Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center, UM School of Public Health

03/01/2022

We know physical activity is good for us, but it can also have a positive impact on our mental health. Read more in this article: https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.202000768

People with serious mental illness die 10–20 years earlier, compared with the overall population, and the excess mortality is driven by undertreated physical health conditions. In the United States, there is growing interest in models integrating physical health care delivery, management, or coord...

02/25/2022

A California senator is advocating for investment in our behavioral health workforce, focusing on the need to enhance services for mental health and wellbeing. Read the full release: https://sd11.senate.ca.gov/news/20220211-senator-wiener-introduces-major-mental-health-workforce-legislation

SACRAMENTO - Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced Senate Bill 964, the Behavioral Health Workforce Revitalization Act. SB 964 increases California’s investment in its behavioral workforce in order to retain workers, increase the size of the behavioral health workforce, and support beh...

02/23/2022

Behavioral health concerns like anxiety, depression, and even self-harm, have all increased during the pandemic. Children and adolescents have been impacted with interruptions in school and home life, among other stressors. Read more: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/how-to-confront-covid-19s-toll-on-kids-mental-health

Anxiety, depression, and self harm have all increased during the pandemic. Here's what experts say and what interventions are needed.

02/18/2022

Check out Episode 3 of this new video series from the American Public Health Association. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTYnpcKM0jg&list=PLDjqc55aK3kywF2dd97_Jh5iP0d2ARhdo&index=7

Mental illness affects nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. in any given year. But mental illness isn’t just "mental" — it can impact our physical health too. Le...

02/15/2022

"State and local public health departments need an 80% increase in their workforce to provide a minimum set of public health services."

Learn more from the de Beaumont Foundation and their push to invest in the public health workforce.
https://debeaumont.org/staffing-up/

State and local public health departments need an 80% increase in their workforce to provide a minimum set of public health servicesAccording to a new analysis, state and local health departments need to hire a minimum of 80,000 more full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) — an increase of nearly 80...

02/12/2022

Mental health and physical health greatly impact each other, which is why it's important to better understand how offering primary care services at community mental health centers can impact patient health. Read more on the Availability of Integrated Primary Care Services in Community Mental Health Care Settings: https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.201800448

Objective: This study examined the availability of primary care and wellness services in community mental health centers (CMHCs) and outpatient mental health facilities (OMHFs). Methods: This study used data from the 2016 National Mental Health Services Survey to examine the proportion of facilities...

02/10/2022

When COVID-19 hit, a lot of state governors issued directives that increased the flexibility offered to healthcare and the healthcare workforce. Many rejoiced with the loosening of regulations, especially related to behavioral health, but how did these changes impact the workforce? https://www.healthworkforceta.org/media-library/how-did-state-governor-directives-change-healthcare-workforce-flexibility-in-response-to-covid-19/

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created significant surges in patients and shortages of medical staff , supplies, and space. In times of heightened population health needs, the health workforce must have the ability to respond quickly and efficiently without legal restrictions. This webinar exami...

02/01/2022

New research from University of Michigan School of Public Health indicates Telehealth Services for the Elderly Should Include Caregivers, just as if the caregiver was bringing the patient to their appointment. Read more: https://sph.umich.edu/news/2022posts/elderly-telehealth-services-should-include-caregivers.html

Family caregivers who would have been involved in in-person care for the elderly were left out of telehealth visits during the pandemic, according to a new observational study published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

01/25/2022

"Michigan’s latest COVID-19 surge is among the worst in the country, and if there’s one thing we know about COVID’s effect on our nation’s health care system, provider burnout will soon follow."

Read more in this article from the Center for Health and Research Transformation at the University of Michigan.
https://chrt.org/publication/michigans-physicians-and-providers-face-burnout-what-can-we-do-to-help/

Michigan’s latest COVID-19 surge is among the worst in the country, and if there’s one thing we know about COVID’s effect on our nation’s health care system, provider burnout will soon follow.  Physician burnout is a concern for everyone. It’s tied to lower-quality care, reduced clinical ...

01/14/2022

Recently published, Nurse Employment During The First Fifteen Months Of The COVID-19 Pandemic looks at a tightening labor market for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants. Authored in part by BHWRC Advisory Board member, Peter I. Buerhaus, PhD, RN, FAAN. Find the article here: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01289

Analysis of Current Population Survey data suggests a tightening labor market for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants, marked by falling employment and rising wages through June 2021. Unemployment rates remain higher in nonhospital settings and among registered nurse...

01/11/2022

New collaboration in Ohio looks to leverage data in an effort to identify areas of racial and ethnic inequity in Ohio’s community behavioral health system. Read more: https://www.ohio.edu/news/2022/01/behavioral-health-gets-answer-missing-piece-data

Four organizations have announced a collaborative effort to develop a report that identifies areas of racial and ethnic inequity in Ohio’s community behavioral health system.

01/04/2022

The Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska has released a new report on the behavioral health workforce. Highlights focus on the, " 33.5% increase in behavioral health professionals amidst an ongoing shortage and aging workforce." Read more: https://nptelegraph.com/lifestyles/unmc-legislative-report-reveals-more-behavioral-health-professionals-needed/article_8e72154a-6b87-11ec-9b0a-9b940022535c.html

Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska reports a 33.5% increase in behavioral health professionals amidst an ongoing shortage and aging workforce.

01/03/2022

A new year is the perfect time to subscribe to our newsletter. Don't miss out on new research, Center updates, and more! https://www.behavioralhealthworkforce.org/about-us/newsletter/

The BHWRC publishes a quarterly newsletter designed to connect behavioral health care workers, policy makers, and other interested stakeholders. Each issue features upcoming events and outreach activities, highlights our recent presentations, and discusses new research.

12/20/2021

Happy Holidays! Whatever you celebrate, we hope you have a restful and enjoyable holiday season.

Our team is looking forward to time with friends and family too, and we wanted to thank you in advance for your patience over the next two weeks. Due to reduced staff and University holidays, please expect a delay in response should you reach out to any of our BHWRC colleagues. Don't worry - we'll be sure to get back with you as soon as possible in the new year.

Thank you for all you do, and have a healthy holiday!

12/10/2021

This time of year can be challenging for people living with a substance use disorder. Learn about holiday depression, being in recovery during the holidays, and more in this article. https://drugabuse.com/featured/holiday-highs-and-lows/

For many Americans, the end of the year brings images of happy families gathered around a Christmas tree, big dinners of turkey and stuffing, holiday music, and cozy fires. For others, the holidays can be a much darker and more difficult time – a time of family conflict, financial strain, loneline...

12/08/2021

Wisconsin is facing a workforce shortage seen across the nation. Read more in this article, or review one of our many workforce research projects to learn more. https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-national-guard-called-into-mental-health-disability-care-facilities-due-to-staffing-shortages/article_f2182791-cab5-5529-b065-d0bb34103385.html

Staffing shortages have become so severe at some state mental health and disability care facilities that the Wisconsin National Guard has been called in to help.

12/06/2021

Pierce County in Washington state has implemented a public health tax to improve public health services in their community. Funds will be used to strengthen prevention programs, address mental health concerns, and enhance community programming. Find out more about this innovative approach: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article256096147.html

“We need to make some significant investments to help people in crisis and add more proactive outreach.”

11/30/2021

With historic investments in public health, the Build Back Better Act could prove a useful tool in strengthening public health infrastructure. Read more: https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20211121.674613/full/

The House-Passed Build Back Better Act would direct tens of billions of dollars to strengthen core public health and health workforce capabilities in ways that would build on proven successes, set in motion longstanding recommendations from experts, and ultimately position the nation to face 21st ce...