Hello Friends and Colleagues,
COVID-19 has affected all of our lives. As the number of cases increase, so does the associated anxiety. While physical health is a concern, the mental health effects of the pandemic are equally important. And for the one in five who already have mental health conditions – or the one in two who are at risk of developing them – we need to take personal, professional and policy measures to address them.
On a personal level, the weight of losing or caring for loved ones, job insecurity, economic hardship and unprecedented social safeguards have the potential to wear down even the most resilient of us. Many are feeling isolated, which can compound if you have a mental health diagnosis, depression or anxiety. If you receive counseling or treatment from a mental health professional, be sure to reach out to see if there are avenues to continue treatment. Try to maintain some form of safe physical activity, as you are able. Connect with family, friends and loved ones. At Vista del Mar Hospital, we are offering outpatient support for youth and adults remotely using Telehealth, as well as group therapy and multi-family groups. Click
here
for more information on
Outpatient Services
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In recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month, we are partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Ventura County and the Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illness. Each year NAMI advocates for equal care for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness, while JFI is dedicated to the prevention of youth suicide. Today, more people die from suicide in the United States than from traffic accidents or homicides, and we lose 22 veterans to suicide daily.
Mental health facts and figures:
- 1 in 5 adults experience a mental illness.
- Nearly 1 in 25 adults live with a serious mental illness.
- One-half of all chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24.
- 10.2 million adults have co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders.
Because of the stigma associated with mental illness, many people are too ashamed or embarrassed to seek the help they need for themselves or their loved ones. May is a time when we work together to break through this stigma. We express compassion for those who struggle with mental health issues, and draw attention to the methods that can help change their lives for the better. I know that these facts are alarming, and I do not share them to bring despair, but instead hope. Hope that treatment for mental illness is available and does work to improve associated symptoms. With mental health services, up to 90 percent of children and adults are able to significantly reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life. I have seen this occur with dear loved ones in my family and close circle, and that is why I have a passion to do all that I can to make an impact on the service delivery system that is in place in our community. We are all in this together, and together we can make an impact on the lives of many. Here at Vista del Mar Hospital, we are determined to collaborate with our community, create increased access to care, and to deliver meaningful and compassionate care to all we have the opportunity to serve.
Jenifer Nyhuis, CEO
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Vista welcomes Dorinda Clinton as Chief Nursing Officer
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Dorinda Clinton has worked in the healthcare field for 18 years, in many nursing roles. She has served on the California Quality Care Collaborative team since 2009, and assisted in the development of patient care standards. During that time, Dorinda received four awards for her accomplishments during various patient care initiatives from the State Collaboration.
“Dorinda is a highly accomplished nursing leader with vast experience in quality management, service excellence, patient safety and care, staff recruitment and retention, and regulatory affairs,” said Jenifer Nyhuis, CEO. “She brings tremendous value to Vista del Mar and we are thrilled to have her on board."
Most recently, Dorinda served as a Director of Nursing at KPC Healthcare in Anaheim, California. She has participated in multiple successful accreditation surveys during her direction. She has provided oversight in many area, including Adult Inpatient Psychiatric, Geriatric Psychiatric, High Acuity Psychiatric, and Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment. She also participated in the Perinatal Mental Initiative through the Perinatal Mental Health Hospital Quality Institute.
She is a licensed Nurse Practitioner in the State of California and participated in patient and provider educational seminars. Other career highlights include Nurse Educator, Nursing Supervisor, Nurse Informaticist, and Nursing Clinical Instructor.
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Connect with Vista del Mar Hospital!
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