Healthcare and social service providers who aim to promote optimal health and wellness among the populations they serve cannot achieve their objectives unless they address the impact of traumatic life events (both past and recurring) on vulnerable individuals. The landmark Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study offered compelling evidence of this (Menschner & Maul, 2016), and it is consistent with other research findings that suggest Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), the conditions in which we live, learn, work, grow,
A 2016 report of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) offered a bleak depiction of the current and future state of the nation’s behavioral health services workforce. Nearly half the American population resides in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), and its plight is expected to worsen in coming decades. A majority of individuals with behavioral health conditions are currently unable to access appropriate care, and by 2025 a projected shortage
Health and social service agencies, and the nonprofit sector generally, rely on volunteers to advance their missions and to ensure their continuing viability. As nonprofit organizations (NPOs) must compete for resources necessary to sustain their operations, the availability of an engaged workforce (comprised, at least in part, of members who are willing to consign their labor without any expectation of financial remuneration in return) is often essential to their survival. An extensive body of research has explored this issue in
In recent decades we have witnessed a proliferation of models for the treatment of behavioral health conditions, many of which enjoy robust evidence bases that support their application in accordance with overarching principles and intended outcomes. In many respects, we inhabit a “Golden Age” of behavioral healthcare that promises new pathways to recovery for individuals experiencing emotional distress and a broad array of psychosocial challenges. This differentiates the present from preceding eras characterized by a reliance on ad hoc treatment
The month of May is recognized as such, and members of the behavioral health community customarily use this opportunity to hold special events and to educate the public on mental health-related issues. These activities generally aim to reduce stigma associated with mental and behavioral health concerns and to secure additional resources in pursuit of our shared missions.
This observance is especially timely, as we are witnessing an unprecedented surge in the incidence of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.