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January 10, 2019
You’ve probably heard about CPR, right? It’s a certification that anyone can earn to help someone in medical distress. But did you know there is a similar program to help people learn how to provide first aid in the event of a mental health crisis? It’s called Mental Health First…
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December 20, 2018
They’ve been linked with all sorts of negative things like violence and obesity but some video games can actually enhance psychiatric treatment, according to Dr. Paul Weigle, associate medical director of outpatient services at Natchaug Hospital. Noting that the Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing the first prescription video…
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November 15, 2018
Tonya Cutler stands in front of the room, tapping a marker on the list of “triggers” written on a large sheet of paper taped to the wall. While one of the eight adolescents in the room paces relentlessly around the perimeter, his ears picking up everything she says, two girls…
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November 14, 2018
More teens are vaping now than ever – and parents are concerned. Psychiatrist Dr. J. Craig Allen, medical director at Rushford, has important information for parents, teachers and anyone else with teens in their lives. Q: What do I need to be on the lookout for? A: Familiarize yourself with…
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October 30, 2018
They’ve been the subject of comedy skits, courtroom dramas and even Supreme Court justice nomination hearings but the reality is that blackouts are a common and dangerous result of excessive alcohol consumption. “A blackout comes after heavy or binge drinking when the person loses control over impulses and, later, has…
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October 26, 2018
PHOTO CREDIT: Gage Skidmore via Flickr It was a prescription for painkillers after eye surgery that served as the entry into a battle against opioid abuse for “Halloween” actress and children’s book author Jamie Lee Curtis. “Getting sober remains my single greatest accomplishment,” she told People. “Bigger than my husband,…
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October 26, 2018
Several recent scientific papers have tackled the health effects of alcohol, some claiming there are health benefits while others suggest the national published guidelines for “safe drinking” should be lower. The debate may make it harder to know if you or someone you care about has a drinking problem. “The…
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October 26, 2018
While we have gotten better at treating cancer and heart disease, that is not the case with suicide. Suicides are on the rise, especially among young people. Overall, suicides remain a leading cause of death in the U.S., with approximately 45,000 people per year dying of suicide. According to the…
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October 26, 2018
Natchaug Hospital had a successful year in terms of inpatient volume, outpatient visits and financial stability. But most importantly, its focus on recovery for those suffering from mental health and addiction was stronger than ever. “It’s been a remarkable year at Natchaug,” said Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network (BHN) Vice…
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September 25, 2018
“Devastating” and “staggering (toll)” are adjectives used by officials with the National Council for Behavioral Health’s Medical Director Institute, or MDI, on its recent report showing a grave lack of compliance to medication prescriptions. Noncompliance with medication regimens — when people do not take prescription drugs as prescribed by their…