The FAMCare Blog

Public Health Bulletin

Posted by GVT Admin on Apr 26, 2023 10:45:00 AM

NARCAN® Nasal Spray has been approved by the FDA as an over-the-counter treatment. 

In February this blog reported on the public health crisis of opioid addiction and the dramatic spike in sudden deaths by overdose caused primarily by the widespread use of synthetic fentanyl.

FAMCare Blog - February 7, 2023

Opioid addiction is here to stay,” said a social work professor we interviewed. “However, we do have treatment for this particular addiction. But as long as we turn away from the horrors of this widespread addiction and choose to remain in denial, we will not make a concerted effort to widely administer treatment. The pharmaceutical industry has already created both long term treatments and emergency life-saving medications that are simply not being administered on a wide enough scale. I believe that a nationwide effort to make these medications available to anyone trapped in this particular substance abuse disorder should be a number-one priority for the social work profession at large.”

Drug overdose persists as a major public health issue in the United States, with more than 101,750 reported fatal overdoses occurring in the 12-month period ending in October 2022, primarily driven by synthetic opioids like illicit fentanyl. 

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Topics: Special Reports, mental health

Person-Centered Care

Posted by GVT Admin on Mar 29, 2023 12:03:30 PM

Traditional mental health settings assign sole treatment authority to the therapist reducing patients to a classified diagnosis followed by the indicated treatment. Traditionally, after reviewing the case history and a brief initial interview, patients are assigned a diagnosis and “told what is good for them.” The caseworker retains total authority over the patient’s treatment plan usually focused on symptom reduction. Case notes are kept confidential even from the patients themselves. Providers feel pressure to document primarily for billing purposes and must submit notes within 24 hours for Medicaid reimbursement. There is little time allotted for consulting with patients to illicit their input on their treatment plan.

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Topics: mental health

Opioid Addiction Is Here to Stay

Posted by GVT Admin on Feb 1, 2023 10:45:00 AM

“Opioid addiction is here to stay,” said a social work professor we recently interviewed. “But as long as we turn away from the horrors of this widespread addiction and choose to remain in denial, we will not make a concerted effort to widely administer treatment. The pharmaceutical industry has already created both long term treatments and emergency life-saving medications that are simply not being administered on a wide enough scale. I believe that a nationwide effort to make these medications available to anyone trapped in this particular substance abuse disorder should be a number-one priority for the social work profession at large.”

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Topics: mental health, social issues

Homeless Youth Have a Higher Risk of Mental Health Disorders

Posted by GVT Admin on Nov 8, 2022 10:45:00 AM

An estimated 4.2 million teenagers and young adults are homeless each year. Children who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have higher rates of mental health problems such as behavioral issues, anxiety, and depression than children who live in unstable households.
The importance of mental health in programs for homeless young people cannot be overstated. Furthermore, most people's willingness to seek therapy is limited by a lack of access to mental health care. For organizations and services that work with at-risk youth, emphasizing mental health is critical to long-term sustainability.

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Topics: Child Welfare, Homeless & Food Pantry, mental health

Mental Health to Social Support: 4 Ways to Improve Student Wellness

Posted by GVT Admin on Oct 7, 2022 9:47:00 AM

In a recent study, 81% of teenagers between the ages of thirteen and seventeen reported experiencing more severe stress. Schools are working harder than ever to support their students by integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into curricula, expanding the availability of mental health services, and enabling teachers to identify the signs of a student's emotional distress and collaborate with social workers or counselors to promptly resolve particular cases.

Let's take a look at how you can support the students' complete social and mental well-being. 

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Topics: mental health, education, what social workers do

Finally-Some Common Sense

Posted by GVT Admin on Sep 28, 2022 10:51:55 AM

We recently interviewed a retired social worker who spent her entire 30-year career working with addicts and alcoholics in residential treatment centers. We were seeking insight into the drug and alcohol abuse epidemic that seems to be getting worse every year. The insights she shared rang with understanding, empathy, and a double dose of common sense.

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Topics: mental health, what social workers do, social issues

The Social Worker as Peer Specialist

Posted by GVT Admin on Sep 7, 2022 11:03:49 AM

Addiction is a disease, not a crime. The American Society of Addiction Medicine recognizes addiction as “a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.”

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Topics: mental health, social workers, what social workers do

Punishment Doesn't Work

Posted by GVT Admin on Aug 17, 2022 10:45:00 AM

According to The Sentencing Project, over the past four decades, the number of incarcerated women increased by more than 475%, rising from a total of 26,326 in 1980 to 152,854 in 2020. Also, over half (58%) of imprisoned women have a child under the age of 18.

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Topics: mental health, social workers, Adult Re-Entry

Ways Parents Can Prevent School Bullying

Posted by GVT Admin on Aug 4, 2022 10:45:00 AM

Bullying is a pervasive problem in schools across the United States. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about one-third of students aged 12-18 reported being bullied during the school year. The most common type of bullying is verbal abuse, including name-calling, teasing, and making fun of someone. Other types of bullying include physical abuse, cyberbullying, and social exclusion.

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Topics: mental health, education, social issues

Preventing Teen Suicide: Tips for Parents & Educators

Posted by GVT Admin on Jul 28, 2022 10:00:00 AM

For young people, suicide is the third most common cause  of death. Suicide can be avoided, though. Young people who are thinking about suicide usually show indicators of despair. Knowing about these symptoms can help friends, family, and educators act promptly and get the aid they require. Numerous social care providers are making an effort to deal with teen mental health difficulties and raise awareness that could be the difference between life and death. Let's shine some light on the subject and determine how we can work together to prevent teen suicide.

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Topics: mental health, education, social issues

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