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Up, Up, and Aware: What Superman Can Teach Us About Mental Health
Chanukah came early for me this year with the release of James Gunn's Superman trailer. Superheroes have always soared through our imaginations, but lately, they’ve landed squarely in the world of mental wellness. As a rabbi, comic book aficionado (once called “New York’s Hippest Rabbi”...
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Meth is Still Ravaging the LGBTQ+ Community, We Must Address the Crisis
As the opioid epidemic continues to dominate national news, another urgent crisis is wreaking havoc in communities throughout the United States. Methamphetamine addiction is on the rise, and it’s hitting communities hard, especially the LGBTQ+ community. November 30th is National...
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Behavioral Health Equity: Responding to the Needs of Our Nation’s Veterans
On Veterans Day, we take time to honor former service members for their willingness to make sacrifices for our nation. Support for all our nation’s Veterans is a prominent component of the wide-ranging services provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). An...
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Gender Perspectives on Hazing: Understanding Mental Health Outcomes
The heartbreaking deaths of Tim Piazza and Kristin High underscore the deadly risks of fraternity and sorority hazing, revealing how gendered practices in hazing not only differ but also lead to distinct psychological and physical consequences. Nineteen-year-old Tim Piazza, a student at Penn State,...
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Beyond the Locker Room: Unmasking Hazing in the Military, Workplaces, and Sports Teams
Danny Chen's Story Danny Chen, a 19-year-old Army private from New York, died by suicide on October 3, 2011, while deployed in Afghanistan. His death followed hazing and racial bullying from fellow soldiers. Being of Chinese descent, Chen endured racial slurs like “gook" and “chink,” along...
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Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care: A Step Towards Holistic and Equitable Patient Care
Nearly 60 million U.S. adults live with a behavioral health condition that requires medical assistance, yet stigma, socioeconomic factors, and navigational challenges caused by a fragmented healthcare system are all barriers to care. However, there is a systemic change that could dynamically...
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Using Technology to Personalize Behavioral Health Treatments
It’s no surprise that behavioral health providers are exploring how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) can improve patient care and support clinicians. Issues like burnout, the nationwide shortage of clinicians, and administrative burdens can be (at least) partially addressed by new...
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Empowering Care: Leveraging AI in Helplines and Telehealth
“I’m sorry, Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.” (2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968) “I’m going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson.” (The Matrix, 1999) “I’ll be back!” (The Terminator, 1984) Our cultural imagination is packed with images of terrifying,...
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Enhancing Therapeutic Conversations with Sentiment Analysis in Natural Language Processing
Therapy can greatly enhance an individual’s ability to communicate effectively during challenging times. Therapeutic discussions are essential in mental health care. They play a crucial role in mental health treatment by enabling patients to delve into their emotions, past traumas, and life...
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Revolutionizing Behavioral Health Through Technology and AI: The Promise of Personalized Care
The behavioral health field is at a moment when old models of care, and associated delivery mechanisms, are insufficient at meeting the ever-increasing demand for services, especially as it concerns a need for more personalized care choices. At the same time, the field is undergoing remarkable...
