“We noticed a strong alignment between Conscious Discipline and our focus on reflection in the context of supportive relationships to develop strong executive function skills,” said Dr. Carlson, Co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Reflection Sciences.

ORLANDO, Fla. (PRWEB)
September 19, 2019

Conscious Discipline, a leader in social-emotional learning and classroom management best practices, has partnered with Reflection Sciences in an effort to better measure and improve executive function in children. Reflection Sciences was founded by Phil Zelazo, Ph.D., and Stephanie Carlson, Ph.D., researchers at the University of Minnesota and creators of the Minnesota Executive Function Scale (MEFS). The MEFS App™ is a direct digital tablet assessment and the most accurate measurement of executive function available today.

Beginning in mid-2019, Conscious Discipline will be selling access to the MEFS App™ and training materials through its website. After purchasing the app and integrating it into instruction, users will receive specific Conscious Discipline intervention activities tied to each child’s executive function development, their age, and their performance on the game-like assessment.

Student data gathered through the MEFS App™ can be used to monitor progress, track the development of executive function and evaluate the effects of interventions and curricula. The assessment is brief, reliable, and valid and can be administered starting at age two and extending through adulthood. Children may be assessed multiple times throughout the year with the purchase of the MEFS training and one license per student.

Executive function is a set of skills that are essential, not just for school achievement, but for life happiness and success. Executive function helps people pay attention, plan, organize, make decisions, stick to their goals, control emotions and impulsivity, learn from past mistakes, and take other people’s perspectives. These neuro-cognitive skills include working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. Executive function is often a better predictor of academic and life success than traditional IQ tests, and it helps protect children from adversity-related risks.

“Conscious Discipline improves executive function in children. Through our partnership with Reflection Sciences, educators and schools can not only measure this improvement, but also implement interventions and track measurable goals,” said Dr. Becky Bailey, founder of Conscious Discipline. “This partnership gives teachers, schools and parents a more tangible way to track progress and clearly see the growth achieved with Conscious Discipline.”

“We noticed a strong alignment between Conscious Discipline and our focus on reflection in the context of supportive relationships to develop strong executive function skills,” said Dr. Carlson, Co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Reflection Sciences. “We are now excited to go to market together with Conscious Discipline so more young children globally can benefit from both of our services.”

Child Trends conducted an evaluation with 700 young children in the state of Ohio in conjunction with the University of Dayton and Preschool Promise and concluded that Conscious Discipline’s SEL curriculum led to growth in executive function performance as measured by the MEFS App™.

About Conscious Discipline

Conscious Discipline provides a comprehensive, trauma-informed social-emotional program that is based on current brain research, child development information and developmentally appropriate practices. All aspects of Conscious Discipline focus on creating a safe, connected environment for children to learn and practice the skills needed for healthy social, emotional and academic development. Conscious Discipline methodology is recognized by SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP), and it was named as a national model for character education by the Florida State Legislature. Research shows that Conscious Discipline decreases aggression, impulsivity and hyperactivity while creating a positive environment in the school or home. In schools, Conscious Discipline has been shown to decrease discipline referrals while increasing teaching time and academic achievement. Learn more at http://www.consciousdiscipline.com.

About Reflection Sciences

Reflection Sciences, Inc. (http://www.reflectionsciences.com) provides professional development, training, intervention curricula, and tools for assessing and improving executive function skills. The Minnesota Executive Function Scale (the MEFS AppTM) is the first objective, scientifically based, and normed direct assessment that validly and reliably measures EF skills in children from two years of age and up. The MEFS App™ is a quick (5 minute), fun game for students, but it provides vital data for educators and parents on a student’s executive function skills.

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With GoRelax, we are working to put acupressure in a form that is accessible to everyone, and to make ‘a massage everyday’ become your reality.

CHICAGO (PRWEB)
September 18, 2019

After backers contributed more than $230,000 on Kickstarter supporting GoRelax, crowdfunding continues on Indiegogo InDemand for the innovative lightweight mat from DEZZIO that fosters deep relaxation by naturally increasing blood circulation and reducing tension.

“We want to thank all the crowdfunders who have made GoRelax a success on Kickstarter and we’re excited that they will be the first to enjoy the benefits of our new acupressure mat,” said GoRelax Co-founder Aditi Agarwal. “With GoRelax, we focused on convenience and versatility to create a one-of-a-kind mat that naturally reduces stress and is customizable, portable and comfortable to use on any body part at any time.”

GoRelax uses the body’s natural energy system and harnesses the power of deep touch stimulation to help increase blood circulation (see gif), reduce muscle tension and promote the natural healing process. Agarwal notes that there are multiple studies and clinical trials that prove that daily use of acupressure mats for 15-to-20 minutes will help most people achieve pain relief and a reduction in stress.

GoRelax features include:

• 192 lotus-shaped contact points providing deep pinpoint stimulation that tingles at first before eventually fading away into a feeling of utter bliss
• An ergonomic design, including a totally unique curved neck pillow, that contours to the body and maximizes contact that can trigger 4,800 pressure points within the body
• A modular design that allows GoRelax to be split into three separate sections to adapt to users’ needs
• The ability to be folded easily, to a third of its total size, for convenient storage and portability

There are also foot and hand reflexology charts featured on the back of the mat that show how the activation of pressure points can benefit the entire body. It is available in several colors including green, purple, blue, grey/purple and grey/green.

GoRelax is made for everyone for use anywhere:

• For anyone at home, it can used in the living room, bedroom or anywhere to increase blood circulation
• For Yoga enthusiasts, it can be used to start and end a routine with a 15-minute relaxation to deepen the meditation effect
• For the athlete, it can be used post-exercise to relax sore muscles and reduce stiffness
• In the office, it can be easily affixed to a chair using the back strap to get relief from back and neck pain

“With GoRelax, we are working to put acupressure in a form that is accessible to everyone… and to make ‘a massage everyday’ become your reality,” Agarwal said.

To order or for more information, visit the GoRelax Campaign Page on Indiegogo InDemand.

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Together, we want to educate clinicians and initiate action — helping clinicians be more competent and confident in assessing suicide risk, implementing safety plans, and counseling at-risk patients and their families.

MALVERN, Pa. (PRWEB)
September 18, 2019

In concurrence with National Suicide Prevention Month, HMP, a leading healthcare education and events company, today announced the launch of the Suicide Prevention 360 initiative. This sweeping effort establishes a partnership between its Psych Congress education brand and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), to develop and deliver critical educational resources for mental health clinicians and other medical professionals aimed at preventing suicides.

Suicide continues to be a major public health problem in the United States and around the world. It is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., where the rate is higher than at any point since World War II. On average, there are 129 suicides per day. In 2017, 47,173 Americans died by suicide, and there were an estimated 1,400,000 suicide attempts.

In collaboration with AFSP, the Suicide Prevention 360 initiative delivers practical tools, training, and other resources for professionals, both in person and online. An initial slate of education has already rolled out at several Psych Congress programs in 2019, including Elevate, a conference aimed at early career and forward-thinking health professionals, and Psych Congress Regionals, a series of one-day programs held throughout the U.S. AFSP experts Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman, Dr. Doreen Marshall, and Dr. Christine Moutier have been among the presenters of this critical content.

“The goal of the initiative is simple: to prevent suicides,” said Jeff Hennessy, chairman and CEO, HMP. “Too many lives have been lost. We want to set the stage for action that moves the needle on suicide prevention. As the leading provider of education for mental health providers, we knew it was time to do something when clinicians continued to indicate to us there were still large gaps in the kind of educational tools and clinical resources available to help them identify, treat, and manage patients who may express suicidal thoughts. The Suicide Prevention 360 initiative will close these gaps. We’re deeply committed to this long-term effort, and we expect to add more partners as we move forward. Our intent is to deliver education not just to our mental health audience, but also to other segments we serve across the global healthcare community, from EMS professionals to primary care practitioners. We can’t and we won’t stop until we see an end to the suicide epidemic.”

“This is an incredibly important initiative, and we could not be more pleased to be working with AFSP,” said Rakesh Jain, MD, MPH, Psych Congress co-chair. “Together, we want to educate clinicians and initiate action — helping clinicians be more competent and confident in assessing suicide risk, implementing safety plans, and counseling at-risk patients and their families. Working collaboratively, we can save lives and bring hope to those who have been affected by suicide.”

During the 32nd annual Psych Congress, taking place October 3-6, 2019, in San Diego, California, a special preconference dedicated to suicide prevention will be led by AFSP.

Psych Congress also has named AFSP its Charitable Partner for 2019. The designation includes a financial contribution to AFSP from Psych Congress. In addition, AFSP Vice President of Research, Dr. Harkavy-Friedman will address attendees during the Eric C. Arauz Memorial Keynote.

“We are energized to be engaging in this critical work with HMP and Psych Congress and honored to be selected the 2019 Psych Congress Charitable Partner,” said Dr. Harkavy-Friedman. “This is a critical audience, and we couldn’t possibly reach as many clinicians with these educational resources without working together. We must educate not only mental health professionals, but also professionals in many fields about the complexity of suicide and the warning signs, risk factors, and ways to intervene to prevent suicide. This new training will lead to a healthcare community that is even more knowledgeable about how to help those who might be experiencing suicidal ideation or a loss to suicide. There is much work to be done, but we look forward to the opportunities ahead and how this partnership will grow in the future.”

To learn more about the initiative, visit SuicidePrevention360.com.

ABOUT HMP

HMP is the force behind Healthcare Made Practical – and is a multichannel leader in health care events and education, with a mission to improve patient care. The company produces accredited medical education events and clinically relevant, evidence-based content for the global health care community across a range of therapeutic areas. Its brands include Consultant360, the year-round, award-winning platform relied upon by primary care providers and other specialists; Psych Congress, the largest independent mental health meeting in the U.S.; EMS World Expo, the largest EMS-dedicated event in the world; Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit, the nation’s leading meeting focused on addressing the opioid abuse epidemic; and the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC), the largest wound care meeting in the world. For more information, visit hmpglobal.com.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION (AFSP)

Established in 1987, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, and with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Creating a support group is a good place to start a group to help others affected by this kind of loss.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (PRWEB)
September 18, 2019

September 2019 – The death of an unborn child is an experience no parent should have to endure. The shocking and unfortunate reality is this happens in 25 percent of pregnancies. Couples find various paths to coping and healing following their nightmare.

When JR and Jena Kushnir’s unborn daughter, Madison Claire, passed away due to an umbilical cord accident just days before her due date, Valentine’s Day in 2018, the couple cried, slipped into shock, put away the baby clothes and toys meant for their daughter and searched for solace and hope from professionals and families like themselves.

They also encouraged St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where JR works in medical simulation, and where Madison Claire was delivered, to establish a support group for grieving parents. The hospital’s perinatal and infant loss resources did not include formal services for supporting parents who leave the hospital empty handed and broken hearted.

“We wanted to work with St. Luke’s to make positive changes in Madison’s memory,” JR said.

He sent the hospital president an email, saying, “Creating a support group is a good place to start a group to help others affected by this kind of loss.”

The president “called me that same day to express her sympathy and tell me that the hospital would form a group,” JR recalled. A social worker/therapist was hired to moderate the group, and just months later, the first meeting of the hospital’s Perinatal and Infant Loss Support Group convened in one of the conference rooms at the Anderson (Bethlehem Township) campus. The support group meets monthly.

The sharing and caring that takes place at their monthly meetings has brought the Kushnirs comfort and close to other couples and families that have suffered similar loss. Some of them come and talk the entire time, while others just sit and listen, JR says. “There’s not one way to grieve,” he says. “But helping others helped us to heal.”

So much so that they felt ready to try to start a family again. On May 29, 2019, Charlotte Rose, their “Rainbow Baby,” joined JR and Jena. “She was born at 37 weeks, and that was 37 weeks of anxiety,” says the proud dad of two.

“We soak up every second we can with Charlotte,” says JR. “We always tell her about how she was handpicked for Earth by her big sister, and that in her brief life, Madison made such positive changes.”

Media Contact:

Sam Kennedy, Corporate Communications Director, 484-526-4134, samuel.kennedy@sluhn.org

About St. Luke’s

Founded in 1872, St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 15,000 employees providing services at 10 hospitals and 300 outpatient sites. With annual net revenue greater than $2 billion, the Network’s service area includes 11 counties: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. Dedicated to advancing medical education, St. Luke’s is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania. In partnership with Temple University, St. Luke’s created the Lehigh Valley’s first and only regional medical school campus. It also operates the nation’s longest continuously operating School of Nursing, established in 1884, and 34 fully accredited graduate medical educational programs with 263 residents and fellows. St. Luke’s is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system with Medicare’s five- and four-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. St. Luke’s is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World’s Best Hospital. In 2019, three of IBM Watson Health’s 100 Top Hospitals were St. Luke’s hospitals. St. Luke’s University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from IBM Watson Health seven times total and five years in a row. St. Luke’s has also been cited by IBM Watson Health as a 50 Top Cardiovascular Program. Utilizing the Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system for both inpatient and outpatient services, the Network is a multi-year recipient of the Most Wired award recognizing the breadth of the SLUHN’s information technology applications such as telehealth, online scheduling and online pricing information. St. Luke’s is also recognized as one of the state’s lowest cost providers.

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Gustavo Grodnitzky PhD and CME Conference presenter on “Culture Trumps Everything”

“When you change the way you see the world, the world you see changes.” Gustavo Grodnitzky PhD

AVERILL PARK, N.Y. (PRWEB)
September 17, 2019

Gustavo Grodnitzky, PhD will join the faculty of The American Meditation Institute (AMI) for a 31 credit CME conference on Yoga Science as holistic mind/body medicine for physicians and other health care professionals. Entitled The Heart and Science of Yoga this comprehensive training being held October 22-26, 2019 at the Cranwell Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts, is accredited by the Albany Medical College and the American Medical Association, and is designed to help relieve physician stress and burnout.

Gustavo Grodnitzky, PhD is a noted speaker, author, consultant, psychologist, and Chair of the AMI Psychological Education Committee. After obtaining his Ph.D. in clinical and school psychology from Hofstra University, he completed post-doctorate degrees in both cognitive therapy and forensic psychology.

Dr. Grodnitzky’s participation at this year’s CME conference will include a thought-provoking lecture that explores how the power of culture impacts physician perspective and resilience. With a higher understanding of how the general culture and medical culture affect our thoughts and actions, physicians will be able to apply simple yogic principles and practices in their everyday lives to help relieve burnout. According to Grodnitzky, “If we want to ensure the best possible outcomes for ourselves and our profession, we must focus on developing the cultures that foster success for all stakeholders, because . . . culture trumps everything.”

Now in its eleventh year of providing physicians continuing medical education credits, this unique holistic mind/body medicine conference will present an in-depth study of the historical, philosophical, and scientific nature of Yoga Science. Practical yogic skills will be taught to all attendees to expand their knowledge of and experience with health-affirming, yogic practices.

The entire “Heart and Science of Yoga” CME curriculum is a transformative learning experience. It is dedicated to providing quality, comprehensive, and evidence-based education. Topics this year will include a comprehensive overview and instruction on AMI Meditation, Epigenetics, diaphragmatic breathing, mantra science, yoga psychology, mind function optimization, food as medicine, Ayurveda, easy-gentle yoga, lymph system detoxification, and detailed instruction on how to use the chakra system as a diagnostic tool.

The dedication, enthusiasm, and teaching methodology of the entire AMI faculty create a dynamic and interactive course for their students. Each faculty member is committed to the advancement and training of Yoga Science as holistic mind/body medicine. In addition to Dr. Grodnitzky, this year’s faculty also includes AMI founder Leonard Perlmutter; Dr. Robert Schneider MD, Dean of the College of Integrative Medicine and Director of the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University; Anthony Santilli MD, board certified in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, PhD, Director of Research for the Kundalini Research Institute, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; Renee Rodriguez-Goodemote, MD, Medical Director of the Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center; Susan Lord MD, a private practice holistic physician focusing on prevention and treatment, and former course director for the Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s “Food As Medicine” program in Washington, DC; Jesse Ritvo MD, Assistant Medical Director, Inpatient Psychiatry, University of Vermont Health Center; Joshua Zamer, MD, Medical Director for Addiction Medicine at Saratoga Hospital Community Health Center and Chairman of the Department of Family Practice; Anita Burock-Stotts, MD, board certified in Internal Medicine; Kristin Kaelber MD, PhD, board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics; Janine Pardo MD, board certified in Internal Medicine; Gustavo Grodnitzky PhD, Chair of the AMI Psychological Education Committee; Jenness Cortez Perlmutter, faculty member of The American Meditation Institute, and Lee Albert, NMT, acclaimed neuromuscular therapist and gentle yoga instructor.

According to Joel M. Kremer, MD, who is board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology in Albany, New York and a recent AMI conference participant, “This teaching has been an enormous benefit in my personal and professional life. I have less stress, more focus, and am able to serve my patients with greater clarity. It becomes surprisingly easy now to recognize the many clinical situations in which patients with somatic manifestations of ‘dis-ease’ could greatly benefit from Yoga Science.”

Numerous medical pioneers and healthcare professionals such as Dean Ornish MD, Mehmet Oz MD, Larry Dossey MD, and Bernie Siegel MD have also endorsed AMI’s core curriculum.

About the American Meditation Institute

The American Meditation Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization devoted to the teaching and practice of Yoga Science, meditation, and its allied disciplines as mind/body medicine. In its holistic approach to wellness, AMI combines the healing arts of the East with the practicality of modern Western science. The American Meditation Institute offers a wide variety of classes, retreats, and teacher training programs. AMI also publishes “Transformation” a quarterly journal of meditation as holistic mind/body medicine. Call (518) 674-8714 for a mail or email subscription.

Media Contact:

Robert Washington

60 Garner Road

Averill Park, NY 12018

Tel: 518-674-8714

Fax: 518-674-8714

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Dr. Richard Catanzaro, chairman of psychiatry at Northern Westchester Hospital and director of its Behavioral Health College Partnership

“Unfortunately, parents often don’t know something is going on until they get a call from their child’s roommate, or when they see their child’s grades at the end of the semester,” says Dr. Richard Catanzaro, chairman of psychiatry at Northern Westchester Hospital.

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. (PRWEB)
September 16, 2019

With the beginning of the fall college semester, many parents worry about their child’s ability to cope. Today’s college students face much higher rates of serious mental illness than in the past. In addition to higher rates of stress and anxiety, suicide has become the second leading cause of death on campus.

“Unfortunately, parents often don’t know something is going on until they get a call from their child’s roommate who read something on Facebook, or when they see their child’s grades at the end of the semester and find out their child failed or withdrew,” says Dr. Richard Catanzaro, chairman of psychiatry at Northern Westchester Hospital and director of its Behavioral Health College Partnership.

“When parents live far away, they are often in the dark as their child’s mental health declines, but there are red flags to look for and ways to help,” he adds.

Here are some things parents need to know…

College students are more vulnerable to serious mental illness due to the added stress of a new environment and new expectations, right when they’ve left their support system behind. College students have more freedom, but the lack of structure can be daunting. Socially and sexually, they’re still figuring out who they are, while the prevalence of substance abuse on college campuses, particularly marijuana and alcohol, can trigger mental illness in someone with a predisposition.

College students are suffering from depression, extreme anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Schizophrenia’s first episode commonly occurs in the late teens, coinciding with the early college years. It is believed that intense stress can be among the triggers of the disease in people genetically susceptible.

The rate of attempted and completed suicide on college campuses is rising – it’s the second leading cause of death among college students. Untreated depression is the major cause. Substance abuse facilitates suicide attempts by lowering inhibitions.

Be aware of signs that something may be wrong: Are there changes in your child’s behavior? If your child texts you nearly every day, and then you don’t hear from them for three days, there might be something going on. Does your child sound different – less open? Have they gained or lost a lot of weight? Stopped grooming themselves?

Keep lines of communication open: Your relationship with your child in college will echo the one you had with them in high school. Be open about your concerns and ask what you can do to make the transition from home to college easier. Even if the conversation is one-sided, let your child know you are there for them and available if they are having a problem.

Establish a regular communication schedule: To avoid communication black-outs, establish a schedule with your child before they leave home. Agree to text every three or four days, and let them know that you will worry if you don’t hear from them. Once they are at school don’t communicate with your child’s friends behind their back. That will erode trust, which is vital as you monitor how they’re doing.

If your gut tells you something is wrong, be transparent. Say, “You don’t sound like yourself. What’s going on?” If they insist they’re fine and tell you not to visit, assert yourself as the parent: “I’m sorry. I’m paying for this. I’m coming up.”

If you think there could be a real danger, call the campus health services and safety services, and visit immediately. Be proactive. What’s the worst that can happen? Your kid has a tantrum and slams the door in your face? After they get over their anger, they’ll understand that you are there for them. It’s a misconception that if you upset your child, they’ll cut you out of their life. Even if that happens, it usually doesn’t last long. The converse is worse – not giving them enough support.

While campus mental health services are becoming more robust, they often don’t offer enough. It’s very common for parents to seek off-campus treatment. Being proactive as a parent and as a school is best. Students who receive treatment at the start of a mental illness, are more likely to get better faster and return to school. When illnesses are caught early, and students receive proper support, they can get back on track. In those cases, you’ve not only fixed the acute problem, you’ve gotten them into treatment and given them a structure that will help them continue to do well in school, whether that’s individual therapy or medication, or both.

Photo: Dr. Richard Catanzaro, chairman of psychiatry at Northern Westchester Hospital and director of its Behavioral Health College Partnership

Photo Credit: Northern Westchester Hospital/Northwell Health

Dr. Catanzaro is director of Northern Westchester Hospital’s Behavioral Health College Partnership, which was developed by Dr. Laura Braider at Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell’s psychiatric facility. The Partnership has developed protocols to discreetly help college students suffering the onset of a serious psychiatric problems, such as psychosis or depression, designed to minimize disruption in the student’s life; discreetly get them out of a dorm; and provide a liaison with the schools, to protect their academic status.

About Northern Westchester Hospital

Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, provides quality, patient-centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. Over 650 highly-skilled physicians, state-of-the-art technology and professional staff of caregivers are all in place to ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, respectful and nurturing environment. NWH has established extensive internal quality measurements that surpass the standards defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) National Hospital Quality Measures. Our high-quality standards help to ensure that the treatment you receive at NWH is among the best in the nation. For more information, please visit http://www.nwhc.net and connect with us on Facebook.

About Northwell Health

Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, about 750 outpatient facilities and more than 13,600 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 70,000 employees – 16,000-plus nurses and 4,000 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We’re training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

DBSA & PlatformQ Health

“Together, we aim to impact millions of patients and families through this initiative so DBSA participants, employer groups, payers, and the general public have easy access to education that improves care.”

BOSTON and CHICAGO (PRWEB)
August 22, 2019

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), the leading peer-directed national organization for people living with mood disorders, and PlatformQ Health, a premier provider of digital education for clinicians and patients across the therapeutic spectrum, are pleased to announce a new initiative to elevate the way clinicians diagnose and treat mental illness, and empower the millions of Americans who personally face conditions like depression and bipolar to make the best choices for their lives.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with PlatformQ Health to create more action-oriented mental health education,” shared Phyllis Foxworth, DBSA Advocacy Vice President. “Since our founding, DBSA has been committed to providing peer-based, recovery-oriented, empowering services and resources when people want them, where they want them, and how they want them. Partnering with PlatformQ Health allows us to leverage their outcomes-centered engagement platform for our education, and deliver convenient and accessible education to clinicians and people living with mental health conditions Together, we aim to impact millions of patients and families through this initiative so DBSA participants, employer groups, payers, and the general public have easy access to education that improves care.”

Over 21 million people in the U.S. live with mood disorders, and these conditions are associated with significant costs. It is estimated that $23 billion are lost in workdays and other workplace losses each year – and far more seriously, suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 54. More education is needed to begin turning these tides: peers need to understand the power of peer support, clinicians need to know how best to guide patients in the path toward recovery, and families facing mood disorders need to be able to recognize the symptoms and understand related issues to more readily support loved ones in achieving wellness.

This initiative launches on the heels of successful joint educational programs in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) that focused on fostering better communication and shared decision-making between people living with MDD and their care teams.

“We live in a data-driven world, where measuring the impact of our efforts is considered key – but somehow, even with all the recent efforts to prioritize outcomes in our healthcare system, the impact of so much health education remains unevaluated,” explained Dr. Wendy Turell, Vice President of Outcomes and Analytics at PlatformQ Health, and member and past chair of the Research Committee at the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professionals. “People facing depression need education that they can understand and apply. They need their doctors to be informed and ready to work together. We are proud to build on DBSA’s legacy of support for people facing mood disorders by creating education that makes changes at scale. Moreover, by evaluating our educational efforts over time, we will be able to see our impact on changes in knowledge, beliefs and behavior among HCP and patient learners.”

Following the initial program, PlatformQ Health supported DBSA’s work with the Milken Institute and released additional education for people living with MDD earlier this year. One of the many conclusions from this impactful study found that a majority of respondents experienced both depression and bipolar symptoms, challenging clinicians’ traditional practice of treating one or the other, and outlining a further need for professional education.

For information about this new initiative, or to receive impact insights from previously launched education, contact us here.

About DBSA

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a leading peer-focused mental health organization whose mission is “to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders.” DBSA national supports more than 500 support groups and over 200 local affiliate chapters, DBSA reaches over four million individuals with support, educational resources, and tools to help individuals living with mood disorders lead productive and fulfilling lives. Additionally, through our advocacy efforts we amplify peers’ voices and work towards systemic change in the delivery of mental health care.

About PlatformQ Health

PlatformQ Health is the leading provider of interactive digital medical education for clinicians, patients and caregivers. To improve patient care, PlatformQ Health creates video-first educational modules with premier partners, so learners can better understand conditions, available treatment options, and the latest research. The company’s proprietary platform allows participants to engage in real-time discussion with scientific, research and patient care experts – and the integrated learning solution enables advocates, administrators, health systems and plans, foundations, societies, member organizations and associations to measure the impact of their education.

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