Suicide Prevention Happening Now

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Suicide Prevention

Happening Now

We hate to think that anyone we know and love might have thoughts of suicide. But the reality is that it spares no group: moments of acute distress find people at all ages and stages of life, every ethnic group and social class, every level of education. Moments come in which otherwise healthy people feel overwhelmed, and have passive thoughts of dying. Most will recover, and the risk will abate. Some will not. Awareness helps, and with it, the impulse to be a healing presence. September is Suicide Prevention Month. Passive suicidal ideation happens when a person has vague thoughts of dying without an immediate plan to kill themselves.

Passive thoughts of suicide and parasuicidal behaviors can be ambiguous, but warrant attention. They may be present when someone engages in pointless risky behavior, abuses drugs, or becomes preoccupied with dark forms of entertainment, with themes of death and violence. What triggers passive suicidal ideation? Chronic pain, either physical or emotional, is a factor. Feeling vulnerable to abuse, feeling overlooked and unheard, abused, unfairly judged, feeling guilty, feeling stuck. Inability to feel pleasure. Passive suicidal ideation is vague: Others would be better off without me. I give up. I don’t care any more.

Vague thoughts of suicide can be a warning sign, and can evolve into active suicidality without dramatic behavior change. Self hatred is present in 25% of people with passive thoughts, but 60% of those with active thoughts of suicide. Human beings need to feel seen and valued, and to find a path to self forgiveness for past mistakes. We all have the capability of providing a moment of emotional support when it is needed. We may not be aware that we are also providing protection against suicidality.

Possible helpful response to vague suicidality: be present, here and now. You don’t have to have easy answers, or to say anything at all. In taking time to be present to another person, we are showing them that their presence matters, and perhaps they are not really as alone as they think. That is the basis of mindfulness meditation practices: we release thoughts of our troubles, and find safety and brief respite in the present moment. We can be that person who can be trusted, who will listen, who is open to seeing your value and reflecting it back. A cup of coffee in a quiet moment can be protective. Helping a person remember their connection to the community, no matter how damaged, is protective. Destigmatizing mental health services can be protective. In this season of uncertainty, let us be on the lookout for opportunities to be that healing presence.

Lynn Schlossberger, LPC

The Connection Between Online Safety and Mental Health: What Parents and Students Need to Know This School Year

The Connection Between Online Safety and Mental Health: What Parents and Students Need to Know This School Year

Tanisha Winfrey, MSW, LCSW
Behavioral Health Counselor

As the new school year begins, it’s more important than ever for parents and children to understand the connection between internet safety and mental health. With 95% of teenagers and nearly 40% of children, ages eight to 12 using some form of social media, the digital world plays a major role in their daily lives.

While social media and online platforms can offer opportunities for learning and connection, they also come with serious risks, especially for young people who may be struggling emotionally. Children and teens facing mental health challenges may be more vulnerable to online dangers, including grooming, exploitation, and risky behavior. Without clear boundaries, they may overshare personal information or engage in inappropriate conversations without realizing the consequences.

Cyberbullying and online harassment are also major concerns, with links to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Excessive gaming, while a source of entertainment, can spiral into addiction. This can lead to sleep problems, lower academic performance, and social withdrawal, all of which can further impact mental health.

Children and teens may also be exposed to violent, sexual, or self-harm-related content on social media platforms. This kind of exposure can desensitize them to harmful behaviors or normalize unhealthy coping mechanisms, further affecting their emotional wellbeing.

How Parents Can Support Safe and Healthy Online Habits

Here are some ways parents can promote a safer and more mentally healthy online environment:

• Talk openly and often: Create a safe, judgment-free space where your child feels comfortable sharing their online experiences, especially if they’ve been targeted by bullying or come across disturbing content.

• Educate and be understanding: Rather than banning technology, teach your child how to recognize online risks and navigate digital spaces responsibly. Discuss the importance of privacy, appropriate interactions, and why it’s okay to say no or block someone.

• Monitor screen time and behavior: Keep an eye out for changes in mood, sleep, or academic performance, which could indicate a problem. Use parental controls when necessary but aim for transparency and collaboration rather than strict surveillance.

• Encourage offline connections: Support friendships and activities that happen outside of screens. Positive, in-person interactions are essential for building emotional resilience and social skills.

• Remind them that social media is curated: Help your child understand that most people only post the best parts of their lives online. Comparing themselves to these highlight reels can distort their self-image and lead to unrealistic expectations.

By fostering open communication, setting healthy boundaries, and being proactive about online safety and emotional wellbeing, families can help children develop the tools they need to thrive, both online and offline.

Tanisha Winfrey, MSW, LCSW
Behavioral Health Counselor

Coping with Politically Induced Stress

Coping with Politically
Induced Stress

By Lynn Schlossberger, LPC

Perhaps you’ve seen a cartoon by David Sipress that’s been circulating on social media.  Two stressed people are walking down a city street, and one says to the other, “My desire to be well informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane”.  Do you relate?

If so, you have a lot of company.  77% of Americans tell researchers that politics is a source of significant stress in their lives, and constant exposure to the news creates an environment of constant unease.   The American Psychological Association has published findings that increasingly, people perceive political discussion as threatening, and feel powerless.  Fear motivates us to engage in “doomscrolling” to monitor disturbing news.  Suicidal ideation is up 5% this year.   Welcome to Mental Health Awareness Month.

Political anxiety is different from Generalized Anxiety Disorder; it disrupts social cohesion, when political opponents are seen as intentionally threatening our wellbeing, and our confidence in the protections of the social order is faltering.  It is different because political influencers deliberately trigger fear in their messaging, to cultivate emotional decision making. Generalized Anxiety responds well to self soothing behaviors.  Political anxiety challenges our belief that the world is a safe place, and that opponents share our moral convictions.  Trust is damaged.  Influencers are suspect.  Non-allies are demonized.

If we were talking about some other trigger of anxiety, like germs or interstate traffic, we would think about reducing our exposure, to mitigate our symptoms.  But politics is part of the ocean in which we swim; we can avoid thinking about it, but disengagement comes at a cost.  Loss of confidence in our ability to make things better is a recipe for depression. The challenge, then: how much stress can you tolerate, in the meantime?

When we feel stressed about the politically toxic environment, we often feel isolated.  One helpful response is to focus on what you can control.  Find a group that supports your convictions.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  Take a small positive step.  Find a supportive colleague, or a neighbor with whom you can find common cause.  Drink coffee together.  Know that your convictions matter, and being in community amplifies your voice.

Yes, do manage your exposure to political news.  It’s ok to take a break and watch Food Network or cat videos.  Be judicious.  What kind of movies support your vulnerable self right now? Persistent anger is exhausting.  Engagement in real world chaos doesn’t have to be all or nothing.  There is a time for distraction and a time for engagement.  Rinse.  Repeat.

Be aware of untested thoughts that accompany political anxiety.  Worst case scenarios are possible, but not inevitable.  Test your anxious assumptions.

Cultivating empathy is critical, if trust is to be restored, and with it, a sense that the world is a hospitable place.  When an influencer derides empathy, their motivations become suspect. Set good boundaries with people who use provocative language to express their views, and let them know when the boundaries have been violated.  Remove yourself.  Prioritize finding common humanity, and willingness to listen, so as to not miss an opportunity to cultivate empathy.   We can disagree vehemently and respectfully. We can judge a viewpoint as dangerous or unwise, without judging the person holding it.  We can be productively angry with a political faction, and notice moments of unexpected grace.  We can find our voice, and cultivate our peace.

In times of great stress, we need clear vision, and we need one another. Namaste.

Lynn Schlossberger LPC

Cultivating Mental Health

Cultivating Mental Health

By Lynn Schlossberger, LPC

May is a time of blossoming, a good time for Mental Health Awareness Month.  The health of mind, body, and spirit can be easily overlooked, until something goes wrong and we get pain signals.  Care of the whole person does not have to wait until we are distressed by symptoms of trouble, in the form of nightmares, shame, blame, substance abuse, insomnia, worry, or anger that erupts unexpectedly.  We live in a stress-saturated world, and care of our emotional wellbeing really can’t wait. 

Cultivating mental health is a form of preventative self care.  Emotional wellness is a life strategy that helps us prepare for unforeseen stress, with calm confidence.  Cultivating our emotional wellbeing requires us to learn coping skills that increase our resilience, our ability to respond with strength to change we didn’t ask for, and to adverse events; to bend, if need be, without breaking.   

Emotional self care involves awakening to our needs.  We are accustomed to functioning on autopilot, doing what we have always done, as if our routines were unchangeable.  We pride ourselves on being constantly busy, multitasking while snacking compulsively, and medicating our stress in unproductive ways.  The seeking of wellness, of flourishing rather than just getting by, invites us to stop and take a breath.  When was the last time you made self care a thoughtful priority?  In this noisy world, we may benefit from taking a break from constant chatter, by unplugging from social media for an hour or a day or a week.  Could you do that? What actually nurtures you?  Care of our own spirit often benefits from caring for the wellbeing of another person, by listening to them, by reconnecting with those who have gone missing, by volunteering in the community.  Wellness may involve finding an activity in which you feel creative, productive, and challenged.  It might be your job or your hobby, sudoku, or your passion for music or good food.  Wellness involves mindful pursuit. 

Mindfulness is a discipline that promotes wellness, by helping us become more aware of our immediate environment, our sensations, and our inner lives, awakening to the present moment, and cultivating self acceptance without judgment.  Mindfulness has crept into the behavioral health literature and into our clinical practice.  Mindfulness meditation practice has been shown to improve our ability to focus, and to reduce our rumination on the negatives of life.  Mindfulness can help us observe ourselves more accurately, and express our emotions in healthier ways.  Mindfulness promotes empathy for others, and helps us with the more difficult challenge, compassion for ourselves. 

How do we incorporate mindfulness in our already overwhelmingly busy lives?  By doing the things we already do, with purpose and curiosity, living fully in the present moment.  We can breathe mindfully, noticing the body sensations we normally overlook.  We can walk mindfully, putting down worries and digital distractions, and noticing the grass beneath our feet, the small details of the world we inhabit.  We can eat mindfully, using our senses to more fully appreciate the aroma of coffee and the texture of pretzels.  We can listen mindfully, offering our undivided attention, understanding the moment as a fragile gift.  We can be present.  Happy spring. 

Lynn Schlossberger LPC

Mental Wellbeing in the Hottest Summer on Record

Mental Wellbeing in the Hottest Summer on Record

By Lynn Schlossberger, LPC

The world feels inhospitable when it’s 98 in the shade, and feels like 109.  Extreme heat takes a toll on our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.  Care of the body requires planning: scheduling activities in the cooler part of the day; wearing light colors and fabrics that breathe, like cotton; drinking extra water.  SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin) treats extreme hot weather as a public health issue, and created Heat.gov as a resource.  Care of the mind when the world feels like a sauna, takes extra care too.  Extreme heat creates emotional hazards, including insomnia, fatigue, increases of depression and anger, and increased risk of both suicide and violence.  The rate of inpatient admissions during a heat wave for people with behavioral health diagnoses, increases more than the average population.  Their coping resources may be limited.  Psych meds do wonders, but antidepressants and antipsychotics may have more side effects in extreme heat conditions, and may impair the body’s ability to regulate body temperature.  People with Schizophrenia are at greatest risk.

Needless to say, the risk of heat related stress is greater for some populations than others. Lack of access to secure housing with air conditioning creates hardship.  So does crowding, and living in densely built urban areas, surrounded with concrete and asphalt that stores and radiates heat.  But it’s not just physical discomfort that undermines us, in the midst of a Louisiana summer for the record books.

Extreme weather is a result of climate change, and that phenomenon has increased our ambient anxiety.  Researchers are finding growing “eco-anxiety,” which is a response of fear and hopelessness, to growing changes in our environment.  Overheating of the Gulf puts us at risk of more severe hurricanes.  That anxiety is completely rational.  When we notice changes in the Louisiana coastline, we may experience “sostalgia,” a disrupted sense of safety caused by changes to the surroundings we call home. 

Eco-anxiety is not in the DSM yet, but it is present in abundance.  A Yale University study in 2020 found that half of respondents were anxious about the effects of climate change on their mental health.  Care providers have some catching up to do; complaining about the heat is more than just  superficial venting, and needs to be taken seriously.  Environmental hazard is the context in which people present with depression and anger, and needs to be addressed, just as we address background stress from toxic relationships, stigma, and cultural bias.  We need to listen.  Gen Z, currently teens and 20-somethings, is particularly prone to eco-anxiety, because they worry about where this climate trajectory is leading.  Eco-anxiety rarely comes up in therapy, because patients don’t know it’s valid.

We don’t have easy answers for how to respond to eco-anxiety.  The American Psychological Association has some thoughts about how to manage it.  They recommend getting educated, because accurate information about climate change is empowering.  They suggest we focus on resilience, to cope with serious challenges to our wellbeing.  Identify achievable goals.  Find supportive relationships with people who share one’s core values, such as a desire to have a healthy planet to call home.  Avoid isolation.  Avoid maladaptive thinking, that any problem is “unsolvable”.  Reconnect with nature, even if it’s hot hot hot out.  And please, while you do that, stay hydrated.

Lynn Schlossberger LPC

Housing is Healthcare

Blog Post Submitted by: Dr. Jamie L. Barney, Vice President of Behavioral Health Services

When accessing safe and stable housing, people can focus on their health and healthcare. Persons who are housed are more likely to have health insurance, a primary health care provider, and have few admissions to emergency rooms. Their life expectancy increases, by some estimates, 27 years. 

Open Health Care Clinic has provided housing services for over 25 years, since 1996. Shortly after the organization was established, it became clear that housing was one of the greatest needs in the community. I oversaw the management of the housing program for almost 5 years. My eyes were opened to the experiences of persons experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in a way that they have not been before.  

Dr. Jamie L. Barney

A part of this role included visiting persons at the best place they could find shelter: abandoned businesses, abandoned homes, and wooded areas. One person showed me the shed that she slept in and the fan she used to try to keep the bugs from crawling on her throughout the night. Another person drove to our agency in the rental truck that she and her children slept in; and how they kept the gate slightly raised while they slept because of the heat. Another person showed me the abandoned business that she and her four-year-old son used for shelter. She showed me how she tried to cover the dirty mattress in the corner for him to sleep and the bucket they used for toileting.  

Parents are forced to make decisions to allow children to be split up to live with other family members (if that is an option) or to remain with their parents in cars, wooded arears, or under overpasses.  

Additionally, I fielded calls from persons who were pending eviction and had no where to go. No safety net, no parents or siblings that can help, no plan. Just desperation. I am a social worker and I did what I was trained to do. I listened. I provided information on any resources I could find. I did everything I could to explore the situation and try to find a solution for the short term or long term.  

Several barriers come into play. There are not enough shelters for the number of persons who do not have housing. There are only a few emergency shelters in our community. One shelter prohibits boys over 6 years old and persons with certain medical diagnosis. Another shelter for pregnant mothers will not allow the mother to return after childbirth if she does not choose to put the baby up for adoption. Shelters also have time frames within which you must discharge, usually a few months.  

The barriers to securing an apartment can be hefty. Credit checks, renting history, funds needed for the rental deposit and first month’s rent before you can move in, criminal background, and the rising cost of rent make it extremely difficult for some persons to secure their own housing.   

Public housing options are some persons only hope of avoiding homelessness. Health centers, like Open Health Care Clinic, understand the unique barriers that these patients face and the trauma that they carry with them. We meet our patients where they are. We will assist them in enrolling in insurance plans. We will educate them on the importance of preventative medical care and walk them through the process. With an in-house pharmacy, we can fill prescriptions when patients come in. In addition to medical care, we provide oral health care, behavioral health care, case management, housing, and an array of other supportive services. A one stop shop removes barriers to accessing services.  

We are committed to doing what we can to improve all of our patients’ health - without judgement. We show every person who enters our doors respect and provide high quality services. Many of our community members are facing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. These conditions do not diminish their worth as a person. Public housing is the only tangible option for some people. Staff work tirelessly to help where they can. Although it seems like it is never enough, the work that is done in public housing changes lives. Housing and healthcare go hand in hand.  

Housing is healthcare.  

Juneteenth

Juneteenth By Dekeesha Levine:

What is Juneteenth? 

  On June 19th, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure that all slaves were freed. The arrival happened 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Texas was the last Confederate state where the proclamation was announced, and the first to recognize the date of June 19 – Juneteenth – statewide. This day honors the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth gets its name from combining "June" and "nineteenth," the day that Granger arrived in Galveston, bearing a message of freedom for the slaves there. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth officially became a National Independence Day and a U.S. federal holiday. Juneteenth is considered the longest running African American Holiday in the United States. 

 What this Day Symbolizes: 

 Juneteenth symbolizes freedom for African Americans. A freedom that brought forth a new and brighter future. Even though Jim Crow laws made life unbearable for African Americans, we still were free. Free to live our lives and plan futures. To become educated, work for a wage, buy property, start families, and accumulate wealth. Because of Juneteenth people of color were now able to achieve what they wanted. If not for this day, there would be many setbacks for African Americans still to this day. Even though the world is not perfect, people of color are still striving for a better day. It is because of this freedom Juneteenth represents that we can thrive forward. This day marks a new beginning for African Americans as the fight for equality continues. 

 Why should every American want to Celebrate?

 We celebrate Juneteenth not only because it was the end to slavery, but to also remember all those who did not live to see this day. We remember those who fought for this day and those who continue to advocate for equality. We celebrate Juneteenth to honor African American culture and to educate those who are not familiar with the significance of this day! Juneteenth is an opportunity to recognize the struggles we have gone through as people of color, the heights we have achieved, and the realization that we continue to be a work in progress, always striving together toward that beautiful vision of a nation that our Founders knew we could one day be. 

Let's celebrate this Independence Day with food, joy, laughter, and love!!!! 

Dekeesha Levine is a Case Manager at at Open Health Care Clinic

Mental Health Awareness

Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized in May but OHCC’s Behavioral Health Team is intentional about continuing those conversations about one’s mental health. The following blog was written by Lynn Schlossberger, LPC.

Stress is with us always, and for many people, emotional distress can quietly develop into something more challenging. Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to talk about it. In a normal year, 21% of Americans have symptoms of mental illness, and anxiety is the most commonly diagnosed problem. Prevalence is much higher for some groups: 47% for LGBTQ+ people, and 36% for people of mixed racial background. And this has not been a normal year.

Risk factors for developing problems with our mental health include worrying about money or about job security, experiencing violence, discrimination, or racism, chronic pain, and lacking a strong support system. After two years living with pandemic, we have all been at risk. People have difficulty reconnecting after a long period of isolation. Important life events had to be deferred: graduation ceremonies, celebrations, funerals - lost opportunities to strengthen our relationships at the milestone moments of our lives. Mental health providers report a sharp increase in the number of people with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse since Covid changed our world. Some of these challenges may be directly related to the pandemic, grief over a lost loved one, or the anxiety of not knowing when it is safe to take your mask off in an airplane or a classroom, or to attend a long-postponed party. Some of our loved ones may have refused vaccination, or disrespected our decision to receive them, leading to family strain. Some of our challenges may have existed long before Covid changed our lives, but we were able to sweep them under the rug. Relationships that were already troubled, may have fractured or become abusive. Alcohol or another drug may have already created problems we could explain away before we had to spend time alone, and now we can’t avoid facing them.

We may not know what is normal any more. But certain experiences continue to be a warning sign of possible mental health challenges, and a reason to accept help. Are you experiencing worries that just won’t go away? Are you feeling sad, hopeless, or down on yourself frequently? Having trouble focusing on your work? Are you avoiding contact with the people you normally enjoy, or struggling to find something to do when you are home alone? Drinking more? Using a street drug? Having nightmares? Please know that there is no shame in recognizing these experiences to be a hint of a problem. Doing so is the first step toward regaining control of your life, and finding peace.

Reaching out to a loved one can be a helpful first step toward self care, and that loved one might be your fur baby. Finding a positive activity you are willing to do, even if you are not in the mood, can interrupt the cycle of depression or anxiety. It might be a task you’ve postponed, like cleaning out the junk drawer, or it might be a video game or a puzzle. If the symptoms persist, it might be a good time to think about counseling. Counseling is a conversation with someone trained to listen, to recognize what is interfering with your quality of life, and work with you to make things better. In the meantime, if you need to talk, consider calling a 24 hour hotline. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at (800) 273-8255. Beginning in July, 2022, it will be updated to a new three digit code, available at all times, just like calling 411 for information. Keep it handy: when in emotional distress, call 988.

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Why Pride?

David Meche-Case Manager

It’s Pride Month and we at OHCC would like to celebrate our friends, family, and co-workers. David Meche, one of our case managers, wrote a blog about the importance of Pride and why we still need to celebrate it’s significance. It’s time to Live and Love Out Proud!

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June is National LGBTQI+ Pride month!  Originally commemorating the Stonewall Riots in June 1969, Pride is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions, progress, and goals of the queer community.  Despite the advancement in visibility, acceptance, and rights of sexual minorities, the need for Pride continues.  So…

 WHY PRIDE?

 History

Pride began as a recognition of the historical fight for human rights by the LGBTQI+ community. We are indeed still searching for our historical identity that’s been obscured and denied.  We celebrate pride for the achievements of those we’ve lost or have been erased.  We are grieving the generation lost to HIV and AIDS.  We are mourning the voiceless.  We lift up those who made sacrifices before us so that we can live authentically.  Pride is to ease the struggle for future generations of LGBTQI+. We celebrate pride today as a validation of our humanity and equality in the face of oppression as it still exists today. 

 Family

The queer community is creating families.  The non-traditional is becoming traditional.  What hasn’t changed is that love creates a family wherever it exists.  Pride is thanking the families who embrace their children no matter how they identify or who they love.  Pride is for those that have two mommies or two daddies.  Pride is for allies, friends, and community.  But Pride is also for the children who have been disowned.  Pride is for the discrimination we have faced and the pain we have endured. Pride is the bravery it takes to defend the vulnerable.  It is to achieve the potential and rally against the obstacles faced by all those who identify as LGBTQI+. 

 Health

Sexual minorities and gender non-conformists face health unique health challenges.  Pride is where we address sexual, physical, and mental health in the LGBTQI+ community.  As HIV/AIDS continues to be an epidemic, Pride is a time where we have a heightened platform to discuss PrEP, STI testing and treatment, and sexual health education.  We focus on gender affirming medical care, aging, and family planning for LGBTQI+.  Nearly half of LGBTQI+ youth have considered suicide in the last year according to a survey from the Trevor Project.  At Pride we recognize the toll that stigma takes and emphasize the importance of mental health care.  Pride is about protecting people of trans experience from violence.  We need pride to continue to improve the wellbeing of the LGBTQI+ community because we are equally deserving of health and happiness.

 Diversity

We need Pride to celebrate diversity within the LGBTQI+ community and examine how the queer community treats all of its own members.  As we ask society for acceptance, we need to improve that which we give to each other.  At Pride we recognize intersectionality of race, orientation, identity, disability, age, and income.  Our strength is the inclusivity that we earn.

 For these reasons and countless more, we still need Pride.  

  https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/

Grief during the Holidays

Grief during the Holidays

Grief is the response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or some living thing that has died, to which a bond or affection was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, grief also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, cultural, spiritual, and philosophical dimensions.

More stressful, grieving the loss of a loved one while coping with the fear and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic can be especially overwhelming. Social distancing, “stay-at home-orders,” and limits on the size of in-person gatherings have changed the way friends and family can gather and grieve, including holding traditional funeral services, regardless of whether the person’s death was due to COVID-19.

After losing someone or something we loved well, we find ourselves in the strange and unsettling world of grief. We wonder who we are now and how we go on with our lives.

As well, a person may feel grief due to loss of a job; inability to connect in-person with friends, family, or religious organizations; missing special events and milestones (such as graduations, weddings, vacations); and experiencing drastic changes to daily routines and ways of life that bring comfort. You may also feel a sense of guilt for grieving over losses that seem less important than loss of life. Grief is a universal emotion; there is no right or wrong way to experience it, and all losses are significant.

Rather self and/or helping others, coping with grief isn't so difficult as it may seem. Below are coping strategies to help with emotions and feelings of grief:

• Acknowledge your losses and your feelings of grief.

• Find ways to express your grief. Some people express grief and find comfort through art, gardening, writing, talking to friends or family, cooking, music, gardening, or other creative practices.

• Consider developing new rituals in your daily routine to stay connected with your loved ones to replace those rituals that have been lost.

• People who live together may consider playing board games and exercising together outdoors.

• People who live alone or are separated from their loved ones may consider interacting through phone calls and apps that allow for playing games together virtually.

• If you are worried about future losses, try to stay in the present and focus on aspects of your life that you have control over right now.

Keeping in Mind….

Everyone grieves in a different way. Some people are numb and in shock. They can't cry for months, and then the floodgates open. Others cry constantly. Be prepared for numbness, or nonstop talking, or mood swings, tears, or anger. It's a roller coaster of emotions.

Remember, It’s Okay!

So, you may wonder, “How can I help someone that is Grieving?”

When giving emotional help to someone grieving, don't be afraid to tell the bereaved you are sorry and talk about the deceased. Anecdotes from friends about experiences they shared with the loved one can be a great comfort. So many people are afraid to even mention their names. Share the grief, talk, help, and share some tears. Don't worry if you don't know what to say, actions speak louder than words. To give support to someone grieving, you can do the following:

• Send: cards, flowers, messages, cooked meals, cakes, food baskets. It helps to know that people are thinking of you and that the loved one was appreciated by others too.

• Offer: to do shopping, give lifts, take your friend on outings, to do odd jobs around their home such as helping with the laundry or mowing the lawn.

• Help: to pack up the deceased belongings if needed. Take them to the charity shop if your friend can't face it.

• Encourage: your friend to go back to normal daily living activities, exercise, join groups, to keep active.

• Suggest: a visit to the doctor or counselor if you suspect they are getting depressed.

Keep in Mind……

For those who are grieving, the holidays can be unfamiliar terrain. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, this time is filled with fond remembrances of loved ones who are on your mind yet absent from your traditions and rituals. Acknowledging the difficulties of holidays after loss does not make a potentially difficult time any easier but preparing for the holidays by tapping into helpful coping strategies may provide some much-needed help. Since I have been working in the counseling profession and working with persons that are grieving a loss of a person, or a loss that may occur which relates to life circumstances, I have come across the three Cs for Holiday Grief. It has even helped me with my own grieving process through the years.

Three Cs for Holiday Grief by Dr. Kenneth J. Doka

Grief Expert, Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, shares his three Cs to help through difficult times through the holidays.

CHOOSE

During the holidays, it’s easy to drift into activities that have the potential to increase your pain. You have choices. Decide what you want to be part of, who you want to be with, and what you want to do.

COMMUNICATE

Discussing your choices with others, especially those affected by them, is important. They have needs as well. Their ways of dealing with grief may be different.

COMPROMISE

Each person deals with loss in his or her own way and therefore has different needs. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Leaving space for compromise is important.

Remember, “You Matter and It’s Okay.”

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As I close, I would like to share that nothing changes the fact that the holidays can be especially difficult while grieving. But if you choose your actions, communicate your choices to others, and find suitable compromises, you may find that they become bearable and that you have renewed strength and hope.

-Carrie Davidson, LPC, NCC

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Resources for Article and about Grief:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/grief-loss/index.html

2. https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/stages-of-grief-education

3. https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-guide/grief-psychoeducation-guide

4. https://www.talkspace.com/blog/types-of-grief/

5. Developed from Journeys with Grief: A Collection of Articles about Love, Life and Loss, edited by Kenneth J. Doka, Ph.D., MDiv., copyright Hospice Foundation of America, 2012.

Resources for Grief Services and Support in the Baton Rouge Area to the following links:

1. Grief Recovery Center of Baton Rouge - https://www.grcbr.org

2. Hospice of Baton Rouge - https://hospicebr.org

Resources for Grief Groups in the Baton Rouge Area

1. https://www.griefshare.org/countries/us/states/la/cities/baton_rouge

2. Grief Recovery of Baton Rouge – www.grcbr.org

Resources for Grief National

SAMHSA Hotline - https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline 1-800-662-4537

National Alliance for Mental Hahttps://www.nami.org/

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Carrie Davidson, LPC, NCC

COVID-19 Booster Shot Q&A

COVID-19 Booster Shot Q&A

We spoke to our mobile clinic’s nurse practitioner, Kristie Carazo to learn more about the COVID-19 booster shot now available at Open Health. Ms. Carazo has given over 4,000 vaccines since COVID-19 started and she along with health officials recommend getting a booster shot to protect yourself and our community.

What is a booster shot?

Vaccines do a great job at protecting us from serious diseases. Some vaccines can protect us forever after receiving the vaccination while others weaken over time and our body needs more than one shot of the vaccine to "Boost" our immunity. This extra shot is called a booster dose. Vaccines that we receive as kids to protect us against tetanus need a booster dose. Research shows that people will need a booster of the COVID-19 vaccine also.

Who is eligible to receive the booster shot?

Anyone who has received the Moderna/Pfizer vaccine 6-months after they receive their second dose.  As of today, people who have moderately to severely weakened immune systems can receive a third dose 28-days after receiving their second dose. This includes people who have been receiving cancer treatments, have had organ and stem cell transplants or severe primary immunodeficiency such as untreated HIV.

Does this mean my vaccine is no longer protecting me?

Kristie Carazo, FNP-C

The protection you have from a vaccine can gone down over time. Research into the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines show that a booster dose is needed to increase your protection to COVID-19. An extra COVID-19 vaccine dose could provide your body with more antibodies to help protect you from COVID-19 and the Delta variant.

Could a booster cause side effects?

Booster vaccines have the potential to cause side effects that you may have experienced after your initial dose. But everyone is different and each person can have different reactions to the booster.

Could you mix and match vaccines?

Yes, people will receive a booster dose of either Moderna or Pfizer depending on which vaccine they initially received.

What if I received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

You can choose which booster to receive from the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Call us at 225-655-6422 to schedule your booster shot appointment.

Increasing Awareness of Domestic Violence

Increasing Awareness of Domestic Violence

Lynn Schlossberger, LPC

Increasing awareness of domestic abuse is like aiming your camera at a bird in flight.  It keeps changing, as stress increases.  According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 36% of Louisiana women experience abuse from an intimate partner in their lifetimes, and so do 35% of Louisiana men.  Most who are severely injured or murdered are women.   East Baton Rouge Parish has had 25 domestic violence murders so far in 2021, compared to 19 in all of 2020.   In vulnerable populations – anyone marginalized by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability – the national rate of intimate partner violence over a lifetime may be closer to 50%, according to the director of the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice.  Between 2016 and 2018, rates across the US increased significantly.  During the first year of the pandemic, with reduced social contact and fewer resources, some cities reported a 20% jump in frequency.  It’s another form of pandemic, hidden in plain sight.  

Domestic violence, according to NCADV, is the willful intimidation, assault, or abuse that is part of a pattern of power and control by one intimate partner against another.  Abusers feel entitled to be in control of their partner at all times.  No group is immune.  Stereotypes are useless: abusers can look like normal, friendly, productive members of society.  We don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, and so we have to wake up to the warning signs.

Abuse is more obvious when it leaves visible bruises, but words can do profound damage too.  Abusers blame, shame, and intimidate their partners with threats of violence if they displease their abuser.  They often accuse their partners of wrongdoing, as if that somehow justified the violence.  They might punch the wall, hide the car keys, break the partner’s cellphone, or use it to check up on them a hundred times a day, control their credit card, isolate them from loved ones, threaten to hurt the dog, or threaten to seek custody of the kids if the abused partner complains.  Survivors of abuse – the term “victim” is stigmatizing – have good reason to hesitate to leave.  The time when the risk of violence is most severe is during the process of leaving an abusive relationship. 

Leaving an abusive relationship is hard.  Beyond fear of being assaulted, many survivors struggle because they lack resources.  They worry about supporting themselves or their kids.  They worry they will not be believed, particularly by law enforcement, but often by family or faith community as well.  And of course, they reminisce about the good times.  When the perpetrator of violence calms down, they often apologize, buy flowers, and promise it will never happen again.  The truth is that the psychopathology behind domestic violence does not go away on its own, and the next time is usually worse.  Treatment of perpetrators is available, and it is a long process.

Might someone you care about be at risk? Here are some warning signs.  Do they have injuries for which the explanation sounds fishy?  Do they manifest a decline in self-esteem?  Are they preoccupied by checking in with their partner?  Missing appointments without a clear reason? Ask them if something is wrong at home.  Be somebody it is safe to tell.  Choose a moment when they feel safe.  Avoid lecturing.  If you are a mandated reporter, include the person in a conversation about how to keep them safe.  Model calm in the midst of a storm.  Above all, be safe yourself.

For help 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.

Suicide Prevention & Awareness

Suicide Prevention & Awareness

Victoria Young, MS, LPC, NCC

The month of September is dedicated to preventing suicide and instilling hope in communities across the nation. A large focus for Suicide Prevention Month pivots education. Suicide is preventable and one way to prevent suicide is to educate individuals on risk factors, warning signs, how to have conversations with loved ones when they are struggling with suicidal ideation or other somatic features, and provide resources that are available.

 Though it might seem improbable , suicide affects all people. Within the past year, about 41,000 individuals died by suicide, 1.3 million adults have attempted suicide, 2.7 million adults have had a plan to attempt suicide and 9.3 million adults have had suicidal thoughts. Also, according to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Data & Statistics Fatal Injury Report for 2019; retrieved February 9, 2021, suicide is the 10th leading causes of death. Figuratively, when conceptualizing the stereotypes within the realm of mental health the current statistics could reflect a substantial increase due to the contemporary mental health stigma which prevents many people from reaching out and asking for help. Being aware of the warning signs could reduce both suicide attempts and deaths. Also, using verbiage free of jargon by asking the simple question, “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” could ultimately save a life.

 Remembering that there is no single reason why someone might contemplate suicide. Suicide does not discriminate by age, gender, wealth, race, religious preference or sexuality. Someone thinking about suicide may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness or they may NOT. Someone thinking about suicide may have a variety of life stressors that could include but may not be limited to: grief ( anticipatory, sudden, complicated) financial destitution or lack of economic support, relationship complexities, losing a job, changes in health, or another significant life change.

 What are some warning signs of suicide?

Most common warning signs that someone may be thinking about suicide include:

• Changes in mood

• Giving away prized possessions

• Putting final affairs in order

• Withdrawing

• Changes in physical appearance

• Prior suicide attempts

• Alcohol or drug use

• High-risk behaviors

• Making statements with themes of hopelessness, helplessness, and fear of becoming a burden

• Making verbal suicide threats, such as “I want to die” or “I’m going to kill myself”

• Feeling like a burden

• Being isolated

• Increased anxiety

• Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

• Expressing hopelessness

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Talking or posting about wanting to die

• Making plans for suicide

 How can you help someone who might be suicidal?

 If you are concerned about someone, ask them: “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” Or ask, “Are you having thoughts of killing yourself?” Simply asking one of these questions can save a life.

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions  regarding  suicide. One of them is that if you ask a person if they are having thoughts of suicide, you are planting the seed for that individual to engage with self injurious behavior that will contribute to them carrying out their plans for suicide. This is not true. Actually, asking the question opens the door for that person to share personal thoughts, feelings and experiences. If a person is thinking about suicide, STOP, LISTEN, and REACT.  Help that individual access resources. 

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Confidential crisis help is available 24/7 by phone:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

• La Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454

• Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” pto 741741

• The Trevor Project Lifeline (LGBTQ Crisis and Suicide Hotline): 866-488-7386

• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1

• Teen Line (Teen-to-Teen Help Hotline): 310-855-4673

For more specific resources for those struggling with suicide within the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. 

• The Bridge Center Baton Rouge
  Website

• THE PHONE Baton Rouge (225-924-3900)
  24-hour crisis counseling and emotional support line serving the Greater Baton Rouge Area.

• THE PHONE LSU (225-924-LSU1)
  24-hour crisis counseling and emotional support line serving the students of Louisiana State University (LSU).

• KIDLINE (1-800-CHILDREN)
  Kidline is an anonymous, toll-free, statewide telephone service offering crisis intervention, support, parenting information and referrals to community resources within the state of Louisiana. KIDLINE counselors are available 24 hours per day – 7 days per week.

• VIA LINK Call Center (211)
  Capital area, Greater New Orleans Area, and Northshore Website

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The signs of crisis is all around us. Society depicts  that someone who is suicidal is a person who is in  a permanent situation.  We must work together to debunk and banish that stigma and stereotype. We must work as a team to help society realize the importance of helping others seek treatment and show individuals the importance of addressing their mental health challenges so suicide is not an option. Eliminating the stigma starts by understanding why suicide occurs, being aware of the warning signs, assisting ones with accessing specific resources for those struggling with suicide, and advocating for mental health awareness within our communities. 

References

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Preventing Suicide. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/pdf/preventing-suicide-factsheet-2021-508.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Suicide rising across the U.S. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/suicide/

Victoria Young, MS, LPC, NCC

Men's Mental Health: Why Talking About it is Still Taboo

Men’s Mental Health

Six million American men suffer from depression every year. Many men attempt to treat mental illness themselves, and in the process, 1 in 5 men eventually develop alcohol or drug abuse.  Some try to cut out difficult emotions by attaching their self-worth to the successes in their work and social lives.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, men are 4-times more likely to commit suicide than women.

Stigma about mental health is deadly.  Men deny their symptoms because they learn that acknowledging emotional pain is a sign of weakness, and asking for help is shameful.  However, depression does not disappear just because we ignore it; when it goes untreated, male depression may appear as insomnia, irritability, needless conflict, somatic complaints, or anger. This is "toxic masculinity": a portrayal of manhood that requires a guy to always be tough, in control, to resist change, and never to be vulnerable.  Those who are bound by a toxic masculine self-image often repress their emotions, even pleasant ones.  They are more likely to disrespect women, distrust others, be homophobic, and refuse to eat vegetables.

Symptoms of male depression are hard to detect because men hide them. Other medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, camouflage them, as, of course, do alcohol and other street drugs.   For older men, a drop in testosterone levels is also associated with symptoms of depression.  When men don't bring it up, caregivers may ask about emotional pain, the pain of the heart, with the same attention one might give to a question about a pain in the chest.  All pain deserves help.

The truth is that nobody is exempt from experiencing sadness, disappointment, or self-doubt.  Men and women are prone to depression and other mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, but men are less likely to get help.  Manic symptoms of bipolar can lead to poor decision-making and negatively affect your life.   90% of those diagnosed with Schizophrenia in early adulthood are men.  Psychosis, like depression, is a brain function, not a character flaw.  Hiding your symptoms won't make them go away, don't be ashamed to ask for help.

Lynn Schlossberger, LPC

Every Man Needs A Health Plan

Pride Month & Men’s Health Month

Allan Edmunds, FNP-C

Men's health is particularly relevant in June because it's Men's Health Month and Gay Pride month. What better time than now to highlight the need for men to see a medical provider for their primary and sexual health care needs. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Open Health's HAART Clinic offers an array of specialized services to our patients, including wellness visits, PReP/PEP, Hepatitis C treatment, HIV testing, and more.

LGBTQ+ Health

Recent studies have shown that "most LGBTQ patients want to be able to share their sexual orientation or gender identity with their healthcare provider but are often reluctant to open up because they fear they may be treated badly or even refused care." Open Health wants to change that. We aim to create an inclusive and culturally sensitive environment to reduce the stigma that LGBTQ patients experience. We strive to provide affordable, quality health care guided by our core values of commitment, compassion, diversity, integrity, and quality. We encourage all men—gay, straight, bisexual, and transgender—to see us for their annual medical visits as well as their regular sexual health care and STD screenings.

Men's Overall Health

Congress also feels that men’s health is of national importance, passing a bill in 1994 declaring the week before Father’s Day as men’s health week. This year in celebration of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 20, we encourage everyone to wear blue in support of their father, husband, son, or brother. For all the mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, and friends, we want you to: Encourage him to get seen! The sad truth is that statistically, men die five years earlier than women. Men are also less likely to have health insurance, impacting a man’s ability to be involved fathers, supportive partners, and engaged community members. Fortunately, most of the reasons for men’s shorter and less healthy lives are preventable! Health prevention starts with men seeing a health care provider regularly. These doctor visits help establish a patient’s baseline blood pressure, weight, and health status, plus the provider can check for issues like prostate cancer, depression, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Men can catch potentially dangerous conditions early by receiving annual check-ups and screenings, especially when they are still treatable. If you are sexually active, STD screenings are also important at any age. Statistics show men and women over the age of 65 now represent an increasingly large proportion of the STDs reported annually in the USA.

How to observe National Men’s Health Month

Tweak your Diet

Men's Health Month is an excellent opportunity to change the way you eat. Cut back on alcohol this month or up your intake of healthy fermented foods like sauerkraut and kefir. You can do anything for a month, and if you do it for a month, you can do it for life!

Set some goals

Use this month to take control of your health now and think about where you want it to be. Do you want to lose weight? Gain muscle? Eat more vegetables. Set small and achievable goals and work with your doctor to make them a reality.

Get educated

Take this opportunity to read about the common health issues specific to men and how you can prevent yourself from getting hurt! Check out the CDC for information on health issues that men face.

Allan Edmunds, FNP-C

Resources:

www.menshealthnetworks.org

www.health.org

Community Advisory Board

Join Open Health’s Community Advisory Board

Help improve the client services and patient care at Open Health. The new community advisory board (CAB) meets monthly to discuss ways to improve our health center. CAB members serve as a link between the patients, the community, and Open Health. Please call Dr. Barney at (225) 655-6422 or pick up an application at the clinic front desk.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

Updated 3/22/2021 per new state vaccine guidelines.

Now Offering Drive-Thru COVID-19 Vaccines

Open Health is now offering COVID-19 vaccines in a convenient drive-thru clinic. Schedule an appointment with our nursing staff by calling us at (225) 655-6422.

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Information about Vaccine Drive-Thru Clinic

Do you qualify to receive the vaccine? You must meet one of these requirements:

• Pregnant women of any age

• Adults 18+

Do I have to be a patient of Open Health to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

No. Anyone can get the vaccine as long as they meet the requirements listed above.

Do I need an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine thru our drive-thru clinic?

Yes! Appointments are required. Please call us at (225) 655-6422 to schedule your COVID-19 vaccination. 

What should I bring to my vaccination appointment?

• Photo ID

• Insurance card

• Personnel working in the qualifying fields listed above must bring a paystub or badge to their vaccine appointment.

Contact us:

If you have questions, please call us at (225) 655-6422.

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Information about the covid-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.

How many vaccine shots do I need:

Open Health will give you two shots, 28 days apart. We will schedule your second shot when we make your appointment for your first vaccine shot.

Throughout the rest of your body

• Fever

• Chills

• Tiredness

• Headaches

On the arm where you got the shot

• Pain

• Swelling

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Have more questions about the covid-19 vaccine?

Visit the CDC to learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html

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We will update this site as additional information becomes available. 3/22/2021