Psychiatry PULSE E-Newsletter
June 30, 2021

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

We are pleased to bring you this update as we cautiously emerge from the pandemic in Ann Arbor. We are working hard to support our faculty, staff and trainees as we negotiate the return to hybrid work environments. We are also attentive to supporting the resilience of our patients, their families and our many partners.

In this newsletter, we highlight several educational videos and a sample of the impactful research conducted by our faculty and their teams. We are proud of this work, and determined to do more to create new knowledge and improve the lives of patients, families, and our communities.

Best wishes for a safe and healthy summer. We hope to see you in Ann Arbor in the fall.

Go Blue!
Gregory Dalack, M.D.
Daniel E. Offutt, III Professor & Chair
To help primary care clinics, the U-M Department of Psychiatry created a FREE ONLINE TOOLKIT that draws on the expertise of our researchers.
Addiction and Substance Use
Policy shift could improve access to buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, but stigma and training still pose significant challenge
Those who drink alcohol to boost their mood, to relieve stress, boredom or pain may be more at risk in pandemic – but “social drinkers” should watch intake too.
Read the latest U-M Addiction Center quarterly e-newsletter here.
Suicide Risk
This episode of Michigan Minds is part of a special series from University of Michigan Public Engagement & Impact in collaboration with the office of the Vice President for Research on Firearm Injury Prevention
Dr. Kara Zivin published this STAT First Opinion piece that includes her personal experience and data from her research teams
Geriatric Psychiatry 
Nearly 1 in 3 express reservations about getting help if they need it, suggesting need for more screening and reducing stigma on seeking care
ECT
Daniel Maixner, M.D., says, “risks are high for our patients during the time of COVID-19 and any other pandemic if access to ECT is curtailed. It is important for psychiatrists and patients to advocate for ECT to remain an essential treatment and not just be considered elective.”
For Christina and many others, ECT is the only treatment that brings relief, and saves her life
Light & Sleep
Two sleep experts address their most-asked questions about falling asleep, staying asleep and addressing sleep disorders.

“We’re not light switches,” Conroy reminds her patients. It’s important to have some quiet time in the evening to dim the lights, stop checking emails, and slowly reduce your level of alertness before you climb in bed.

“You can’t go immediately from work mode to sleep mode,” Goldstein says.
Dr. Deirdre Conroy gives her insights in this Vice article that states that there are more important things than putting yourself to bed at the “right time.”
Anxiety
Our experts weigh in on how best to adapt to new mask-related policies
Videos & Podcasts
The past 15 months have posed a variety of challenges for children and adolescent kids. In this webinar, our experts offer coping strategies to share with families.
Drs. Cynthia Burton and Alexander Weigard recently presented this webinar. This presentation was part of our Psychiatry Community Talks series.
To request a presentation to your organization, please contact us.
A University of Michigan Public Engagement live panel discussion on mental health awareness
Pediatric Meltdown Podcast Features Two of our Experts

Dr. Joanna Quigley provides her insight in an episode about psychiatric consultation.
Dr. Paresh Patel provides his insight in an episode about disruptive behaviors. 
This online guide has been developed by our faculty members with extensive expertise in many of the issues affecting you and your families during this critical “stay at home” period. Please share these resources with your family, friends, and those we treat and educate.

We hope that you all stay safe during this pandemic.
“Susan’s passion and commitment to helping others access care is extraordinary. She is a wonderful partner in these efforts.” - Gregory Dalack, M.D.
“Susan’s determination to prevent suicide by making mental health treatment more available and less stigmatized inspires our work.” - Paul Pfeiffer, M.D.
Please join us in making a brighter future possible by supporting our efforts across patient care, research, and training. Contact Courtney Metzger for more information.