Decreasing the Stigma of Seeking Behavioral Health Treatment

This is a good start trying to decrease the stigma of seeking out support for psychological needs among the military.  As of now, the behavioral health department is the largest department in many, if not most, MTFs currently.  There are a lot of services available to military members and dependents as well that are available for them to take advantage of when dealing with military trauma as well as everyday life issues.  I think the stigma has diminished, but changing a way of thinking within an organization as well as not taking actions seen as punitive as a result of seeking help takes time and can always be improved.  I hope that the military - and society in general - no longer see going to a therapist or psychiatrist any different as going to the doctor when you have a cold.

Making an Altered Book to Process 2020

I was thinking I need to do more art lately. I came across a 2020 planner that I never ended up using at all, and it's a cute little hardback calendar. I hate to throw out a totally unused item, and then I got to thinking....I recommend altered book making to my clients fairly often, and had the epiphany that I should turn the planner into an altered book to process the year. I started the first pages today! I will keep adding to this post as I finish other pages. I hope you enjoy this as well and perhaps consider making your own art, too!

The Impact of the COVID19 Pandemic on Aspects of Mental Health

I saw some relevant news from MedPage Today regarding the impact of the pandemic on mental health, psychiatric practitioners, and the way we do therapy as a result. I still see at least 50% of my patients virtually now. I'll put all the articles here for convenience: 

More and more psychiatrists are facing burnout amid the pandemic-related mental health crisis. (Business Insider)  

https://www.businessinsider.com/worst-mental-health-crisis-last-two-decades-psychiatrists-burning-out-2021-1 

Reflecting this crisis, wait times for a psychiatric-unit bed are sometimes reaching a month long in Massachusetts. (Cambridge Day)  

https://www.cambridgeday.com/2021/01/08/lack-of-psychiatric-beds-can-mean-30-day-waits-for-people-in-crisis-filling-up-emergency-rooms/ 

According to a study including a representative sample of the U.S. adult population ages 20 and older, telehealth was utilized by more than half of patients for a behavioral health condition during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Journal of General Internal Medicine) 

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-020-06358-0

A Splintered Mind

I came across this song the other day, and listening to the lyrics, it reminds me a lot of patients I work with. Many times music can capture an experience or emotion.  Perhaps it might resonate with you.