Behavioral Health Bulletin
Issue 9, August 2022
This month we feature information on the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, discuss when to switch pharmacological agents in depression and anxiety management, and share an article from one of our regular Mind Matters contributors.
Behavioral Health Events
Some events are CME-accredited; please refer to the individual event landing pages for details

August 10, 2022

August 31, 2022

September 14, 2022

October 12, 2022

November 9, 2022

December 14, 2022
What is Mind Matters ECHO?

Mind Matters ECHO is a monthly meeting for healthcare providers to discuss a peer-presented case followed by a didactic presentation from a health system expert.

Register for the next meeting

August 10, 2022

View the recording of the last meeting

July 13, 2022

Asked and Answered: Q&A on Pharmacology for Depression with Dr. Katie Angelova, MD

We did not have time to answer all of your questions during our last Mind Matters meeting but our didactic presenter, Dr. Katie Angelova, MD, was kind enough to share her expertise with us in this Q&A on pharmacological management of depression.
Mind Matters ECHO is appropriate for any clinician who encounters behavioral health needs or challenges in their practice.
 
Submit a patient case for our upcoming Mind Matters sessions
 
Do you have a case to present? We're seeking cases related to suspected or diagnosed substance use. Presenters have reported they find sharing their cases and the feedback they receive to be a valuable tool in their practice.
 
How it Works

Email Anitha Iyer, PhD and Course Director to discuss your potential case. If selected, you'll complete our online case submission form and our team will use that information to create slides for your presentation. We'll also schedule a 30 minute run through with you ahead of your presentation to ensure everything goes smoothly.
New Suicide Prevention Hotline
Text or call 988 to reach trained crisis counselors

988 is the new three-digit dialing code connecting people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) where compassionate, accessible care and support is available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress — whether that is thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.

People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

The goal of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is to provide immediate crisis intervention and support. When someone calls 988, a trained crisis counselor will answer the phone, listen to the caller, understand how their problem is affecting them, provide support and share resources, as needed. 


Concerned about confidentiality, involuntary hospitalization, or police involvement? Read the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline FAQs for more information on what happens when someone calls 988.
Behavioral Health Tip of the Month
Pharmacological Management of Depression and Anxiety: When to Switch Agents

There are many medication options available to manage depression and anxiety disorders. Indications it may be time to switch agents include:

  • Intolerable side effects
  • Medical contraindications (e.g., newly diagnosed seizure disorder, bleed, etc.)
  • If no improvement in symptoms, assess adequacy of duration and dose, adherence, and comorbidities
  • Consider reassessing diagnosis (e.g., bipolar depression versus unipolar depression)
  • If switching agents, be sure to taper antidepressants and cross-titrate with another agent
Behavioral Health in the Literature
The Anxiety of Treating Anxiety

Jill Sisselman, DO, FAAFP, and a regular contributor to our Mind Matters ECHO meetings shares her experience managing behavioral health needs as a family physician. She discusses how the pandemic exacerbated an already existing problem, the importance of empathy in treating these patients, barriers providers face in treatment, and practical considerations for treatment in the primary care setting.

The Anxious Patient Needs Psychosomatic Primary Care

Poor compliance from patients often has a simple cause: fear. Patients who seem tense benefit enormously from the simple question, "How are you otherwise?" This question actively addresses the fear problem and may open doors. Suddenly, patients begin to talk about their anxieties and fears.
Mount Sinai Health Library
Information to Share with Your Patients

Peruse the Mount Sinai Health Library for information to share with your patients. With over 100 psychiatry topics presented in patient-friendly language, the Health Library can be a valuable source for your patients to help understand their diagnoses.
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