Behavioral Health – Page 2 – AZ Dept. of Health Services Director's Blog

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Promoting Strong Mental Health in the New Year

Behavioral Health

Promoting Strong Mental Health in the New Year

By Cara Christ| 2017-02-10T09:48:32-07:00 January 13th, 2017|Behavioral Health|

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and is an essential component to our overall health. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Having a strong mental health outlook can benefit your life in more ways [...]

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Mental Health is an Essential Component of Health

Behavioral Health

Mental Health is an Essential Component of Health

By Cara Christ| 2016-07-18T12:52:42-07:00 July 18th, 2016|Behavioral Health|

In light of the recent tragedies occurring in the U.S. and around the world, there is help locally, if you need support. Mercy Maricopa, which oversees the crisis system in Maricopa County, has activated a dedicated 24/7 crisis line in response to the recent shootings. Crisis Response Network operates the line, 1-800-203-CARE (2273), and it’s [...]

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Transitioning Behavioral Health Services

Behavioral Health

Transitioning Behavioral Health Services

By Cara Christ| 2017-02-10T09:49:07-07:00 October 28th, 2015|Behavioral Health|

The only true constant is change, particularly when you are part of a team committed to continuously improving the health and wellness of all Arizonans. October 1 was an important day for the behavioral health system in Arizona with four significant system transformations occurring simultaneously. The Division of Behavioral Health Services, with a lot of [...]

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

Behavioral Health

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

By Cara Christ| 2017-02-10T09:49:07-07:00 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

Behavioral Health

State Hospital Continues to Receive Joint Commission Accreditation

By Cara Christ| 2017-02-10T09:49:08-07:00 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

Behavioral Health, Preparedness, Prevention

Expanded Integrated Behavioral Health Model set to Launch Oct. 1

By Cara Christ| 2017-02-10T09:49:08-07:00 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

Behavioral Health

National Awareness Month Puts the Focus on Suicide Prevention

By Cara Christ| 2017-02-10T09:49:10-07:00 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

Behavioral Health

Arizona State Hospital Updates

By Cara Christ| 2017-02-10T09:49:12-07:00 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 Cara Christ| 2017-02-10T09:49:14-07:00 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 [...]

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Grant Funding Helps Homeless Across Arizona

By Cory Nelson| 2017-02-10T09:49:14-07:00 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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