- Behavioral Health, CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhat’s in your medicine cabinet? It’s a good time to take a look inside. Friday, April 16, is National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day. A medicine cabinet packed with old or unused meds can be dangerous. Give yours a good cleaning. These simple steps can help keep your family, friends and neighbors safe. Here are ways you can remove the risk: Toss it and forget it You should toss leftover or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Your old prescription may no longer be effective for your current health condition. Additionally, expired medications may not work as well, or even become toxic and harm you. As a general rule, discard any prescriptions that are more than a year old, or medications that have passed their expiration dates. How to do it right Do not flush your pills down the toilet or the sink. They can harm the water supply and affect the fish we eat. Instead, dispose your leftover or expired meds in designated drop-off boxes. Conveniently, the Anne Arundel County Police Department has several locations. District stations are open 24/7, headquarters from 8 am to 4 pm. In Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties, you can often take old meds to your local pharmacy for disposal. Throwing meds in the trash can harm the earth. If you must, consider using a secured container or DisposeRX packets. Let’s look out for each other Doctors prescribe opioids to treat pain. Common types are oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin) and methadone. Did you know that 70% of people who misuse opioid painkillers get them from friends and relatives? It’s important to safely toss or lock your medications to protect those you care about. We can all do our part to end substance misuse and keep our community safe. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is help including locally at Pathways, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s substance abuse and mental health treatment facility. Call (443) 481-5400. Authors Daniel Watkins is the director of substance use services at Pathways.
- Behavioral Health, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) has submitted a Certificate of Need (CON) to the Maryland Health Care Commission for a 16-bed inpatient behavioral health unit. “Adding this new service is an important step for Luminis Health and the community. We are committed to removing barriers to health care, and ensuring everyone has access to the care needed to live a healthy life,” stated Victoria Bayless, chief executive officer of Luminis Health. “We will also be adding outpatient programs and services, as well as working to eliminate healthcare disparities, not only on our Lanham campus, but in the community at large. This would be impossible without the support of leaders from Prince George’s County. This is truly a partnership that will benefit the entire region.” Prince George’s County is home to nearly one million residents and spans an area of 500 square miles, with two acute care units for inpatient behavioral health currently in the county. In 2019, more than half of the adult admissions from Prince George’s County (1,900 cases) were admitted to out-of-county hospitals. More than 900 patients required hospital-to-hospital transfer for psychiatric admission. “We know that when a community member requires inpatient mental health care, half of the residents leave the county, with nearly a quarter traveling to Washington, D.C.,” said Deneen Richmond, President of LHDCMC. “On the Lanham campus, we will develop a continuum of behavioral health services by providing local access to acute inpatient services and additional outpatient and crisis options for individuals facing mental health and substance use disorder challenges.” The proposed project will include a 16-bed acute adult care behavioral health unit at LHDCMC. The acute care program is designed to provide a safe and clinically expert environment to engage patients and families in their treatment and healing, link patients directly to care transition services, and assure continued patient-provider relationships after discharge. Richmond explained, “We are more committed than ever to continuing our mission to provide Prince Georgians with the care they need and deserve. We look forward to working with the Maryland Health Care Commission to gain approval for these needed beds.” Residents can learn more about the project or write a letter of support by visiting here: https://www.dchweb.org/behavioral-con .
- Behavioral Health, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWith a significant rise in the need for mental health services, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDMC) will soon offer a broad continuum of services for people dealing with mental health issues and substance use disorders. Today, Victoria Bayless, chief executive officer of Luminis Health, and Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC, joined Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and other local and state key stakeholders for the ribbon cutting of the new Behavioral Health Services Building located on the hospital’s Lanham campus. “Mental health impacts all of us, and we know many in our community are struggling, and even more so through the global pandemic,” says Bayless. “When Luminis Health was formed in 2019, we made a commitment to increase access to high-quality care in Prince George’s County. Today, we deliver on that promise by making healthcare easier, more personal, and built for the communities we call home.” Major funding for the project was made possible through a $20 million grant from Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and the Prince George’s County Council. “We are excited to celebrate the grand opening of the Luminis Behavioral Health Facility,” says Alsobrooks. “We have looked forward to this day for a while, and today is proof of what happens when we capitalize on a time of rising opportunity for our residents. Prince George’s County has had some longstanding challenges in providing residents with access to behavioral healthcare, but with the opening of this facility, Prince Georgians will now have access to the high-quality healthcare they need right here at home.” This July, we will open first floor ambulatory services: Outpatient Mental Health Center (OMHC): Therapy and medication management for adults at the beginning, evolving to include children Behavioral Health Walk-In Urgent Care: For non-emergent behavioral health concerns for all ages Psychiatric Day Treatment Program (PDTP): Mental Health Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adults and adolescents 8-bed Addiction Residential Service Substance use disorder intensive outpatient treatment program “This facility will provide much needed access to behavioral health care and will ensure people receive the care they need, close to home,” says Richmond. “We’ve served this community for more than 45 years, and the opening of this facility will help us fulfill our mission of enhancing the health of the people and communities we serve.” The second phase, a 16-bed adult inpatient psychiatric unit on the second floor, is scheduled to open this December.
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogButterflies in the stomach. Sweaty palms. A racing heartbeat. A shaky voice. These are just a few well-documented cases of how stress or anxiety (aka your mental health) can bring on real physical symptoms. After all, we’ve all experienced these kinds of nerves before a big presentation or an important date. But what happens to the body when these “nerves” turn into longer bouts of anxiety and depression? The short answer: It can have a serious impact on your health. And what if you struggle with a chronic illness, like diabetes, high blood pressure, or even cancer? That can impact your mental health. The good news — understanding this mind-body connection can help you take charge of your whole health — mental, physical and emotional. Even better, there are steps you can take to reduce your stress and improve your health. Let’s dive in. How mental and physical health influence each other Researchers have been studying the connection between mental and physical health for years. They’ve asked the big questions, like “How does our mental health affect our health?” and “Does a chronic condition put you at higher risk of a mental illness?” Here are just a few interesting findings: Depression may cause a wide range of physical symptoms and health conditions, including memory trouble, an increased risk of heart attack and heart disease, and weight gain and loss. Anxiety can bring physical symptoms like dizziness and sweating and also lead to long-term health issues, such as gastrointestinal trouble, high blood pressure, eczema and other skin conditions. Mental health can also impact the immune system. Researchers found that individuals who express prolonged periods of stress may have a weaker immune system, ultimately making it easier to come down with illnesses like the common cold or strep throat. Individuals with chronic conditions are also at higher risk of developing depression or anxiety, according to research from the National Institute of Mental Health. Boost your mental and physical health When it comes to staying mentally and physically strong, it comes down to the basics. Most of these tips won’t surprise you, but they are great ways to keep your body in tiptop shape and your mind (and emotions) feeling sharp. Get moving. Exercise has countless physical and mental health benefits. A quick 30-minute walk (or even less) around the neighborhood can help strengthen your heart, lungs and muscles; and boost your mood with a rush of “feel-good” chemicals like endorphins. Rest up. A good night’s sleep connects to a stronger immune system and reduced stress — among many other benefits. Adults should aim for seven or more hours of sleep. Focus on friendships. Your social health is an important part of your physical and mental health. Spending time with friends and loved ones can influence health behaviors and even mortality risk. What better excuse to call up a friend and meet them for a cup of coffee or (even better) a walk around a nearby park? Eat right. Sure, it can be tempting to reach for that delicious (but not-so-nutritious) snack of potato chips or candy bar. But, noshing on some fresh fruit and veggies will help your body and brain feel stronger than ever. Vitamins and minerals, like B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and probiotics, may help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety and support important body functions like the immune system, brain function and bone strength. Ask for help when you need it It can be hard to admit you’re struggling with your mental health. Just remember, you are not alone. The National Alliance on Mental Health Institute (NAMI) estimates that 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness. Another organization (Mental Health America) found that more than of adults living with mental illness, including anxiety or depression, don’t seek treatment. There’s no shame in getting help to better manage your mood, emotions and mental health. There are proven approaches to help you cope with feelings of anxiety, depression and fear, including therapy, medication and more. If you’ve been struggling with your mental or physical health — or both — your primary care doctor or a mental health professional can help. Schedule an appointment and, together, find ways to improve your overall health and wellness so you can feel your best. Authors Eshe Montague is the director of our behavioral health program at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.
- 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.
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