In this episode of the Self Disclosed Podcast, host Patrick Gilligan sits down with Rachel Streiff, a passionate advocate for individuals living with serious mental illness and their families. Rachel shares her personal journey into the world of clozapine, an antipsychotic medication used for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and discusses the significant barriers patients face in accessing this life-saving treatment.

Rachel highlights the challenges posed by the FDA's Clozapine REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) program, which has created unnecessary hurdles for both patients and healthcare providers. With only about 10% of those indicated for clozapine actually receiving it, Rachel emphasizes the urgent need for change in how this medication is prescribed and monitored.

Join us as we explore the stigma surrounding clozapine, the impact of regulatory barriers, and the grassroots movement led by the "Angry Moms" to advocate for better access to mental health care. Rachel also shares her insights on the upcoming FDA committee hearing and how listeners can support the cause.

If you're passionate about mental health advocacy and want to learn more about clozapine and the fight for patient rights, this episode is a must-listen!

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to help raise awareness about the importance of access to mental health treatment!

In this episode of the Self-Disclosed Podcast, host Patrick Gilligan sits down with two experts in the field of pediatric health: Dr. Andrey Ostrovsky, former Chief Medical Officer of the U.S. Medicaid Department, and Kellie Green, Director of Child and Family Health at CareSource. Together, they dive deep into the newly released sub-regulatory guidance surrounding the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit.

Join us as we explore the history of EPSDT, its importance in providing comprehensive behavioral health services to children and adolescents, and the implications of the recent guidance for health plans, providers, and families. The discussion highlights the need for individualized approaches to care, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children in foster care and those with special healthcare needs.

Discover how this guidance can empower families, improve access to necessary services, and potentially reshape the landscape of pediatric healthcare. We also discuss the role of advocacy, the importance of understanding Medicaid, and how families can navigate the complexities of the system to ensure their children receive the care they deserve.

Tune in for an insightful conversation that aims to shed light on the critical issues affecting children's health and the opportunities for improvement in the healthcare system.

Key Topics:

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more episodes on important health topics!

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction to EPSDT and Peer Support

00:01:33 - Welcome and Episode Overview

00:02:11 - History of EPSDT and Legislative Background

00:05:12 - EPSDT from the Health Plan Perspective

00:05:59 - Inspiration Behind the New Guidance

00:08:12 - Clarifying EPSDT for Behavioral Health

00:09:57 - Impact of New Guidance on Vulnerable Populations

00:11:20 - Higher Standards of Coverage for Children

00:13:27 - Implications of the New Guidance

00:18:08 - State Responses to Sub-Regulatory Guidance

00:20:12 - Opportunities for Improvement in Foster Care

00:22:29 - Empowering Families through EPSDT

00:24:29 - Advocacy and Engagement for Families

00:27:27 - Value-Based Payment Models and EPSDT

00:30:25 - Financial Implications of EPSDT and Prior Auth

00:34:48 - Advocating for Change: Family Perspectives

00:42:09 - Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgments

In this episode of the Self-Disclosed Podcast, I sat down with Deb Adler, CEO of Navigator Healthcare, to explore the complexities of the healthcare system, particularly in the realm of substance use disorder.

With over 25 years of experience across health plans and providers, Deb shares her journey from working in a state-operated psychiatric hospital, to leading Network Strategy at the nations largest payers, to today where she runs her own start up in the substance use disorder space.

Join us as we discuss:

Whether you're a healthcare professional, a provider, or someone interested in the future of mental health services, this conversation offers valuable insights into the ongoing challenges and innovations in the field.

Subscribe to the Self-Disclosed Podcast for more engaging discussions on mental health and healthcare innovation!

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Eliminating Waste in Healthcare

00:05:30 - The Evolution of Managed Care

00:10:01 - Effectiveness of Managed Care

00:15:10 - Barriers to Value-Based Care

00:20:01 - Payer Mindset and Risk Aversion

00:25:00 - Navigating Innovation in Health Plans

00:30:00 - Advice for New Providers

00:35:00 - Understanding Payer Pain Points

00:40:00 - Unexpected Challenges in Starting Navigator

00:45:00 - The Decision for a Nationwide Approach

00:47:00 - Improving Health Literacy in Mental Health

In this episode of the Self-Disclosed Podcast, host Patrick Gilligan sits down with Dr. Desiree Murray, a clinical psychologist and prevention scientist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Dr. Murray shares her journey into youth development research and discusses her innovative Be Calm model—a mindfulness-based social-emotional learning program designed for adolescents in school settings.

Join us as we explore:

For more information about the Be Calm model, visit https://www.becalmprogram.com/.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:01:49 - Dr. Murray's Journey into Research

00:02:59 - Foundational Lessons in Research

00:04:49 - Longstanding Interest in Youth Development

00:05:55 - Early Observations in Adolescent Challenges

00:08:57 - The Role of Emotion Dysregulation

00:10:54 - Exploring Mindfulness as an Intervention

00:12:20 - Development of the Be Calm Program

00:15:58 - Challenges of Integrating CBT and Mindfulness

00:18:47 - Overview of the Be Calm Model

00:19:38 - Pillars of the Be Calm Model

00:26:00 - Building Teacher Capacity and Engagement

00:27:17 - Addressing Teacher Concerns and Resistance

00:32:24 - The Importance of Adult Influence on Youth

00:33:20 - Engaging Students in the Be Calm Model

00:35:30 - Results and Findings from Be Calm Studies

00:42:00 - Future Directions and Goals for Be Calm

00:45:48 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

00:46:23 - Dr. Murray's Vision for Youth Mental Health

In this podcast episode, host Patrick Gilligan sits down with Nicole Lederman, an LCSW and the head of clinical operations at Somethings, to delve into the world of peer support.

They discuss the history of peer support, recent research in the field, and the current landscape of peer support interventions.

From the origins of peer support in the 18th century to its integration with clinical care today, they explore the effectiveness and potential of peer support in mental health treatment.

Key Points Covered:

Join Patrick and Nicole as they uncover the power of peer support in mental health care and discuss the exciting developments shaping the future of this field.

Subscribe to the podcast to stay updated on the latest episodes!

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction to Peer Support

In this episode of the Self-Disclosed Podcast, we sit down with Nicolas Podesta from the product team at Somethings to discuss how to engage teens today with mental health resources. We delve into the importance of meeting teens where they are, the power of text-based communication, and the significance of building meaningful connections based on shared interests and experiences.

About the Self-Disclosed Podcast:

The Self-Disclosed podcast, presented by Somethings, features candid conversations about mental health, therapy, and peer support. Host Patrick Gilligan interviews guests who share personal stories, insights, and experiences to promote mental well-being and support for all.

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In this episode of the Self-Disclosed podcast, host Patrick Gilligan sits down with Nicole Letterman, LCSW and Clinical Operations Manager at SomeThings. Nicole shares her journey to becoming a therapist, including personal experiences that inspired her career path. From working with Holocaust survivors to homeless youth, Nicole discusses the power of peer support in mental health care.

They delve into the development of the clinical mentorship model at SomeThings, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, curiosity, and engagement in peer support. Nicole highlights the impact of peer support on adolescents, providing a safe space for them to feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Join Patrick and Nicole as they explore the transformative potential of peer support in mental health care and envision a world where everyone's basic needs are met for improved mental well-being.

Don't miss this insightful and inspiring conversation on the Self-Disclosed podcast!

About the Self-Disclosed Podcast

The Self-Disclosed podcast, presented by SomeThings, features candid conversations about mental health, therapy, and peer support. Host Patrick Gilligan and guests like Nicole Letterman share personal stories, insights, and experiences to promote mental well-being and support for all. Tune in for engaging discussions and valuable perspectives on mental health care.

Timestamps