Substance Solutions Inc.

04/16/2021

Colorado bill would give children free mental health services during the pandemic

HB21-1258, introduced in the House on April 6, seeks to create a temporary program that would provide minors with three free sessions with a mental health professional. The bipartisan bill allocates $9 million to reimburse providers for these visits, which may be in person or virtual.

Could mental health resources in your community accommodate the increased demand for services a bill similar to this would create?

The Colorado state legislature is working to give children free access to mental health care to help them cope with the mental ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic.

04/15/2021

Blood Test for Depression, Bipolar Disorder May be on the Horizon

Worldwide, 1 in 4 people will suffer from a depressive episode in their lifetime. While current diagnosis and treatment approaches are largely trial and error, a breakthrough study sheds new light on the biological basis of mood disorders, and offers a promising blood test aimed at a precision medicine approach to treatment.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210408112310.htm

04/14/2021

America’s Access to Care Crisis: Telemedicine Provides the Solution

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the United States in early 2020, telemedicine took a giant leap forward in popularity.

Although the benefits of telemedicine are evident, barriers to full implementation and continuation of telemedicine in the postpandemic era still exist.

04/12/2021

BRIEF
Helping Recovery Residences Adapt to Support People with Medication-Assisted Recovery

The concepts of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and
medication-assisted recovery (MAR) are closely related, but
may have distinct meanings across individuals, communities,
and systems of care.

04/12/2021

Mental Health & Vaccines

Last year had a devastating impact upon our behavioral health. Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that about 2 of every 5 adults suffered from one or more behavioral health conditions during June of 2020.

Virtual psychotherapy groups can serve as support systems for students during these difficult times while also adhering to safety regulations.

04/10/2021

New Supersized Drink Encourages Binge Drinking

Supersized alcopops are ready-to-drink flavored alcoholic beverages that have up to five times the alcohol content of beer and appear to be marketed toward young drinkers.

Supersized alcopops are ready-to-drink flavored alcoholic beverages that have up to five times the alcohol content of beer and appear to be marketed toward young drinkers. A new study found that calls to U.S. poison control centers for supersized alcopops disproportionately involved underage drinker...

04/09/2021

PODCAST
Can We Find Ways to Reconnect After the Pandemic?

Meaningful social connection does not always come naturally. And during the pandemic, it has been extra challenging to learn how to connect while at a distance. AJ Harbinger offers strategies to relate in deeper ways, on and off the screen.

https://offtheclockpsych.com/conversations-that-connect/

04/07/2021

GUN DEBATE

Is it mental illness? Or something else?

Researchers and advocates say the rush to cast blame on a mental illness is misplaced.

For years, mass shootings have been blamed on a gunman's mental illness. Experts say that characterization is usually wrong.

04/06/2021

Are we ready to re-balance in-person vs. telehealth?
Aetna and CVS Health aim to provide an omnichannel approach to mental healthcare by mirroring their in-person HealthHUB options with a virtual care option.

As the pandemic becomes more manageable, members facing mental healthcare and behavioral healthcare needs may benefit from an omnichannel approach, mixing both virtual care and in-person solutions.

04/02/2021

Younger age of first cannabis use or prescription drug misuse is associated with faster development of substance use disorders

A new study shows that in the time after first trying cannabis or first misusing prescription drugs, the percentages of young people who develop the corresponding substance use disorder are higher among adolescents (ages 12-17) than young adults (ages 18-25).

NIH analysis measures the prevalence of nine substance use disorders after first substance use or misuse in young people

04/01/2021

5 Use Cases for AI in Behavioral Health Practices

Author presents five ways artificial intelligence can benefit mental health practices in the future. Are you ready for this?

https://www.psychcongress.com/article/5-use-cases-ai-behavioral-health-practices

03/31/2021

New Federal Rules Kick in April 5th

New rule prohibits “information blocking” for electronic health records takes effect April 5, 2021, and here’s how it impacts psychologists.

In general, information blocking is a practice by a psychologist that is likely to interfere with access, exchange, or use of EHI by the patient. Examples include restricting patient access more than permitted under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule and state law, or disabling a capability in your EHR system that facilitates patient access.

A new rule that prohibits information blocking for electronic health records takes effect April 5, 2021.