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Five Agencies Being Merged Into AHA: Here's What They Do
The restructuring plans announced by HHS last week included folding five offices into one entity: the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH). The new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA) will aim to "more efficiently coordinate chronic care and disease prevention programs and harmonize health resources to low-income Americans," HHS stated. Divisions of the AHA will include primary care, maternal and child health, mental health, environmental health, HIV/AIDS, and workforce, and will be supported by the U.S. Surgeon General and policy team. Read more here.
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Community Coalitions Key to Combating the Opioid Crisis
Collaborative, community-driven initiatives can help mitigate the impact of opioid misuse and overdose deaths, according to a research team that includes Brandy Henry, assistant professor of rehabilitation and human services in the Penn State College of Education. That finding, published in the journal BMJ Public Health, was concluded from data collected by the larger HEALing Communities Study (HCS). Launched in 2019 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, HCS was the largest addiction prevention and treatment implementation study ever conducted in the United States. It spans the four states hit particularly hard by the opioid crisis—Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio—covering 67 communities. Read more here.
Related: Animal tranquilizers found in illegal opioids may suppress the lifesaving medication naloxone − and cause more overdose deaths
Hospital Addiction Consultation Service and Opioid Use Disorder Treatment - The START Randomized Clinical Trial
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Governor Hochul Announces Funding to Support Suicide Prevention Efforts for Veterans and Uniformed Personnel
Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced the award of 18 grants to expand resiliency and suicide prevention efforts among military veterans and uniformed personnel, including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, correction officers and emergency dispatchers. Administered through the New York Office of Mental Health’s Suicide Prevention Center of New York, the CARES UP initiative will provide $60,000 over two years to four law enforcement agencies; three fire departments; three EMS services; three emergency communications organizations; two corrections agencies and three organizations serving veterans. Read more here.
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Nearly 3 Years After Launch of 988 Suicide Lifeline, Underfunding Threatens Call Centers' Mission
It has been nearly three years since the launch of the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and since then, millions seeking help have used the call center as a life-saving resource. But understaffing and underfunding threaten to upend the hotline's mission. The nation's 988 hotline works like 911, bringing critical access to care for those battling mental health emergencies. Counselor Alejandra takes calls at the nation's largest suicide prevention center — Los Angeles' Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. That one center receives 20,000 calls and texts a month. Alejandra said they became a counselor because they have "personal experience with suicidal thoughts." As a teen, Alejandra was diagnosed with cancer, causing them to spiral into despair. "I know what it's like to go through this, or not feel comfortable reaching out," Alejandra told CBS News. Read more here.
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Suicides and Attempts Fall in Health Systems Implementing the ‘Zero Suicide Model,’ Study Finds
Health care systems can reduce suicides through patient screening, safety planning and mental health counseling, a new study suggests, an important finding as the U.S. confronts it 11th leading cause of death. The “Zero Suicide Model” was developed in 2001 at Detroit-based Henry Ford Health, where the focus on people considering suicide included collaborating with patients to reduce their access to lethal means such as firearms and then following up with treatment. The approach made a difference, and for all of 2009, the health system saw no suicides among patients. The researchers then studied what happened when a different health system, Kaiser Permanente, adopted the program in four locations from 2012 through 2019.
Suicides and suicide attempts fell in three of the locations, while the fourth maintained a low rate of suicides and attempts. Suicide attempts were tracked in electronic health records and insurance claims data. Suicides were measured using government death records. Read more here.
Related: Asking Preadolescents About Suicide is Not Associated With Increased Suicidal Thoughts
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What’s New in Opioid Settlement Spending? Highlights from Select States
Now over two years into the process of spending the millions of dollars awarded from various opioid-related lawsuits, many states and localities have begun to award funding to health systems, nonprofits, and others implementing strategies to abate the opioid crisis. NASHP’s tracker, State Opioid Settlement Spending Decisions, provides up-to-date information on state-level settlement funding and priorities, as well as additional details on each state’s unique decision-making and spending processes. Recent updates to the tracker include new settlement investments, priorities, and activities in 2024 and early 2025. Read more here.
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Misinformation About Fentanyl Exposure Threatens To Undermine Overdose Response
Fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid driving the nation’s high drug overdose rates, is also caught up in another increasingly serious problem: misinformation. False and misleading narratives on social media, in news reports, and even in popular television dramas suggesting people can overdose from touching fentanyl — rather than ingesting it — are now informing policy and spending decisions. In an episode of the CBS cop drama “Blue Bloods,” for instance, Detective Maria Baez becomes comatose after accidentally touching powdered fentanyl. In another drama, “S.W.A.T.,” Sgt. Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson warns his co-workers: “You touch the pure stuff without wearing gloves, say good night.” Read more here.
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Study Finds One In Five U.S. Adults Use Multiple Drugs, Revealing New Patterns In Substance Use
A study from researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus reveals that nearly one in five U.S. adults have used multiple drugs in the past year, showing that substance use is fairly common and more complex than just using one drug at a time.
The study was published last week in the American Journal of Public Health. The survey, which included 30,000 participants, found that adults who use prescription drugs, recreational drugs like cannabis, or illegal drugs like cocaine fit into four distinct patterns of drug use. “Our findings reveal a more nuanced picture of substance use in the U.S. It’s essential we shift toward tailored approaches in both healthcare and public health to address these diverse drug use patterns and ensure that we provide effective prevention and treatment options,” said Karilynn Rockhill, PhD, lead author of the study and researcher at the Colorado School of Public Health at CU Anschutz. Read more here.
Related: Stimulant Misuse Occurring in One-Fourth of Prescribed Patients
State and local governments continue fight drug epidemic with tech
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NYC Keeping People with Mental Illness on Rikers Island Due to Hospital Bed Shortage
Judges are finding a growing number of criminal defendants in New York City’s state courts mentally unfit to stand trial, meaning their charges must either be dropped or they must be held in hospitals, not in jail, according to city health data obtained by Gothamist. But the hospitals where the defendants are supposed to go for treatment can’t keep up with the increasing demand, mental health officials, researchers and legal experts said. Instead, the defendants are being held on Rikers Island, which faces the threat of a federal takeover amid high rates of violence. Five people have died in city custody — or just after their release — so far this year. When hospitals don’t have space for criminal defendants with mental illness, it can slow down their court cases, delaying justice for everyone involved. Mental health experts said crowding jails with people with severe and untreated mental illness overwhelms staff and makes it more difficult for everyone to get the care they need. Read more here.
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How Psychiatric Hospitals Exclude People With Co-Existing Medical Conditions
Hospital exclusion of people with co-morbid challenges has worsened over the 30 years Dr. Carol Olson has been practicing psychiatry in Phoenix. She’s a physician at District Medical Group and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Valleywise Health System in Phoenix. Arizona’s crisis system is well known for implementing core components of the Crisis Now model and the National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care, released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2020, including diverting from law enforcement, 24/7 mobile crisis response, 23-hour crisis receiving and stabilization programs and the “no-wrong door” approach, where crisis care facilities accept everyone who comes. “In Maricopa County, we have four 24-hour urgent psychiatric centers that take voluntary and involuntary patients — police have drop-off wait times of less than five minutes,” says Olson. These facilities can help people stabilize over a short period of time but are not medium or long-term stay settings. Read more here.
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New York State Department of Health Celebrates National Public Health Week
The New York State Department of Health celebrates the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week (NPHW) from April 7-13, in support and recognition of the tremendous contributions of those essential public health professionals who keep New Yorkers healthy. Each year, the American Public Health Association identifies focus areas critical to future success in creating the world's healthiest nation. This year's themes include climate change impacts to both physical and mental health; health equity and optimizing health for all; strengthening the public health workforce; public health advocacy; and prioritizing public health at every level, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Read more here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS
Conducting Preventive Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management in Youth (Part 1)
April 10, 1 - 2:30 pm, MCTAC/CTAC
Strengthening Workforce Pathways: The Role of Higher Education in Training Future Behavioral Health Professionals
April 15, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Second Chance Month Spotlight: Housing and Health Supports for Jail Reentry
April 15, 1:30 - 3 pm, CSG Justice Center
Working with Clients with Past or Present Justice Involvement (in Rural Communities)
April 16, 1 - 3 pm, NCROTAC
Community-Driven Approaches: Effective programming to support those affected by a death by suicide
April 21, 2 - 3 pm, NASMHPD
Advocacy in Action: Behavioral Health Integration and Systems Change
April 22, 1 - 2 pm, Social Current
Start with Hope: Supporting Mothers with SUDs Panel
April 22, 1 - 2:30 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
AI In 2025: The Future Of Automation In Healthcare
April 23, 1 - 2 pm, NetSmart
Considerations for Youth with Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Diagnoses
April 23, 1 - 2:30 pm, MCTAC/CTAC
The Youth Protective Factors Study: The Influence of Protective Factors and Strength-Based Services on Youth Reoffending
April 23, 1 - 2:30 pm, CSG Justice Center
Responsive Care: The Experiences of Women and Children along the Care Continuum in Rural Communities
April 23, 2 - 4 pm, NCROTAC
Family Education : Small Changes, Big Results: Responding Collaboratively to Early Substance Use Concerns
April 23, 7 - 8 pm, School Mental Health Resource Training Center
Conducting Preventive Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management in Youth (Part 2)
April 24, 1 - 2:30 pm, MCTAC/CTAC
Improving Mental Health Outcomes: 59 Essential Evidence-Based Practices for Communities, Police, Courts, Jails, and Community Corrections
April 24, 1 - 2:30 pm, NCHATS
Collaborative Care in Rural Health Centers
April 24, 3 - 4 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
The Power of Data: Driving Productivity, Outcomes & Funding in Addiction Treatment
April 29, 2 - 3 pm, Behavioral Health Business
Supporting Young People’s Crisis Stabilization Needs During Reentry
April 29, 2 - 3:30 pm, CSG Justice Center
Building Community Care Hubs to Address Health-Related Social Needs: Lessons from New York and North Carolina MedicaidApril 30, 1 - 2 pm, Center for Health Care Strategies
Navigating VBC Negotiations: Turning Complexity Into Opportunity
April 30, 1 - 2 pm, Onecare Population Health Academy
Person-Centered Care: Applications in Day-to-Day Practice
April 30, 2 - 4 pm, NCROTAC
Firearm Safety for Suicide Prevention Workshop for Facilitators (In-Person/Virtual)
May 5, 9 am - 2 pm, NY Health Foundation
Collaborative Care: Strengthening Provider Relationships with Autistic and Neurodivergent Population
May 7, 1:30 - 3 pm, School Mental Health Resource Training Center
Redefining Recovery: Insights into Gambling and Substance Use Disorders
May 7, 3 - 4:30 pm, NAADAC
EMS and Overdose Prevention: Innovative Strategies to Save Lives
May 9, 2 - 3 pm, NCSL
Measurement-Informed Care and the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM)
May 22, 2 - 3 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
2nd Annual Documentation Event - IN-PERSON
May 29, 9 am - 3 pm, Crown Plaza, Albany, MCTAC
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CLMHD CALENDAR
APRIL
Addiction Services & Supports (ASR) Committee Meeting
April 10: 11 am - 12 pm
Mental Health Committee Meeting
April 10: 3 - 4 pm
IOCC Meeting
April 11: 2 - 4 pm
Children & Families Committee Meeting
April 15: 11:30 am - 1 pm
Membership Call
April 16: 9 - 10:30 am
Developmental Disabilities Committee Meeting
April 17: 1 - 2 pm
CLMHD Spring 2025 Full Membership Meeting
April 30 - May 2, Albany
MAY
CLMHD Executive Committee Meeting
May 7: 8 - 9 am
Addiction Services & Supports (ASR) Committee Meeting
May 8: 11 am - 12 pm
Mental Health Committee Meeting
May 8: 3 - 4 pm
LGU Clinic Operators Call
May 13: 10 - 11 am
Quarterly LGU Clinic Billing Staff Call
May 13: 11 am - 12 pm
Developmental Disabilities Committee Meeting
May 15: 1 - 2 pm
Children & Families Committee Meeting
May 20: 11:30 am - 1 pm
Membership Call
May 21: 9 - 10:30 am
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