STRIVE! Suicide and Trauma Reduction Initiative with Director Craig Bryan PsyD

HOPE is the word of the day as I humbly introduce you all to Dr. Bryan as he joins us for describing the first ever randomized clinical trial using telehealth for suicide prevention!

Tune in HERE!

Press Release:

MEDIA CONTACT: Eileen Scahill

Eileen.Scahill@osumc.edu | 614-293-2092

https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/mediaroom

EMBARGOED UNTIL 11 A.M. ET NOVEMBER 12, 2024 

First-ever randomized clinical trial uses telehealth for suicide prevention

Study demonstrates that high-risk suicidal individuals can be safely and effectively treated via video telehealth

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Suicide remains a pressing public health concern. An estimated 703,000 people die by suicide each year worldwide, according to The World Health Organization. In 2022, there were 49,449 suicides in the United States.

A new study found that brief cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention – when delivered remotely via video telehealth – reduces suicide attempts and suicidal ideation.

Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine led the study that is published online in the journal JAMA Network Open.

The randomized clinical trial of 96 U.S. adults with recent suicidal ideation and/or suicidal behavior found that mental health therapists can see high-risk suicidal patients virtually both safely and effectively.

Brief cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment that has been shown to reduce suicide attempts by as much as 60% when compared to typical mental health care.

However, delivering this treatment remotely via video telehealth had never been tested. Until now.

The study was conducted between 2021 and 2023, during the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“The impetus for this research question was the nearly overnight shift from mostly in-person to mostly virtual therapy appointments following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, high risk patients were considered inappropriate candidates for virtual healthcare, due to risk and liability concerns,” said principal investigator and Ohio State clinical psychologist Justin C. Baker, PhD.

“We wanted a way to ensure that those who needed care the most were able to receive care during the pandemic,” said Baker, who is the clinical director of Ohio State’s Suicide and Trauma Reduction Initiative (STRIVE) program.

Participants received one of these therapies:

·       brief cognitive behavioral therapy, a suicide-focused treatment that teaches patients how to manage and change distressing emotions and negative thinking

·       present-centered therapy, a goal-oriented treatment that helps participants identify adaptive responses to stressors

The study also showed that brief cognitive behavioral therapy led to significant reductions in suicide attempts when compared to present-centered therapy. Reductions in suicidal ideation occurred in both treatments.

Prior effectiveness trials have compared brief cognitive behavioral therapy to typical care, whereas this study compared it to another intervention that has been shown to reduce depression and suicidal thoughts, which is a higher comparison metric, Baker said.

This study provides critical insight into which kinds of treatments are most likely to lead to improved outcomes for those struggling with suicide. It also adds support to the effectiveness of this therapy for reducing suicidal behaviors.

“For those suffering with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, we have good, tested treatments that will lead to significant symptom reduction and improved quality of life,” said study co-investigator Craig Bryan, PsyD, professor in Ohio State’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and director of its Suicide Prevention Program.

“Even with lessening restrictions, many therapists are keeping a portion of their telehealth practice post pandemic. This study has the potential to increase access to needed evidence-based treatments for those in rural and hard-to-reach areas,” said Bryan, who holds the Trott Gebhardt Philips endowed professorship.

Funding:

Research reported in this publication was supported in part by a charitable gift from 33 Forever. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of 33 Forever.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: 

Justin Baker reported grants from the Department of Defense during the conduct of the study and personal fees from Anduril LLC outside the submitted work.

Craig Bryan reported grants from the Department of Defense, the National Institute of Mental Health, the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention during the conduct of the study and personal fees from Oui Therapeutics outside the submitted work.

AnnaBelle Bryan reported personal fees from Oui Therapeutics outside the submitted work.

Samantha Daruwala, PhD, reported a grant from the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center during the conduct of the study.

Christina Rose Bauder, PhD, reported grants from the Department of Defense during the conduct of the study and personal fees from Anduril LLC outside the submitted work.

Lauren Khazem, PhD, reported a grant from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention during the conduct of this study and personal fees from Anduril LLC outside the submitted work.

All other authors report no conflicts of interest.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. 

The Same Heart!

 

Chris Helene Bridge is an award-winning author, artist and literacy advocate whose creative work continues to make a difference to people worldwide.
On Monday Chris reached out to let me an update on her family as well as that 2000 of her books “The Same Heart” were making it into children’s hands this month!
I met Chris 10 years ago and she read this book to my son’s kindergarten class. I was so happy to hear her voice, the news and she graciously said YES to an interview in that moment.

 

What I love about this book is that all of the artwork is the children’s that they did in class with Chris while discussing their uniqueness while having the same heart!!!❤️ ♾️📚
My son was in kindergarten when he met her and contributed his picture (we followed her instructions on mixing the paint for his skin color) on the cover of this book.
Super cool, right?
You can do this with your kids or grandkids too.
Description:
“Are we the SAME, or are we DIFFERENT? 
Could both of these be true? 
Let’s get a little closer, and look at me and you!
The Same Heart encourages the reader to look at 
faces, feelings and thoughts to discover how we are 
both different and alike. Using simple direct language, 
the message is clear that while our features appear different, they provide us with the same experiences. Joyful rhymes show children that everyone is different 
on the outside, but in all the ways that matter most, 
we are the same.
Yes, we are DIFFERENT on the outside, but 
inside you can see We all share the SAME HEART, 
it connects you and me!
Text in English and Spanish is amplified by call out 
words in major languages, and illustrations created by students celebrate the beauty of individual faces in the rich landscape of diversity. The Same Heart provides children with respect for every individual’s uniqueness and the importance of finding connection.”
@chbridge
Thank you Chris for our friendship and for all of the love you share and transmit in all of your books!
Check out all of her books on ChrisHeleneBridge.com

Election Fatigue

Paul Sheesley weighs in with tips, tools & observations of top stressors executives and politicians in Washington D.C. are experiencing and how he is helping them ride the way of uncertainty on the eve of the election.

Hearing Paul’s voice and his coping strategies definitely helped me, I hope they help you too.

Paul Sheesley, is a mental health practitioner with 20 years of experience in the field of clinical psychology and human behavior. He equips high-powered professionals, prominent couples, and families committed to healthy interpersonal relationships with personalized support, tailored treatment, and necessary steps to regain a balanced self that positively impacts all areas of life.

Individuals empowered by his proprietary approaches to psychotherapy and counseling include NBA Stars, Foreign Diplomats, Reality TV Show Celebrities, Managing Partners and Founders, Lobbyists and Capitol-Hill Political Influences, and CEOs and CFOs of Top Fortune 500 Companies. specialties include Schema Therapy, psychological assessment, personality and behavioral issues, addiction, and substance use, all of which are rooted in comprehensive psychotherapy and mental health training from leading institutions nationwide, including McDaniel College, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Towson University, Drexel University, The Center for Cognitive & Behavioral Therapy of New Jersey, and The New Jersey Schema Therapy Institute.

Stress Management via Mindful Injestion

How do you maintain your FREQUENCY moment to moment?

Feeling states of crisis, stabilization and THRIVE are part of the Earth Ride for all of us.

Awareness, self love and altruism set the stage for the highest mind, body and soul health.

This short show is packed with vulnerable shares, tips and an invitation for a healthy inner dialogue to alchemize stress in real time:

 

Dr. Denise Soul Signature

 

Meet James Anderson Co-Founder, The Vision Cloud

As we are approaching the finish to 2024 I thought it would be great to invite James Anderson Co-Founder of The Vision Cloud to inspire all of us to take inventory and reflect on our own unique path to self care and manifestation.

 

“Founded by real dreamers, just like you.

The Vision Cloud was founded by James and Amelia, a husband and wife team who truly believe in the power of manifestation, having used it to build their lives together.

They created a kit to help others manifest their dreams, providing everything you need to start your journey without the hassle of searching for materials.

Our promise is that all you need to start manifesting is included in our kit, making your dreams more accessible than ever.”- TheVisionCloud.com, Founders

Tune in on all podcast platforms:

James Anderson, married to Amelia Anderson, father to Adaline and Charlie Anderson (9months and 3 years). Family is my world, and I’m so grateful to have them in my corner, it’s the most humbling thing in the world. Raised and live in the UK, and I love the outdoors, running, swimming, and football (the UK version, so soccer to you0!

I love business, have always wanted to have my own business,studied it at uni, then got stuck in the corporate world for nearly 10 years in business development. I hit some lows in covid and now I’m on a new path of creating an incredibly heartwarming and inspiring business that is already making a significant positive impact to people’s lives which is a beautiful thing to witness. I’m a visionary and optimist at heart, naturally see the potential in something, full of ideas but sometimes lack the application.

 

Meet Dr. Diane Kaufman: Poet, Artist, Child Psychiatrist and Founder of The Hold on Campaign for Suicide Prevention

“The next time you want to kill yourself tell me and I will tell you the right way to do it.” -forgotten words revealed in this riveting episode.

“How on earth can I become a psychiatrist if anyone knew I attempted suicide, let alone if I was hospitalized?’ – Diane Kaufman M.D., thoughts in real time decades ago…

I have no words, only feelings of inspiration and hope after interviewing Dr. Kaufman.

This raw, real and vulnerable episode is a must listen for anyone suffering with unimaginable despair of any kind, especially suicidal thoughts.

Listen here:

 

 

“Hope is real and change is possible, but in the dark despair of depression, it is so very hard to remember this truth. I know this song can help save lives. Please take a listen. This song is my gift to you.” -Dr. Kaufman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC–K9-evaU

Diane Kaufman, MD is a poet, artist, internationally award-winning lyricist, humanism-in-medicine awardee, and retired child psychiatrist with over forty years of clinical experience.

In 2019 she received the SUNY-Downstate Medical Center Alumni Association’s Dr. Frank

L. Babbott award for her distinguished service to both the medical profession and the general community.

Dr. Kaufman is a suicide attempt and suicide loss survivor with Bipolar Il Disorder and is dedicated to transforming trauma and despair into life affirming creativity. She is the founder/director of the Hold On Campaign for Suicide Prevention that uses the power of art to educate, connect, express, and heal. (www.holdoncampaign.org).

Dr. Kaufman’s story, “Bird That Wants to Fly” inspired an opera and is narrated by actor, Danny Glover. The internationally award-winning songs, “Don’t Give Up,” “Hold On,” “Lift You Up,” “Holding The Heart When It Breaks” and “For You My Lovely,” were all inspired by her lyrics and help prevent suicide. Dr. Kaufman has extensive training and experience in the therapeutic use of poetry and story.

Mental Health Awareness with Kirk Patrick Miller

It is an honor to hear Kirk’s inspiring update on his continued winning battle with mental and physical challenges, especially on world mental health day!

He and I deep dive on work life balance and his recent success with coming off diazepam!

Tune in for holistic health tips and Kirk’s mental health journey on all platforms.

 

Kirk Patrick Miller is a multi-talented professional with a background in science, art, finance, education, and music. He has discovered new treatments while on his own path of wellbeing for connective tissue disorders, autoimmune diseases, bipolar, and anxiety. His groundbreaking case pilot studies are pending publication.

Kirk is an award winning author, currently working on the final book in a fantasy series that blends magic with scientific principles.

His work explores themes of time, energy, and human potential, reflecting his personal theory that time is an energy we interact with. A perpetual student, he continues to refine his projects.

Kirk’s wide-ranging interests include time perception, psychology, creative writing, and responsible AI collaboration. He believes in using AI to build a better world and empower individuals with knowledge. He hopes to inspire others to realize there is no limit to what they can achieve with good mental health and grit.

The Love Tank by Author Andrea Mendoza Vasconez Ph.D

What an honor to interview Dr. Andrea!

Press Release:

The Love Tank Helps Young Children Understand the Importance of Extending Kindness to Others

SAN DIEGO, California — When Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez’s 3-year-old daughter found her crying in response to news of a school shooting, the behavioral scientist struggled to find the words to answer her question: “What’s wrong?” Mendoza-Vasconez’s children’s book, The Love Tank, is her answer — and she hopes it will help other parents explain challenging concepts, too.

The book, written for children ages 4-8, guides children in imagining a superpower container inside their bodies that fills up with love. The story explains in gentle terms what can happen when someone’s love tank is full or empty and how children can fill their love tanks and help others to fill theirs too.

Mendoza-Vasconez recalls telling her daughter, “While there are no intrinsically ‘good’ or ‘bad’ people in this world, sometimes people do bad things and hurt others because they don’t have enough love in their own lives — their love tank is empty.” She further explained, “I always hug you, kiss you and tell you I love you because I want your love tank to be full so you can treat others with kindness and compassion.”

One of the goals of the book is to help parents explain why someone might harm others in a way that their children can understand. Additionally, the book helps children connect with important values such as empathy, compassion, gratitude and authenticity in a simpler manner.

The Love Tank, which has won many awards, including the prestigious 2024 Nautilus Award for Small Press Children’s Picture Books (silver), is the first in a series of three books, all dealing with socioemotional learning concepts. The other books in the series include The Gratitude Goggles, which guides children as they imagine a special pair of goggles that can appear by simply feeling gratitude; and The Puzzle Piece, which encourages children to imagine that the world is a gigantic puzzle, in which they are unique pieces.

Since The Love Tank was published, Mendoza-Vasconez has heard from many parents who have used it to help their children who have been bullied understand why. She hopes the book will continue to help children express love by brainstorming how they can fill others’ love tanks.

 Tune into our interview here:

About the Author

 Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez, Ph.D., is an award-winning children’s book author, a mother, a behavioral scientist, a teacher, an advocate and a storyteller. She was born and raised in Ecuador and moved to the United States at 18 to attend Connecticut College. After working as a television producer and middle school teacher, she returned to school to earn a master’s degree in public health from Claremont Graduate University and a doctoral degree in public health (Health Behavior) from UC San Diego and San Diego State University. She completed her postdoctoral training at Stanford University and served as an assistant professor at the Brown University School of Public Health.

When Mendoza-Vasconez became a mother, her love for writing led her to explore storytelling as a way to explain difficult and important topics to her daughter. She uses imagery to communicate concepts such as empathy, compassion, gratitude and authenticity. Eventually, she started writing these stories down and publishing them as picture books to share these messages with other children around the world.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9SC9C66

Executive Performance Counselor Paul Sheesley on Vulnerability, Self Care & Perfectionism

There are very few people who have more access to D.C.’s most powerful people than Paul Sheesley, a psychotherapist who empowers politicians and CEOs in Washington, D.C..

He helps his clients achieve balance in their personal and professional lives so they can reach their goals and make a significant impact.

On today’s episode we discuss how Paul helps his client’s change their internal dialogue, lean into self care and travel back in time together to reflect on patterns of function and dysfunction to heal any psychological wounds and create new narratives.

Tune in here:

Paul Sheesley, is a mental health practitioner with 20 years of experience in the field of clinical psychology and human behavior. He equips high-powered professionals, prominent couples, and families committed to healthy interpersonal relationships with personalized support, tailored treatment, and necessary steps to regain a balanced self that positively impacts all areas of life.

Individuals empowered by his proprietary approaches to psychotherapy and counseling include NBA Stars, Foreign Diplomats, Reality TV Show Celebrities, Managing Partners and Founders, Lobbyists and Capitol-Hill Political Influences, and CEOs and CFOs of Top Fortune 500 Companies. specialties include Schema Therapy, psychological assessment, personality and behavioral issues, addiction, and substance use, all of which are rooted in comprehensive psychotherapy and mental health training from leading institutions nationwide, including McDaniel College, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Towson University, Drexel University, The Center for Cognitive & Behavioral Therapy of New Jersey, and The New Jersey Schema Therapy Institute.

Daily Beast Contribution