Behavioral Health

/Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health covers topics dealing with mental health in our state. This ranges from information about programs to help individuals have good mental health to Governmental topics like Regional Behavioral Health Authorities.

IT Team has Integral Role with Launch of New RBHA’s

By | October 19th, 2015|Behavioral Health|

The integrated behavioral and physical health contracts for the northern region (Health Choice Integrated Care), and the southern region (Cenpatico Integrated Care) launched October 1, and Information Technology Services, part of the Division of Planning and Operations, has been tirelessly working over this for the past year to help with the launch. Over the last [...]

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State Hospital Continues to Receive Joint Commission Accreditation

By | October 6th, 2015|Behavioral Health|

We received notification this week from the Joint Commission that the Arizona State Hospital will continue to be accredited for all hospital services through October 2017. The acknowledgement confirms the state hospital is meeting standards above and beyond general patient care. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies health care organizations in the United States. Accreditation [...]

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Expanded Integrated Behavioral Health Model set to Launch Oct. 1

By | September 28th, 2015|Behavioral Health, Preparedness, Prevention|

People with a serious mental illness have increased mortality that is largely from treatable medical conditions caused by risk factors like smoking, obesity, substance abuse, and not accessing primary and acute medical care. Research demonstrates that outcomes are improved for individuals with a serious mental illness when their whole health care, both physical and behavioral, [...]

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National Awareness Month Puts the Focus on Suicide Prevention

By | September 3rd, 2015|Behavioral Health|

This month, Governor Doug Ducey issued a proclamation to declare September National Teen Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The proclamation states some sobering statistics. Arizona ranks 18th in the nation for suicides among children and adolescents. Numbers show suicide was the second leading cause of death for Arizona teens ages 15-18. Suicide prevention is an important [...]

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Arizona State Hospital Updates

By | July 23rd, 2015|Behavioral Health|

Our state hospital team has really been working hard over the past few months! In May of 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services completed an inspection of the hospital and provided us with a report of their findings. With a new leadership team in place, they've been busy putting together a plan of action to address and [...]

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Tackling Prescription Drug Abuse with “Awareness. Action. Outcomes!”

By | May 20th, 2015|Behavioral Health, Prevention|

Arizona, like every state in the country, is battling an epidemic of people misusing and abusing prescription drugs.  We’ve been working with several partners on the Arizona Prescription Drug Misuse & Abuse Initiative since 2012 to reduce the problem in Arizona. The Initiative team  recently developed a comprehensive toolkit designed to assist communities to tackle prescription drug abuse at the [...]

Grant Funding Helps Homeless Across Arizona

By | April 30th, 2015|Behavioral Health|

At the end of March, the men’s overflow shelter closed in downtown Phoenix.  The shelter housed up to 350 homeless men at full capacity. The city condemned the building for asbestos. We’re one of many community partners responding to the housing needs of vulnerable people in Arizona.  Our permanent supportive housing program will provide an [...]

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Crisis hotline for those impacted by today’s shootings

By | March 18th, 2015|Behavioral Health|

  Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care established a special hotline 1-800-203-CARE (2273) for the public after two unconnected shootings in the Valley.  People can also visit www.crisisnetwork.org for resources. The Crisis Response System in Maricopa County is built to provide care to anyone whether they are in the public behavioral health system.  People who are emotionally [...]

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Suicide Prevention Mobile App Launches Today

By | March 11th, 2015|Behavioral Health|

The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a mobile app this morning to help primary care and behavioral health providers identify suicide risk among patients. Suicide Safe is available for Apple and Android phones and tablets. A webinar explaining the technology will happen at 12:30 today. The event is full at this point, but a [...]