, Substance Use, and Other Co-Occurring Conditions
Date: Friday, September 21, 2018 from 9:00am - 4:30pm
Location: The Verve, Crowne Plaza, Natick, MA
Early Bird Registration Deadline: August 17, 2018
Current increases in opioid overdoses and enhanced understanding of the neurophysiology of addictions have led to both the need and the capacity for more in-depth and complex understanding of substance use, addictions, and their treatment. This conference will examine the various ways in which trauma, addictions, and co-occurring disorders intersect. Our speakers and panelists will address how trauma often increases engagement in health-risk behaviors; how these behaviors and the ways in which society traditionally responds to them, may in turn cause increased toxic stress; and what can be done to address these complicated interactions.
Keynote Speaker:
"Finding a Path to Recovery from Trauma and Addiction"
Lisa M. Najavits, PhD,
is a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine, adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, a clinical research psychologist in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, and a practicing clinical psychologist.
Other Presentations:
"How a Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice System is Fighting Addiction"
Sonny Provetto, LICSW,
is a licensed therapist, an EMDR clinician, and a trauma consultant for police departments and emergency responders in northern Vermont. He's also a former police officer.
"This is Your Brain on Adversity"
Joanna Bridger, LICSW,
is the Clinical Services Director at Riverside Trauma Center, and Sarah Gaer, MA, is a Suicide Prevention Specialist at Riverside Trauma Center. Both have over 20 years of clinical experience. They have extensive experience supporting schools, communities, and organizations following sudden traumatic losses.
For more information and to register online:
www.exploringthelinks.eventbrite.com
Samaritans of Merrimack Valley
Safe Place Groups
Adult Groups (18 years of age and older)
The Samaritans of Merrimack Valley runs support groups for survivors of suicide called Safe Place. Safe Place is a support group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. It is a safe place to talk, listen, cry, be silent, grieve, be accepted, be understood, and offer acceptance and understanding to someone else in need. Safe Place is a confidential and free support group led by a trained suicide survivor. There are currently two Safe Place locations in Merrimack Valley. Each location has resource packets, a memory board as well as a lending library with books and other materials for support in your grieving.
North Andover
St. Michael Parish, 196 Main Street, North Andover, MA 01845
Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Beverly
St. John's Episcopal Church, 705 Hale Street, Beverly, MA 01915
Meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Samaritans on Cape Cod & The Islands
Hyannis Waves of Wellness, A Recovery Connection Center
A peer run organization dedicated to providing support, education and advocacy by providing opportunities and resources to assist individuals in finding their own path to mental health recovery. For more information,
click here to view the brochure.
Safe Place Group for Suicide Loss Survivors
6-session group
Participants must register and agree to attend all 6 sessions.
When: Tuesdays beginning September 4th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Sandwich, MA
Safe Place Groups
Samaritans Safe Place support groups that honor and respect the needs of those who have lost someone to suicide. Group meeting dates and times are:
Chatham
Meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Eldredge Public Library, 564 Main Street, Chatham, MA
Samaritans, Inc.
20th Annual 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention
Date: September 29, 2018
Location: Artesani Park
With more than 75 teams registered, the 20th Annual Samaritans 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention is off to an exciting start! Still need to sign up? Register today to remember and celebrate our loved ones, reduce the stigma of suicide and mental illness, and save lives through suicide prevention. All pre-registered walkers, runners, and volunteers will receive a complimentary 20th anniversary event t-shirt. We run for those we remember. We walk for those we love. We come together to make a difference. Register now at samaritans5k.org.
Grief Support Volunteer Training
The Grief Support Services (GSS) team has been hard at work with training volunteer SafePlace facilitators this month! With four new volunteers and eight veteran volunteers honing their skills, GSS continues to expand the Samaritans community to help support more people who have been impacted by a loss from suicide.
Led by clinical consultant John (Jack) Jordan, PhD., GSS Director Debbie DiMasi, and GSS Manager Emily Britt, volunteers learn about many different concepts and techniques to ensure that they are well-equipped to facilitate discussion among those who are grieving. Beyond learning about bereavement and mourning, volunteers are taught about the impact of suicide on families and common feelings among survivors.
GSS volunteers also have been personally impacted by a loss to suicide and are at a place in their own healing which allows them to help others as they travel a similar path. Volunteers facilitate SafePlace peer-support groups and participate in home visits to individuals and families looking for one-on-one support.
If you are interested in becoming a Grief Support Services volunteer, complete the Volunteer Interest Form below, and we will contact you shortly.
Safe Place Groups
Samaritans Safe Place support groups are open to anyone who has experienced a loss from suicide. Registration is not required and groups are led by trained volunteers who are survivors. Group meeting dates and times are:
Boston
Meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Samaritans office located at 41 West Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
Framingham
Meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) located at 7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01701
Medford
Meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 160 High Street, 2nd Floor, Medford Square, Route 60, Medford, MA 02155
Needham
Meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month from 7:00pm - 8:30pm at Riverside Trauma Center, 255 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02494
South Shore
Meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at Christ Church Quincy located at 12 Quincy Avenue, Quincy, MA 02169
Worcester
Meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at The Bridge, 4 Mann Street, Worcester, MA 01602
Southwest Boston Senior Services, Inc. d/b/a Ethos, Inc.
Healthy IDEAS
Ethos will expand its existing home-based Elder Depression Awareness, Screening & Management Initiative which utilizes the evidence-based Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors) intervention, for older adults (persons 60+) who live anywhere in the city of Boston. In addition, Ethos, Inc. will provide depression education and materials on identifying depressive symptoms, including resources available to professional organizations and caregivers with a focus on people who are socially isolated and the LGBT community. Ethos' suicide prevention services will be provided in the Boston EOHHS region.
Tapestry Health
Alternatives to Suicide Peer Support Groups
Alternatives to Suicide Peer Support Groups exist because the opportunity to talk about feelings of hopelessness to empathetic ears can decrease the inclination to act on suicidal feelings. The Western Mass Recovery Learning Center's (RLC) Alternatives to Suicide Peer Support Groups provide a forum wherein people who feel or have felt suicidal can talk about their experiences without being judged. People in these groups share their struggles and successes, provide support for one another, and strategize about alternatives to help each other best cope with difficult life circumstances.
- Monday 6:30pm to 8:00pm, Quaker Meeting House, 43 Center Street, Northampton, MA (Sarah or Sean, 413-539-5941 ext.318)
- Monday (except holidays) 3:00 pm to 4:30pm, Morse Institute Library, 14 E Central St, Natick, MA Greg @ ghabel@advocates.org or 508-745-6677.
- Tuesday 5:00pm to 6:30pm, RLC Greenfield Center, 74 Federal Street, Greenfield, MA (janice@westernmassrlc.org or 413-561-3268)
- Friday 3:30pm to 5:00pm, The Bowen Center, 340 Main Street, Springfield, MA (mark@westernmassrlc.org or 413-539-5941 ext.317)
- Wednesday 6:30pm to 8:00pm, RLC's Pittsfield Center, 152 North Street, Suite 230, Pittsfield, MA
- Thursday 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Public Storage Building in Assembly Square (Orange Line), 50 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville, MA
Trustees of Boston University
Need Continuing Credits for your upcoming license renewal?
Get CEUs while enhancing your practice.
Practitioners in every setting must have the skills and knowledge to work effectively with older adults and persons with disabilities. CADER online courses and certificate programs are designed for busy practitioners working with older adults and persons with disabilities in any setting.
Gain the practice-relevant knowledge and skills you need.
CADER online courses and certificate programs cover the most pressing topics today, with practice-relevant information you need to know, provided in a convenient and useful format. These online courses combine the knowledge and experience of leaders in the field with the latest online technology. The result is an unparalleled opportunity to augment and enhance your current knowledge and practice skills.
Ensure that your professional expertise is in demand. CADER currently offers over 25 online courses and 7 online certificate programs. The cost per course is $30 per CEU hour per course ($60 to $150 per course) and $325 for an entire certificate program.
CADER Online Courses
- A Foundation in Ethics, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, 3 CEUs
- A Guide to the Aging and Disability Networks, 4 CEUs
- Aging in Community, 4 CEUs
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, 4 CEUs
- Assessment with Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities, 4 CEUs
- Care Management Practice, 2 CEUs
- Care Transitions, 4 CEUs
- Common Sense Management for Caring Organizations, 3.5 CEUs
- Compulsive Hoarding in Older Adults, 4 CEUs
- Core Issues in Aging and Disability, 5 CEUs
- Driving Transitions with Older Adults, 4 CEUs
- Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, 4 CEUs
- End-of-Life Issues, 4 CEUs
- Interdisciplinary Care Teams, 3 CEUs
- Legal Principles & Decision Making in Practice, 3 CEUs
- Managing Medications During Care Transitions, 2 CEUs
- Mental Health and Aging Issues, 4 CEUs
- Mental Health Training in Options Counseling, 3 CEUs
- Mental Wellness and Resilience among Older Immigrants and Refugees, 2 CEUs
- Participant Direction in Managed Long-Term Services and Supports, 2 CEUs
- Substance Use among Older Adults, 4 CEUs
- Suicide Prevention among Older Adults, 4 CEUs
- Suicide Prevention among Older Immigrants and Refugee Populations, 2 CEUS
- Supervision for Effective Practice with Older Adults, 4 CEUs
- Working with Informal Caregivers, 4 CEUs
- Understanding Consumer Control, Person-Centered Planning, and Self-Direction, 3 CEUs
Certificate Programs Courses
- Foundation in Aging & Disabilities Certificate Program
- ADRC/Options Counseling Certificate Program
- Care Management & Care Coordination Certificate Program
- Behavioral Health Certificate Program
- Values and Ethics in Aging & Disabilities Certificate Program
- Supervision & Leadership Certificate Program
Additional information about the online courses and certificate programs can be found on the CADER website:
http://www.bu.edu/cader/browse-catalog/
.
William James College INTERFACE Referral Service
INTERFACE Referral Process Coming to Plymouth
For the past two years, Representative Jim Cantwell and other legislators have been successful in providing a funding earmark in the state budget for the INTERFACE Referral Service to serve towns within the south shore. It is with gratitude and great enthusiasm we report that Representatives Cantwell, Cutler, Calter, Murator, Murphy, and Bradley, along with Senators deMacedo and O'Connor worked tirelessly through budget season to secure funding for this current fiscal year. As of August 1, INTERFACE serves the towns of Cohasset, Duxbury, Hanover, Hingham, Kingston, Marshfield, Norwell, Pembroke, and now Plymouth.
Residents living within the above towns who are looking for outpatient mental health services or are curious about mental health and wellness, can call the INTERFACE helpline, Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, to speak with a clinically trained resource and referral counselor. The counselors help callers find a mental health provider who matches four key criteria: specialty, availability, insurance, and location needs and preferences. The goal of the referral service is to help promote better access to mental health care. This is a FREE, confidential referral service.
Counselor are extensively trained in a variety of mental health concerns and will conduct a 20-25 minute intake with the caller. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health services, call 617-332-3666 ext.1; Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm.
In addition, the INTERFACE website provides information and resources related to mental health and wellness. To learn more visit:
Other Organizations
19th Annual Worcester Institute on Loss and Trauma Conference
Life After Tragedy: When Trauma Impacts Our Community
Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Location: College of the Holy Cross, Hogan Center, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610
2018 Rural Behavioral Webinar Series
- Addressing the Needs of Young People with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) through a Comprehensive Continuum of Services and Supports
September 6, 2018 from 3:00pm - 4:30pm ET
What does a comprehensive approach to mental health services and supports look like in rural communities? How do we ensure that the strategies to effectively address the mental health and overall well-being of children and youth in rural schools and communities includes multi-system partnerships, family engagement, and youth involvement? How do we ensure that these services and supports are guided by the principles of cultural and linguistic competence? Many rural communities face challenges and disparities in meeting the needs of young people and their families who need mental health services and supports. These challenges may even be greater when addressing the needs of young people who need more intensive services and supports. This webinar will focus on discussing strategies to expand the adoption of comprehensive mental health support of youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED) in rural schools and communities. During the webinar, a system of care (SOC) approach will be discussed to highlight the importance of interagency collaboration, individualized and strength-based practices, and cultural competence for implementation of comprehensive mental health supports. This webinar will also provide examples of strategies for families and youth to work in partnership with public and private organizations, ensuring supports are effective and build on the individual's strengths and needs.
Additional information and to register for this webinar, visit: http://ruralbehavioralhealth.org/events
2018 NAMI Massachusetts Convention - SAVE THE DATE
The 2018 NAMI Massachusetts Convention will be held on Saturday, October 20th, 2018, at the Four Points by Sheraton in Norwood.
This year's Convention theme is Dream Big - Act Now. We are seeking proposals for 80 minute workshops that reflect this theme, under the following categories:
- Dream Big - Act Now for Yourself for example: finding affordable housing, obtaining employment, locating and interviewing a clinician, exploring self-help and alternatives
- Dream Big - Act Now for Your Family
for example: advocating for your child at school, navigating the criminal justice system, working with privacy rules, getting insurance coverage
- Dream Big - Act Now for Your Community
for example: sharing your story, learning about the legislative advocacy process, working with your local police department, building coalitions
APHA 2018 Annual Meeting & Expo
November 10-14 in San Diego
Theme: Creating the Healthiest Nation: Health Equity Now
Register by August 16 at 11:59 p.m. PDT to save up to $115 off the regular registration rate.
Join in 3 easy steps:
- Register for the Annual Meeting. Don't forget to update your contact information.
- Become an APHA member while registering and save an additional $100!
- Reserve your hotel stay with an official APHA hotel for the best rates and locations.
Barnstable County Human Services - Behavioral Health Portal
Behavioral Health Portal
This Behavioral Health Portal
site
is a resource
for individuals, families, and agencies with behavioral health questions or concerns. It provides information about behavioral health services in our region,
including a robust
Service Directory
developed in partnership with the
Behavioral Health Service Provider Coalition of Cape Cod and the Islands
. In addition, the site contains information about key health topics, current legislation, and organizations that provide assistance to b
ehavioral health clients, families, and service providers.
Bereavement Support Groups
Groups are held on Cape Cod in Falmout and Hyannis, beginning in September. Advance registration is required. Call 508-957-0230 to register or for more information. Read more including locations and dates.
Beyond Beds: The Vital Role of a Full Continuum of Psychiatric Care
The National Association of Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and Treatment Advocacy Center have released a
joint report that is the first in a 10-part series on inpatient psychiatric treatment capacity in the U.S. Supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (
SAMHSA), the report offers recommendations for reducing the human and economic costs associated with serious mental illness by building and invigorating an interconnected, evidence-based system of care that goes beyond beds.
Challenges and Innovations in College Mental Health Care Webinar
Date: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 12:00pm ET
As a new school year gets underway, colleges are continuing to grapple with rising student demand for mental health services. Some schools have been unable to meet that need, leaving students stuck on weeks-long wait lists. Others are taking steps to better address the mental health needs of increasingly diverse student populations.
Join STAT reporter Megan Thielking and Stephanie Pinder-Amaker, Harvard Medical School psychiatry professor and director of the College Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital, for an online conversation about mental health issues on college campuses. They'll touch on innovative approaches to better addressing student mental health needs, the barriers that keep students from seeking out and receiving treatment, and ways in which the relationship between schools and off-campus providers can be strengthened.
City of Newton Health & Human Services
- Free Narcan Training and Distribution Program
Narcan - the overdose reversal medication - is now available at no cost to Newton residents through a new program launched this week by the city's Health and Human Services Department.
Trained HHS staff members offer free naloxone (Narcan) to Newton residents who complete a brief (30-minute) individual training session on how to recognize an overdose and administer the reversal medication. The program is supported by a generous Narcan donation from Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
The program's primary goals are to reduce overdoses among Newton residents by reducing barriers to accessing Narcan, and to increase awareness about addiction recovery resources for individuals and families.
"Narcan saves lives," said Deborah Youngblood, Commissioner of Health and Human Services. "It's critical that people who are struggling with addiction have others around them who are equipped to revive them, if necessary. We're also hoping to get people connected to recovery resources that will guide them through long-term recovery."
Newton residents can participate in the program by calling the HHS Department at (617) 796-1420 and requesting an appointment with a social services staff member. The approximately 30-minute confidential consultation will include individual training in the signs and symptoms of an overdose, how to use naloxone, and an opportunity to learn more about recovery resources. Then, a bag including naloxone, a CPR mask and gloves, and printed resources will be offered at no charge. No insurance information will be collected. Click here for more information.
- Hope for Families
Free support group for people who know someone struggling with Substance Use Disorder
Date: August 21, 2018 from Tuesday 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Room 401
Drop-ins welcome
For more information email mmanela@partners.org
Complex Clinical Decisions in Psychopharmacology
These podcasts explore complex clinical decisions in psychopharmacology for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) in a short, 30- to 45-minute format for busy providers on the go. Listen at any time from any device!
Each podcast features national experts in recovery-oriented pharmacology who describe practical clinical tools and strategies for incorporating person-centered, strength-based approaches to common yet complex prescribing scenarios.
Join host Dr. Curley Bonds, chief deputy director for clinical operations at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and his guests as they explore meaningful ways to mesh scientific evidence and best practices with the whole of an individual's life, including relationships, communities, goals, and preferences. These podcasts are FREE!
For each podcast, receive up to 1 CME credit from the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Comprehensive Suicide Prevention - It's More Than a Mental Health Concern
The Safe States Alliance (Safe States) is hosting a webinar on comprehensive suicide prevention. Presenters will discuss recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing more than half of people who die by suicide do not have a known mental health condition. The webinar will take place on August 23, 2018 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Cape Cod
Meets every Wednesday from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the Cape Cod Medical Center, 40 Quinlan Way, Hyannis. For more information contact Lois at (508) 681-8598 or Paul at (508) 221-5174 or poconnell780@gmail.com.
Duxbury FACTS (Families, Adolescents and Community Together against Substances)
Duxbury FACTS presents "Just the FACTS: an informational support group" every Monday from 7:00pm - 8:00pm at the Duxbury Senior Center "Walker Room," 10 Mayflower Street, Duxbury, MA. This group will address needs on a variety of levels from concern & worry, to revelation, addiction, crisis, resources, hope, and recovery. Whether you are a concerned parent, a student seeking answers, a family member dealing with a loved-one in crisis or an individual struggling with addiction, come to the group and get the FACTS. The group is led by an experienced facilitator and is open to the public. If you have questions, send an email to info@duxburyfacts.org
'Finding Hope' CNN Special Report
Free Group Support for Children/Families
Joanna's Place promotes resilience in children facing some of life's most stressful events. Maria Trozzi, the Executive Director of Joanna's Place, brings decades of expertise and experience as a trusted clinician, national expert and respected author helping families and school communities face stressful life events For parents and children 6-18 years they offer three separate local 8- week family support groups for children and adolescents, 6-18 years, each with its own focus on resilience: *Adolescents may participate without their parent/guardian
- Circle G: facing the loss of a parent or sibling,
- Circle S: facing the challenges of being a 'typical sibling';
- Circle I: facing the challenges of a parent's life-challenging or chronic illness
Gosnold Family Support Groups
The Gosnold Reaching Out Program is a resource for family members and loved ones affected by addiction. It assists the family at all stages of addiction through education, intervention and support. Information and education forums help family members gain a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of addiction, treatment options, and stages of recovery. An educated and supportive family has a positive impact on treatment outcomes.
- Tuesday 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Gosnold Counseling Center, 1185 Falmouth Road, Centerville, MA
- Wednesday 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Gus Canty Community Center, 790 Main Street, Falmouth, MA
- Sunday 11:00am - 12:30pm
Scituate Senior Center, 27 Brook Street, Scituate, MA
- Monday 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Harwich Police Department, 183 Sisson Road, Harwich, MA
For more information contact Lori McCarthy, 617-893-0816 or
Guide for Emergency Department Providers on Caring for Suicide Attempt Survivors
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a brochure for emergency department providers on enhancing treatment for patients who have attempted suicide. It includes information on patient assessment, HIPAA regulations, and tips for communicating with family and other treatment providers.
Guide for Suicide Attempt Survivors after Treatment in the Emergency Department
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA) has released a
brochure for people who have received emergency department treatment for a suicide attempt. It includes tips on how to cope with thoughts of suicide and resources for finding help. The brochure is also available in
Spanish.
Guide for Taking Care of a Family Member after Emergency Department Treatment for an Attempt
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a brochure on caring for a family member after a suicide attempt. It describes the emergency department treatment process, lists questions to ask about follow-up treatment, and offers tips on how to reduce risk at home. The brochure is also available in Spanish.
Guidelines for Integrated Suicide-Related Crisis and Follow-Up Care in Emergency Departments
The Black Dog Institute has released a set of
guidelines for integrated suicide-related crisis and follow-up care in emergency departments and other acute settings. The guidelines were developed as part of the LifeSpan systems approach to suicide prevention, with the input of health care professionals and people with lived experience of suicide.
HealthyConnectedCapeCod.org
- BCHumanServices.net - highlights community announcements, updates from regional partners, and Department reports and publications
- Behavioral Health Portal - features mental health and substance abuse information, state and federal legislation, self-help guides, and a robust directory of services
- Health and Wellness Portal - provides an overview of health data about our region, including County health rankings, and model practices
- Human Services e-Newsletter - spotlights regional events and pertinent news for our community
Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention (ICRC-S)
- Suicide & Bullying: Preventing Suicide Through Collaborative Upstream InterventionsThis was the sixth webinar of the ICRC-S 2018 webinar series. In this webinar, Marci Feldman Hertz, MS, of the Division of Analysis, Research, and Practice Integration at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed research on the relationship between bullying and suicide. Her presentation explored youth risk and protective factors that might increase or decrease the risk for bullying involvement or suicide across several socio-ecological levels. She also reviewed specific strategies that schools and youth-serving organizations can implement to increase protective factors for youth. Particular emphasis was given to increasing school connectedness as part of a multi-tiered strategy. Patricia Agatston, PhD, LPC, Counselor and Prevention Specialist with the Cobb County School District's Prevention/Intervention Center presented on the history of the district's Prevention/Intervention Center as a comprehensive crisis intervention and prevention approach to student suicides. She also provided an overview of district strategies to prevent suicide and bullying through various evidence-based interventions and programs, and the role of community collaboration to support and expand school-based prevention efforts. Watch the archive and view the slides
- The Relationship between Suicide and Opioid Abuse
In this online presentation, the third in the ICRC-S 2018 webinar series, Lisham Ashrafioun PhD, of the University of Rochester and VA Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, discussed research on the interaction between pain and substance use, how this association may influence patients' experience of pain, substance use behaviors, and suicide risk, and the development of interventions to identify and treat patients at high-risk of pain and substance use disorders. Katie Marks, PhD, of the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities and Project Director for the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort, discussed Kentucky's strategy of using the bridge clinic model and peer support specialists within emergency departments to integrate screening and initiation of treatment for individuals recovering from an opioid overdose, and how these methods were integrated into hospital workflows.
Watch the archive and view the slides
"Into the Light" Mass for Those Affected by Suicide
Date: September 9, 2018 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: St. Anthony Shrine and Ministry Center, 100 Arch Street, Boston, MA
No registration necessary.
Please come early to include the name of your Loved One
in our special recognition.
Learn to Cope
Learn to Cope is a support group for parents, family members, spouses, and caregivers who have a family member who is addicted to opiates, alcohol, or other drugs. Learn to Cope offers experienced facilitators, resources, informational material, guest speakers (in long term recovery or professionals in the field), overdose education, and Narcan enrollment at all weekly meetings. Meeting schedule: Tuesdays from 7:00pm - 8:30pm at the Yarmouth Police Station, One Brad Erickson Way, Yarmouth, MA. For more information, call 508-738-5148 or visit
Man Enough
Man Enough is a disruptive social movement ignited by a dinner conversation series that explores the heart of traditional masculinity in America.
Man Enough is a unique space where men, no matter their race, creed, sexual orientation and identity, political stance or socio-economic status can come together to express their thoughts and feelings freely - something men have been socialized to cut off in America.
Man Enough invites all men to challenge the unwritten rules of traditional masculinity that have caused us to disconnect from one another, created the foundation of men's violence against women and prevented us from taking the long journey from our heads to our hearts.
Let's hold ourselves and each other accountable to consciously taking part in this conversation, listening even when it gets uncomfortable, and making real changes in our lives to be better men tomorrow than we are today.
You are Man Enough.
Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline
800-327-5050
Services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 10:00pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am - 5:00pm. Language interpreters are always available. For online service and more information click here.
Mental Health First Aid USA Team
To address mental health and substance use in school settings, our #BeTheDifference focus this month is Back-to-School: Why Mental Health Matters at School.
Here are 5 ways you can #BeTheDifference this back-to-school season:
- Join a conversation. On Thursday, August 16th from 2-3 p.m. ET, we're hosting a #BeTheDifference Twitter chat, Mental Health in Schools: Your Back-to-School Toolkit. To join the chat, follow @MHFirstAidUSA and use the hashtag #BeTheDifference in your responses.
- Share information. We've created a series of youth- and school-related infographics to share on social media over the course of the month. Check them out and share them to inform your networks, too!
-
Keep an eye out.
TEASER ALERT: we're working on a powerful new video on why Youth Mental Health First Aid is so important. Look for more information on that in the coming weeks, and keep your eye out for the hashtag, #SaidNoTeenEver.
-
Get trained.
If you're already trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid - awesome! If not, look for a course in your area and equip yourself with the tools necessary to recognize and respond to a young person facing a mental health or substance use challenge.
-
National Recovery Month
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ( SAMHSA) is holding its annual
Recovery Month in September to increase awareness of mental and substance use disorders and to celebrate those in recovery. This year's theme is "Join the Voices for Recovery: Invest in Health, Home, Purpose, and Community."
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 2017 State Reports
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ( Lifeline) has released its 2017 National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (
NASMHPD) commissioner
reports. These reports include data on calls to Lifeline crisis centers in U.S. states and territories from January to June 2017, five-year call volume trends, and the proportion of calls received by in-state crisis centers.
National Weekend of Prayer for Faith, Hope and Life
Date: September 7-9, 2018
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention's National Weekend of Prayer for Faith, Hope and Life is an annual event around World Suicide Prevention Day. On this weekend, faith communities all around the country pledge to join in prayer for those who have been touched by suicide, those who are dealing with mental health concerns and feelings of hopelessness, and for the people who love and care for them. The National Weekend of Prayer for Faith, Hope and Life is one aspect of the Faith.Hope.Life Campaign. Check out the brief promotional video (
https://goo.gl/fktuv3). Learn more about this annual event at
www.PrayFaithHopeLife.org and consider pledging to participate.
The Niteo Program assists students living with serious mental health challenges to develop the health, resiliency skills, and support they need to reengage successfully at college and complete higher education. Students work with college coaches who provide intensive coordination and planning to assist students in returning to college, focusing on cognitive remediation, mindfulness, stress-hardiness, wellness, management, social connectedness, and academic skills.
What Niteo Provides: One Semester (September - December or January - April) of individualized mental health coaching and two days of classes per week. One additional semester of follow-along services to ensure successful school reentry and coordination of on-campus services. Individualized, intensive coaching and assistance to aid students with the integration of necessary treatment and academic resources.
The Niteo Program is located at Boston University and is a nonresidential program open to any student on leave from college or graduate school. To apply, complete a Student Application, which includes a Medical & Psychiatric Information Form, then fax or email to Courtney Joly-Lowdermilk at 617-353-7700 or cjoly@bu.edu.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program
MCHB is pleased to announce a new notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program. The purpose of this program is to promote behavioral health integration in pediatric primary care by supporting the development of new or the improvement of existing statewide or regional pediatric mental health care telehealth access programs, thereby facilitating access to and availability of telehealth (including by telephone) psychiatric consultation and care coordination to pediatricians and other pediatric primary care providers.
The program also will provide training and education on the use of evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate telehealth protocols to support the treatment of children and adolescents with behavioral disorders. The program will support telehealth consultation with a pediatric behavioral health clinician on the team and referral to a local pediatric behavioral health provider, to the extent possible.
This program will serve as a resource for pediatric primary care providers serving children and adolescents, including, but not limited to, pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and case coordinators.
To access the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), please go to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=305136.
Older Veteran Behavioral Health Resource Inventory
The
Older Veteran Behavioral Health Resource Inventory
provides an overview of resources for health and social service professionals interested in enhancing their outreach and support for older veterans who have or are at risk for behavioral health conditions.
The inventory, as well as other useful resources for professionals working with veterans, are available through the VA Community Provider Toolkit.
This resource was created as part of a partnership on meeting the mental health needs of aging Veterans. This partnership included the:
- Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA)
- Administration for Community Living (ACL)
- Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Office of Minority Health (OMH)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- National Council on Aging (NCOA)
Parents Supporting Parents
Parents Supporting Parents is a group of people who have come together as parents and family members coping and dealing with children/loved one's addiction. Their mission is to support, strengthen and educate one another as they share their lives. Their goal is to help their loved ones find and live in recovery, and for all members to live a healthy lifestyle. Meeting schedule: Mondays from 6:30pm -8:30pm at the Mashpee Chamber of Commerce, 5 Bates Road, Mashpee, MA. To learn more about Parents Supporting Parents, visit their
Facebook page.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers Training
Dates: Mondays September 10th - October 22, 2018 from 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Location: North Shore Elder Services, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 200, Danvers, MA 01923
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six part educational series designed to assist those who are caring for a relative or friend. Whether you are helping a parent, spouse, friend, or someone who lives at home, in a nursing home, or across the country, this program will provide you need to:
- Reduce stress and relax.
- Communicate effectively with other family members, doctors, or service providers.
- Reduce guilt, anger, and depression.
- Make tough decisions.
- Set goals and problem solve.
Note: This program does not focus on specific diseases or hands-on personal care training.
Cost: $10.00 refundable registration fee (upon completion of program)
Recommended Standard Care for People with Suicide Risk
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (Action Alliance) has released a new report, Recommended Standard Care for People with Suicide Risk: Making Health Care Suicide Safe. It includes the first-ever recommendations on suicide-related standard care for primary care, behavioral health care, and emergency department settings. Since the majority (64 percent) of people who attempt suicide visit a doctor in the month before their attempt, it is essential that people who are at risk for suicide receive timely access to treatments and other health care services that are known to be effective in reducing suicide risk. The new recommendations present feasible, practical, evidence-based actions that health care organizations can adopt immediately.
Recovery to Practice eLearning Course on Integrated Practice
The Recovery to Practice eLearning Course on Integrated Practice provides an overview of how to become an integrated practice team. Learn how to work effectively and improve support to people receiving services and their families. With an entire section dedicated to
health literacy,
this course will help your team improve communication and frame care around recovery, resiliency, and shared decision-making with the people they serve.
Learners will meet a new integrated practice team and hear about their experiences. Team members include a
- Physician
- Nurse
- Social worker
- Peer specialist
- Psychologist
- Housing specialist
This course is relevant for any member of a current or future integrated care team, team leaders and administrators. It is useful for academic settings as well as professional development and new-staff orientation.
Launch Course Modules
RISING SUN Toolkit
The National Institute of Mental Health (
NIMH) has released the
RISING SUN Toolkit to help measure the effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts in rural and tribal communities. NIMH developed the toolkit in collaboration with the Mental Health Innovation Network (
MHN) and other federal partners.
Seeking Participants of Self-Care Video Project
Asian Women for Health is working with Nikita Sampath, a multimedia journalist to produce a short video on Self Care within the Pan-Asian community.
The goal of the project is to
- Spread awareness on the existing ideas of self care and traditional medicine within the Pan-Asian community, and
- To bring awareness to the Pan-Asian and larger communities regarding the importance of practicing self care
Toward the same, we are looking for volunteers to answer simple questions on their ideas of self care. We are also looking for expert opinions on
- The ideas of mind, body, spirit connection and the traditional approach to health
- Preventive-care as a form of self care and Asian attitudes towards it
- The importance of self care and what happens when it is not present
Any questions regarding the project can be addressed to Nikita Sampath at nikita.v.sampath@gmail.com.
Social Work Therapy Referral Service
The Social Work Therapy Referral Service is a free, confidential telephone referral service and therapist finder in Massachusetts. We provide professional, personalized counseling referrals matched for location, specialty and insurance or fee requirements.
We'll help you find a skilled individual, family, or group therapist in Massachusetts--and we'll continue to work with you until you find the right match. We take the guesswork out of finding a therapist in MA!
For more information,
click here.
Substance Use Disorders in the Zero Suicide Framework
The Zero Suicide webinar titled Substance Use Disorders in the Zero Suicide Framework is now available on the Zero Suicide website via the following link: Zero Suicide Webinars
Survey on Workplace Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention ( AFSP), National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (
Action Alliance), and United Suicide Survivors International (
US) have launched a
survey on workplace suicide prevention. Responses will help inform the development of national guidelines and will be kept confidential.
Timelines of Death Certificate Data for Suicides
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report on the timeliness of death certificate data for suicides. It evaluates the lag time between the week a suicide occurred and the week when information on the death certificate became available for the National Center for Health Statistics mortality surveillance program.
Trauma, Hoarding and Home Safety: Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Interventions for Older Adults Webinar
August 9, 2018 from 1:00pm - 2:15pm ET
Webinar attendees will learn about the relationship between trauma and hoarding, as well as the unique issues that older adults who have experienced trauma face in terms of home safety and hoarding. It will address how to determine the difference between a cluttered home and a hoarding situation, and what case managers should do when they encounter an older adult living in unsafe condition. The webinar will address ways to ensure that the homes of older adults who have experienced trauma are safe in a person-centered, trauma-informed way. It will highlight inexpensive changes that can be made in terms of products available and teachable techniques. Finally, it will cover what to tell occupational therapists, contractors, and mental health service providers who specialize in hoarding about older adults who have experienced trauma, so they are prepared to work with your clients.
VA Resources
Click here to view a list of VA programs, services and resources that help support veterans, service members, and their families.
Veteran Suicide Data: 2015 Update
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a
report on its most recent analysis of veteran suicide data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia from 2005 to 2015. The data show that the average number of veterans who died by suicide each day remained unchanged at 20. The suicide rate was higher among veterans who had not recently used Veterans Health Administration health care services than among those who had. The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (
Action Alliance) has released a
statement on the report highlighting the importance of community-based approaches to preventing veteran suicide.
Youth Health Connection Mental Health Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2018 from 8:00am - 9:30am
Guest: Staff from William James College Interface Referral Services
Location: South Shore VNA, 30 Reservoir Park Drive, Rockland, MA 02370
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Thank you for reading. Be on the lookout for the September 2018 email.
Sincerely,
Brandy Brooks
Massachusetts Department of Public Health |
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