Tag - Mental Health

A young boy sitting outdoors with his friends, all facing the same direction and smiling.

Assessing Youth Functioning, Strengths, and Goals: CAFAS and PECFAS

Key takeaways: The CAFAS and PECFAS are vital tools for mental health professionals to assess youth functioning, strengths, and goals, aiding in treatment planning and outcome evaluation across various domains. Developed by Dr. Kay Hodges, these assessments streamline decision-making processes by informing treatment type and intensity, level of care,...

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Clicks, views, and evaluations: Understanding the rise of ADHD diagnoses

Key takeaways: The diagnostic process for ADHD is complex due to the varying degrees and presentation of symptoms and impairments, leading to challenges when defining the lower threshold for diagnosis and leaving many in a "gray zone" of uncertainty. Social media platforms like TikTok have significantly influenced perceptions and...

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A woman relaxing at home looking out the window

Elevating well-being through emotional intelligence

In the intricacy of human well-being, Emotional Intelligence (EI) emerges as a powerful skill that can impact various aspects of our lives. This article will explore the compelling relationship between EI and physical and mental health outcomes. We draw insights from studies and research on EI and MHS' Emotional Quotient-Inventory 2.0®...

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A practitioner is sitting down with his patient, attentively listening and writing down information on a clipboard.

Examining the relationship between ADHD and self-harm in adults

ADHD is associated with increased rates of self-harm1, 2. These behaviors include non-suicidal self-injury (i.e., self-directed, deliberate harm of self in the absence of suicidal intent, such as cutting or burning), as well suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and dying by suicide (i.e., direct, self-injurious behavior with the intent to...

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Transforming Correctional Staff Wellbeing with Innovative Technology

The escalating issue of mental health challenges among correctional staff has become a pressing concern within the criminal justice system. As custodians of order and safety in correctional facilities, these professionals deal with an array of stressors, from the ever-present potential for violence to the emotional toll of managing justice-involved...

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Revolutionizing Healthcare Delivery: An Interview with Scott Millar

Healthcare institutions are grappling with significant challenges, including workforce and staff shortages, ever more technical processes and practices, and rising costs. As a result, the healthcare system is struggling to increase its capacity to deliver services and keep up with the demand for care. The impact of these challenges on healthcare...

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The critical role of measurement-based care in mental health treatment

Despite its potential benefits, only a small fraction of clinicians currently use measurement-based care practices. This article explores the importance of measurement-based care and highlights why assessments are important within this approach and what features are critical to support measurement-based care. What is measurement-based care? You may have heard of phrases like...

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Autism and the Pandemic: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Symptom Changes

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated public health response led to the enforcement of restrictions such as physical distancing, in-person school and office closures, shifts to online learning and virtual work, and reductions in community and school-based services and extracurricular activities. While these restrictions helped control the spread of COVID-19,...

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The long-term effects of COVID-19 on cognition

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “brain fog,” a term used to describe slow and sluggish thinking, has been cited as a lasting symptom post-COVID-19 infection. The highly contagious virus has been reported to affect various aspects of an individual’s cognition, including executive function. Sam Goldstein and Dr. Jack A. Naglieri’s...

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ADHD Evaluations: Examining Impairments Beyond Symptomology

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder marked by symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity that interfere with functioning and development. Both the outlined criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR; APA, 2022) and the determination of educational eligibility under the...

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