Latest news with #substanceuse
The Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
US vacation hotspot testing water supply for drugs
Nantucket officials are beginning to test the island's sewage for cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, nicotine, and opiates. The Health Department aims to use this data to understand trends in illegal substance use and assess the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs. Biobot, a Cambridge-based company, will conduct the drug testing using samples already collected for COVID-19 and other disease monitoring. The initiative seeks to provide a data-driven understanding of local drug usage, moving beyond anecdotal evidence. Test results will be shared with healthcare partners to inform outreach and treatment efforts, though they will not be made public.
CBC
7 days ago
- Health
- CBC
More Black youth are reaching out for mental health, substance use help in Windsor
Social Sharing A program that offers mental health and substance use support to Black youth in Windsor is seeing more people reach out for help, according to service providers. Having only started three years ago, the program AMANI, has now had to create a waitlist for service. Formerly known as the Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth or "SAPACCY," the program helps people between the ages of 12 and 29 years old, who are African, Caribbean, and/or Black. There are eight regions in Ontario that offer the AMANI program, which is funded by the provincial government. According to the website, it's the "first-ever Canadian hospital and community partnership focused on advancing care for Black youth." The Black-led program specifically works from an Afrocentric lens, one that understands how racism and oppression can impact the mental health and substance use issues youth deal with. "A program like AMANI that is culturally affirming and facilitated by providers that have similar lived experiences allow Black youth and their families to be able to ... let go and be able to trust the individual that is caring for them," said Nadine Manroe-Wakerell, director of clinical practice overseeing Windsor's AMANI program. When it first launched in Windsor, Manroe-Wakerell says they had about 70 clients. Last year they logged more than 260 clients and this year, she says, they've had to start putting people on a waitlist. Manroe-Wakerell says the amount of time someone waits for service depends on the severity of their needs. But, she says, AMANI staff check in with people on the wait list to see how they're coping. Windsor Black youth struggling with anxiety, depression As for who is reaching out for help, AMANI's lead social worker Giselle Vinsky says it's often youth with family conflicts, as well as anxiety and depression disorders. "We have immigrant parents who are raising kids in the Canadian system," she said, adding this means AMANI often needs to educate parents on mental health issues. Stats Canada report finds racialized girls struggle with supports Tailoring the program to racialized youth by ensuring providers come from a similar background plays a big part in the program's success, says Monroe-Wakerell. Oftentimes, Manroe-Wakerell says people in minority groups will "code switch" — meaning they talk or act differently around people from other communities, instead of being their authentic selves. This, she says, is what sometimes keeps Black youth from fully opening up to health care workers. "With many of our Black youth, racism, biases and unfortunate situations have had a negative impact on their ability to either access care [or] their ability to feel like the care is effective," she said. And according to a report released last month from Statistics Canada, that's a common trend. The report looked at access to support services for mental health and substance abuse among girls and women ages 15 to 29 using 2022 data, the most recent available. It found that there were demographic differences in how patients felt about treatment they received for mental health or substance use issues. In particular, racialized girls and young women were more likely than their non-racialized peers to say they were unsatisfied with the care they accessed. The Statistics Canada report said this could be because there are not many health care providers "trained in culturally appropriate health care." But AMANI is one program trying to address that issue. Program allows youth to let their guard down Windsor resident Juchelle West is currently using AMANI's services. She says talking about her problems to someone from a similar background allows her to be more "open and vulnerable." The 19-year-old, who was born in Jamaica and grew up in the United States, has struggled with her mental health for years. She told CBC News that she's been diagnosed with depression and borderline personality disorder. "If the person can connect to me in a certain way and I feel like I'm opening up to talk to them, then yeah, it's going to be a better session for me," she said. "Especially if [they're from] the same heritage or something close to it or like [their] parents [are] from the same island or you eat the same food. It just would just feel like a sister or a brother ... that makes you feel like I can talk to this person." And Vinsky says she sees the way clients have let their guard down — a big deal for people in the Black community, who she says often don't trust the healthcare system. "They are a lot more willing to open up and share and communicate how they're feeling," she said. What could help? Beyond AMANI, Vinsky says she wants to see more meaningful diversity and cultural competency training at organizations, as well as a focus on hiring racialized health care providers. As for West, she says lower wait times would help, as well as tailoring the process so that patients are paired with a provider they are likely to connect with.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
More Black youth are reaching out for mental health, substance use help in Windsor
A program that offers mental health and substance use support to Black youth in Windsor is seeing more people reach out for help, according to service providers. Having only started three years ago, the program AMANI, has now had to create a waitlist for service. Formerly known as the Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth or "SAPACCY," the program helps people between the ages of 12 and 29 years old, who are African, Caribbean, and/or Black. There are eight regions in Ontario that offer the AMANI program, which is funded by the provincial government. According to the website, it's the "first-ever Canadian hospital and community partnership focused on advancing care for Black youth." The Black-led program specifically works from an Afrocentric lens, one that understands how racism and oppression can impact the mental health and substance use issues youth deal with. "A program like AMANI that is culturally affirming and facilitated by providers that have similar lived experiences allow Black youth and their families to be able to ... let go and be able to trust the individual that is caring for them," said Nadine Manroe-Wakerell, director of clinical practice overseeing Windsor's AMANI program. When it first launched in Windsor, Manroe-Wakerell says they had about 70 clients. Last year they logged more than 260 clients and this year, she says, they've had to start putting people on a waitlist. Manroe-Wakerell says the amount of time someone waits for service depends on the severity of their needs. But, she says, AMANI staff check in with people on the wait list to see how they're coping. Windsor Black youth struggling with anxiety, depression As for who is reaching out for help, AMANI's lead social worker Giselle Vinsky says it's often youth with family conflicts, as well as anxiety and depression disorders. "We have immigrant parents who are raising kids in the Canadian system," she said, adding this means AMANI often needs to educate parents on mental health issues. Stats Canada report finds racialized girls struggle with supports Tailoring the program to racialized youth by ensuring providers come from a similar background plays a big part in the program's success, says Monroe-Wakerell. Oftentimes, Manroe-Wakerell says people in minority groups will "code switch" — meaning they talk or act differently around people from other communities, instead of being their authentic selves. This, she says, is what sometimes keeps Black youth from fully opening up to health care workers. "With many of our Black youth, racism, biases and unfortunate situations have had a negative impact on their ability to either access care [or] their ability to feel like the care is effective," she said. And according to a report released last month from Statistics Canada, that's a common trend. The report looked at access to support services for mental health and substance abuse among girls and women ages 15 to 29 using 2022 data, the most recent available. It found that there were demographic differences in how patients felt about treatment they received for mental health or substance use issues. In particular, racialized girls and young women were more likely than their non-racialized peers to say they were unsatisfied with the care they accessed. The Statistics Canada report said this could be because there are not many health care providers "trained in culturally appropriate health care." But AMANI is one program trying to address that issue. Program allows youth to let their guard down Windsor resident Juchelle West is currently using AMANI's services. She says talking about her problems to someone from a similar background allows her to be more "open and vulnerable." The 19-year-old, who was born in Jamaica and grew up in the United States, has struggled with her mental health for years. She told CBC News that she's been diagnosed with depression and borderline personality disorder. "If the person can connect to me in a certain way and I feel like I'm opening up to talk to them, then yeah, it's going to be a better session for me," she said. "Especially if [they're from] the same heritage or something close to it or like [their] parents [are] from the same island or you eat the same food. It just would just feel like a sister or a brother ... that makes you feel like I can talk to this person." And Vinsky says she sees the way clients have let their guard down — a big deal for people in the Black community, who she says often don't trust the healthcare system. "They are a lot more willing to open up and share and communicate how they're feeling," she said. What could help? Beyond AMANI, Vinsky says she wants to see more meaningful diversity and cultural competency training at organizations, as well as a focus on hiring racialized health care providers. As for West, she says lower wait times would help, as well as tailoring the process so that patients are paired with a provider they are likely to connect with.
Globe and Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
Therapist Angela Jacobs Helps Patients Achieve Lasting Transformations and Healing
When clients need reflective counseling, Chiral Center Counseling PLLC is the ideal place to feel intensely seen and heard. Therapist Angela Jacobs specializes in trauma, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), relationship and narcissistic abuse, neurodivergence, and substance use for couples and individuals. Discover the difference that finding the right therapist makes at Chiral Center Counseling PLLC, where Angela Jacobs, LMHCA, helps clients feel heard, seen, and understood like never before. Jacobs helps clients get to the root of longstanding struggles, so they can heal and go on to move mountains, with professional support and guidance every step of the journey. Jacobs' unique approach to therapy makes her an ideal therapist for people looking to 'dig deep and get shit done.' Jacobs spent her early career as a successful entrepreneur, running an award-winning winery until her daughter was born. After leaving that industry, she returned to school for accounting, but was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after graduating. During cancer treatment, she realized spending the rest of her life doing taxes would be far less rewarding than helping others build better lives in meaningful ways. Her immense store of varied life experience helps Jacobs provide exceptional care, empathy, and understanding to her clients. 'I am passionate about helping my clients find support, healing, and peace that will pay off in dividends of wellness far into the future,' Jacobs said. Patients receiving therapy from Jacobs at Chiral Center Counseling have praised her outstanding perspective, which she approaches from three angles: cognitive, emotional, and compassionate. Jacobs provides a nonjudgmental environment where clients receive careful yet firm assistance toward their goals. 'You may not know it, but grief, trauma, rejection, abandonment, and more could be holding you back from living your most fulfilling life,' Jacobs said. 'Let's process the hurt. You owe it to yourself to make time for your mental health.' Schedule a compatibility call today to learn whether Jacobs and Chiral Center Counseling offer the right setting for getting things done and making meaningful changes. The 15-minute compatibility call is free, and all session pricing is posted on the website. Jacobs offers equine-assisted therapy in Washington state near Chelan and Manson. She also provides numerous treatment options focused on depression, anxiety, substance use, impulsivity, ADHD and other neurodiversities, trauma and PTSD, grief, abandonment, attachment issues, and much more. Visit the Chiral Center Counseling website to learn more about psychotherapist Angela Jacobs or to schedule an appointment. Treatment is available for teens, adults, individuals, couples, and families to deal with a multitude of mental health conditions and emotional difficulties. Media Contact Company Name: Chiral Center Wellness PLL Contact Person: Angela Jacobs Email: Send Email Country: United States Website:
Medscape
23-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Clinicians Must Focus on Substance Use Screening in Youths?
Although most clinicians caring for youths aged 17 years or younger reported screening for substance use disorders, many did not do so at every checkup, and 36.9% did not use a standardized screening tool — falling short of recommended screening practices. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey to describe screening practices for substance use disorders among clinicians caring for youths aged 17 years or younger in the United States. They included 1047 clinicians: 467 family physicians, 250 pediatricians, 132 internal medicine physicians, 107 nurse practitioners, and 91 physician assistants. The median duration of practice was 13 years. Participants were asked questions about delivering care to adolescents, focusing on substance use screening frequency and types of screening tools used. Concordance with the recommended screening practices set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services was defined as screening at every checkup, regardless of purpose, using a screening tool. TAKEAWAY: A majority (56.9%) of clinicians reported screening for substance use disorders at every checkup; the proportion of clinicians who endorsed screening at every checkup was higher among pediatricians than among other specialists. Among the 43.1% of clinicians who reported not screening at every checkup, 29.7% endorsed screening at an initial visit, 34.2% endorsed screening at intermittent visits, 61.0% endorsed screening if concerns about risky behaviors existed or when a parent/guardian raised concerns, and 13.8% endorsed never screening for substance use disorders among adolescents. Among the clinicians who screened youths for substance use disorders, 36.9% did not use a screening tool. The use of screening tools was associated with greater odds of screening at every checkup (odds ratio, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.44-2.44). Only 39.3% of clinicians reported screening at every checkup using a screening tool in line with the recommended screening practices; only 30.7% of clinicians screened youths for substance use, provided brief interventions to those at risk, and referred individuals with more severe issues to appropriate treatment programs. IN PRACTICE: 'Identifying youths with SUDs [substance use disorders] and referring them to treatment remain crucial components to reduce substance use–related morbidity and mortality, including overdose,' the authors wrote. 'Screening offers opportunities for clinicians to engage in primary prevention of SUDs through anticipatory guidance, refer patients who use substances to appropriate care, and offer interventions to reduce adverse outcomes to all at-risk youth[s],' they added. SOURCE: This study was led by Kathleen Ragan-Burnett, MSPH, of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. It was published online on May 20, 2025, in JAMA Network Open . LIMITATIONS: The results of this study may not apply to all clinicians because only those with a greater chance of responding were contacted first. There were limited details available about screening behaviors, including the motivations for and barriers to specific practices. DISCLOSURES: No sources of funding were reported in this study. The authors report having no relevant conflicts of interest.
