News and Views

News

CMS Announces New Medicaid Demonstration Opportunity to Expand Mental Health Treatment Services.

On November 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new opportunity for states to pay for short-term residential treatment services in institutions for mental disease. A letter was sent to state Medicaid directors that outlines how states can design innovative service delivery systems for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance. Access the full announcement.


Accreditation standards being reshaped for 2019.

Accrediting organizations may experience significant changes in the year ahead due to the opioid epidemic, increasing suicides, integration of behavioral health into large systems, the needs of children in foster care, and more. In this article, Behavioral Healthcare Executive spoke with Michael W. Johnson, managing director, behavioral health, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities; Richard Klarberg, chief executive officer, Council on Accreditation; and Julia S. Finkens, executive director for behavioral healthcare of the Joint Commission to learn about some of the changes ahead. Access the accreditation standards article.


The global burden of disease attributable to alcohol and drug use in 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016.

In this article, data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2016 was used to examine the global impact of alcohol and drug use between 1990 and 2016 in 195 countries and territories within 21 regions and seven super-regions. Global and regional estimates of the prevalence of alcohol, amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, and opioid dependence, and attributable disease burdens are presented. Access the article in The Lancet.


Survey: Generation Z reports the most mental health problems.

With stories of gun violence, family separations and high-profile sexual assaults inundating the news, the American Psychological Association (APA) utilized its 12th annual Stress in America survey to evaluate the stress levels among members of Generation Z. The 2018 survey results show that Gen Z, those between the ages of 15 and 21, are the most likely of all generations to report poor mental health, and more likely to seek professional help for mental health issues. For more information, access the full APA report.


Federal Resource Guide for Substance Use Disorder in Rural Communities

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued data showing that the rate of drug overdose deaths in rural areas surpassed the rate in urban areas. The White House Office of National Control Policy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently unveiled a resource guide of federal programs to address the opioid epidemic in rural communities. This comprehensive guide, developed by the Rural Opioid Federal Interagency Working Group, organizes federal grant programs and resources by 26 categories that include prevention, treatment, and recovery, as well as social services, employment, economic development, transportation, and justice. The Rural Resource Guide to Help Communities Address Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Misuse is a first-of-its-kind, one-stop-shop for rural leaders looking for Federal funding and partnership opportunities. Access more information and download the resource guide.


The National Institute of Mental Health Addresses Strategies for Suicide Prevention in a Live Event.

Suicide claims nearly 45,000 lives a year in the United States. Do you know how to identify and help individuals at risk for suicide, and how to find resources to support those in need? It’s important to know the facts and what to do if you think someone might be at risk for self-harm. In recognition of Suicide Prevention Week, the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) held a Facebook Live event to provide an opportunity to share evidences-based practices and effective interventions with a broad audience. NIMH Director Dr. Joshua Gordon and Dr. Jane Pearson, chair of the Suicide Research Consortium in NIMH’s Division of Services and Intervention Research, discussed some of the most recent suicide prevention research findings from NIMH, warning signs, and prevention strategies. Access the recording of the Facebook Live event.


National Hispanic Medical Association Call for Mentors.

Are you a U.S.-based student in the medical, nursing, dental, public health, or graduate science field? NHMA is looking for students to serve as mentors for pre-health/science undergraduate students who are interested in continuing education in health professional schools. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2019. Learn more about this opportunity.


Two-Part Video Series Provides Clinical Guidance on Patients Seeking Treatment After Overdose

The Providers Clinical Support System has created a video series that addresses challenges clinicians may face when guiding a patient to treatment after an overdose. The first video is a roleplay between a pediatrician and patient and covers the first conversation after recovery from the overdose. The second video demonstrates how to present a variety of treatment options to someone who may not know what is available.

Access the first video.
Access the second video.


Funding Opportunities

American College Health Association Annual College Mental Health Award.

The American College Health Foundation, the charitable arm of the American College Health Association (ACHA), seeks applications for its FirstRisk Advisors Initiatives in College Mental/Behavioral Health Award. The award is designed to fund the development of creative initiatives that address the prevention of and early intervention and treatment for mental and behavioral health disorders among college students. Only campus health professionals who are an ACHA Individual Member or employed at an ACHA Member Institution are eligible to apply. Applications are due February 1, 2019. Learn more about this award.


Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research.

This opportunity provides administrative supplements to improve the diversity of the research workforce by recruiting and supporting students, post-doctorates, and eligible investigators from groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related research. This supplement opportunity is also available to Project Directors/Principal Investigators(s)/PI(s) of research grants who are or become disabled and need additional support to accommodate their disability to continue to work on the research project. Applications submission dates vary by institutes and centers, with an end date of September 7, 2021. Learn more about this funding opportunity.


Mental Health Research Dissertation Grant to Enhance Workforce Diversity (R36).

The purpose of this grant is to enhance the diversity of the mental health research workforce by providing dissertation awards in all research areas within the strategic priorities of the NIMH to individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social sciences research. This award supports the completion of the doctoral research project. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until April 6, 2021. Learn more about this grant.


Evidence for Action: Investigator-Initiated Research to Build a Culture of Health.

Through this program, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) funds research that expands the evidence base needed to build a Culture of Health. The mission is to support rigorously designed quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research that yields convincing findings regarding the population health, well-being, and equity impacts of specific policies, programs, and partnerships. RWJF is especially interested in research examining the health impacts of programmatic or policy interventions that address factors outside the domain of healthcare services or public health practice. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Learn more about this program.