Mental Health

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The Irish Mental Health Hotline Answering Machine

The Irish Mental Health Hotline Answering Machine.

Depression

Video from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of depression.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder? (Mental Health Guru)

Learn how body issues can become big problems, in this guide to understanding body image disorder. mental.healthguru.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Psychiatrist vs Psychologist (Mental Health Guru)

A psychiatrist is concerned with prescribing medication for mental illnesses, while a psychologist provides therapy only. Learn more about psychology doctors. mental.healthguru.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

3 Types of Eating Disorders (Mental Health Guru)

As many as eleven million Americans suffer from some type of eating disorder. Learn more. mental.healthguru.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

What is Adjustment Disorder? (Mental Health Guru)

Coping with change can be hard, and for some people, the stress and despair of managing change can be debilitating. mental.healthguru.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

What Happens During a Manic Episode? (Mental Health Guru)

Bipolar Disorder is a complex mood disorder characterized by dramatic mood swings between poles of mania and depression. mental.healthguru.com

Addiction Symptoms (Mental Health Guru)

Find out how doctors diagnose addiction, and learn more about what you can do if you, or someone you know, is struggling with addiction. mental.healthguru.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Chato Stewart Stand Up For Mental Health Comic at the DBSA 2011 for Bipolar Disorder

blogs.psychcentral.com – DBSA 2011 conference Stand Up For Mental Health Comic Chato B Stewart. Yes, i wrote the Mental health joke my self and the Mental Illness jokes reflect my life living with Bipolar Disorder. I’m was so happy to “officially” be a participation in this year’s DBSA STAND-UP COMEDY WITH DAVID GRANIRER. David Granirer is a stand-up comic and founder of Stand Up for Mental Health. A consumer who lives with Depression, he is also a counselor, speaker, and author. All participants take his customized correspondent stand-up class via conference calls, e-mail, and Skype. This way when all us Newbies get up on stage, we won’t bomb too badly
Video Rating: 5 / 5

What is Synesthesia? (Mental Health Guru)

Synesthete’s experience at least two, or more, of the five senses at the same time! Learn more: mental.healthguru.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

What is Psychotic Depression? (Mental Health Guru)

People with psychotic depression experience paranoid hallucinations and delusions, involving irrational mental beliefs. mental.healthguru.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

A Closer Look At Mental Health

People are biological, social and psychological beings. All three aspects of people’s lives need to be well taken care of, but unfortunately, it is the psychological or mental aspect that people tend to take for granted. Unlike physical needs that are more apparent, the things that make a person mentally healthy are not usually on top of people’s concerns. This is quite ironic considering that poor mental health could actually cause a person to feel lazy even about the things that provide for his or her physical needs. Needless to say, mental health is also highly related to one’s social health so that belonging to a beneficial mental health community becomes important to any individual.

The psychological aspect of a person reflects one’s overall health and well-being. If one is mentally ill or unhealthy, the physical and social dimensions of one’s life are also inevitably affected. It is necessary to care for one’s mental health in order to live happy and fulfilling lives. As people are all exposed to daily stresses, challenges and problems brought about by work, relationships and various ways of living, it is indeed a challenge for everyone to promote a mentally healthy lifestyle, not merely as individuals but also as communities.

Among the many things that affect mental health, accidents, stress and traumatic experiences are those which cause people to be mentally unhealthy. People who are psychologically ill may sometimes take prescribed medicine for their treatment. However, everyone, whether diagnosed with a psychological illness or not, should help promote mental health by having a well-balanced life and a strong support system which may be realized by belonging to a mental health community that consists of families, friends, relatives and even neighbors who, by working together in certain activities would feel a sense of belongingness, responsibility, fulfillment and empowerment.

Mental health social networks are nonetheless useful in terms of helping one recover from mental disorders or illnesses and as well as helping an individual maintain psychologically healthy lifestyle. These networks are normally made up of people who at some point in their lives have also experienced some problems on their mental health, as well as some professionals who offer counseling and advice. A person that belongs to such a network becomes more informed by the exchange of ideas and experiences among members. It also serves as a channel for a person to express himself or herself to people who may be going through the same situation he or she is experiencing.

With the help of the internet, mental health social networks are no longer limited to people who live geographically close. Online communities and networking sites now offer help and support in the form of blogs, group emails and chat conversations for people who are interested in understanding themselves and their mental health better.

Just as anyone could have mental problems, anyone could also recover from a variety of mental illnesses. It is clear though that psychological or mental wellness is not something a person could achieve on his own, but rather something that a person could best achieve with the help of others.

Finding Credible Medical Surgical Equipment Suppliers

Many hospitals and clinics that resort to a medical supply company for their supplies often don’t know that the company is usually a manufacturer as well. There is a high demand and market for high quality surgical blades and scalpels and this is the reason why so many suppliers are turning to manufacturing and vice versa. There is a lot of money that can be made in the market, and those businesses that are able to take advantage of both the aspects of the supply and manufacturing process are successful in their endeavors.

Medical surgical equipment is distributed to a large variety of hospitals, private sectors, local clinics and other medical settings such as educational institutions as well. There has been a rise in disposable surgical tools to make operating rooms and surgical procedures a lot safer and faster for patients and doctors alike. Disposable products reduce the risk of contamination and infection that can hinder the recovery process of any patient’s surgery. Every state in the United States and provinces in Canada have a supplier or manufacturer of surgical equipment, instruments, supplies and other relevant tools. If you want to partner with a strong quality supplier, determine whether the company has a solid client base and whether they have won any industry awards to build to their credibility. Furthermore, look for the price range of their product offerings and compare them with competitors – just remember that at times you will have to pay a premium to receive the highest quality of products.

What the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Means for the Future of Mental Health Care

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed in March of this past year, and aims to improve all aspects of our country’s health services. One aspect that will be much-improved is the area of mental health care.

Insufficient coverage and a lack of programs that educate the public on mental illness have plagued the United States for quite some time. With the passage of the new law, a number of new provisions aim to change the public’s perception of mental illnesses and offer programs and other initiatives to help those who need mental health care. A few of those provisions include:

Improvements to Medicaid (including the expansion of eligibility) that will allow more people to experience the benefits of mental health services
Several new options for people with disabilities
Improve coordination and communication between primary care and mental health services
Much more…

Essentially, what this means is that, over time, individuals with mental illnesses will have access to health insurance that covers mental health and substance abuse services, giving people unprecedented help and cooperation from the government. Other services include prevention programs, new insurance plans for long-term community care, and more.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also aims to improve health services in the workplace. It specifies that starting in 2014, employers can offer bigger incentives for employees’ positive lifestyle practices or participation in health promotion programs. The PPACA also creates a grant program to assist small businesses to provide comprehensive workplace wellness programs. Grants will be awarded to eligible employers to provide their employees with access to new workplace wellness initiatives.

The grants will be awarded beginning in 2011 with 0 million appropriated for a five-year period. The PPACA spells out that a comprehensive workplace wellness program must be made available to all employees and include health awareness initiatives(including health education, preventive screenings, and health risk assessments) as well as supportive environment efforts (including workplace policies to encourage healthy lifestyles, healthy eating, increased physical activity, and improved mental health).

The improved workplace atmosphere when it comes to mental health awareness is particularly important, as knowledge about mental health is notoriously absent from workplace programs. It has been studied that employees are eager to become more understanding of mental illnesses and ways to treat them, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act aims to accomplish that.

Mental health services will be experiencing a major renovation with the government’s commitment to overall health care reform. Those with mental illnesses will find it easier to seek help and others will find much more information on mental illnesses to create a better understanding of how mental health services operate. By creating a more cohesive health care system for mental illnesses, our society will not only become more fluid in its operations, but more knowledgeable and, therefore, better for it.

Panic And Anxiety Disorders – Treatments For / Mental Health Video Documentary

Panic Disorder – Stories of Hope / Documentary Video; National Institutes of Health; National Institute of Mental Health; Panic Disorder: Stories of Hope AVA19710VNB1 – 1994; This 19-minute video documentary panic disorder, a serious yet often misunderstood mental illness, is useful for presentations at public and professional seminars and meetings. Introduced by TV personality Willard Scott, who himself has recovered from panic disorder. Producer: National Institutes of Health; Panic Disorder. What is Panic Disorder?; Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress. Signs & Symptoms: People with panic disorder have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. During a panic attack, most likely your heart will pound and you may feel sweaty, weak, faint, or dizzy. Your hands may tingle or feel numb, and you might feel flushed or chilled. You may have nausea, chest pain or smothering sensations, a sense of unreality, or fear of impending doom or loss of control. More about Signs & Symptoms: Treatment: Effective treatments for panic disorder are available, and research is yielding new, improved therapies that can help most people with panic disorder and other anxiety disorders lead productive, fulfilling lives. Panic Disorder is a serious condition that …
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Mental Health Liberation and Anti-Psychiatry Movement Part 2

Mental Health Liberation and Anti-Psychiatry Movement Dr. John Breeding, Ph.D. Psychologist talks about the mental health liberation movement, the anti-psychiatry movement, the movement against psychiatric oppression. Sometimes seen as antipsych or antipsychiary or anti-biological psychiatry. This is a movement made up mostly of ex-mental health consumers and the family members of ex-mental health consumers who feel they have been damaged by psychiatry. These people refer to themselves as psychiatric survivors. There are also several medical and mental health professionals that reject the belief system of biological psychiatry Links The Coalition for the Abolition of Electroshock in Texas www.endofshock.com Able Child Parents for Label and Drug Free Eduction http Law Project for Psychiatric Rights www.psychrights.org MindFreedom International http ECT dot org The Committee for Truth in Psychiatry www.ect.org Psychiatrist Peter Breggin’s website http International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology www.icspp.org International Coalition for Drug Awareness Ann Blake Tracy http Citizen’s Commission on Human Rights International www.cchr.org Al Siebert’s website http Chipmunka Publishing (specializes in books by psychiatric survivors) chipmunkapublishing.co.uk Visit Dr. Breedings website. http This video was produced by psychetruth. www.youtube.com www.livevideo.com www.myspace.com A better quality full length version of this video can be found on livevideo.com …
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Tips to Recover From Your Mental Health

Most of us suffer from mental health problems, though in varying degrees. Although mental ill-health affects so many people, there is still no proper definition as to what mental health problems are and what methods are needed to recover. It is reported that at least 1 in 10 young people and around 1 in 4 adults experience mental health problem at some time in their lives. Mental health can mean a wide range of symptoms and disorders – like depression, anxiety, self-harm, violent tendencies, schizophrenia and various types of mania. The mental health problems can develop at any time in one’s life and each person’s experience can be unique and can last from several weeks to even a lifetime.

People suffering from mental ill-health will think, feel or behave abnormally. This can be confusing not only for them but can affect their relationships, their work or education, and their social life. Having a mental health problem can create difficulties for all family members, friends, and the people they interact with. Mental health problems are usually caused by a variety of factors including breakdown in a relationship, death of a family member or a close friend, bullying, abuse, divorce, separation from parents or loved ones, stress born of a person’s current situation. Mental health can happen suddenly without prior indications or get built up over time.

When people first begin to experience mental health difficulties they may not be able to fathom what is happening. In several instances, people tend to deny that anything is wrong with them or even suppress information. Their reasons for doing this could be embarrassment, a sense of shame or fear of other people’s reactions. There is no denying the fact that mental health results in social stigma. Please remember that there is a lot of support available to help people recover from mental health problems – in terms of counseling, therapy, medication and treatment in hospital. Different treatments are recommended for different types of mental illnesses. With the right support, the majority of people with mental health problems will surely recover.

Mental health saps your energy, hope, ambition and drive, sometimes making it difficult to do even the normal day-to-day activities. Although overcoming depression may not be quick or easy, it certainly is not impossible. Feeling completely better may take time, but you can get there if you make positive choices for yourself each day and draw on the support of your loved ones. Recovering from depression calls for positive action but taking action when you’re depressed is hard. Some simple things you need to do are physical exercise, eating right food and rating regularly, sleeping at least for six hours, going out for walks in open areas, interacting with loved ones, avoiding loneliness, refusing to think negatively etc. . You probably already know that these things will help you overcome depression but following these rules are not easy when you are depressed. This is the Catch-22 situation of depression recovery. The symptoms of depression such as fatigue, despondency, incoherent thinking, and low self-esteem make it difficult to take the necessary steps to recovery. A realistic recovery plan therefore involves taking responsibility for the choices and changes you do have control over and avoiding the things you cannot control.

All forms of mental illnesses are treatable if the patient receives competent professional care. Psychologists are among the licensed and highly trained mental health providers with years of experience studying depression and helping patients recover from it. Unfortunately, there is some social stigma associated with seeking help for emotional and mental health problems as feelings of depression often are viewed as a sign of weakness rather than as a signal that something is out of balance. Persons suffering from mental health who do not seek help suffer needlessly. Unexpressed feelings and concerns accompanied by a sense of isolation can worsen mental health. The importance of obtaining timely professional health care is the need of the only answer for mental maladies.

Mental Health Care Coverage in Minnesota: Supplementing Federal Healthcare Reform

In 2007, the governor of Minnesota proposed a mental health initiative and the legislature passed it. One of the more important components of the initiative was legislation amending Minnesota’s two programs for the uninsured – General Assistance Medical Care and Minnesota Care – to add to the comprehensive mental health and addictions benefit.

Who Is Covered?

General Assistance Medical Care covers those with income at or below 75% of the federal poverty level who meet one or more of additional criteria known as General Assistance Medical Care qualifiers. Qualifiers include waiting or appealing disability determination by Social Security Administration or state medical review team; or being in a homeless or live in shelter, hotel, or other place of public accommodation.

Minnesota Care covers children and pregnant women, parents, and caretakers up to 275% of the federal poverty level, except that parents and caretakers gross income cannot exceed ,000. Single adults without children increased to 200% of federal poverty level by January 1, 2008 and will rise to 215% of federal poverty level by January 1, 2009.

What Services Are Covered?

For Minnesota Care, there are limits of ,000 on inpatient care for any condition (physical, mental health, or addictions) for parents over 175% of federal poverty level and childless adults. For General Assistance Medical Care, inpatient benefits are fully covered. Both programs cover chemical dependency outpatient services. An intensive array of outpatient and residential mental health services are available.

What Is The Cost?

In Minnesota, the Medicaid Temporary Assistance for Needy Families population, General Assistance Medical Care and Minnesota Care are enrolled in comprehensive nonprofit health plans that are responsible to deliver and are at risk for the entire health benefit, including behavioral health. Adding mental health rehabilitative services (including adult rehabilitative mental health services individual and group rehabilitation services, assertive community treatment, intensive residential treatment and mobile and residential crisis services) to Minnesota Care was projected to cost .40 per person per month. For General Assistance Medical Care, which includes a homeless population, the cost was .01 per person per month. The additional targeted case management service was projected to cost .22 per person per month for Minnesota Care and .66 for General Assistance Medical Care.

The legislature appropriated a total of million in additional state dollars in fiscal year 2008 and $ 3.5 million in fiscal year 2009 to add the adult rehabilitative services and case management in Minnesota Care. State funds previously targeted for case management were moved from the counties to the state in an amount of .4 million in fiscal year 2009.

What Led To Comprehensive Coverage?

The state collected data on the residents served by Minnesota Care, General Assistance Medical Care, and Medicaid managed care plans serving non-disabled populations, and discovered that an increasing number of individuals with serious mental illnesses were in these plans. Several insurance reforms – similar to those included in the national healthcare reform bill – modified the private market, including guaranteed issue in small and large group plans, broader rate bands, parity for mental health and chemical dependency services, medical loss ratios, high risk insurance pool, and others. A lawsuit by the attorney general called attention to health plan denials of payment for court-ordered treatment, for example for civil commitment or out of home placement for adolescents.

Health plans settled with an agreement that behavioral and mental health benefits would be covered by a health plan if the court based its decision on a diagnostic evaluation and plan of care developed by a qualified professional. In addition to the court-ordered services provision, the state contracts and capitation with prepaid health programs (Minnesota Care and General Assistance Medical Care) were amended to align risk and responsibility for services in institutions for mental illnesses, 180 days of nursing home or home health, and court-ordered treatment. There were also highly successful experiments reducing costs and improving outcomes for commercial and non-disabled Medicaid clients who were offered a more intensive community based mental health service that improved coordination with and linkages to behavioral healthcare, primary care, and other needed services.

These demonstrations produced a positive return on investment – .38/person/month – and gave the health plans tools to manage the increased risk that resulted from several insurance reforms, including parity, a statutory definition of medical necessity, and the court-ordered treatment provision.

The state supported comprehensive coverage because it sought to provide mental health and addiction services in Minnesota as part of mainstream healthcare. Minnesota’s mental health agency and other stakeholders desired to move mental illness from its historical treatment as a social disease requiring social services to an illness like any other. They wanted to foster earlier interventions and avoid shifting enrollees among different programs in order to access specific services. Operationalizing this change required rethinking medical necessity determinations, provider credentialing, contracting, procedure codes and other processes common to private insurance plans.

How Did It Get Through The Political Process?

Three factors significantly contributed to the political viability of a benefit expansion in the Minnesota Care and General Assistance Medical Care programs:

>> The governor of Minnesota and the administration provided strong leadership. The provisions to expand the mental health benefits in these plans were part of the governor’s mental health initiative, set forth in advance of the 2007 legislative session.

>> An extremely strong coalition of stakeholders formed a mental health action group. This group is co-chaired by a representative from the department of human services and included representation from the private insurance industry and organized and knowledgeable advocacy and provider communities.

>> There was strong support in the legislature for the expansion of benefits in Minnesota Care and General Assistance Medical Care, including from a member of the finance committee in the house, who has a son with schizophrenia. The creation of a mental health division in the health and human services policy committee also helped move the policy discussion forward.

Why Does This Approach to Healthcare Reform Work?

A recent survey of community behavioral health organizations found that on average, 42% of reimbursement for services came from private insurers. While this represents the average, the survey found that there was quite a range in reimbursement sources. For community behavioral health organizations that specialize in services such as Assertive Community Treatment or case management, Medicaid is the predominant reimbursement source, either through fee-for-service or managed care.

Reimbursement from private insurance and Medicaid managed care is uniformly better than Medicaid fee-for-service. In addition to higher rates, the private insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations have been willing to offer special contracts for packages of services for crisis care and hospital discharge plus aftercare.

Understanding the Importance of Mental Health First Aid

An event like the recent Arizona shooting tragedy makes us re-evaluate mental healthcare in the United States. Are we truly doing everything in our power to understand mental illness? Are there enough resources to provide that education?

Luckily, the development of Mental Health First Aid has been able to answer those questions with a confident “yes.” While there is still progress to be made, this program continues to gain support, thanks to its numerous benefits.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental Health First Aid consists of interactive sessions that introduce participants to warning signs and risk factors of mental illness, allowing them to build an understanding that leads to an overview of common treatments. Its an immersion into the world of mental health care and the various strategies that one can use to help those in need.

What exactly is the importance of a program like Mental Health First Aid?

For those looking to get involved in the Mental Health First Aid courses, here are just a few of the benefits:

Gives you a chance to help others
There is a greater likelihood that you will advise people to seek professional help
Improved concordance with health professionals about treatments
Stigmatizing attitudes regarding mental illness and mental health care will decrease

Naturally, these are just a few of the many benefits, but those who are trained in Mental Health First Aid courses will find themselves with a more complete outlook on mental illness.

The success of Mental Health First Aid does have a strong evidence base. After four detailed studies, nearly a dozen journal articles, and multiple studies, there is proof that a program such as this is having a positive impact on the public. People are looking for avenues to learn more about mental illness, and this program continues to provide that information.

The program now exists in 14 countries, and it continues to grow. It is obvious that the public is clamoring for opportunities like this – educational programs that provide opportunities to help those in need. It is the hope of national mental health care organizations that something like Mental Health First Aid can eventually become as common as CPR and First Aid. Only then will the stigma surrounding mental illness dissolve into a united desire to understand these issues and develop effective solutions.

Courses for this program can be found all over the country, allowing providers to improve mental health care in a wide variety of communities.

Current Addictions and Mental Health Resources

Anyone can have a mental illness, regardless of age, gender, race, or income. Mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or AIDS. It is believed that one in five adults and children has a diagnosable mental disorder, one in every 10 young people age 9 or older has a serious emotional disturbance that severely disrupts daily life.and one in four families will have a member with mental illness. Children who develop depression often have a family history of the illness, many times a parent who had depression at an early age. Untreated mental health problems can lead to suicide, which is the sixth leading cause of death for 5- to 14-year olds. An estimated two-thirds of all young people with mental health problems are not getting the help they need.It is important to remember that mental illness occurs at any age, but most often appears for the first time between the ages of 25 and 44. With proper treatment, most people suffering from a mental illness can return to normal, productive lives, and almost everyone receives some benefit from treatment.

The causes of mental illness are complicated. Mental health disorders in children and adolescents are caused mostly by biology and environment. Examples of biological causes are genetics, chemical imbalances in the body caused by genetics, lack of sleep or poor nutrition, or damage to the central nervous system, such as a head injury, lack of oxygen in child birth and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Many environmental factors also put young people at risk for developing mental health disorders. Examples including exposure to environmental toxins, such as high levels of lead; exposure to violence, such as witnessing or being the victim of physical or sexual abuse, drive-by shootings, muggings, or other disasters; stress related to chronic poverty, discrimination, or other serious hardships; and the loss of important people through death,divorce, or broken relationships.

The following six preventive services are recommended and can be carried out in a clinic, church, library or local community center:

1. Prenatal and infancy home visits or support groups.

2. Targeted cessation education and counseling for smokers, especially those who are pregnant.

3. Targeted short-term mental health therapy.

4. Self-care education for adults (money management, relationship skills, stress management).

5. Mentoring and adult supervised after-school and weekend programs

6. Brief counseling and advice to reduce alcohol use.

Over the years I have found that finding good information is kind of like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The following links will take you to addictions and mental health sites that have the most current and useful information for addictions counselors, rehabilitation counselors, mental health clinicians, nurses and (of course) program administrators. All of the resources are FREE so you can order copies for your colleagues and/or staff!

Clinical Preventive Services in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Update: From Science to Services http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA04-3906/ This report has been prepared to summarize the most promising preventive interventions of a behavioral nature intended to impact mental and substance use disorders, or in some cases, medical outcomes. This review focuses on prevention interventions that are primarily delivered by health care systems. Interventions provided in schools, worksites, communities, and criminal justice systems were excluded, as were population-based interventions.Clinical

Preventive Services in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Update: From Science to Services Special Report: Preventive Interventions Under Managed Care: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA00-3437/SMA00-3437ch1.asp Programs and services that prevent substance abuse and mental health disorders have the potential to lessen an enormous burden of suffering and to reduce both the cost of future treatment and lost productivity at work and home. The availability and accessibility of these interventions to the millions of Americans whose health care is provided by managed care organizations depend upon the services’ status as covered benefits.

Get Connected! Toolkit (Linking Older Adults With Medication, Alcohol, and Mental Health Resources) http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=16523 Alcohol, medication misuse, and mental health problems can be significant issues for older adults. This kit is designed to enable their service providers to undertake health promotion, advance prevention messages and education, and provide screening and referral for mental health problems and the misuse of alcohol and medications. The kit includes a coordinator’s guide and program support materials such as education curricula, fact sheets, handouts, forms, and resources.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): The Basics (CD Rom) http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17296 This mini CD—consisting of slides and accompanying notes—provides the latest and most accurate information on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or FASD. The CD includes essential facts on what FASD is, how it’s caused, how many people have it, and much more.

Quick Guide for Clinicians Based on TIP 47, Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17615 This pocket-sized booklet concisely presents information from TIP 47, including the principles of intensive outpatient treatment (IOT), the services offered, treatment engagement, clinical issues and challenges, and the approaches used in IOT.

TIP 46: Substance Abuse: Administrative Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17440 This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP), Substance Abuse: Administrative Issues in Outpatient Treatment, was written to help administrators address the changing environment in which outpatient treatment programs operate. The TIP provides basic information about running an outpatient treatment program, including strategic planning, working with a board of directors, relationships with strategic partners, hiring and retaining employees, staff supervision, continuing education and training, performance improvement, outcomes monitoring, and promotion of the program to potential clients, funding agencies, and government officials. More specialized sections address challenges that have emerged and gathered importance in the last decade: preparing a program to provide culturally competent treatment to an increasingly diverse client population and succeeding in a managed care-dominated world by diversifying the funding sources a program draws on.

TIP 45, Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17398 TIP 45 provides lists and tables related to such topics as initial evaluation domains for clients in detoxification, guidance on assessment and rehabilitation planning, and the management of intoxication and withdrawal from specific substances or substance groups such as alcohol, marijuana, stimulants, and opioids.

TIP 44: Substance Abuse Treatment for Adults in the Criminal Justice System http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17183 Research consistently demonstrates a strong connection between criminal activity and substance abuse; research also finds that involvement in substance abuse treatment reduces recidivism for offenders who use drugs. This TIP presents clinical guidelines to assist counselors in dealing with problems that routinely arise because of their clients’ status in the criminal justice system.

Good resources for teachers and parents regarding mental health and addictions can also be hard to come by. Additionally, many parents have a hard time sticking with programs because day-to-day things come up—working late, homework whatever. It is often more effective to use these materials in a group setting. Not only does it allow the parents and children to spend time together, but families can provide social support to one another. The following FREE resources are available for order and/or download and can be easily used in a classroom, homeschool or church setting.

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior – Science of Addiction http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17602 (As seen on HBO’s Addiction: Communities Take Action) This landmark publication provides scientific information about the disease of drug addiction, including the many harmful consequences of drug abuse and the basic approaches that have been developed to prevent and treat the disease, and aims to increase understanding of the basics of addiction to help people make informed choices in their own lives, adopt science-based policies and programs that reduce drug abuse and addiction in their communities, and support scientific research that improves the Nation’s well-being.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Future Family Guide http://media.shs.net/bblocks/ParentGuideLong.pdf

The Building Blocks Family Guide contains ideas for fun activities and discussion starters for you and your children, as well as advice and guidance on topics such as active listening, rule making, and being a good role model. It also can be used to guide you through the rest of the Building Blocks materials with your