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Dr. Michael Hogan Discusses National Funding Released for Crisis Systems
February 8, 2021
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Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplement Appropriations Act, 2021, $35 million in federal funding per year has been added to the Mental Health Block Grant to support evidence-based crisis systems. Michael Hogan, Ph.D., Crisis Now co-founder and former New York mental health commissioner, breaks down the Notice of Award and what the crisis services set aside could mean for states in helping people get the support they need, where and when they need it most. Read the February 8 #CrisisTalk.
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How CMS Medicaid Initiatives Can Help States Fund 988
February 9, 2021
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Kirsten Beronio, JD, Policy and Regulatory Affairs director at the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, says states can, at least in part, draw upon several existing CMS initiatives to develop or strengthen their crisis care systems before 988—the nationwide three-digit number for behavioral health emergencies—becomes a reality on July 16, 2022. Read the February 9 #CrisisTalk.
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How Voice Analysis Technology Can Track the Psychological Impact of Covid
February 16, 2021
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As the Covid pandemic continues to ravage nations and we see spikes in behavioral health needs worldwide, it would be phenomenal if call centers and providers alike could use voice analysis technology to track the disaster's social impact. Sound like a futuristic reality? Not in Japan. Shinichi Tokuno, a professor at the University of Tokyo, in collaboration with colleagues and the tech company PST Inc., has developed a smartphone health app that analyzes vocal cord vibration. It's called Mind Monitoring Systems. MIMOSYS for short. Tokuno is using it to track the pandemic's impact on app users in Japan. Read the February 16 #CrisisTalk.
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State Spotlight:
Mississippi "Behind the Mask" Campaign
In December 2020, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) announced a new awareness campaign titled “Behind the Mask” to promote mental health services for Mississippians during the COVID-19 pandemic. This campaign is designed to encourage individuals facing mental health problems not to hide “behind the mask,” but to seek help for their mental health problems, to understand that the pandemic has affected all kinds of people around the state, and to realize that these issues are common.
DMH is responding to these immediate needs through an Emergency Response to COVID-19 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to address mental health, alcohol, and drug addiction problems as a result of COVID-19 among the most vulnerable residents of Mississippi, including healthcare workers. Grant funding was distributed to 15 mental health providers statewide through an application process and is customized specifically for their agencies. The new “Behind the Mask” campaign is being used to encourage people to reach out to their regional mental health providers for help through use of customized social media images, press releases, PowerPoint presentations, informational cards and posters.
Additionally, funding was used to develop the Behind the Mask website where users are able to take a mental health screening, find services in their counties through an interactive map, learn helpful coping strategies, and read testimonials of other Mississippians who have received services for mental health or substance use problems as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
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The resources below may be useful to state behavioral health leadership as they work to effectively and equitably distribute COVID-19 vaccines:
National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
On February 22-24, 2021, the CDC will host the National Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine. Register using the link above.
Community-Based Organizations COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
This toolkit is designed to help community-based organizations educate communities about COVID-19 vaccines.
The COVID-19 Vaccination and Mental Illness: Communication and Misinformation
NASMHPD Medical Directors Division
This webinar explores effective and ineffective strategies when communicating about the COVID-19 vaccines to individuals with mental illness.
Vaccine Science: A History of Distrust and Discrimination for People with Mental Illness
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
This webinar features experts from diverse specialty areas and facilitates Q&A on the evolving science of vaccines, barriers to access, and the presence of medical skepticism in marginalized communities.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
National Council for Behavioral Health
This webinar provides updates on the COVID-19 vaccines by Joe Parks and Rochelle Head-Dunham.
COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor Dashboard
Kaiser Family Foundation
The KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor is an ongoing research project tracking the public’s attitudes and experiences with COVID-19 vaccinations.
COVID-19 Vaccines: Questions and Concerns to Anticipate
Institute for Healthcare Improvement
This web page includes a guide for conversations with nursing home staff about vaccine hesitancy.
Get the Facts
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
This web page provides an overview of how the vaccine works, answers common questions about the vaccine, and dispells common myths.
Community Forum with Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett: Everything You Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccines
Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute
This community forum to discussed vaccine development, debunked myths, and addressed community questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.
Latest Data on COVID-19 Vaccinations Race/Ethnicity
Kaiser Family Foundation
This data on COVID-19 vaccinations by race/ethnicity helps provide insight into who is receiving the vaccine and whether some groups are facing disparities in vaccination.
COVID-19 Vaccination Intent, Perceptions, and Reasons for Not Vaccinating Among Groups Prioritized for Early Vaccination
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
This MMWR article provides data on changes in vaccination intent between September and December 2020 among several key demographics included in priority groups. |
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SAMHSA-Sponsored Webinar: Addressing the Adverse Impacts of COVID-19 on Children with Serious Emotional Disorders
Presented by the National Council for Behavioral Health and NASMHPD
March 3, 2021, 1:00 pm Eastern
Since March 2020, children across the country have been isolated at home participating in distance learning. The impacts academically, socially and emotionally have been staggering, particularly for children with pre-existing serious emotional disorders and their families. There has been a reduction in referrals to child protective services, an increase in isolation, depression, anxiety, and a decrease in engagement which can lead to lower academic success. What do all of these things mean in the short-term and the long-term? What can be done to attempt to mitigate some of these adverse effects? Join our Roundtable Discussion as we provide information and answer your questions.
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Division Spotlight:
NASMHPD's Division of Recovery Support Services (DRSS)
As states prepare for budget cuts caused by the economic effects of the pandemic, DRSS members created a document highlighting the return on investment and value of peer support, with the purpose of helping ensure that stakeholders continue to recognize the value of peer support specialist roles in their states. The flyer provides outcomes on the wide-ranging and powerful impacts of peer support and its associated cost-saving. View it here.
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