by Philip Payne | Jul 31, 2020 | Mental Health
July 31st, marks the end of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Any person of any race, culture, gender, identity, etc. can experience mental health challenges throughout their life. Despite this, minorities oftentimes encounter difficulty in receiving treatment. At Apportis, we ensure that everyone is treated equally as our number one goal is to support anyone in need of help.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, there was an estimated 1.4 million suicide attempts in America in 2018, and 48,344 of those resulted in fatality. The age-adjusted suicide rate for minorities including American Indians, Alaska Natives, African Americans, and Asians/Pacific Islanders in the United States in 2018 was 28.39 individuals for every 100,000 people. Additionally, a 2017 CDC study provided that suicide was the second leading cause of death for African Americans, ages 15 to 24.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is dedicated to creating awareness and appreciation for the mental health campaign “Strength Over Silence.” They have an ongoing docuseries comprised of the stories of those who have fought against and recovered from mental health challenges with an emphasis on community and culture. Apportis encourages you to view their docuseries to educate yourself on the importance of people’s backgrounds within the realm of mental health.
Unintended negative mental health disparities have become more prevalent amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that it is now even more important than it ever has been to address treatment options for physical and mental health management. Our community must engage in programs and practices that advocate for racial and minority groups in their home, work, and social environments. According to the CDC, some factors that contribute to an increased risk of contracting illnesses such as the Coronavirus for racial and ethnic minority groups include discrimination, limited healthcare access and utilization, occupation disparities, education/income/wealth gaps, and housing shortcomings. Visit the CDC website for further explanation into these factors.
The United States is actively working to support the mental health needs of its citizens, especially during the challenging times that COVID-19 has brought upon the nation (the national suicide rates are now at the highest point since World War II). The Federal Communications Commission approved “988” to be the official National Suicide Hotline number. The number becomes active on July 16, 2022. Until then, the current hotline number is 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).
What Can You Do?
Contact us at Apportis about our tele-behavioral and case management platform, watch the National Alliance on Mental Illness “Strength Over Silence” docuseries, strive to be inclusive and appreciative towards racial and minority groups, share your support on social media, and so much more!
by Philip Payne | Jul 26, 2020 | Mental Health
In 2010, the US Senate designated that National Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day be observed on June 27th.
PTSD has long been recognized as a mental disorder resulting from a traumatic event experienced by an individual. In the United States, the National Comorbidity Survey Replication has estimated that the lifetime prevalence of PTSD among adult Americans is 6.8%, with women (9.7%) more than twice as likely as men (3.6%) to have PTSD at some point in their lives. More than 60% of men and more than 60% of women experience at least one traumatic event in their life. The most frequently reported traumatic events by men are rape, combat, and childhood neglect or physical abuse. Women most frequently report instances of rape, sexual molestation, physical attack, being threatened with a weapon and childhood physical abuse. 88% of men and 79% of women with lifetime PTSD have at least one comorbid psychiatric disorder. Major depressive disorder, 48% of men and 49% of women, and lifetime alcohol abuse or dependence, 51.9% of men and 27.9% of women, are the most common comorbid disorders. It is estimated that globally about 354 million adult survivors of war suffer from PTSD and/or MD, of which about 117 million are estimated to suffer from comorbid PTSD and MD.
Symptoms of PTSD generally begin within the first 3 months after the inciting traumatic event, but may not begin until years later. In the typical case, the individual with PTSD persistently avoids trauma-related thoughts and emotions, and discussion of the traumatic event, and may even have amnesia of the event. Trauma survivors often develop depression, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders in addition to PTSD.
PTSD can come from a diverse range of traumatic experiences and therefore can be difficult to identify and diagnose. There are several different methods available for testing and screening for PTSD, which can greatly assist in treatment.
Watch for symptoms may include nightmares or unwanted memories of the trauma, avoidance of situations that bring back memories of the trauma, heightened reactions, anxiety, or depressed mood.
People who have PTSD may experience the following:
- Behavioral: agitation, irritability, hostility, hypervigilance, self-destructive behavior, or social isolation
- Psychological: flashback, fear, severe anxiety, or mistrust
- Mood: loss of interest or pleasure in activities, guilt, or loneliness
- Sleep: insomnia or nightmares
- Also common: emotional detachment or unwanted thoughts
For National PTSD Awareness Day, it is encouraged for individuals and organizations to educate themselves on PTSD to better help themselves and to help support others, especially considering how prevalent it is in our society.
by Philip Payne | Jun 12, 2020 | Mental Health
Well I took this one right out of Joan Callamezzo’s playbook: Gotcha! With my homage to NBC’s sitcom Parks and Recreation, I wanted to take time to highlight tomorrow as ‘Family Health & Fitness Day.’ Celebrated the second Saturday in June each year, this special day promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy. That is why the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) designated this year’s theme “Parks Build Healthy Communities.” So to participate, Apportis team members chose to show off their favorite parks in the Columbus and Cleveland areas. For me this was an easy assignment, as I live across the street from Goodale Park, but it caused me to reflect on this theme and how our parks are really centers of our community.
We all just experienced three months unlike any other in our lives, but it was amazing to see the “connectiveness” of everyone in our community. For me, nowhere was that more evident than the park right across the street from my house. As I worked from home in my living room I couldn’t help but notice the diverse range of people using the park. Despite nearly every entertainment and fitness business closing, there was one place they could still use to stay fit. While everyone chose to use the space in different ways to exercise, everyone adhered to some form of social distancing. Whether they were wearing masks, deliberately staying 6 feet away at all times, etc. there was one commonality, we’re all in this together – connected.
This really struck me when I recently bothered to read the inscription on the statue of Lincoln Goodale. It reads: In 1851 he donated this beautiful parcel of land to the City of Columbus to be “forever kept and preserved as a public park,” thus making Goodale Park the oldest in the city. For me, this really hit home that 169 years later I still get to enjoy his gift to the city and his legacy in the community.
Please share your Family Health & Fitness Day ideas, virtual events and photos with us on social media using the hashtag #NRPAFamilyFitDay.
by Philip Payne | Jun 1, 2020 | LGBTQ
In his final year in office, President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay & Lesbian Pride Month” to commemorate the Stonewall riots that took place June 1969 in Manhattan. This was a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations in response to a police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a well-know gay bar in New York City. At the time, Gay Americans faced an anti-gay legal system in which their havens were raided and leaders arrested. The Stonewall riots are widely considered the catalyst of the modern fight for LGBT rights in the United States.
The 1960s were tumultuous time of social upheaval and it’s important to remember those who fought for the civil rights of the LGBT community. In June 2009, President Barack Obama expanded the commemoration further by declaring June “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.” As our understanding of this community continues to expand, so does the desire for inclusion and connectedness. Just like any marginalized population, those who are LGBT can face mental health issues. Therefore, it is essential for these at-risk individuals find acceptance and understanding with their peers in their community. This is why we commend groups such as the Kaleidoscope Youth Center who work alongside queer youth to create free programming, housing, and support services here in Columbus, and all over the state of Ohio.
The Apportis platform was built for easy integration with groups like KYC, to provide their users and staff with the ability to connect virtually, find localized resources in their community, and a peer to peer interface. So just like how LGBT individuals found a home at the Stonewall Inn in 1969, we hope to provide that community and sense of belonging in the 21st century!
Please use #PRIDE2020 #PrideMonth and #Pride to raise awareness on social media.
by Philip Payne | May 1, 2020 | Hepatitis Awareness Month
Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are three types of viral hepatitis. Although each type of viral hepatitis is caused by a different virus and is spread in different ways, they all affect the liver and can cause serious health problems according to the CDC. Learn the ABC’s of Hepatitis.
Apportis is proud to be providing a solution to benefit patients who need help in many areas. During this time of social distancing, telemedicine enables patients who are shut-in or housebound to reach out for services without the need to leave home, making it easier to manage their conditions without in-person consultations. This National Hepatitis Awareness Month, all are asked to join Apportis in spreading the word and encouraging others to get educated on this epidemic that impacts so many.
Please use #HepAware2020, #HepTestingDay, and #hepatitis to raise awareness on social media.
Recent Comments