MOBILE, Ala. (PRWEB)
August 28, 2019

We are in the peak of the 2019 Hurricane season. Living along the Gulf Coast, we are no stranger to natural disasters. We are all well-rehearsed in what it takes to prepare for say a hurricane. What we might struggle with is how to handle life following a disaster or traumatic event, which can pose tremendous psychological risks to our mental health.

Following a natural disaster, it is natural to experience an array of emotions, such as shock, frustration, and sadness. You may experience nightmares and reoccurring thoughts about the events, or you may not be able to sleep at all. A loss of appetite is normal, and so is overeating. These reactions can have an impact on our physical and mental well-being.

Thankfully, there are steps we can take to better cope with disaster or trauma lessening the psychosomatic impacts.

• 
  Talk about what happened. By talking with others about the event, you can relieve stress and realize that others may share your feelings.
• Avoid overexposure to images of the event. Watching or reading news about the event over and over again will only increase your stress.
• Find time for activities you enjoy. Read a book, go for a walk, or do something else you find enjoyable. These healthy activities can help you get your mind off the disaster and keep the stress in check.
• Take one thing at a time. Pick one urgent task and work on it. Once you accomplish that task, choose the next one. “Checking off” tasks will give you a sense of accomplishment and make things feel less overwhelming.
• Ask for help. If your feelings do not go away or are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function in daily life, make an appointment with a mental health professional. Do not try to cope alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

If you find you need help coping following a natural disaster or another traumatic event AltaPointe Health wants to help. AltaPointe has 17 outpatient locations across seven-counties in Alabama. For more information, call (251) 450-2211 or (888) 335-3044.

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FALLS CHURCH, Va. (PRWEB)
August 28, 2019

Ketamine infusion therapy is increasingly being used to treat illnesses such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, treatment resistant depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are educated and trained to provide ketamine infusion therapy services to individuals with chronic and medication resistant mental health disorders, collaborating with professionals such as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (PMH nurses) who specialize in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric-mental health disorders.

To support implementing this therapy with a focus on patient safety, positive outcomes, and general well-being, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) have issued a joint position statement. This statement outlines the important roles of PMH nurses and CRNAs in providing ketamine infusion therapy for psychiatric disorders and provides crucial resources to support each provider. By leveraging the scope and standards of practice of both PMH nurses and CRNAs, these professionals collaborate to provide ketamine infusion therapy in a manner that promotes safe and effective treatment for patients.

“Psychiatric-mental health nurses play a vital role in the assessment, referral to treatment, and ongoing monitoring of patients receiving ketamine infusion therapy for psychiatric disorders. Through their nursing expertise in psychiatric-mental health, they ensure that patients who receive ketamine infusion therapy achieve the best possible mental health outcomes in a safe and therapeutic manner that promotes their long-term recovery,” says APNA President Gail Stern, RN, MSN, PMHCNS-BC. “We are fortunate to be able to collaborate with our CRNA colleagues in providing this emerging treatment which holds promise for so many individuals with psychiatric disorders.”

“The use of ketamine infusion therapy to help treat psychiatric disorders is a godsend for many patients, particularly for those patients where standard treatment has not worked,” says AANA President Kate Jansky, “CRNAs and PMH Nurses complement each other’s unique expertise in the delivery of ketamine infusion therapy with a shared focus on improving patient safety and outcomes. We are grateful for the opportunity to work closely with our psychiatric-mental health nursing colleagues to bring comfort and quality of life to patients in need of this new therapeutic treatment.”

“APNA is proud to partner with AANA to provide a joint statement that will help guide nursing professionals as they provide this therapy,” say APNA Executive Director Nicholas Croce Jr., MS. “Providing evidence-based resources and promoting collaboration amongst professionals will only serve to enrich the safe and effective care patients receive.”

“It has been an honor and privilege to work in partnership with the APNA to develop this important position statement defining the roles and responsibilities of these exceptional nursing professionals in the administration of this new and effective therapeutic treatment,” says AANA CEO Randall Moore, DNP, MBA, CRNA.

Founded in 1931 and located in Park Ridge, Ill., and Washington, D.C., the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is the professional organization representing nearly 54,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and student registered nurse anesthetists across the United States. As advanced practice registered nurses, CRNAs are anesthesia experts who administer more than 49 million anesthetics to patients in the United States each year and are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America. For more information, visit http://www.aana.com and http://www.future-of-anesthesia-care-today.com.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is a national professional membership organization committed to the specialty practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing and wellness promotion, prevention of mental health problems and the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders. APNA’s membership is inclusive of all psychiatric-mental health registered nurses including associate degree, baccalaureate, advanced practice (comprised of clinical nurse specialists and psychiatric nurse practitioners), and nurse scientists and academicians (PhD). APNA serves as a resource for psychiatric-mental health nurses to engage in networking, education, and the dissemination of research. For more information visit http://www.apna.org.

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SANTA ROSA, Calif. (PRWEB)
September 13, 2019

Veale Outdoor Advertising (Veale) has acquired six static bulletin faces along the highly-trafficked Interstate 80 corridor in Vacaville, CA – Solano County from TKG Billboards, LLC and TKG Vaca Signs, LLC. Veale is owned by Kirk Veale and managed by Tom Jackson. Veale currently operates two prominent digital units along I-80 in Dixon, two digital units in Rohnert Park adjacent to Hwy. 101 and twelve static units in Petaluma, Santa Rosa & Windsor, Sonoma County. With the expansion into Solano County via this acquisition, Veale now operates 22 billboard faces on Interstates and Highways in Northern California, allowing Veale to provide greater advertising options and services to customers looking reach motorists traveling to San Francisco Bay area, Napa/Sonoma Wine Country, Sacramento – CA’s State Capital and Lake Tahoe recreational destinations.

The acquisition allows Veale to expand their footprint in the valuable CA I-80 corridor reaching drivers between the SF Bay Area and Sacramento & Lake Tahoe/Reno tourist destinations. Tom Jackson says “this expansion increases our service area which provides us the opportunity to enhance our services to existing customers and reach new customers in Northern California.” For more information visit http://www.vealeoutdooradvertising.com or dial 707-777-7777.

Locally-based and family-owned for over 30 years, Veale currently operates the only digital billboard in the Dixon area, capturing the attention of commuters driving in and out of California’s state capital, tourists traveling to vacation destinations in Tahoe and the greater Sierra Nevada, as well as the San Francisco Bay area and Napa/Sonoma wine country. A recent Nielsen study reported that 82% of these drivers were able to recall the billboard advertising they saw, making digital advertising a highly effective way to get marketing messages out to consumers.

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WASHINGTON (PRWEB)
September 03, 2019

Active Minds, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults, released new educational resources today designed to help people support a friend or loved one who may be struggling.

“Stigma surrounding mental health has dropped dramatically in recent years among young adults,” says Laura Horne, Active Minds’ Chief Program Officer. “However, we hear from many that they don’t always know what to say when a friend says they are stressed, having a difficult day, are in pain, or have a mental health need.”

50% of us will experience a mental health issue in our lifetime, and 1 in 5 adults has a diagnosable mental illness. The need for peer support in tough moments is underlined by research showing 67% of young adults first tell a friend they are feeling suicidal before telling anyone else.

In honor of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Active Minds launched new V-A-R resources including conversation tips, tools and guides to help.

V-A-R is a simple approach to everyday conversations, and includes three easy steps: Validate, Appreciate, and Refer. A conversation using V-A-R is one that openly and actively listens to a friend, and offers means to help them feel heard and supported. The newly released V-A-R guides were developed knowing a conversation could make all the difference for someone suffering, and prevent a crisis from developing later.

“With V-A-R, we hope to make clear that someone doesn’t need to be in a crisis to seek help, you don’t have to be an expert to provide help, and help can come in many different forms,” says Alison Malmon, Executive Director and Founder of Active Minds. “Being there for someone in a moment of need is what it’s all about.”

The new V-A-R skill-building tools can be found at activeminds.org/VAR.

About Active Minds:

Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Powered by a network on more than 800 high school and college campuses, in workplaces and communities, and through a vast public audience, Active Minds is creating communities of support and saving lives.

Active Minds’ signature programs include a college and high school chapter program, the acclaimed Send Silence Packing® exhibit, its compelling Active Minds Speakers, and the newly launched Active Minds @ Work initiative. A recent landmark study by the RAND Corporation confirms that Active Minds has a significant, positive impact on student health and well-being by creating a supportive climate for mental health on college campuses.

Media contact:

Margo Collins | Active Minds

margo@activeminds.org | 202.332.9595, ext. 109

Angela Gillis | Active Minds

angela@activeminds.org | 202.332.9595, ext. 119

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MINNEAPOLIS (PRWEB)
September 03, 2019

Nexus, a nonprofit organization providing mental health services to families, has hired Margaret Vimont as Vice President of Strategy and Service Development and Scott McGuire as Chief Financial Officer.

Margaret Vimont, LCSW, steps into the newly created position of Vice President of Strategy and Service Development, to focus on identification, growth and implementation of community-based programs to add to Nexus service offerings.

Dr. Michelle K. Murray, Nexus President and CEO, stated, “Nationally, there is a large gap in mental health care for families, whether that’s due to a shrinking workforce, an overflow of clients, lack of insurance coverage or other obstacles. Margaret’s extensive background makes her well-positioned to identify the needs of our communities and help creatively build service lines that can meet families where they live.”

Vimont has a 30-year career dedicated to leading youth and family service programs in mental health services, residential and foster care, workforce development, early childhood services, services to people with disabilities, and community-based programs related to both prevention and child welfare. She most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of One Hope United, and prior to that, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Jewish Child and Family Services (JCFS).

Vimont served on the board of directors for the Association of Children’s Residential Centers and acted as Board President from 2009 to 2011. She has represented JCFS, One Hope United, and the private sector on Illinois’ Child Welfare Advisory Committee and on subcommittees for over 10 years. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, as well as an Advance Clinical Practice Certificate from the University of Chicago.

Scott McGuire has been appointed Chief Financial Officer for Nexus. Scott brings over 20 years of financial leadership experience, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Ecumen, one of the nation’s largest non-profit senior living providers. Prior to that, McGuire worked at Sysco Corporation as Market CFO and Vice President of Finance.

“Scott brings extensive financial, operational, and strategic experience. This will be a huge asset to Nexus as we continue to grow, develop partnerships and further our mission of positively impacting more families through our services.” says Murray.

Since Murray took over as CEO in June 2018, she has moved Nexus into a stronger position to innovatively address the growing need for community-based family mental health services. In addition to adding key positions to her leadership team, Murray has extended Nexus’s service reach through key partnerships, most recently with Family Adolescence and Child Therapy Services (FACTS).

About Nexus:

Nexus, a national nonprofit organization based in Minnesota, has a 45-year history of serving children, youth, and families through Community Mental Health Services, Education Programs, Foster Care/Adoption, and Residential Treatment Programs. In 2018, Nexus provided these services to over 3,500 children and their families. The nonprofit has sites and affiliates in Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Nexus programs consist of Gerard Academy, Indian Oaks Academy, Kindred Family Focus, Mille Lacs Academy, Nexus Glen Lake, Onarga Academy, PATH of North Dakota, Woodbourne Center, and FACTS.

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