BestNotes is dedicated to serving behavioral health and addiction treatment providers across the United States. Here’s a look at some of the major news stories that could impact behavioral health organizations in Idaho.
Statewide Mental Health Resources Available for Idaho Teachers
Teaching can be stressful at the best of times, but especially during a pandemic when educators are adapting to new teaching models, following additional safety measures, serving students’ emotional needs, and addressing their own health concerns. All that stress can create mental health issues like anxiety and depression, so school districts around Idaho are offering a variety of programs and resources for teachers in need.
Resources for teachers across the state include:
At the Nampa School District, teachers in many buildings have access to on-site staff counseling from outside vendors through the Employee Assistance Program.
Idaho Strong, an initiative from the state Department of Health and Welfare, offers emotional support, connection to resources, resilience skills, and education for Idahoans struggling mentally or emotionally with the pandemic.
The Boise School District offers a “Virtual Peace Room,” where students and families can find resources to help manage emotions during this period.
Northwest U.S. Sees Higher Death Count Not From COVID-19
Thousands more individuals in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington state have died in 2020 compared to a typical year, but many of those deaths are not from COVID-19. Idaho alone has seen about 1,100 more deaths than a normal year, according to preliminary federal and state data, a 13 percent increase for Idaho.
While some deaths may be unrecognized COVID-19 deaths, other deaths are due to an increased rate of suicides and drug overdoses. Increased death rates can be attributed in part to increased loneliness and isolation. They may also be caused by delayed care due to halts on many types of medical care, fears of exposure to the virus in the emergency room, as well as the loss of health insurance due to job layoffs and financial difficulties.
Boise Chief Acknowledges Law Enforcement Policy Gaps
After six months in the role, Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee has found several improvement opportunities for the city’s police department policy. Speaking at a work session of the Boise City Council, Lee noted that there are areas that do not “reflect national best practice.” Steps to correct these policy gaps include:
Officers who have not already had 40 hours of crisis intervention training are scheduled to complete that training.
In December, officers will undergo an updated implicit bias training.
The Boise Police Department is working to create another two-member behavioral health response team to respond to calls involving mental health crises.
Between the COVID-19 pandemic and an increased demand for services, behavioral health and addiction treatment providers in Idaho face enormous challenges. It’s time for an EHR designed specifically for your needs. Whether you are conducting telehealth visits, reporting outcomes to regulating agencies, following up with clients, billing payers, or marketing your services, BestNotes helps you streamline your workflow to increase your efficiency, profitability, and client success. Contact us today to learn more about our solutions.
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