The Mental Health Connection
Sunday, May 8th, is the day we celebrate our mothers. But May is also the month we bring awareness to the importance of mental health and treatment options available to those suffering with mental health issues.
I’d like to propose a challenge to each of you. This month, discover something new that can help you with your treatment or interactions with a patient. Then implement what you learned.
As a reminder, there’s still time to cast your votes in the 2022 San Diego’s Best Poll. We’re pushing for first place in the “In-Home Non-Medical” category this year!
Voting takes place through May 10
Winners will be announced July 31
Thanks in advance for voting for us, and I hope you all accept the challenge. I’d love to hear how what you’ve learned has helped someone.
Annette Conway, PsyD
President
Help Therapy
May Focuses on Two Observances
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month. Mental Health Awareness Month Millions of Americans suffer from a mental illness or live with someone who does. Although the stigma around mental health issues and treatment is slowly dissolving, many people hesitate to seek help or even talk about it for fear of being judged. Mental Health Awareness Month shines a light on the importance of sound mental health and its relationship to physical health. One of the best ways to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month is by talking about it. The more we talk about mental health and treatment, the more accepted it will become. Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is the third leading cause of death among females 15-24 and affects about 14 million Americans. Yet, the diagnosis of BPD is frequently missed or misdiagnosed, especially in men.
3-Day Weekends for Californians?
A new proposed bill could lead to Californians enjoying 3-day weekends.
Under this bill, a standard workweek would be reduced from 40 hours to 32 hours—without employees losing any pay or benefits.
The History of the 40-Hour Workweek
The concept of the 40-hour workweek started in the 19th century when employees were commonly working 80 to 100 hours each week.
After the Industrial Revolution, activists and labor union groups advocated for better working conditions.
Then in 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant issued a proclamation guaranteeing eight-hour workdays for government employees. This decision encouraged private-sector workers to campaign for the same rights.
But it wasn’t until 1926 that Henry Ford popularized the 40-hour workweek. His research revealed that working more hours resulted in only a slight increase in productivity. What's more, that productivity was short-lived.
Then, in 1938, Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, which required employers to pay overtime to all employees who worked more than 44 hours per week. It was later amended two years later to reduce the standard workweek to 40 hours per week and became law in 1940.
Trying Out New Work Structures
Much has changed since 1940—even before the pandemic. As a result, more companies have tried out or have implemented alternative work structures. Work from home, flextime and condensed workweeks are becoming more common arrangements.
But these alternative working styles are still typically based on a 40-hour (or more) workweek. In fact, many people are working more with these alternative working arrangements without realizing it—especially when working from home. It’s often difficult to separate at-work time from at-home time when you’re working from home.
Not all companies will be legally obligated to comply with this new workweek structure if the bill passes—only employers with more than 500 employees, according to the proposed legislation.
Although the proposed 4-day, 32-hour workweek may not make a difference in the number of days and hours worked for some, it has the potential to help many people have a better work-life balance.
The Components of a Psychological Evaluation for Bariatric Surgeries
Help Therapy offers reference guides to partner therapists to assist them with psychological evaluations pertaining to bariatric surgery and spinal cord stimulator implants. However, therapists should always refer to the current standards and requirements of the pertinent State Board of Psychology before assessing patients. The principal goals of psychological pre-surgical evaluation are to:
Determine a patient’s readiness for surgery
Identify any psychological factors, obstacles or contraindications for surgery
Screen candidates who may benefit from psychological treatment before surgery and to maximize the long term success of the surgery
Identify patients who may need further psychological support after surgery
Propose an alternative treatment when patients do not meet the criteria for bariatric surgery
The most widely accepted psychiatric contraindications to bariatric surgery include:
Active substance abuse
Psychosis
Mood disorders
Major life stressors
A history of problematic adherence to prior treatment plans and disagreement about binge eating disorder
When psychosocial issues are identified, moving forward with the surgery may or may not be advisable. A therapy and treatment plan can be developed to address the patient's particular mental health challenges. This treatment may improve the outcome of the surgery. Types of tests for bariatric surgery readiness generally fall under one (or more) of the following categories:
Personality
Eating disorders
Mood disorders
Substance abuse
Cognitive Development
Physical Conditions
Quality of Life
Outcome measures
Welcome New Help Therapy Mental Health Provider Partners
These mental healthcare practitioners are new to our network and offer psychological evaluations and other types of therapy with a range of specialties. They are accepting new patients and provide telehealth appointments.
California
Dr. Shalila Douglas
Dr. Klayton Smith
Dr. Bob Orkin
Dr. Erin Gonzales
Dr. Balaji Nettimi
Remy Preston. LCSW
Nicole Horne, LMF
Dr. Lanique Ruffin
Patricia Narez, LCSW
Dr. Sasha Kassai
Dr. Tikesha Leslie-Jones
Texas
Dr. Anna Felsl
Washington
Cynthia Langston, LCSW
Featured Practitioner
Dr. David Eagle, PsyD
Dr. Eagle has been in practice for 45 years. His practice focuses on people with anxiety, depression or both—many with other chronic medical conditions like kidney failure or diabetes.
He uses an eclectic approach to help patients experience more happiness and less anxiety or depression for a fuller and richer life. Although he primarily works with individuals, he does help couples as well.
Dr. Eagle prefers in-person sessions in the patient's home but is open to telephone appointments.
This Month's Tip
Celebrate Mother’s Day in a New Way
When you think of celebrating Mother’s Day, what comes to mind? Flowers? Brunch? See’s candy? For many, these are the traditional symbols of Mother’s Day. But why not give her something she will cherish even more? Your time! Give a Helping Hand Tackle a few tasks mom’s been putting off. Use the day as an opportunity to help check off items on her to-do list.
Clean out garage
Organize the pantry
Fix the creaking door, uneven step…
Weed the garden or repot a plant in a decorative planter
Hire a handyman
Encourage Self-Care Mom is sure to appreciate a few hours of self-care—especially if you can be by her side.
Enjoy a mani-pedi
Have a spa day
Join a yoga in the park group
Take a fitness class
Explore nature
Take a photo journey Photos have a special way of bringing up memories and emotions. Experience them together on her special day.
Organize old photos
Revisit old photo albums
Create a new album
Remember Her Remember your mother and celebrate her life by donating to a favorite charity or organization.
Plant a tree
Volunteer
Give a memorial tribute
Events
World Maternal Mental Health Day
May 4, 2022
See WMMH for more information.
National Mental Health Counseling Week
May 6-12, 2022
See AMHCA for more information.
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
May 9, 2022
See SAMHSA
National Prevention Week
May 11-17, 2022
See NPW for more information.
“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation"
-Glenn Close
Partner With Us
Are you a psychologist, LCSW or LMFT?
We’re always looking for exceptional mental healthcare providers. Visit helptherapy.com for more information and fill out the quick and easy application.
Benefits:
Stream of new patients
Billing off your plate
Flexibility and Freedom
Credentialing assistance
No hidden costs
Do you have something to share?
We’d love to hear about your successes and accomplishments!
Have you:
Written an article?
Given a presentation?
Been featured on a podcast?
Contact us at info@helptherapy.com.
We welcome your feedback.
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Have questions?
Want to learn more about Help Therapy?
Visit helptherapy.com, call 858-481-8827 or email info@helptherapy.com