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News Items – August 27, 2019

Victor Armstrong is a member:
A parking garage had 6 suicides in 4 years. Signs on the walls are trying to prevent more.
The Washington Post
African Americans have historically considered depression to be a sign of spiritual weakness and suicide to be a sin, said Victor Armstrong, vice president of behavioral health at Atrium Health in Charlotte. He said black people are often taught that what happens in the home should stay in the home, and some are skeptical of the medical community because of historical malpractice against them, such as the Tuskegee Experiment.

Criminal Diversion Program for Primary Parents May Violate Constitutional Rights
California Globe
Those opposing the bill also argued allowing people who are the primary parent to be given special treatment simply because of their status as parents would be a violation of the 14th Amendment. “The incarceration of a parent is an inherently traumatic event for a child of any age,” said the National Association of Social Workers California Chapter. A study published the September 2018 issue of the journal Pediatrics also found that the incarceration of a parent was associated with unhealthy behaviors in young adults

Scott Granet is a member:
Worried Your BFF Has Body Dysmorphic Disorder? Here are 9 Signs to Watch For
Parade
“Touching a body part or skin picking is also common as they try to remove a blemish, for instance,” says Scott M. Granet, LCSW, a National Association of Social Workers expert. This behavior can actually exacerbate the problem by causing more skin problems. “Skin picking or pinching, as well grabbing parts of the body to try and make the skin appear differently can sometimes lead to injury or scarring to the skin, however, this is not intentional behavior to harm or injure themselves,” adds Jodi Jaspan, a licensed professional counselor and director of business development for Seeds of Hope, an eating disorder treatment program.

Back to School: Associations Help Teachers, Parents Get Ready
Associations Now
Social workers boost their awareness. A new awareness campaign by the School Social Work Association of America and the National Association of Social Workers will highlight the important work that social workers do to support the student body to both policymakers and the public at large. The groups launched a kickoff video earlier this month.

John Patout is a member:
One phone call yielded a life purpose and changed countless lives
The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Since those days, Patout has devoted his life to this honorable cause. He has worked as a licensed addiction counselor and then a licensed clinical social worker for 38 years. He has also overseen multiple recovery sites in an administrative capacity. He serves as the chief operating officer of Seaside Healthcare, a behavioral and psychiatric service company with about 70 different locations across Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and North Carolina.

Robert Ciampi is a member:
New book says see a therapist sooner, not later
Montclair Local (NJ)
You know that phrase “it’s never too late?” Sometimes it’s too late. The best time to call a therapist is sooner rather than later. By the time you get to a grudging “let’s try marriage counseling,” it may be too late. That’s the main thesis of “When to Call a Therapist,” by Montclair resident Robert C. Ciampi (pronounced “champy”). If you’re wondering whether a therapist would help, it’s time to call.

Luis Zayas is a member:
Lengthy Detention Of Migrant Children May Create Lasting Trauma, Say Researchers
NPR
But psychologists say that indefinite detention could have a lasting impact on the development and mental health of these children. “If the regulation goes through and we hope it will not … we’re going to see additional harm done to children,” says Luis Zayas, a clinical social worker and psychologist and the dean of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. A recently published study in Social Science & Medicine found that 32% of children at a detention center showed signs of emotional problems. The study involved interviews with 425 mothers of children at the detention center, who filled out a questionnaire about mental health symptoms in their kids.

Jessica Klein is a member:
Revenge Porn — What Parents Need to Know About Nonconsensual Pornography
Parentology
Since up to 49% of all NCP victims are stalked or contacted by strangers, feelings of violation and fear of bodily harm are very common.  The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work has some suggestions, through Jessica Klein, clinical social worker and lecturer in the Department of Adult Health and Wellness. “Seek out comfort and safety through any tactics you have used in the past to deal with stress. This may include going to a friend’s house or asking a trusted family member to come to your home,” Klein said in an article on the USC website. “Establish physical safety and work with supportive friends or family to get the image removed, or call a crisis hotline such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline.”

Five Northern Michigan Schools to Expand Mental Health Services Through State Grant
9and10News.com
Five Northern Michigan schools will soon see expanded mental health services. It’s all thanks to a grant from the state. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Department of Education are funding the services. They’re providing $5 million to open 60 centers across the state. Centers will provide services like assessments, group therapy and one-on-one counseling with a masters prepared social worker or counselor.

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