Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.

Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.

Mental illness is stigmatized in the U.S. and even more among minority communities and communities of color both nationally and internationally.  To help combat the mental illness stigma, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July as “Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month,” to “enhance public awareness of mental illness and mental illness among minorities.”  According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than 50 percent of all Americans will be part of a minority group by 2044.  The total incidence of mental illness, mental health outcomes of racial/ethnic, gender and sexual minorities will be much worse, writes Dr. Anton C. Bizzell in “Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.,” published online in Psychology Today.

Racial and ethnic minorities have more to contend with when it comes to accepting and addressing mental health issues. “What’s done in this house, stays in this house” is a mantra heard by many minorities. Stress, substance abuse, unemployment or underemployment, incarceration, education, or lack thereof, shame and denial are all reasons that minorities and communities of color find themselves dealing with mental health related issues.  Everyone, especially communities of color, need to debunk the myths and stigmas associated with mental illness.  Seek help today.

READ MORE: Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.

Bizzell Celebrates World Water Day

Bizzell Celebrates World Water Day

Lack of clean water is an international crisis. Today, 785 million people – 1 in 9 – lack access to safe water and 2 billion people – 1 in 3 – lack access to a toilet. Every 21 seconds, a child dies of water-related disease. Children are often unable to go to school and women are unable to work because they spend thousands of hours annually hauling water to help maintain their homes.

To bring awareness to clean water issues, The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is proud to help celebrate #WorldWaterDay on March 22. This virtual celebration – Valuing Water – helps raise awareness of the global water crisis and focuses on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #6 to help promote water and sanitation for all. The UN estimates that in 2017, some 3 billion people lacked the ability to safely wash their hands at home, which it notes is “one of the cheapest, easiest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of diseases like the coronavirus.”

An estimated 695 million of a global 2.4 billion people living without improved sanitation facilities live in Sub-Saharan Africa. As an organization on the frontlines of epidemiological and disease surveillance work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Africa, Bizzell finds this alarming. To help address the issue, Bizzell donated water tanks and sinks for young children living in Leve Moi Orphanage in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, housing almost 70 young children and supporting another 500 youth in the community.

In addition, Bizzell works closely with the CDC, which has a full slate of resources on the need for healthy water. Under a CDC Division of Global Health Protection contract, Bizzell communications experts develop messaging and materials to help inform and educate audiences on topics critical to global health security, including clean water access. Additionally, Bizzell supports CDC with qualitative research on messaging related to food safety, including how to properly wash foods to prevent food poisoning.

Please join Bizzell in celebrating #WorldWaterDay on March 22, when the UN World Water Development Report will be released. Register now to participate in this global webinar. The health and economic stability of the world community depend on access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and Bizzell continues to integrate our subject matter expertise, our strategic partnerships, and our philanthropic focus to build healthy, secure, connected, and sustainable communities around the world.

Bizzell To Operate Long Beach Job Corps Center

Bizzell To Operate Long Beach Job Corps Center

February 16, 2021 (New Carrollton, MD) – The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) was awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to operate the Long Beach Job Corps Center (Long Beach, California). Through collaboration with Serrato Corporation, Bizzell will build upon the Center’s current success by delivering a broad range of support services, resources, and programs that will equip Job Corps students with the skills and education to propel them on career paths for the future.

“With record youth unemployment across the nation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, career training programs like Job Corps are vitally important to continue moving our economy in the right direction—which is why I’m honored that DOL selected our firm to lead the Long Beach Job Corps Center,” said Anton C. Bizzell, M.D., President & CEO of Bizzell. “Through the passion and dedication of the Center staff, we look forward to collaborating with our strategic partners to support each student and continue the great work in the Long Beach community.”

Beginning April 1, 2021, Bizzell will assume oversight of the 17-acre Job Corps Center located at 1903 Santa Fe Avenue. The Southern California campus will employ nearly 130 full-time staff and serve 300 students providing industry-recognized certifications in a variety of fields including certified medical assistant, medical administrative assistant, pharmacy technician, building construction technology, painting, glazing, cement masonry, and automobile maintenance.

“For over 50 years, Job Corps has created opportunities to service young people in an effort to change the trajectory of their lives.” said Melissa Volpe, Director of Workforce Innovation at Bizzell. “We are excited to work with the staff, students and community leaders to continue to assist our students gain sustainable skills to thrive in today’s economy.”

About Bizzell

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is a strategy, consulting, and technology firm that designs innovative solutions to help build healthy, secure, and sustainable communities in our nation and around the world. Bizzell leverages the combined experience of our diverse subject matter experts to develop data-driven, research-informed answers to the world’s most complex challenges—ensuring our clients achieve their vision and goals. For more information, visit https://BizzellUS.com

About Serrato Corporation

Serrato Corporation is a Service-Disabled Veteran and Hispanic-owned small business created on the premise that the foundation of a good business is the effective delivery of services. Serrato is completely dedicated to delivering quality education and services to their expanding clientele. Through leadership, partnerships, and a focused business plan, Serrato has developed a solid reputation as a top-notch service provider to government agencies, commercial businesses, and academic institutions. For more information, visit https://serratocorp.com/

About Job Corps

Job Corps, the nation’s largest job training program, prepares young people ages 16-24 with education and hands-on career training for entry-level positions that lead to careers in today’s job market. For more information, visit https://www.jobcorps.gov/

side view of a person's head with a sunset image in it

Supporting Teen Mental Health During a Pandemic

Supporting Teen Mental Health During a Pandemic

Written By: Todd W. Mandell, MD and Rhonda Waller, PhD

The global COVID-19 pandemic is casting new urgency on the topic of teen mental health. Adolescence is already a time of significant physical, mental, emotional, and social development. It is normal for teens to experience a wide range of emotions and unpredictable moods. The COVID-19 pandemic has added a new set of  challenges as teens navigate disruptions to their usual school, extracurricular, and social routines due to lockdowns, social distancing restrictions, and uncertainty about the future. According to a review of relevant research published in June 2020, many teens may experience isolation and loneliness which could lead to or exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety. Currently, there is little data that examines the impact of pandemics such as COVID-19 on teens’ mental health, though some researchers are starting to explore this topic. Oxford University recently initiated a study that will track adolescents’ mental health to identify factors that hinder and promote resilience during the pandemic. In the meantime, we know that rates of teen depression and anxiety have risen during the past decade.

A 2019 study that examined National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data found that from 2005 to 2017, the percentage of adolescents (12 to 17 years old) experiencing at least one major depressive episode increased from 8.7 percent to 13.01 percent—a 52% increase. In 2018, the rate was 14.4 percent—roughly 3.5 million adolescents. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that nearly one-third (32 percent) of adolescents 13-18 years old experience an anxiety disorder. A 2018 study that examined data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (2003, 2007 and 2011-2012) found that anxiety similarly appears to be on the rise.

While there is no conclusive answer for why teen depression and anxiety are rising, some common themes in research include:

  • Increased awareness about mental health issues might increase disclosure of symptoms and identification of mental health disorders.
  • Continuous exposure to social media and news that may have an adverse impact on teen’s mental health.
  • Increased social and academic pressures and expectations for youth may contribute to depression and anxiety.

In addition, health inequities and social determinants of health such as socioeconomic status, education, social support networks, and access to health care can influence adolescent mental health.

The bottom line, however, is that mental health disorders are a real concern for teens—and the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate these issues for some youth. Left untreated, mental health disorders can have a lifelong impact on health. Parents, teachers, coaches, and others who interact with teens should stay alert for signs of anxiety and depression. Warning signs and symptoms may include:

  • Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
  • Avoiding school, activities, and social interactions with friends and family
  • Changes in grades
  • Trouble sleeping/concentrating
  • Engaging in self-harming or risky behaviors such as substance abuse
  • Chronic physical complaints
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Increased irritability or moodiness

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ parenting website offers  practical information from child health experts on how to support teens’ mental health  during the COVID-19 pandemic, including strategies for healthy routines, effective communication, safe virtual connections, family support, and physical and emotional health. However, parents who observe or are concerned about signs of depression or anxiety in their teen should discuss this with their pediatrician or a health care provider. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also compiled a comprehensive list of Resources to Support Adolescent Mental Health. In addition, the National Institute of Mental Health recommends that teens save several emergency numbers in their cell phones to ensure immediate help for themselves or a friend in an emergency—including the non-emergency local police department number, the Crisis Text Line (741741) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK).

From a public health perspective, increased screening for depression and anxiety and access to health care could result in earlier detection and treatment, which is particularly important during the pandemic. Many experts, including the U.S. Prevention Screening Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend annual screening of teens for depression. Most insurance companies are now covering telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits, which may make screening and services more accessible for teens needing treatment. With growing awareness of the effects of the pandemic on mental health, it is now even more important that teens experiencing depression and anxiety get timely screening and treatment to improve their outcomes.

Todd W. Mandell, MD, Senior Associate, Addiction Medicine. Todd Mandell is a board-certified Psychiatrist with added qualifications in Addiction Medicine, and more than 30 years of experience in the field of co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders with a focus on direct patient service, program development, and administration. (LinkedIn)

Rhonda Waller, PhD, Senior Associate, Maternal and Child Health. Rhonda Waller is a psychologist with more than 25 years of professional experience in public health, education, and human services with an emphasis on program development, leadership development, capacity building, and training and technical assistance. (LinkedIn)

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) was founded by President & CEO Anton C. Bizzell, M.D., a leading behavioral health expert and former Medical Officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Bizzell’s team of public health experts have created and led comprehensive behavioral health prevention and treatment initiatives and education and training programs. Bizzell’s recent work includes systematic, integrated approaches designed to effect lasting change in health and behavioral health care through work with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Defense (DOD). Learn more about how Bizzell advances data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to solve complex-real-world challenges: https://BizzellUS.com/