- GivingGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAAMC’s second annual Denim & Diamonds was a resounding success. Guests dressed in various forms of denim and bling represented the community’s support for one of our most urgent care needs. On April 29, 2017, more than 1,100 people attended this special event under the stars to shed light on the crucial need for mental health services in this region. Thanks to the efforts of a talented committee and under the leadership of co-chairs Al and Cathy Adelman, Jerry and Lori Collier, and Rich and Theresa Gergar, nearly $1 million was raised during this special event. These much needed funds will help to improve the lives of thousands of patients in our community by supporting mental health programs and services. Jerry Collier, Senior Vice President at M&T Bank and AAMC Foundation Board member, shares his passion and commitment to making AAMC’s Denim & Diamonds Bash such an impactful occasion. “I joined AAMC’s Foundation Board in 2013 as I believed then, and know now, that AAMC directly touches more folks and has a larger positive macro impact on our great community as compared to other health, human and social service not for profits,” says Jerry. “When the leadership of AAMC asked my wife Lori and I to chair Denim & Diamonds 2017, we gladly accepted based upon our desire to raise awareness of, and increase funding for, mental health. At each of our monthly Denim & Diamonds Bash Committee meetings our first meeting agenda item was our “mission moment” where clinicians and other caregivers shared the challenge of significant resource constraints to address the overwhelming demand for mental health care in our community,” Jerry says. “With each “mission moment,” the Committee became increasingly resolved to make Denim & Diamonds this region’s biggest and best event so that we could raise the funds so greatly needed to expand mental health care. The outpouring of support from sponsors and guests for the event has been nothing short of extraordinary.” The Denim & Diamonds Bash could not have been a success without our 102 sponsors, including presenting Platinum co-sponsors the Chesapeake Bayhawks and M&T Bank, and Diamond sponsors Aerotek, AAMC Medical Staff, BB&T, Comcast, Homestead Gardens, Ken’s Creative Kitchen, TEKsystems, What’s Up? Magazine and WRNR-103.1. We are also grateful for our media sponsors, Capital Gazette Communications, Inc., Eye on Annapolis, Liquified Creative, LLC, Annapolis Home Magazine, and 1430 WNAV. Don’t miss next year’s party with a purpose! Tickets sold out almost a month before this year’s event, so be sure to save the date for AAMC Foundation’s Denim & Diamonds Spring Bash, Saturday April 28, 2018. For more information about getting involved with AAMC Foundation’s Bash, please contact Kendra Smith Houghton at 443-481-4739 or [email protected].
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you’re on a path to improve your mental health, you might have come across information about practicing gratitude. Gratitude… a concept so simple it leaves you wondering, ‘how can adopting a gratitude practice help my mental health?’ For this reason, we looked into the science that proves this is a real thing. What is gratitude? Gratitude is an appreciation or recognition of what one has beyond monetary value. What is practicing gratitude? Practicing gratitude involves taking a few moments each day to notice and appreciate what you’re thankful for. These don’t need to be big things, but rather the small, often overlooked aspects of daily life; such as mobility, a solid friend group, or a home. Developing an “attitude of gratitude” may sound silly, but its effectiveness and been proven and backed by research.The researchers behind the 2003 study titled “Counting blessings vs burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life,” from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that expressing gratitude in daily life positively impacted emotional well-being. How to maximize the effect? The most significant effect on your mental health will come from dedicating a few minutes to being mindful of the small, yet positive things in your life, then writing down why you’re grateful for them. Keeping a gratitude journal can effectively provide you with the time to reflect on the little blessings in your life. If a journal isn’t for you, try to adopt a gratitude practice in the shower, where you won’t have many distractions. Reflect on the smallest things you might ordinarily take for granted and consider why you’re grateful for them – like the warmth of hot water on your body or the soap that keeps you clean and healthy by washing away dirt and germs. How does that first sip of coffee in the morning make you feel? Be grateful for the little burst of energy it gives you, as well as the taste and smell of your favorite morning brew. And if you happen to be grateful for a person, the best way to practice gratitude is by letting them know. A video that demonstrates the effect of gratitude on happiness showed that the largest increase in happiness came from telling someone about the impact that person had on their life. Practicing gratitude doesn’t solve everything No, practicing gratitude won’t resolve significant mental health challenges like bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and similar conditions. However, that is not its purpose. Gratitude serves as a powerful tool to enhance your overall state of well-being, but it’s not meant to be a solution for every single mental health issue out there. In summary Incorporating gratitude into our daily lives doesn’t require grand gestures. Simple practices, such as keeping a gratitude journal, stealing moments throughout the day to or expressing appreciation to others, can pave the way for transformative mental health benefits. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, cultivating gratitude may well be the prescription for a healthier mind and a more fulfilling life. Author Tranesha Christie-Nance is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the Urgent Care Mental Health Clinician at the Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center Behavioral Health Pavilion located in Lanham, Maryland. Tranesha has over 10 years of experience working in the mental health field, specializing in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, grief and loss, parenting, behavioral issues, and social-emotional learning throughout the lifespan.
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs you enjoy colorful leaves and brisk temperatures, take a moment to recognize National Addiction Treatment Week during the third week in October. This annual initiative raises awareness about substance use disorder as a chronic, treatable disease and helps undo the stigma that surrounds it. Substance use changes your brain and your behavior. At Luminis Health, we understand that those impacted by substance use disorder are not in control, and we want to help you take that control back. Risk factors Substance use disorders are treatable medical disorders that affect a person’s brain and behavior, leading to an inability to control their use of drugs – whether legal or illegal – including alcohol or medications. Substance use disorders can develop from the use of many types of mood/mind-altering substances, with people developing dependencies on alcohol, stimulants, marijuana, opiates and others. Risk factors for developing a substance use disorder can include: Family history of substance use Readily available alcohol or drugs Starting substance use at a young age The presence of an untreated mental health condition Available treatment options It is important to realize you are not alone and there is hope. Many available treatment options are available to meet you or your loved ones needs, such as: Twelve-step support groups and other self-help groups, such as Celebrate Recovery Office-based treatment with a psychiatrist or primary care doctor using medications that are FDA-approved for substance use disorders Outpatient treatment—including intensive outpatient treatment—at substance use disorder treatment programs Inpatient residential treatment centers Recovery residences to help promote long-term change Resources It can sometimes be difficult to know where to begin your path to recovery. Here are some trusted organizations: Maryland residents can access substance use services by calling 211 and pressing 1, by visiting https://211md.org or by texting 898-211 and entering your zip code. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) national helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is a confidential, free 24-hour hotline for individuals or family members facing mental or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups and community-based organizations. You can also visit SAMHSA’s online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Closer to home, Luminis Health Pathways offers care for individuals that need support with managing addiction and substance use. Support for loved ones If you have a loved one who is struggling with a substance use disorder, you must take proactive steps to help them on their journey to stay sober and drug-free. Here are some suggestions: Start by having an open and non-judgmental conversation with your loved one, expressing your concern and support. Encourage them to seek professional help, such as a therapist, counselor, or addiction specialist, who can provide the necessary guidance and treatment options. Find a support group. Al-Anon and Alateen can be very helpful in learning how to take care of yourself while also discovering how to appropriately support your loved one with a substance use disorder. Consider a therapy-based education program for families. Luminis Health offers family wellness workshops. Call (443) 481-5449 for upcoming dates and more information. Be patient and understanding, as recovery can be challenging and an ongoing process. There’s always hope “I have seen many more substance use disorder success stories than failures in my years of practice,” says Dr. Aliya Jones, executive medical director of behavioral health for Luminis Health. “Most people are eventually successful when they are able to use available resources for support and stay engaged in their care.” To learn more about substance use disorder and treatment, please visit here. Author Aliya Jones, MD, is the executive medical director of Behavioral Health for Luminis Health.
- Men's Health, Weight Loss, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAt 47, Andrew Henderson was frustrated by decades of struggling with weight loss and tired of ever-increasing doses of medication for his diabetes. So he enrolled in one of AAMC’s weight loss seminars and—with careful guidance from Alex Gandsas, MD—determined that surgery was the right option for him. Just weeks after his gastric sleeve procedure, Andrew was well on his way to a healthier life. When I first went to the seminar I was 402 pounds and that’s the biggest I’ve ever been. I had tried different diets. I work out. I exercise. I did everything my doctors asked since 2000, but I hadn’t lost any weight. I would come down to 380 and then I’d put the weight on again. I was compliant with my sugar, but my system gets used to the medication and then my doctor would have to put me on more medication. I said to myself ‘I’m getting tired of this. I had the surgery December 6, 2013, and now, a month later, I have lost nearly 50 pounds. When I came home, I was on a liquid diet. After about two weeks, my diabetes doctor said he wanted to take me off the insulin and I’ve been doing well with that. The surgery made a great difference. I have more energy, but I need to keep my protein level up. I know I have to eat smaller meals. You have to make your mind up to change things that you like. I don’t do fried foods. I’ve been eating fish and chicken. My meal plans have really changed, but then the nutritionist in the program helps with that. You have to be compliant and it grows on you. I just started working out a little more. I’m getting ready to start the hospital’s exercise plan that is part of the program for this kind of surgery. My twin brother is going to go through the procedure as well. We’re getting ready to retire in a few years and we want to be healthy. We have been carrying this weight for a long time and we need to make a change.
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen she saw her July 2012 vacation picture, Melissa Staud of Harwood knew she had to make a change for the better. She weighed 275 pounds and knew she needed to lose weight to improve her life and her health. “I honestly tried on my own to lose weight, but I wasn’t successful no matter what I tried, even Weight Watchers and working out at the gym,” says the 34-year-old. “For me, the problem was portion control, and I also made bad food choices. After vacation, I looked into weight loss surgery and decided it was a good option for me.” In January 2013, Melissa had gastric sleeve surgery, in which a portion of her stomach was removed. The surgery opened a whole new world for Melissa, who acknowledges that people used to treat her differently. “I don’t get stares anymore, and I like the way I look. Now I can bend over, tie my shoes, actually get boots on, and buy clothes from a store.” She’s thrilled to take longer horseback rides and ride smaller horses. “Horses are my passion,” she says. She expected to lose about 50 to 60 percent of her excess weight after the surgery and was pleasantly surprised. “Thanks to the surgery, my complete lifestyle change and formation of new habits, I have surpassed those average numbers and have lost nearly 90 percent of the excess weight,” she says. Not only that, she also eliminated her high blood pressure and sleep apnea. The change required a lifetime commitment to new eating habits. “I cleaned out my kitchen cabinets and restocked with healthy items. I only drink water and decaf unsweetened tea. I’ve learned to snack on fruits and vegetables, use spices to flavor foods [instead of salt], and eat correct portions.”
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