Weaving Mental Health First Aid into Workplace Wellness

Article by Linda Rosenberg

Every month Anne LaFleur sends employees in her office a quiz about various wellness topics. When the topic was depression, she received twice as many responses as usual from co-workers.

When LaFleur, vice president of human resources at a credit union in Pawtucket, RI, took a Mental Health First Aid course in February, she quickly understood the reason for the high level of interest in mental health issues. The training also helped her identify people in her office who may be suffering a mental health problem and taught her how to provide help and refer people to self-help and professional resources. “The training made me realize that mental health issues are very common, yet one of the least talked about problems,” LaFleur says.

More than one in four people suffer from a diagnosable mental health problem in any given year. Mental illness likely costs businesses more than billion a year, billion of it in lost productivity. The statistics point to the significant need to incorporate mental health into burgeoning employee wellness programs, which have received a shot in the arm with the passage of federal healthcare reform legislation.

Mental Health First Aid has proved to be an ideal program to promote improved mental health in workplaces across the country.

LaFleur is one of more than 6,000 people certified in Mental Health First Aid since the training was introduced in the United States two years ago by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare along with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Those who participate in the 12-hour Mental Health First Aid course learn a five-step process to assess a situation, select and implement appropriate interventions and help a person developing signs and symptoms of mental illness or in crisis receive appropriate care. Participants also learn about the risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, and addiction.

Evaluations show that the evidence-based Mental Health First Aid program saves lives, expands people’s knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments, and reduces the stigma associated with mental illness by helping people understand and accept mental illness as a medical condition. One trial of 301randomized participants found that those who took the training had greater confidence in providing help to others, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, and decreased stigmatizing attitudes.

Unexpectedly, the study also found that Mental Health First Aid improved the mental health of the participants themselves.

“By understanding the signs and symptoms of depression, I learned to recognize this in myself,” says Kellie-Ann Heenan, director of human resources at a company in Lincoln, RI.

Heenan, who had the training in February, has an adopted son from Russia who suffers from a number of emotional issues.

“The tools I learned made it easier to connect with him and better understand where he’s coming from,” she says. “In the end, the training improved my own mental health.”

LaFleur has also applied the lessons she learned in the course to her home life.

“My kids are in their 20s and they go through the typical ups and downs,” says LaFleur, “I use my Mental Health First Aid training to see how my kids are feeling.” LaFleur says she was surprised by the range of mental health issues covered in the course.

“We looked at how to deal with both crisis and non-crisis situations, and it made us very aware of the terminology we use that may not be socially correct,” she says, noting that describing co-workers as “crazy” or a “nut case” may be hurtful to people going through an emotionally trying time.

The training proved to be particularly helpful to Lynn Corwin last January when two fellow employees walked into her office in a panic. They told Corwin, director of human resources at the organization, that a co-worker was extremely upset about the recent earthquake in Haiti. The distressed young woman had a close friend in Haiti and had been unable to contact the person for five days. Fearing the worst, the woman was having difficulty managing her emotions, let alone being able to work.

While the two workers had no idea how to deal with the situation, Corwin sprung into action.

“I used what I learned in the course to calm the woman down and talk with her about how she’s feeling,” says Corwin. “I explained to her that it was OK to be upset, and to not be embarrassed about it.”

“The training left me with a greater sense of confidence about how to deal with a variety of people issues that come up in every office,” concludes Heenan. “There’s such a stigma around mental health and people don’t want to talk about it, so having the information gives me confidence that I’ll be able to handle these types of situations when they arise.”

About the Author

Linda Rosenberg is the president and CEO of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. TNC specializes in lobbying for mental and behavioral healthcare reform. Lean more at http://www.thenationalcouncil.org.

More than 4400 people are held in immigration detention centres across Australia. 101 East takes a rare look inside the centres to see if the treatment of detainees is creating a generation with major mental health issues.

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How To Get A Free Health Care Directive in California

Article by Robert Mansour, Esq.

Free Health Care Directive for Californians!

People usually forget that estate planning involves much more than wills and trusts.

Part of any solid estate plan, the Directive allows your chosen agent(s) to make health care decisions for you if you can’t do so yourself!

In some states, it is still called a “Living Will” which is probably why many people confuse it with a “Living Trust.” In California, the “living will” is now called an Advance Health Care Directive. I provide my clients with a VERY robust and comprehensive document.

Some online companies and paralegal services will sell you an Advance Health Care Directive, but what they are actually providing you is something you can get for free! That’s right….the California Probate Code already provides a free Health Care Directive in section 4701 of the code. The reason some places sell this form to you is because they are NOT allowed to practice law…they can only provide you with the entry-level form. While the form in the code has its shortcomings, and is indeed “entry level,” it is better than nothing.

If you don’t have a solid directive, and you haven’t done an estate plan, then at the very least, you can get the FREE one and fill it out yourself.

Here is how you can get the FREE entry level form:

1. Go to the California Attorney General’s website at http://ag.ca.gov/2. In the top right, you will find a search box3. In the search box, type “advance health care directive”4. The first result should be California’s FREE entry level form that you can fill out online. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully!

If you want something more robust or a more complete estate plan that will provide you and your family with MUCH more protections, please feel free to call my office and make an appointment. You will be glad you did.

EVERYONE OVER THE AGE OF 18 SHOULD HAVE AN ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES, BUT HAVING ONE (EVEN THE FREE FORM) IS LIKELY BETTER THAN NOT HAVING ANYTHING AT ALL.

Please forward this email to friends, colleagues, and family that might find it helpful.

About the Author

Robert Mansour has been a lawyer since 1993. His main areas of practice include Estate Planning, Living Trusts, Wills, Probate and Personal Injury Law.

Law Office of Robert M. Mansour http://www.MansourLaw.com http://www.ValenciaLawyer.com http://www.SantaClaritaPersonalInjury.com

(661) 414-7100 / (800) 799-7449 Estate Planning, Trusts, Probate and Personal Injury Law

Free Health Insurance Quote – Where Is The Best Place To Start?

Article by Neil Perry

Family health is of critical importance and we all know just how pricey health care can be in the United States. This is why nobody should be without family health insurance, particularly where young children are concerned.The good news is, that even if you have no idea what sort of plan you require, you can find out easily online. You will first want to obtain a free health insurance quote. There are literally thousands of websites that will enable you to obtain a free health insurance quote. The best ones to go to are not the sites of providers themselves, however, but the comparison websites that enable you to enter your details just once and they will return options from hundreds of providers. This is massively time saving in obtaining a free health insurance quote.The quote will offer you a rough estimate of what you should be expected to pay up front. It will also go into detail about the terms and how much it might end up costing you if you require the use of its services. It is worth taking this information and the rough ideas it gives you to an insurance broker, who will also be able to answer any questions you might have about health insurance in general or about specific policies and plans.Make sure, before you go to the insurance broker, that you have all information ascertaining to the health of all members who should be covered by your insurance plan. This will include anyone with pre-existing medical conditions, such as high cholesterol, asthma, a history or high blood pressure or a history of cancers. That list is far from exhaustive however and you should refer to the medical history of all persons to be covered prior to meeting with a broker.Want the know what is the fastest and easiest way to get affordable health insurance? Click HereTo get started immediately, Click Here >> Free Health Insurance Quote

About the Author

Find out more about the heath insurance online quote and get your family covered.

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Impact of Health Information Systems on Health Care

Article by ATV

Technological advances and an explosion of information in the biomedical field have created huge amounts of data that cannot be managed any more by using paper. For this reason, Health informatics was created and further developed to address the need to optimize the collection, analysis, storage and retrieval of data in health care. Information and data are managed with the help of specific information systems. These systems exist in many forms and can provide critical services that otherwise would not be possible or would require days or months.

Health information systems address population needs and demographics by helping to collect and analyze data from surveys, census, and birth/death registration systems. There are also systems that help to collect and analyze data from health facilities with implications not only on public health surveillance, but also on the efficiency and infrastructure of the facilities themselves. In addition, health information systems are being used worldwide to track disease progress, eradicate and prevent the advent of emerging diseases, global aging, global demographics, availability of health infrastructure and services, evolution of antimicrobial resistance and immunization. As a result, these tools have become necessary for monitoring general health in today’s global world.

Information systems used in hospitals or other health care facilities can identify areas for optimization and streamlining operations. This leads to increased efficiency, less redundancy and lower costs. In addition, there are tools to manage data such as chart recordings. These systems lead to complete charts and better, easier ways to retrieve documentation. Clinicians can create, review and sign documents electronically. Digital voice files from clinicians are managed more efficiently and there is even software that allows physicians to use their smartphones for medical dictation. A physician can also now review patient monitoring data sent electronically or in real time in the comfort of his or her home or office, without having to visit patients in hospital.

Government agencies, clinicians and the health care industry want to have the most current information to improve health care quality. The exchange of health information among different providers, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories and government agencies plays a vital role in this purpose and cannot be performed without information systems. Health informatics must be able to transfer and translate the correct data from one facility to another. They must also operate well with each other, as there is multiple software available.

Furthermore, electronic systems can be used to analyze workflows and use of resources at a facility to help increase productivity, decrease errors, decrease costs and make significant improvements to processes and operations.

One cannot see a future without health information systems. It has acquired a special niche in the health care field and it is here to stay. Let’s hope that it will be utilized to its utmost potential.

About the Author

Government agencies, clinicians and the health care industry want to have the most current information to improve health care quality. The exchange of health information among different providers, hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories and government agencies plays a vital role in this purpose and cannot be performed without information systems. Health informatics must be able to transfer and translate the correct data from one facility to another. They must also operate well with each other, as there is multiple software available.

Atkins Low Carb Diet Related Health Questions Answered

Article by Groshan Fabiola

Here we will address some of the most often discussed Low Carb Diet related Health Questions vis a vis Atkins Diet.

Question: What impact does Atkins Diet have on our Health? How Does Atkins Diet help to achieve good health?

Answer: By following the Atkins Low Carb Foods Diet it is possible to change our metabolism for the better and lose weight. When we start eating foods that are high in protein and fat and cut down on foods, which are high in carbohydrate, our metabolism starts to undergo a change called Ketosis, which ultimately results in weight loss.

Question: Good health is synonymous with Low Carb Foods’ in Atkins Diet. And While disussing Atkins diet Ketosis is used very prominently. What is Ketosis?

Answer: Ketosis is a process when our body starts to use body fat to function instead of carbohydrate as carbs intake has been restricted. This process occurs when you are on low carb foods and your carbohydrate intake per day is less than 40grams. Atkins allows only 20 grams of it. If you are not able to cut down on your beloved potatoes, pasta and rice then the weight loss may happen very slowly as carbs get comsumed through these foods. But please remember that it’s not a good idea to be in ketosis long term.

Question: Can a Pregnant woman go on Atkins Diet?Answer: Pregnant women have generally not been seen to follow Atkins Diet. Whether its pregnancy or any other medical condition – if there exisits any, it’s best to ask your doctor before starting to follow any type of diet. There are women who have started on Atkins diet after delivering the baby so that they can burn the extra fat. It’s a long and slow process.

Question: I am new to Atkins Diet. What are the facts I should keep in mind?Answer: As a newbie, you have to remember that there are people who find the first two or three days difficult because they feel tired and some also complain of headache. May be you are one of those. So nothig to worry. After passing through this stage the energy levels return to normal. People have even felt better once fully into and used to the diet. Also remember that the Atkins Diet is good if you only have a stone or two to lose.

Question: Is it a good option for Vegetarians?Answer: No Atkin’s Low Carb Diet is not good for people who are pure vegetarians.

Question: Can I take Alcohol When I am on Atkins Diet?Answer: No. Atkins Diet, Alcohol and Good health don’t go together. Question: Can I take Caffeine when I am on Atkins Diet?Answer: Sorry. No. You can’t have Caffeine

Question: Is exercise recommended with Atkins Diet?Answer: Yes. Vitamin supplements and exercise forms a major part of following Atkins Diet.

Question: What are the Low Carb Food items allowed while one is following Atkins Diet?Answer: Some examples of Low Carb Foods are chicken, turnkey, beef, eggs, shellfish, lots of vegitables, cream, tea and coffee without milk. You can also have cheese, avocados, nuts, butter etc. You can’t have fruits, potatoes, rice, pasta, alcohol, etc. When you go on this diet, you are provided with a list of foods you can and can’t have.

About the Author

For more resources about Health Questions or even about Low Carb Foods please review this web page http://behealthyforum.com

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How to Get Free Health Insurance

Article by Fritz Thorp

Since it’s actually hard to earn money nowadays everybody would like to be able to avail of either cheap or affordable goods and services or might as well have them for free. With regards to our health, we should be able to consider that it is important to keep ourselves healthy and have ourselves maintain a good body and mind. If you are hesitant of obtaining medical assistance because it will just add on to your expenses, think again because free health insurance quotes are available out there for you to take advantage of.

You probably are one of those who are searching for a more affordable way of getting yourself some security when it comes to medical expenses, right? Well you don’t actually have to look further because no cost health insurance quotes may actually help you reduce your frustration. The question now is, have you considered getting what we call free health insurance quotes already? If your answer to this is no then I suggest that you do, and if you do, get more.

At these times people think that they are being obliged to get health insurance policies only from designated health insurance companies that are from the private group which may actually cost more for individuals and employers as well. In this situation people tend to be hesitant of availing a health service because they can not afford to.

The importance of a health insurance to an individual is that it is high in terms of securing the possible medical assistance that may be needed in the future. If one is unable to secure such plan then the chance of losing all the money that you have saved together with other properties may as well be an issue when an emergency occurs. And that is why one should push through in getting another option by availing no cost health insurance quotes as much as possible.

Aside from saving a lot of your hard earned money you may as well find the best options that would suite your needs regarding certain limitations on the coverage of a certain plan. You may be able to have access to a lot of no cost health insurance quotes on the internet and from there you’ll have many options to choose from. Just remember to read the terms and conditions so you can understand their policy and make sure that the free health insurance business that they have is legitimate.

About the Author

Fritz Thorp is the owner of south carolina business health insurance.and blue cross blue shield of south carolina blue cross blue shield of south carolina

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Tips To Recover From Your Mental Health

Article by KevinMoshayedi

Most of us suffer from mental health problems, though in varying degrees. Although mental ill-health affects so many people, there is still no proper definition as to what mental health problems are and what methods are needed to recover. It is reported that at least 1 in 10 young people and around 1 in 4 adults experience mental health problem at some time in their lives. Mental health can mean a wide range of symptoms and disorders – like depression, anxiety, self-harm, violent tendencies, schizophrenia and various types of mania. The mental health problems can develop at any time in one’s life and each person’s experience can be unique and can last from several weeks to even a lifetime.

People suffering from mental ill-health will think, feel or behave abnormally. This can be confusing not only for them but can affect their relationships, their work or education, and their social life. Having a mental health problem can create difficulties for all family members, friends, and the people they interact with. Mental health problems are usually caused by a variety of factors including breakdown in a relationship, death of a family member or a close friend, bullying, abuse, divorce, separation from parents or loved ones, stress born of a person’s current situation. Mental health can happen suddenly without prior indications or get built up over time.

When people first begin to experience mental health difficulties they may not be able to fathom what is happening. In several instances, people tend to deny that anything is wrong with them or even suppress information. Their reasons for doing this could be embarrassment, a sense of shame or fear of other people’s reactions. There is no denying the fact that mental health results in social stigma. Please remember that there is a lot of support available to help people recover from mental health problems – in terms of counseling, therapy, medication and treatment in hospital. Different treatments are recommended for different types of mental illnesses. With the right support, the majority of people with mental health problems will surely recover.

Mental health saps your energy, hope, ambition and drive, sometimes making it difficult to do even the normal day-to-day activities. Although overcoming depression may not be quick or easy, it certainly is not impossible. Feeling completely better may take time, but you can get there if you make positive choices for yourself each day and draw on the support of your loved ones. Recovering from depression calls for positive action but taking action when you’re depressed is hard. Some simple things you need to do are physical exercise, eating right food and rating regularly, sleeping at least for six hours, going out for walks in open areas, interacting with loved ones, avoiding loneliness, refusing to think negatively etc.. You probably already know that these things will help you overcome depression but following these rules are not easy when you are depressed. This is the Catch-22 situation of depression recovery. The symptoms of depression such as fatigue, despondency, incoherent thinking, and low self-esteem make it difficult to take the necessary steps to recovery. A realistic recovery plan therefore involves taking responsibility for the choices and changes you do have control over and avoiding the things you cannot control.

All forms of mental illnesses are treatable if the patient receives competent professional care. Psychologists are among the licensed and highly trained mental health providers with years of experience studying depression and helping patients recover from it. Unfortunately, there is some social stigma associated with seeking help for emotional and mental health problems as feelings of depression often are viewed as a sign of weakness rather than as a signal that something is out of balance. Persons suffering from mental health who do not seek help suffer needlessly. Unexpressed feelings and concerns accompanied by a sense of isolation can worsen mental health. The importance of obtaining timely professional health care is the need of the only answer for mental maladies.

About the Author

Kevin Moshayedi is an expert author, who is presently working on the site Mental Health. He has written many articles in various health topics about men’s health. For more medical information about Diseases and Conditions and Women’s Health. Visit our site http://www.healthon.com

Free Health Insurance Quotes During the Recession

Getting health insurance quotes on the phone is about as exciting as watching paint dry, and for this reason I prefer to shop for free health insurance quotes during the recession on-line. I know the last time I shopped for health insurance I spent at least an hour with each provider on the phone, answering the same boring questions about family health and history. Wouldn’t you like to just be able to use your own ability to read quickly to answer those questions quickly? Using the web to find free health insurance quotes during the recession makes sense because you can quickly skim over and through the myriad of questions you would normally spend an hour being asked when your are on the phone, so looking for those free health insurance quotes during the recession on-line saves you time! Finding a good free health insurance quote during the recession on-line is a challenging task as everyone is vying for your dollars so be sure to shop around for the best deal.

Health insurance is a necessity, in particular during the recession it becomes even more important. We are all busy folks and find it best to get free health insurance quotes during the recession. Going online is the best use of my time, not to mention the money often saved by not dealing with an agent. Our health is the top priority and to stay competitive in this tough market we have to be at our top health, and by having health insurance we will no longer fear getting ill or being apprehensive to go to the doctor get check ups.

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Free Health Insurance Quotes – Securing Your Future Health

Article by kilian

Healthcare Insurance is essential for avoiding circumstances where you fall ill and lack the money needed for the treatment. These health plans ensure that you and your family have adequate health coverage without the need to incur the large, avoidable costs. There is a common misconception that such plans are usually beyond the common mans’ reach. However, these plans are now available at affordable rates. All you are required to do is, shop around and compare as many free health insurance quotes as you can.

Free health insurance quotes are a common sight on websites these days, and you have a wide variety to choose from. You can obtain information about different kinds of plans offered in the market. Then you must analyze each and every feature of each quote and thoroughly compare it with the ones in the other offers. Adequate amount of time should be devoted to this work. The benefits you derive on getting insured must match your healthcare needs. Depending on how frequently you fall sick, or whether you require constant monitoring, you can choose a plan ideal for you. The flexibility offered by your policy in terms of visits to a specialist, is another feature you need to consider. Besides, your plan must provide adequate preventative care. Pediatric care is an important feature to look out for in case of free health insurance quotes with family plans.

For analyzing the costs effectively, the premium, the deductible and the so-called co-payments need to be considered. It is pointless to get a policy where you need to pay small amounts but it does not provide you with adequate coverage either. Guaranteed renewable plans must be preferred while comparing the free health insurance quotes. In the case of a policy which is not guaranteed renewable, the insurer may cancel it at his free will irrespective of whether you have paid up fully and on time. Rating of the insurance companies and customer services they provide are other things to look out for while comparing these free quotes.

Group insurance plans can be purchased at lower rates when you are a home business. This can be used to lower your personal insurance costs. Part-time workers in such home-based companies are also covered by such insurance quotes and policies. Your health quote should mention the benefits of utilizing the services of free clinics- checking the blood pressure, giving advices on simple medical problems and so on.

About the Author

HealthInsuranceQuotes.com provides free multiple low-cost health insurance quotes from reputed companies. For details visit their website at www.healthinsurancequotes.com. Your free quotes are just a few clicks away.

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