- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhat do pop star Lady Gaga, NBA legend Magic Johnson and British royal family member Prince Harry all have in common? Besides being famous, they’ve all been speaking up recently on an issue that didn’t use to get much attention—mental health. Our Luminis Health experts say the conversation is coming not a moment too soon. We’re now seeing the value of mental health By sharing their experiences, many celebrities, athletes and other public figures are putting in bold headlines what many people have struggled with quietly for years. Previous generations might have swept mental health problems under the rug for fear of being thought of as “weak,” but we now know that silence can do more harm than good. Developing your emotional, psychological and social wellbeing is a sure sign of strength. It helps you get along well with the people around you and make good choices throughout your day. And working to maintain positive mental health can pay off throughout your life. For example, strong mental health helps us all: Cope with stress Contribute to our communities Feel happy and safe Reach our full potential Work productively When celebrities talk about their mental health challenges, it helps spread the word that it’s OK to speak up when you’re not feeling quite right. And it’s OK to ask for help when you need it. Our minds are just as important to take care of as the rest of our bodies, and just as important to our overall health. We’re learning from the pandemic We’re also talking more about our mental health lately because COVID-19, of course, delivered it such a big blow. So many of us experienced stress, worry, fear and anger and the heavy toll those all can take on our lives and health. In the summer of 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted a major increase in the number of people reporting behavioral health symptoms. In one survey, one in three people said they were feeling symptoms of anxiety and depression, and one in 10 said they were having serious thoughts of suicide. Those rates are nearly double what the CDC would have expected before the pandemic. Awareness also continues to grow around children’s mental health issues. Pediatric emergency rooms have seen an increase in mental health visits during COVID. The mental health needs of kids and adults will continue, and it’s important to keep talking about how to make sure we address them. We’re talking more about how to cope Thankfully, it has become more common to talk about the everyday ways you can support your mental health. We now know some healthy strategies that can help us all cope in hard times. For example: Finding time to connect with others Getting enough sleep Staying physically active Helping others Trying to stay positive When that isn’t enough, there’s another key step—finding help. New resources are being set up in our communities, schools and workplaces to connect more people to professional mental health resources where and when it’s needed. Luminis Health, for example, recently broke ground on a new mental health facility in Prince George’s County and is taking other steps to meet community needs. Join the conversation Celebrities might have started the mental health conversation trending, but you don’t have to be famous to join in. Check in with your friends and loved ones to make sure they’re truly doing OK and offer your support. And if you’ve been feeling “off” yourself lately and think you might need help, talk to your primary care provider. They can quickly connect you to the right resources to help you start feeling more like yourself again. Together, we can get past old stigmas and shine a new light on how we can help each other. Our mental health is too important to ignore. Authors Eshe Montague is the director of our behavioral health program at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. To learn more about the services coming to Prince George’s County this summer, visit Luminis.Health/BehavioralHealth.0
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe’ve been living in a “state of survival” for some time. Life with COVID-19 has taken a toll on us, physically and mentally. Each phase of this pandemic has brought its own set of worries. Now, vaccines are widely available and society has continued to reopen. We don’t need to be in survival mode anymore. But its effects will linger for some time, possibly years. Coping with a traumatic event like a pandemic is hard on all of us, especially those with mental health conditions. That’s why, as we reenter the world after what we’ve experienced, it’s important to keep our bodies healthy, as well as our minds. Be empowered with your mental health Lowering our defenses takes time. The world has changed. So have we. Instead of trying to pick up where we left off before the pandemic, it’s helpful to approach our new normal with caution, positivity and grace. Here’s how you can strengthen your mental health: Find peace, understand that much of the recent challenges were out of your control. You are entitled to your feelings. Accept them. Cut yourself a break. Fuel your body Restrictions are loosening, and gyms are reopening. Take advantage. Physical activity is good for your body. It produces hormones (endorphins) that help you feel good. It also strengthens your mind, giving you a sense of accomplishment. Find an activity that gets you moving and motivated. And focus on eating well. The food you consume has a major impact on how you feel. Many of us turn to food for comfort during traumatic events. Now is the time to concentrate on shaping a diet that supports your mental and physical wellness. Connect with others Concert venues are again welcoming fans, and capacity limits are being lifted. There’s no substitute to physically being with family, friends and new acquaintances. So grab a coffee, play some tennis, or take a walk. Social experiences can help fill any voids you’ve been feeling. Go at your pace You’ve never gone through a global pandemic before. After restrictions, shutdowns and cautious activity, you’re now returning to what was once “irresponsible” or even “dangerous.” Identify your boundaries. Are you comfortable being masked in a movie theater? Are you ready to attend an indoor birthday party? Being truthful with yourself and planning when to draw the line is one way you give yourself control. There is no “right time.” There is only “your time.” And be mindful of others. You may be ready to enjoy an indoor concert, but your friend may not be. Accept that we all move at our own speed and comfort level. Make a list of things you want to do Chances are, you can do more now. Trying new things and going new places pushes you out of your comfort zone and confirms that you can overcome the unexpected. Revisiting your favorite restaurants and entertainment venues can also make you feel comforted and refreshed. Most public gathering places have measures in place for you to enjoy their services safely. Respecting these guidelines helps keep you protected. Limit your news Many people say they felt most powerless over the pandemic when they watched the news. Limiting how much time you spend reading or watching news reports can help you feel more in control. If you’d like to stay informed, check out the highlights, then move on. Ask for help We’ve gotten used to quarantine life, and resuming a more normal life is yet another adjustment to make. Change can be hard, but don’t let fear and anxiety consume you. We continue to process traumatic events after they are over. Reach out to friends and family or seek a trained mental health professional for help. More people are seeking mental health services today than ever. Whether you feel deeply affected by mental illness or you simply need someone to hear your concerns, licensed mental health specialists are committed to helping you process traumatic events and inspiring you to a more peaceful mental state. Authors Eshe Montague is the director of our behavioral health program at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs parents, we put our children’s medical needs first. When our kids have a tummy ache or fever, we don’t hesitate to call the pediatrician. These health needs are easy to identify. But when it comes to our children’s mental and emotional health, symptoms and signs of distress may not be as easy to spot. A mental health crisis occurs when a child has thoughts and feelings that can lead them to hurting themselves or others. That interfere with their ability to do everyday things or present a deterioration in their functioning. Here are tips to help you recognize the signs before and if a mental health crisis in your child occurs. Signs of distress Pay attention to behaviors that are contrary to your child’s baseline behavior, such as: Persistent physical aches that continue after a visit to your pediatrician Sudden changes in sleeping or eating patterns Bed wetting that is inconsistent with expected age development Unusual clinginess, whining or crying While signs vary from young children to teenagers, signs of a mental health crisis where you should seek immediate professional help include: Significant distress and/or out of control behavior that is difficult to calm down Verbalizing suicidal thoughts or plans Self-injury Harming others and/or animals Signs you might see in teenagers in need of mental health support include: Isolation and avoiding social activities Drastic mood swings Excessive irritability, anger, worry or fear Distress Deviant or odd behavior or ideas Signs of a mental health crisis requiring immediate professional help include: For example, your child is not able to complete school work or study, maintain relationship with others or take care of themselves. Dangerous thoughts or behaviors. This often means thoughts of death and suicide, and/or self-injury Violence Panic attacks Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness or pessimism Prevention Become informed on mental health and mental illness through books, credible websites, workshops, speaking to professionals, and by speaking to other parents who are in similar situations. You can also build protective factors around your child. Building protective factors are as simple as having family meals together, giving specific praise to your child, monitoring their use of technology and engaging in mindfulness activities. Equally important is being present in your child’s life. This means spending quality time together, fostering open communication, listening without judgment and providing support. Don’t be afraid to seek help If you think your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. For immediate help, call 911, the Crisis Response Team for your county, or crisis a hotline like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Author Maria Winters, LCPC, is a mental health clinician at AAMC. You can reach her at 667-204-7311.0
- Behavioral Health, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAAMC President and CEO Victoria W. Bayless Today, the Maryland Health Care Commission voted to approve Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Certificate of Need (CON) application for a 16-bed, freestanding mental health hospital on our Riva Road campus. This is an incredible step forward for expanding access to critically needed mental health care in our community. Building on the legacy of care we have established with our Pathways treatment center, a mental health hospital on this campus will allow AAMC to provide comprehensive and integrated mental health care at a single location. The mental health hospital will include inpatient psychiatric care for adults, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, family support services, prevention programs, and care coordination with community-based support services. Today’s positive vote means we can move forward with our plans. At this time, we anticipate construction could begin this fall and doors opening to our community in the summer of 2020. I am incredibly thankful for the community support this project has received. Many of you have been with us from the beginning, and provided impactful letters of support as part of our application. On behalf of AAMC, we are grateful. I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress. Thank you, Victoria W. Bayless President, CEO, Anne Arundel Medical Center0
- Community, Giving, News & Press Releases, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLast year, AAMC was the recipient of a grant award through the Stulman Foundation to fund Referrals for Recovery (“RforR”), a model program designed to meet the needs of patients who require immediate behavioral health intervention. Through this program, primary care and OBGYN physicians identify patients in need of mental health care by using the Quick Behavioral Health Assessment (“QBHA”), developed by AAMC behavioral health experts. Once a patient is identified, he or she is connected immediately via a dedicated referral line to the RforR team, comprised of a Referral Specialist and Behavioral Health Navigator. Together these professionals ensure that referred patients are appropriately assessed and placed in treatment within 48 hours. The RforR program at AAMC has identified and secured appropriate behavioral health care for more than 500 patients in need. This program has allowed AAMC to increase accessibility to critical mental health needs for everyone in our community, as well as helped solidify community partnerships throughout the region. The RforR program represents the important advances in care that can happen from philanthropic support and grant funding. To learn more about supporting mental healthcare programs provided by AAMC please call 443-481-4747.0
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