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Support for Older Adult Peers
The Baltic Street, Advocacy, Employment, and Housing, Inc, Geriatric Peer Advocacy Program may be the only peer to peer program in New York City that offers services to seniors that have psychiatric disabilities. The program has been in existence since 1998 and although it is a small program, over...
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The Economics of Recovery: System Reform
New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Medicaid Redesign Team gathered an impressive list of suggestions to stem the growth of New York’s 50+ billion dollar Medicaid program. I was particularly impressed with their adoption of the 80/20 concept developed by business marketers in the 70’s....
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The Emotional Needs of Older Adults from the Former Soviet Union
Many people from the former Soviet Union seek and receive culturally sensitive services from the FEGS Brooklyn Resource Center on Kings Highway in Brooklyn. This outpatient OMH licensed clinic provides psychiatric and counseling services to many Russian speaking individuals of whom a majority are...
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The Growing Problem of Drug and Alcohol Use in Older Adults
I recall when I was doing a field placement in a geriatric care facility in Joliet, Illinois, I encountered a resident who kept a flask of whiskey in his robe pocket and seemed to always have a ready replacement when one was empty. Often the patient was in a stupor and had several incidents in...
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The Medical Care and Psychosocial Needs of Older Adults
More than half of the older adults who receive behavioral health care receive it from their primary care physician. There has been much recent interest in the medical or health home model that provides comprehensive care, and in which a primary care physician (PCP) leads a team, which may include...
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The NYSPA Report: New York State Psychiatric Association’s 2011 Legislative Agenda
Presenting the New York State Psychiatric Association’s legislative agenda for the 2011 session in Albany represents more of a challenge than usual because the governor’s budget proposal will be presented after the writing of this report and the printing of this issue of Mental Health News....
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Study Ties Blood Protein to Alzheimer’s Brain Abnormalities
Scientists are seeking ways to detect the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease, since harmful changes may be taking place in the brain years before symptoms appear. Now, researchers report that a blood test detecting a specific protein in blood samples from cognitively normal older people may...
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The Impact of Race and Racism on Mental Health Outcomes
Achieving positive mental health outcomes in the context of race and racism begins with awareness and action. Clinicians are motivated to relieve negative symptoms and support wellbeing; however, their work rarely promotes anti-racist values such as Learning from History; Sharing Culture;...
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The Mental Health Needs of Special Populations
The history of mental illness in the United States and in New York State in particular amongst special populations is a very complex one, having within it all the politics, economics of a hierarchal, power centric, race constructed society. What are the key issues for practitioners who wish to...
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The NYSPA Report: Medication for Children and Adolescents
A doctor’s recommendation to use psychotropic medication for a child can lead to many concerns and questions in both the child and their parent. This article is meant to help clarify these concerns and help families understand that they can get safe, effective treatment for their child. The...
