University of Michigan News’ Post

Mental Health Funds 'spent in wrong places' The federal government’s priorities in mental health have come under heavy criticism from top psychiatrists, with allegations that the nation’s most severely ill patients have been cast adrift as hundreds of millions of dollars of public funding is poured into programs primarily that “lack efficacy and do not warrant public funding”. Senior psychiatrists have analysed the evidence behind a digital mental health platform – aimed at those experiencing mild to moderate distress – that the ­government plans to roll out nationally at a cost of ­almost $600m, and have concluded it is modelled on unproven programs that are demonstrably ineffective at a national level. Amid a critical lack of resourcing in public sector psychiatry, mass bed closures in the private system, and a dearth of community support and healthcare for the severely mentally ill, the government in this year’s budget allocated the majority of its $888m spend over eight years to establishing a free national low-intensity digital mental health service. It allocated $29.9m over four years to a network of 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres that can cater for higher-acuity mental illness. While most public funds for frontline mental healthcare come from state budgets, there is a pressing need for the fed govt to step in to address the crisis of unmet need in severe mental health. The govt says the digital platform will prevent ppl progressing to more serious illness. An editorial in Australasian Psychiatry has excoriated federal spending priorities, stating that the Cth mental health budget is “misallocated, and akin to a tale full of sound and fury … signifying nothing.” “New initiatives are inequitably skewed towards milder forms of anxiety and depression … there are substantial concerns that the Cth funding has ­potentially been misallocated to ineffective interventions that are unlikely to reduce the population prevalence of mild anxiety and depression in Australia." “Funds may have been better allocated to provide effective care for those with the most severe and disabling illnesses including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression.” The new digital mental health platform's precursor is the Head to Health National Digital Mental Health Gateway established in 2017 at an initial cost of $700m, which only partially met its objectives. An independent evaluation found that “users on average only spend 2.5 minutes per session on the website" The digital gateway’s planned linked psychological therapy service is to be “based off a very successful UK model called “talking therapies” that the psychiatrists said “did not reduce the overall prevalence of common mental health disorders such as mild anxiety and depression and was not associated with a posited reduction in antidepressant use". “The digital platform and the linked psychotherapy program are ineffective budget measures that do not warrant funding,” the editorial says.

It is not too late to say Happy New Year! 🥳 🌟 I’m Honored to Share My Passion Project! 🌟 This project—and the product it represents—is deeply personal. Born from a combination of lived experiences, research, and the journeys of countless others, it reflects my passion for using technology to create meaningful impact. It’s also a commitment to address the often underserved challenges of postnatal depression (PND). Did you know that it affects up to 1 in 7 mothers globally? It is time we remove the stigma , talk about it openly and empower mothers with innovative and inclusive solutions. Our first webinar (drum rolls) will bring together incredible minds like Dayo OGUNBANJO Dr Monika Gostić, PhD to explore : ✅ The impact of PND on mothers, families, and communities. ✅ Introduce JoyeDapp, which combines technology, gamification, and alot more to revolutionise care. ✅ Practical strategies to create a supportive environment for maternal mental health. I am grateful for the support of amazing people who have inspired and contributed to the work done so far, your encouragement fuels this mission (yes! it is a mission ) 👉 Join us for this transformative conversation and be part of the change! 🗓️ Date: 7th February ⏰ Time: 4pm BST 📍 Register here: tinyurl.com/joyedup Let’s build stronger communities, one mother at a time. Your participation can make a real difference— as a listener, advocate, or supporter. Help me spread the word! Share this post, tag someone who might be interested, or simply show up to learn and contribute. Together, we can reimagine motherhood with compassion and innovation. #MaternalHealth #PNDSupport #JoyeD #digitalHealth #Gamification #AI #Innovation

The Imposter can show up in any area of our lives. After all, we aren't just (mental health) professionals. We have personal lives with vast and varied interests as well as various roles and relationships. 💫 What if the Imposter wasn't something to fear or cause doubt? 💫 What would happen if you opened to what it has to teach you? 🔗 Link to Register: https://lnkd.in/eakfebqd *Open to all levels of mental health professionals (i.e therapists, social workers, case managers, support staff, techs etc)* Can't make it? Be sure to register to receive a recording of the webinar.

Patient perspectives of emergency mental health care in a rural state. "This study identified gaps in mental health care that impact patients boarding (length of stay > 24 hr) in an emergency department in a rural state. Gaps included communication, nontherapeutic physical environment, and preservation of patient autonomy." https://lnkd.in/eXNs2Rxj

Talkspace and Wisdo Health Join Forces to Combat Loneliness in Older Adults In an era of advancing healthcare and increasing longevity, the topic of mental health for older adults is becoming increasingly important. With more people living longer lives, it’s essential to address their emotional and psychological well-being, as much as their physical he https://buff.ly/3C3ZX1Y

We've got an article on the benefits of Melagen Technology for the mental health sector in Stable Publishing Limited's MHDF (The Mental Health & Dementia Facilities Magazine). Have a read here - https://lnkd.in/eZSVMuDM Let us know your thoughts in the comments 🧠💬 #CircadianRhythmLighting #MentalHealthLighting #LightingNews #MentalHealthcare #HumanCentric

One of my nursing home patients attempted suicide by eating a handful of rocks from a fish tank. This absolutely breaks my heart. We typically don't think of a nursing home patient when we think of suicide. However, many older adults have risk factors that increase the risk of suicide such as mental illness, physical illness, pain, isolation, and loss of independence. I hate that CMS focuses on numbers and trying to get antipsychotic, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and hypnotics rate down. Think if we could focus all that attention on our patient's mental well-being, creating social connections, gaining access to mental health providers, etc. Maybe the first step talking about it and bringing awareness to an issue that gets overlooked. #mentalhealth #pharmacist #longtermcare

📣 GP's are invited to provide feedback, assisting in the review of severe and complex clinical mental health services We are currently progressing a review of our commissioned severe and complex primary mental health services to improve how these services can best meet the needs of people they aim to support. The information and insights gathered through this review will be considered and used by COORDINARE to inform our approach to the future commissioning of these vital services for people in South Eastern NSW. 📌An overview of the initial consultations with over 200 individuals, including GPs, is provided, including a summary of current findings and future options, available here: https://bit.ly/3Vzy8FH 📌We now invite GPs to comment on the findings and the options via an online form. This feedback will be considered as we determine future severe and complex services for our region in early 2025, available here: https://bit.ly/3ZKZdHk

Published last week, "Crohn’s and Colitis Care in Scotland" highlights that people living with IBD can’t access psychological support, despite the severe impact the conditions can have on a person's mental health. Thank you to Michelle Thomson MSP for highlighting the growing mental health need among people with IBD in Scotland. Read the report via the link below or watch the clip to see Michelle Thomson MSP in Scottish Parliament this afternoon, asking a question on IBD during Health and Social Care Questions. https://lnkd.in/d2WTNbqx Video description: A 1 minute 26 second clip of Michelle Thomson MSP in Scottish Parliament this afternoon, asking a question on IBD during Health and Social Care Questions.

If not now, when? '𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿.' Mental health reform can’t wait. 🏛️3 Pillars ✅ 7 Actions 🌭 1 Election, 8 March 2025 'We have made strides in addressing seclusion and restraint but have yet to establish a firm plan to eliminate it. Advocacy under the Mental Health Act for those in inpatient wards is crucial but is insufficient to meet demand. Our second pillar addresses these complex issues with practical solutions.' 'No mental health system can be effective if it fails to serve the First Peoples of this land. The government has taken significant steps by funding pilot sites for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and contributing to the Gayaa Dhuwi Implementation Plan. After consulting with First Nations leaders, we call for secure, sustainable funding for these ACCHOs and a commitment to the Gayaa Dhuwi Implementation Plan.' This must be the Election for Mental Health. 8 March 2025 is the time to elevate mental health—and the people most impacted by it—so WA consumers are heard, valued, and prioritised. The clock is ticking. March 2025 is the moment to act. If not now, when? Ralph Addis Western Australian Association for Mental Health Western Australia for a Human Rights Act (WA4HRA) Pat Dudgeon Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Aimee Sinclair Kerry Hawkins Colin Penter