Dooiu’s Post

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to highlight the impact that social connections can make during a medical crisis. Research shows that emotional support from loved ones enhances psychological well-being, which can improve physical health outcomes and reduce unhealthy coping behaviors. Positive, supportive social ties are linked to better immune function, cardiovascular function, and lower physiological stress levels, aiding recovery during a medical crisis (Umberson and Montez, 2010). At Hospitality House of Charlotte, we recognize the importance of having loved ones close during a difficult medical journey. Our mission is to create community for patients and families seeking vital medical care in Charlotte. When guests stay at the House, they not only have a place to stay but also a network of care to uplift and support them every step of the way. ♥️ For more information on this study, click here: https://lnkd.in/eNmza-P Reference: Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social relationships and health: A flashpoint for health policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51(1_suppl), S54-S66.

🧠 We at DiMe know that mental health is an important topic all year round, not just during #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth. That’s why DATAcc by DiMe, in collaboration with the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge and with funding support from Wellcome, are teaming up to revolutionize how we detect and treat mental health for the long term! 🤝 Together, we're identifying the key early symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychosis and the most effective sensor-based digital health technologies (sDHTs) to monitor these signals. Our goal is to transform mental health care for patients, caregivers, and providers by working toward: ▪️ Detecting early warning signs ▪️ Monitoring symptom progression ▪️ Enabling precise intervention timing ▪️ Delivering personalized treatments ▪️ Improving overall outcomes and patient care We thank Wellcome Trust and the UCLA Grand Depression Challenge for supporting and collaborating on this important and timely research. Their contributions are instrumental in informing our understanding of how sDHTs can be integrated into mental health research and care, particularly with regard to enhancing early detection and symptom monitoring efforts. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gfxwx6Hj

ANNOUNCEMENT: I was asked to present at the The Psychedelics Super Conference as a subject matter expert for my contribution to the mental health and Trauma fields! And our worldwide conference is happening online and FREE the week of May 20th - May 26th. There will be a free replay the weekend of June 1st - June 3rd. There are over 50 hours of FREE education and information from the world's leading experts, Doctors, researchers, psychedelic facilitators, professors, philosophers, Trauma, and mental health experts. You'll see me present alongside Rick Doblin (founder of Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), Dr. Rick Strassman, Paul Stamets, Dave Asprey, Jamie Wheal, Jules Evans, Dr. Beatriz Caiuby-Labate of Chacruna Institute, Paul F. Austin (founder of Third Wave), and many more! I'm up on Day 3: as a Mental Health and Trauma expert talking about psychedelic preparation and psychedelic integration. I share some little known facts about Trauma, mental health, safety, preparation, integration, and shadow work when it comes to psychedelic healing. So get ready to nerd out! For many years, I have worked so very hard to move safe psychedelic healing forward for society in a Trauma-Trained and Harm Reduction way. I've taught at four universities, worked with SAMHSA on a federal grant to provide Harm Reduction education to rural communities, have contributed to numerous research studies, co-founded Decrim Iowa, mentored many Doctors and Therapists, and have prepared and integrated thousands of psychedelic experiences. And it is an honor of a lifetime to be presenting alongside some of the most deeply respected visionaries, researchers, Doctors, professors, and leaders in the field. The psychedelic revolution is here - and it's here to stay! And I am beyond humbled to have played a part in this history making conference. May you enjoy a free ticket to this conference as a gift. Information and FREE registration is in the comments of this post. #Psychedelics #PsychedelicResearch #PsychedelicIntegration #Decriminalization #KetamineTherapy #KetamineAssistedPsychotherapy #PsychedelicPreparation #HarmReduction #MentalHealth #Trauma #TraumaInformedCare #ThirdWave

Today is world Mental Health Day. Yesterday, I attended the UK Brain Capital Summit which showcased inspiring mental health initiatives and it was hugely exciting to see the energy being brought to this huge topic by many leaders in their fields. But as we celebrate these macro-level efforts, it is very important that we not forget the immediate needs of families and individuals struggling today. At Kanjo Health we're acutely aware of the record-breaking NHS waiting lists for under-18 mental health services. As a subset of this, the picture for Neurodevelopmental conditions is equally stark. The often years-long wait for Education, Health and Care Plans too often leave children without crucial support during critical developmental periods. That's why we're committed to filling this gap. Our mission? To provide support to families and children even before they see a clinician. Often, these early interventions can: ·      Mitigate the need for formal assessments altogether ·      Offer non-clinical strategies to manage the symptoms ·      Significantly improve a child's participation in school and daily life ·      Guide and support overwhelmed caregivers On Mental Health day, as we applaud the sorts of far reaching initiatives and Government policies that were discussed at the Brain Capital Summit, let's also focus on practical solutions that can make a difference today. At Kanjo, that's our driving force. Sophia Parvizi-Wayne Deepthi Uppala #WorldMentalHealthDay #ChildrensMentalHealth #HealthTech #EarlyIntervention [The below chart is from Lord Darzi's NHS England Service Investigation, Technical Annex, p.48]

This is my son Oakley making his debut at the Mirabilis Health office. Watching him struggle to move faster, eager to do more, reminds me of where we are with psychedelic-assisted therapy. Like Oakley, we’re in the early steps, laying the groundwork, even as the impatience to run toward our vision bubbles under the surface. In my previous work, I often followed the Mark Zuckerberg “move fast and break things” mindset. But transitioning into clinical research and fatherhood at the same time has brought about a new mindset—both require patience to lay deep, solid foundations. There’s a slowing down needed for deep impact, whether it’s a mental health renaissance or nurturing the next generation. The impatient innovator in me wishes we could offer psychedelic-assisted therapy to everyone walking through our doors today. Someday, I hope we will. But for now, we’re building something enduring. We’re starting with rigorous research and a foundation that matches our hope for the future of mental health. The recent FDA ruling on MDMA-assisted therapy caused an uproar. While disappointing, it was the right call. The research wasn’t tight enough. MDMA shows great promise for PTSD, but the data lacked robustness, and that’s okay. It’s a reminder that transformative change takes time. At Mirabilis, we’re committed to doing this right, ensuring that psychedelic-assisted therapy, when it arrives in Northern Ireland, is as effective and safe as possible. As Oakley works toward his first steps, we’ll keep taking ours—each one bringing us closer to a future where mental health innovation is available to all. Here’s to slow beginnings, solid foundations, and the possibilities they bring—for Oakley, for Mirabilis Health, and everyone we hope to support. #mentalhealth #psychedelics #psychedelictherapy

This publication marks the end of two great studies, the COVIDsmart study, aiming to understand the clinical, behavioral, and socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 on Virginians, and the daughter study Silvercloud (a digital mental health therapy). These two studies were very productive with six manuscripts and one abstract published, and two conferences. Thank you Sunita Dodani, MD, PhD, for having me as your co-PI. Here is a list if you would like to check them out: Publications https://lnkd.in/eBzrByt8 https://lnkd.in/eJveB9Wi https://lnkd.in/efYsz4fU https://lnkd.in/euwC5-nu https://lnkd.in/ewFpeTHr https://lnkd.in/eX9Htnb7 https://lnkd.in/eM_KT4Dv Conferences Factors associated with COVID-19 related depression and anxiety: A longitudinal analysis of the COVIDsmart study. CHEST Honolulu, Hawaii 10/2023 Exploring risk factors that increase interest to participate in SilverCloud digital mental health therapy: An analysis of individuals with anxiety and depression among statewide COVIDsmart participants.   Virginia Public Health Association      Richmond, VA 9/2023

Why we need a mental health moonshot 👨⚕️ ⚕ 🧠 This article highlights a critical issue facing the healthcare industry today: the urgent need to address the mental health crisis. The author, Robert C. Garrett for Hackensack Meridian Health, outlines a compelling argument for a concerted, large-scale effort to revolutionize mental health care, akin to the ambitious Cancer Moonshots of the past. It's a wake-up call for society to prioritize mental health with the same vigor as other medical challenges. It's a reminder that mental health is an integral part of overall well-being and requires a comprehensive strategy that includes improved access to care, innovative service delivery, strong partnerships, and a renewed focus on medication development. The "mental health moonshot" proposed by the article is not just a necessity but a moral imperative. It's time for all stakeholders in healthcare and society at large to come together and take bold steps towards a future where mental health care is accessible, effective, and devoid of stigma. Source: https://lnkd.in/er723WeV #Healthcare #PrioritizeWellbeing #AccessibleCare #MentalHealth #MedicationDevelopment

🌿 The Transformative Power of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, A Beacon of Hope for Veterans and First Responders 🌿 In the journey of life, we face many battles, but often, the toughest battles are with ourselves. My story echoes the struggles and revelations of many who have served on the frontlines. At 41, after years as a combat veteran, a law enforcement officer, a husband of 21 years, and a father of 5, I faced my most daunting challenge yet – a battle against the mental scars accrued over years of service. A crisis point forced me to confront my mental health head-on, leading me down an unconventional path of healing: psychedelic-assisted therapy.Utilizing cannabis for anxiety and undergoing a transformative six-week program of ketamine-assisted therapy, I discovered the profound healing potential of plant medicines. This journey was not just about managing symptoms but gaining a new perspective on life.The experience underscored a vital truth, our duty to protect and serve extends beyond traditional roles. It encompasses advocating for mental health, especially for my fellow veterans and first responders. Psychedelic-assisted therapy, with its ability to illuminate the path out of the darkness of PTSD and other mental health challenges, represents a frontier of hope. It's time to break the stigma, foster dialogue, and embrace innovative treatments that can revolutionize mental health care. This is not just about healing; it’s about advocating for a cause that could redefine the future of mental wellness for those who've given everything to serve others. Let’s champion the acceptance and integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into mental health care. Together, we can explore the boundless potential of these treatments in fostering healing, growth, and transformation. For those of us who've served, this advocacy is our new mission. It's a journey uncertain, but its promise for recovery and renewal is undeniable. #FirstResponders #MentalHealthAwareness #EmotionalWellbeing

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay. How many of us take the time to reflect on our own mental health and whether we are taking care of ourselves on that front? As a Gen X-er, I am part of a “sandwich generation,” raising children at home and increasingly supporting aging parents who don’t live locally. And as a working mother, I tend to prioritize everyone else in the family and work before myself. Yet, I know how important it is to take care of one’s mental health, working in this space every day within the U.S. Neuroscience team at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. We are living in a time when there is a growing mental health crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated and accelerated this trend. And the 24/7 news and social media coverage of the increasingly complex and challenging world we live in doesn’t help. I personally know many people who are struggling – or have family members who struggle – with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, etc. Mental illness is pervasive, yet most people don’t talk openly about it. Thankfully, since the pandemic, more and more people are opening up about some of their mental health struggles, including notable figures across a variety of areas, like sports and entertainment, who use their platforms to reach broader populations. But this is not enough. We can do more, including the following: ➡️ Take measures to make sure you are looking after your own mental health and that of your families. ➡️ Help to destigmatize mental illness by talking about it the way we would talk about physical illness. At the end of the day, mental health and physical health are all part of human health. ➡️ Support advocacy organizations and efforts to educate our policymakers on the need for more resources, education, access and healthcare providers in this space. See this resource from the Mental Health Alliance: https://lnkd.in/e9ycifMC. Together, we can help to support and improve mental health for our loved ones and our communities. Let’s recommit ourselves to this today. NAMI #MentalHealthAlliance #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek  

Today is World Mental Health Day! We are delighted to highlight the EMF-funded study led by A/Prof Manaan Kar Ray, Director of Mental Health at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health. The research team is implementing the SAFE STEPS initiative (SAFE and Seamless Transition through Enhanced Proactive Support) to support individuals at risk of mental health deterioration. The aim is to reduce presentations in the emergency department (ED) by developing effective community care systems, whilst creating a replicable blueprint for other EDs. This is the largest international study to date, reviewing 25,000 mental health presentations to the ED. Analysis of the dataset, along with surveys and in-depth interviews, will help identify key characteristics of planned and unplanned admissions and inform service changes. A/Prof Kar Ray stated, “We’re confident these systems can proactively identify and support patients before they reach the ED.” This research is already making an impact, with the research team observing a 66% decrease in ED presentations in 2023 from patients engaged by the Acute Care Team compared to the previous year. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in mental health care! SAFE STEPS Project: https://lnkd.in/e-3w7PYm #mentalhealth #WorldMentalHealthDay2024 #WorldMentalHealthDay #EMFResearch #emergencymedicineresearch