Member Spotlight: POTOMAC CENTER
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Potomac Center from Pikewood Creative Projects on Vimeo.
MoreWV Behavioral Health Providers Association Statement on Mental Health and Gun Violence
Although it is common for there to be a discourse related to the causal impact of mental illness after media reports of gun violence, particularly those involving mass shootings, the relationship is not that clear. Questions often arise as to what can be done to better predict and prevent such atrocities. While public perception may suggest that a large percentage of mass shootings are carried out by individuals who are mentally ill, the link between mental illness and gun violence is complex (1).
In reality, there is little population-level evidence to support the assertion that individuals diagnosed with mental illness are any more likely to commit a gun crime than the general population. A number of the most common psychiatric diagnoses, including depressive, anxiety, and attention-deficit disorders, have no correlation with violence (2). Some studies have also shown that serious mental illness without substance abuse is also statistically unrelated to community violence (3). It is more likely that mass shootings represent anecdotal distortions rather than representations of the violent tendencies of those with mental illness. Consider the following statistics.
Given this information, we know that it is not helpful to draw broad generalizations related to people diagnosed with mental illness and gun violence. In particular, mass shootings represent statistical aberrations that reveal very little about population-level events. There are, however some specific risk factors that correlate with gun violence. Alcohol and drug use increase the risk of violent crime as much as 7-fold (11). A history of childhood abuse, binge drinking, and male gender are predictive
risk factors for serious violence (12). Given this information, we should focus more on assessing and intervening based on specific correlates with violent behavior rather than broad generalizations of “dangerousness” relative to those diagnosed with mental illness.
It should be noted that the specific risk factors may be different for different types of violence, settings, and populations (13). However, there are some primary predictors of violence that have been identified among people with mental illness (14). These include:
Other indicators of potential violence in those with a diagnosis of mental illness include:
The primary concern in minimizing the likelihood that a violent act may be carried out by an individual diagnosed with mental illness is access to and engagement in adequate assessment and treatment services. It is estimated that 4 million Americans experience symptoms related to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and about 50{e1be1af54d26799a927a8d0af76a8bbbfd7aef18e4219abc8118a5384db66cb5} (~2 million) of these individuals are not receiving treatment (14).
A critical component of the assessment process includes a violence risk assessment and if warranted, an individualized safety plan. The violence risk assessment should include assessment of ideation, plan, intent, access to means, history of violent behavior, current level of substance use, level of social support, feelings of hopelessness, level of impulse control, and history of treatment compliance.
Rather than a generic “contract for safety”, mental health professionals should assist in the development of an individualized safety plan. This plan should indicate specific warning signs a crisis may be developing, individualized coping methods, list of available social supports, steps taken to limit access to means and make the environment safe, and emergency contact procedures.
Beyond the initial assessment phase the information presented also highlights the importance of engaging those with severe and persistent mental illness in treatment, not only for the psychiatric disorders, but also for substance use issues. Evidenced-based programs such as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and intensive case management have the ability to target many of the primary risk factors outlined.
References:
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http://www.transformingstigma.com/
BEAVER, W.Va. – At an anti-drug community forum he organized in Beaver on Wednesday evening, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) announced that West Virginia has been chosen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to receive more than $1 million over the next three years for the development of an anti-drug abuse program that would serve as model for the rest of the Nation.
“CDC has given us an opportunity to lead. And lead we will. Already, in towns and cities and in the rural countryside we are combating the scourge. Our people are no stranger to adversity and challenge. Armed with adequate resources and the means to fight back, we will develop a model for other regions of our Nation. And we will ultimately prevail,” said Rahall.
This significant infusion of Federal funding will enable West Virginia to strengthen its prescription drug monitoring program and develop new drug-abuse prevention strategies, allowing the State to gear its Medicaid rules toward better protecting against drug abuse and overdose. West Virginia is one of only six states selected by the CDC to participate in this national initiative.
“This grant will allow us continue to battle against the serious consequences of prescription drug abuse in West Virginia,” DHHR Cabinet Secretary Karen L. Bowling said. “With the additional monies, DHHR will provide the needed support and services to families and communities affected by this growing problem.”
Rahall, who has been an advocate in Congress for increased Federal resources to strengthen drug monitoring and prevention strategies, hosted Federal Drug Control officials at the Erma Byrd Center of Higher Education for a community forum, which included Dr. Daniel Sosin, Acting Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
“Drug abuse is an extremely difficult challenge, both for families and communities, and it requires patience and persistence in addressing. I intend to keep pushing hard in Congress to help our State get the Federal resources it needs to strengthen its law enforcement and public health strategies,” said Rahall.
Addendum: West Virginia Behavioral Healthcare Providers Association executive director, Mark Drennan addressed the panel from the perspective of addictions professionals. Drennan stated that adequately funding the full continuum of addictions services is imperative to treat those suffering from addictions. In addition, strong leadership at home and in communities is needed to curb the demand for addictive substances.
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We lost an incredible icon yesterday. A man, a comic, a dramatic, Robin Williams brought us such joy and laughter, but in the end, found himself alone in the darkness of depression. If there’s any lesson to be learned in this tragic loss, it is that suicide is an equal opportunity killer. Depression, mental illness and addiction can happen to anyone, anywhere.
Since 1999, suicide among middle aged men has risen dramatically, according to the CDC — 27{e1be1af54d26799a927a8d0af76a8bbbfd7aef18e4219abc8118a5384db66cb5} to be specific. And, overall, suicide takes twice as many lives as homicide. Yet, it has the potential to be preventable. With better research, better identification, and better access to the right treatments and supports, we can prevent many of these unnatural deaths.
This is a sad time. Here at the National Council for Behavioral Health, our hearts go out to Robin Williams’ family and friends and to all of us who have lost the laughter he brought into our lives.
MoreAdult Co-Occurring SA/MH Unit
This is a short-term crisis stabilization based program for
adults who have co-occurring substance abuse and mental
health diagnoses. Services offered are detoxification,
substance abuse therapy, and crisis intervention. This is
a voluntary program with average length of stay of 7-10
days. The program is led by a team of professionals
including board-certified psychiatrists, RNs and LPNs,
therapists, behavioral health technicians, and a case
manager. This is an intensive therapy-based program.
Admission Criteria:
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Current co-occurring substance abuse and mental health
diagnoses required
• Be in need of detoxification/substance abuse therapy
and be medically stable
• Voluntarily engage in treatment and adhere to program
Protocol
Treatment Includes:
• Intensive group therapy
• Multi-disciplinary team
• Daily evaluation by psychiatrists/PNP
• Individual Therapy
• Close medical monitoring through detoxification
process
• Discharge planning and referral
** We do not provide Suboxone, Subutex, or Methadone assisted treatment.
For more information please feel free to contact us at the number below!
Shannon Putnam, Director Of Marketing
Highland-Clarksburg Hospital
3 Hospital Plaza
Clarksburg, WV 26301
1-304-969-3100
1-304-613-6990 cell
More(Photo caption: Senator Jay Rockefeller accepts an award for his work on behalf of children from Mark Drennan of the West Virginia Behavioral Healthcare Providers Association, and Lisa Jones of ResCare, at the Alliance for Children’s annual meeting and senior leader’s conference at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, Virginia.)
Governor’s Substance Abuse Collaborative Meeting
We attended the Collaborative meeting on Thursday, August 29. This meeting is chaired by Secretary Kay Goodwin and at today’s meeting we were joined by DHHR Secretary Karen Bowling. The meeting began with a presentation by US Attorney for the Southern District Booth Goodwin who unveiled a new video targeting youth substance abuse prevention. The video is very well done. It is moving and tragic. You may view the video on YouTube at this address: http://youtu.be/Dr3jN6atZ44 . The video also includes commentary by Prestera’s Kim Miller, well done Kim! US Attorney Goodwin shared that he is involved in an Appalachian Substance Abuse Summit on September 25 and 26th at East Tennessee State University a collaboration of the Appalachian states. Deputy Commissioner Kim Walsh spoke about the upcoming Behavioral Health Conference and passed out the brochures. The Association was acknowledged for the presentation last month by Kathy Armentrout, Nancy Demming, and Karen Schimmel. Secretary Goodwin welcomed members to attend at anytime. We presented information on Prestera’s SAMHSA grant award. Prestera was awarded $280,000 a year for three years. The purpose of the grant is to enhance technology to develop and implement a patient portal and to expand telemedicine capabilities. Karen Yost reported that they wish to increase treatment compliance with appointments and increase treatment capability, utilization, and improve health outcomes by providing technology based treatment and a forum for communication between multiple providers and clients. They also plan to expand use of technology to the use of mobile technology (iPads/SmartPhones, etc.) instead of the bulkier, stationary technology.
MoreLast week, Karen Yost and I were nominated by Delegate Perdue to serve on the West Virginia work team for the National Governors Association Three Branch Institute on Child Social and Emotional Wellbeing. http://www.nga.org/cms/home/news-room/news-releases/2013-news-releases/col2-content/states-to-improve-social-well-be.html
The goal of this team is to develop a plan to promote and measure the well-being of children in foster care. The first meeting is August 29, 2013 at 4pm.
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