Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Nature Is The Best Medicine, Nathan Schweitzer

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

This project examined the cost of mental health diagnosis on the health care system and how interactions with green space and nature increase mental health wellbeing. A Vermont state government program to increase access to state parks through primary care providers offices is highlighted. Interviews were conducted with a community psychologist discussing interaction with nature and its effects on mental health. The second interview was with a member of the volunteer board for the Governors council on fitness discussing the origins of the state park program.

Ipv: Why Don’T We Screen For Those Committing Acts Of Violence?, Hannah K. Cook

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

State of the evidence for screening for IPV in men or those who are committing acts of violence.

Health Screening For Individuals Diagnosed With Mental Illness Within A Housing-First Organization, Jennifer J. Chamberlin

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Background: Individuals with serious mental illness are a high-risk population that need improved access to physical health care. Many have negative experiences with the healthcare system and need support in accessing it. A housing-first organization in Vermont offers wrap-around services to these individuals but does not have a standardized way to assess for client healthcare needs or to communicate with primary care provider offices.

Purpose: The project aimed to: 1. Identify the current processes used to assess client health needs; 2. Change organizational workflow to include comprehensive and standardized health protocols. 3. Instruct staff to increase knowledge to identify and …

Improving The Therapeutic Environment In The Crisis Stabilization Unit At Glens Falls Hospital, Emma Hall

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at Glens Falls Hospital provides a separate, safe space within the Emergency Department for adults and children struggling with mental health crises to stabilize before discharge or admission to an inpatient psychiatric unit. An increase in mental health crises over the past 10+ years plus a shortage of nearby inpatient beds, especially for adolescents and children, has led to longer stays in the CSU. Longer stays in a place not built for therapeutic intervention but rather for crisis stabilization may lead to increased agitation, prolonged stays or prolonged time to stabilize a patient, and potentially …

Intimate Partner Violence: Updated Screening Tool And Approach To Screen Positive Patients, Michael J. Hall

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Intimate partner violence screening is recommended in all women of child-bearing age. Ensuring validated screening tool utilization and employing strategies to identify risk while providing non-judgmental support is critical to identifying patients and optimizing appropriate resource referral.