Mental Health

A Mediaplanet Guide to Caring for Your Mental Well-Being

Access to Mental Health

Tracie Jade Jenkins The producer and mental health advocate on the importance of giving yourself space and grace How telehealth is reducing barriers to mental healthcare Learn tips for speaking to your teen about their mental wellness

MARCH 2022 | FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH.COM

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How Telehealth Is Helping Patients Access Mental Health During the pandemic, many people have reached out for mental health services, including those who’ve never sought treatment before.

“Just living with this constant level of unpredictability, I think takes its toll,” says Dr. Jay Shore, a psychiatrist and chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s telepsychiatry committee.

He says throughout the pandemic, people have been struggling with a variety of mental, emotional, and behavioral concerns, including anxiety, depression, substance use and addiction, stress and burnout, pressure from social media, and more.

Because of this, telemedicine, including telepsychiatry, saw its popularity explode during the pandemic. Virtual appointments can happen in a live, interactive format over the phone, on video, or through an app. They can also involve recorded medical information such as videos and images to be viewed later.

Telepsychiatry has the same diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, quality of care, and patient satisfaction as in-person care. Patient privacy and confidentiality are the same as well. @MEDIAPLANETUSA

Growing demand According to a public opinion poll of 1,000 U.S. adults by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), nearly 40 percent of respondents have used telehealth services to meet with a medical or mental health professional since fall 2020. Nearly 60 percent of respondents in 2021 said they would consider using telehealth services for mental healthcare, a 10 percent increase from the year before.

Long term, many Americans (43 percent) would like to continue using telehealth when the pandemic is over. @FUTUREOFPERSONALHEALTH

Unique challenges Scheduling in-person mental health appointments has been challenging for patients during the pandemic. One in three respondents to the APA’s poll reported difficulty scheduling an appointment in the past several years.

“Even before the pandemic, getting access to good mental healthcare in a timely manner could be really challenging,” says Dr. Shore, noting patients can wait six to 12 weeks for their first appointment, making it tough for those who want help right away.

Factors impacting the ability to get an appointment can include if the provider has availability, if they’re accepting new patients, or if insurance covers the provider’s services.

Hybrid model Telemedicine may help reduce some patients’ barriers to care, including lack of transportation, convenience if they can’t take time off from work, or if they have family responsibilities. Because of this, Dr. Shore says it’s here to stay and is adapting.

“We’re in this new era where, as providers, we’re trying to figure out how to hold and best manage what we call ‘hybrid patient-provider relationships’ across these different mediums,” he says.

“So, how do you work with the patient in front of you with their needs? What is the best way to connect with them on a given day? Some days, you need to see them in person to render the best care. Some days a phone call may be sufficient, some days video conferencing. We’re entering this interesting new era where we’re really learning how to tailor this menu of different options to get the best treatment.”

Dr. Shore says some patients, such as those who’ve experienced trauma or abuse, prefer video or phone visits because it allows them to feel more in control. Plus, telemedicine is helping reduce some of the stigma of seeking and receiving mental health services.

“Everyone has had some challenges in the last few years,” he says. “People now realize that everyone, at some point in their lives, has stress and can seek help.’” n

Kristen Castillo

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Publisher Charlotte Avery Business Developer Joelle Hernandez Managing Director Jordan Hernandez Lead Designer Kayla Mendez Designer Tiffany Jackson Lead Editor Jon Adams Copy Editor Taylor Rice Director of Content and Production Jordan Hernandez Cover Photo Mathew Brandon All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

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Tracie Jade Jenkins On Giving Yourself the Space for Grace The “Peace of Mind” co-host discusses mental health in the age of COVID-19, especially among the African American community.

What changes have you seen in the past couple of years regarding mental health?

The tides have definitely changed. In 2020, according to APA survey, 78 percent of Americans said that COVID19 was a significant source of stress. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for ages 10-14 and 25-34, and in the African American community, the suicide rate for youth doubled over the past decade.

Isolation, financial hardship, and the loss of loved ones and community ranked high on our foundation’s survey for African Americans who sought therapy through our free therapy campaign. On the brighter side, in 2021, 42 percent of those who received support through our program were

new to therapy, and we’ve seen a 200 percent increase in Black men who have received therapy over the past two years.

More people are openly talking about mental health and the benefits of getting support.

What resources do you recommend for young people struggling with mental health, especially during COVID? Connect with a peer group, either online or in-person.

Our young people have been in isolation due to COVID over the past couple of years; people need people. We’ve seen some of the best outcomes when our youth hear from one another and know that they’re not alone.

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) offers

“hangouts” for ages 14-22 online, in schools, and in community centers across the country. It’s a safe space for young people to go and connect as a group with a therapist. They share their challenges without judgement and receive tools to address their needs. Thankfully, there are more and more resources being made available every day. BLHF has a crisis text line available: text PEACE to 741741. For emergencies, dial 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800273-TALK (8255).

How can people create a sense of community for themselves in a time where isolation is so common?

Make space for grace. Allow yourself to feel how you feel

being alone — the ups and the downs. You may be surprised what space and grace offers. I told myself the other night “I love you, Tracie,” out loud! I was shocked; I’d never heard myself say that out loud. I giggled like a little girl. It felt good. I realized I’d heard it said to me my whole life, but never from myself. It was empowering.

Take a class online, join a book club, learn to play an instrument, or take a dance class. Art is definitely a conduit to healing and community. I am challenged with anxiety and depression. During the past two years, I’ve gotten my certification as a guided meditation teacher, joined a minimalism movement, and I’m starting guitar lessons, all from home. The regular schedule and routine has helped me

to stay grounded, present, and grateful for the time, as opposed to having too much space in my head for repetitive, negative thoughts.

Why was it important to you to start your Facebook Watch show “Peace of Mind” with Taraji P. Henson?

We wanted to create a space to normalize conversations around mental health for the African American community. We wanted to remove some of the stigma, distrust, and barriers we’ve experienced for generations and educate people around what they may be experiencing or what they may have observed in others. Ultimately, we hope they feel safe enough to get the help they need. n

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How to Check in With Your Teen About Their Mental Health Today, many young people are struggling with their mental health and thoughts of suicide. But parents — yes, you — can mitigate their risk.

According to The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults. While three out of 10 young adults experienced a mental illness in 2020 — a 42% increase since 2011 — over half didn’t receive care.

Signs your teenager may be struggling can include isolating from friends and family; changes in grades, sleep, or eating; and expressing feelings of hopelessness. But as a parent, how can you help?

“Most young people who are struggling will say that asking them how they are feeling, and then listening, is a relief,” says clinical psychologist Suzanne Button, JED’s senior clinical director of high school programming. ”It can be helpful and even preventative.”

“Bring up your concern using specific, nonjudgmental language,” says Button. “Try: ’I am worried about you lately. You seem like you are not enjoying the things you used to. How are you doing?’”

Listen without reaction Once you’ve initiated the conversation, listen without reaction so your child feels heard. Express concern, but don’t try to solve their problem.

It may require patience — and persistence.

“Teenagers are not easy to talk to,” Button says.

“But don’t give up.”

Offer support Support your child’s transition to adulthood by teaching them life skills, including cooking and laundry. This offers structure and a sense of control during uncertain times.

Trust your gut Keep numbers to suicide helplines: Text START to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Get professional help, if needed.

“Trust your gut,” says Button. “You know your kid; keep reaching out and keep trying.”

Kristen Castillo

For additional resources, visit jedfoundation.org

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Suicide Prevention for Young Adults Starts With Mental Health Education Monthly, if not weekly, we hear of another young person dying from suicide.

With proper identi�ıcation and treatment, these can be preventable deaths.

T

rite but true, our lives as parents completely change the day our child arrives into our world — both a profound experience of joy and an intense sense of responsibility.

Amidst the wonder of holding our baby, we typically do not consider the possibility of mental illness or the direst of outcomes, the risk of suicide. But statistics suggest if we are armed with mental health education, we could help foster resiliency and be better prepared to navigate the mental health issues that affect everyone.

The rate of suicide among ages 10 to 24 increased nearly 60 percent between 2007 and 2018.

During the pandemic, these

Critical education Educating parents and teachers to increase their mental health literacy will give them skills to recognize critical times to intervene. Providing them with suicide prevention resources can save lives. Psych Hub has developed over 1,000 educational assets that provide competency training on mental health, including how to identify potential symptoms and effectively intervene with students who may be at risk for suicide. numbers have multiplied, and female adolescents are particularly affected with an increase of emergency room visits for suicide attempts by 50 percent.

As with many things in life, this rise in depression and suicide has many interrelated causes. Studies have shown that changes in nutrition, lack of sleep, technology use, and social media are all part of the increases in depression. The use of technology and social media especially have been associated with depression and suicide.We are only now gaining an understanding of how this affects mental well-being. These factors were already smoldering for teens and parents, but the pandemic dumped further fuel onto the flame.

Some signs to be watchful for are: • A person who talks about killing themselves.

•Increased use of drugs and alcohol.

•Withdrawing from activities.

•Isolating from family and friends.

•Visiting or calling people to say goodbye .

•Giving away prized possessions.

With evidence-based education, observation, and compassionate action, together we can intervene, turn the tide, and help our teens and young adults to heal and thrive. n Marjorie Morrison CEO and Co-Founder, Psych Hub

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How Cerebral is Revolutionizing Online Mental Health Treatment manage appointments, chat with their care team, and access CBT exercises.

Imagine being able to get help for anxiety, depression, ADHD, insomnia, and other mental health conditions all in one place — online. That solution to help you manage your mental health without leaving your home exists. It’s called Cerebral.

The 100 percent online mental health service is carving its own path and helping people overcome access to mental health challenges, such as convenience, stigma, high costs, and long wait times.

Traditional mental healthcare services can be inconvenient since patients typically have to schedule a time and drive to a brick and mortar location; costs can be high, too, especially without insurance because psychiatrists and therapists charge hundreds of dollars an hour. Wait times to get an appointment in traditional mental healthcare services are three to four months.

Cerebral quickly and efficiently connects patients to licensed providers, so they can receive treatment, including therapy, counseling, and medication (if prescribed).

“Everything we do at Cerebral is to help us on our mission to improve access to high-quality, long-term mental healthcare,” says Dr. David Mou, the company’s chief medical officer. “We’ve reduced wait times from months to days and have seen incredible outcomes for our patients. The traditional mental healthcare landscape has long remained stagnant, and it’s time for us to make our care completely patient-centric.”

Cerebral’s subscription plans have flat monthly rates and can include a variety of services, such as ongoing assessments, video/phone appointments with a prescriber and/or therapist, and medication management.

Here’s how it works: the person completes an initial online screening, which identifies how Cerebral can best help them; next, they select a plan that best fits their needs whether it’s medication management and counseling, medication management and therapy, or just therapy. Based on their plan, they will speak with a provider over video/phone to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Through Cerebral’s app, members can

Cutting down barriers The company’s founder and CEO Kyle Robertson started the company after finding it difficult to get care for his depression and anxiety. He was surprised it was so challenging since both his parents are mental health professionals.

“For me, internalized stigma was the hardest: just admitting to myself that I was depressed, coupled with having a hard time coming to terms with my sexuality as a gay person,” he says, noting he experienced other barriers to care, including “the exhausting process of finding the right provider,” long wait times, and high costs.

“When I finally got the care I needed, I knew I wanted to cut down those barriers. That’s why I started Cerebral: to transform access to high-quality mental healthcare.”

Comprehensive care Cerebral’s comprehensive care model uniquely provides both therapy and medication management on one platform.

That means the clinicians, counselors and therapists are all communicating with each other to provide the best care for their patients. Additionally, unlike many other online mental health services, Cerebral’s clinical team have experience helping those who suffer from more serious conditions, such as bipolar disorder and PTSD, in addition to treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

For patients seeking therapy, Cerebral matches them with licensed therapists who specialize in the areas of clinical

social work, mental health counseling, marriage and family, and more. The therapists are trained in evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).

There are three membership plans: medication + care counseling is $85 a month and features care counselors who can guide clients through behavioral health techniques and coping mechanisms, appointments with a prescriber, and medication management, if prescribed; medication + therapy is $325 a month and includes appointments with a prescriber, weekly therapy appointments, and medication management; or therapy which is $259 a month and includes weekly therapy appointments. The plans are billed monthly, FSA and HSA eligible, and can be covered under certain insurance plans.

Most importantly, Cerebral members have reported incredible outcomes: a 27 percent decrease in depression symptoms within two months and a 26 percent decrease in anxiety within three months. It’s time that the mental healthcare landscape sees a change.

New patients can save up to 65 percent off their first month of medication management and care counseling by using the promo code USATODAY65 when they sign up. n Kristen Castillo

Learn more about how Cerebral can help you manage your mental health www.cerebral.com/usatoday

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Helping Your Child Cope with the Effects of COVID19 on Mental Health Social isolation, disruption to everyday life, and the loss of loved ones has caused an unprecedented increase in mental health struggles among children during the COVID-19 pandemic What changes have you seen in the past couple of years regarding mental health?

With older children, I have seen changes in mood such as increased irritability, feelings of hopelessness, difficulty controlling anger, and frequent conflicts with family. We might also see a loss of interest in activities that your child previously enjoyed like exercise, enjoying time with friends, and music classes.

Commonly, I see issues with sleep, even changes in appetite and weight.

With younger children, I notice anxiety and tantrum behavior becoming more frequent and intense. On occasion, we can even see regressions in behavior and learned skills.

What resources do you recommend for young people struggling with mental health, especially during COVID? Nowadays there are a lot of free wellness apps to help individuals that struggle with mental health. A few I recommend to my teens and young adults are Calm: Sleep and Meditation, Headspace: Mindful Meditation, and Better Sleep: Relax and Sleep.

What misconceptions are there surrounding mental health?

One of the biggest misconceptions about mental health is that mental illnesses are not common. Since the start of the pandemic, hospitals have seen more mental health emergencies amongst kids. More than 140,000 children in the United States have experienced the death of a loved one from COVID, and children of racial and ethnic minority families have been especially affected.

Another common misconception is that struggling with mental health is a sign of weakness. Struggling with mental health is an illness and requires treatment just as any other medical condition; it is in no way a weakness or lack of willpower.

Dr. Amna Husain, MD, IBCLC, Owner and Medical Director, Pure Direct Pediatrics

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Children’s Hospitals Across the Nation Are Addressing Mental Health With an escalating mental health crisis affecting children, children’s hospitals are strengthening community partnerships to support kids’ health as they return to school.

The effects of the pandemic have negatively impacted children and their mental health in unprecedented ways, and children’s hospitals across the country are working urgently every day to help children in crises. CHA data shows that currently over 80 percent of children’s hospitals in the United States offer child and adolescent mental and behavioral health services.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between April and October of 2020, there was a 24 percent increase in mental health emergency department visits for kids ages 5-11 compared with the same period in 2019. According to CHA data, in the latter half of 2020, children’s hospitals saw

a 17 percent increase in suicide and self-injury cases (inpatient and emergency) among kids aged 5-18 compared to the year before.

To provide the care children and youth need, children’s hospitals are working with parents, communities, and partner organizations to strengthen prevention, diagnostic, and treatment services for mental and behavioral health conditions. Here are a few examples: • In April 2020, Children’s Hospital New Orleans celebrated the opening of its new Behavioral Health Center, which offers acute inpatient, outpatient, psychology, and psychiatric services for behavioral health for kids who are 7-17 years old.

• In Milwaukee, Children’s Wisconsin provides school-based mental health services in 47 urban and rural schools throughout the state, and that number grows each year. Currently Chil-

dren’s Wisconsin provides therapists in 53 schools and is adding eight more this school year.

• Children’s Hospital Colorado created Partners for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH), a community-led center, offering trainings and workshops to help Colorado schools and staff meet the mental health needs of students. The workshops help school communities develop policies and procedures to intervene with students experiencing thoughts of suicide and respond after a suicide loss. PCMH also provides custom training based on the needs of school communities throughout the state.

This is the tip of the iceberg, and there’s more that needs to be done. We must rebuild our pediatric mental healthcare system to ensure our children are healthy and resilient. n Amy Knight, President, Children’s Hospital Association (CHA)

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How “The LifeLaunch” Is Helping Adolescents Take Control of Their Mental Health Teens are experiencing a mental health crisis, with many reporting anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

The data is significant. According to The U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory, pre-pandemic, up to 1 in 5 kids ages 3 to 17 had a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder.

Youth psychiatric visits to emergency departments for anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges were up 28 percent between 2011 and 2015.

Suicide rates among young people, ages 10-24, increased by 57 percent between 2007 and 2018; and National Center for Health Statistics’ early estimates suggest there were 6,600 deaths by suicide in 2020 among the 10-24 age group.

The proportion of high school students who had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness increased by 40 percent from 2009 to 2019; that same group had a 36percent increase in seriously considering attempting suicide; and approximately 1 in 6 youth created a suicide plan, a 44 percent increase in 10 years.

“The last two years have very much changed our norms and routines,” says Harsh K. Trivedi, M.D., MBA, president and CEO of Sheppard Pratt, noting during the pandemic teens feel more isolated and lonelier, have lost social supports, and have missed rites of passage like prom.

“Adolescence is a period of getting to figure out who you are, who you want to be,” he says. “There’s this very introspective part of growth that happens during adolescence, and when there’s so much tumultuousness in the world

outside, it’s a lot harder to get your bearings of who you are inside.”

The LifeLaunch Now The LifeLaunch, a new shortterm residential program, provides teens experiencing mental health conditions — including depression, anxiety, and other diagnoses — with comprehensive and clinically intensive therapeutic offerings.

It’s called LifeLaunch because adolescence is when teens figure out who they are, and sets the trajectory of what they want their lives to be.

The private pay treatment program

by Sheppard Pratt recently opened in Maryland. Sheppard Pratt, the country’s largest private, nonprofit provider of mental health, substance use, special education, developmental disability, and social services, is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World

Report as a top national psychiatric hospital.

The around-the-clock program, considered the gold-standard in compassionate care support and expertise, is the next step if outpatient therapy or other interventions haven’t been sufficient in treating a teen’s mental health needs. It’s also highly effective for teens who are stepping down from acute inpatient care.

Understanding the whole child Adolescents, ages 12 – 17, stay in the residential, full-service setting for one to three months, where they receive comprehensive and clinically intensive therapeutic services, delivered by a multidisciplinary treatment team.

The goals are for teens to get through their current crisis; address underlying mental health issues; establish an effective and holistic treatment plan;

and develop the coping, communication, and emotion regulation skills they need to return home.

“It’s a fundamentally different way of providing treatment, that’s not based on a diagnosis or a particular treatment modality,” says Dr. Trivedi.

“At Sheppard Pratt, we really get to take the time to understand the whole child as well as their family, and the hopes for what the future should bring.”

Evidence-based treatment modalities are tailored to a teen’s specific needs. Clinical staff evaluate the teen and determine the most appropriate set of treatment modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), exposure with response prevention (ERP), family therapy, and more.

Sheppard Pratt ensures teens continue their education during their treatment by providing them with an academic liaison, as well as tutors and other academic support as needed.

Dr. Trivedi encourages parents to consider Sheppard Pratt and The LifeLaunch as a first treatment option.

“We have people that have decades of experience working with adolescents,” he says. “From the first moment you pick up the phone and you call, we are by your side and we will guide you to what is the best treatment option or program for your adolescent.” n Kristen Castillo

Get more information about The LifeLaunch: sheppardpratt.org/carefinder/the-lifelaunch/

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