Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? This is an opportunity to look at the state of mental healthcare in the United States to identify trends and areas for improvement. Despite Increased Demand, Behavioral Health Services Cut Back Demand for behavioral health services has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new report…
New guidelines from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) will make it easier for health providers to prescribe buprenorphine for addiction treatment. As the U.S. faces an increase in drug overdose-related deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, this change will help more patients gain access to necessary treatment, and expand the number of providers…
Physical and mental health depends on a lot of different factors. Behaviors like diet and smoking status can affect our health, as well as uncontrollable factors, like genetics. Even our environments and income levels can affect health outcomes. That’s the idea behind social determinants of health (SDOH), which include conditions related to where we live…
There are a lot of changes happening in Texas that could have significant implications for behavioral health. Here are some of the big mental-health stories impacting the Lone Star State. Biden Administration Rescinds Changes to Texas 1115 Waiver The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has rescinded an approval to extend…
Mental health symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus pandemic could last months or years longer than the pandemic itself. Specifically, many individuals and families may seek out therapy to help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, severe anxiety, flashbacks, or uncontrolled thoughts about a traumatic incident. If the symptoms get worse,…
“Polyvagal Theory” describes a group of ideas related to the role of the vagus nerve in human psychology. According to this theory, the vagus nerve serves an important role in emotional regulation, social behavior, and fear response. Stephen Porges, director of the Brain-Body Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, first introduced Polyvagal Theory…
Spring is finally here, bringing longer days, warmer temperatures, and new growth. As a behavioral health provider, this is the perfect time for you to encourage your clients to enjoy the benefits of green space. Green Health Benefits An increasing body of research shows that green spaces and nature can be a vital part of…
Each U.S. state is facing unique challenges in behavioral health, from substance abuse to the mental health effects of the pandemic response. Here’s a look at a few of the biggest behavioral health and addiction concerns in Utah, and how the state’s healthcare leaders are addressing them. Expanding Mental Health Services in Rural Utah The…
Do the foods we eat influence our mental health? That’s the idea behind nutritional psychology, also called nutritional psychiatry. Support for Nutritional Psychology Studies suggest there is, indeed, a connection between food and mental health. After all, our brains require food for fuel, just like any other organ. It makes sense that the kind of…
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. Much of the funding in this act is related to COVID-19 relief, such as vaccine distribution, unemployment assistance, lending to small businesses and organizations, and expanded testing. However, a portion of the spending bill is also related…