Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Lincoln County Community Paramedicine Data Collection Initiative [Infographic], Evelyn Ali Bs, Katie Rosingana Ba, Karen Pearson Mlis, Ma

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Project Support You: Addressing The Opioid Epidemic Through Community Collaboration And Education. Tri-County Mental Health [Infographic], Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Evelyn Ali Bs, Rachel M. Gallo Mph, Tyler Egeland Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

York Hospital Recovery Center's Medication-Assisted Treatment Program. Mehaf Addiction Care Grant Year 3, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Rachel M. Gallo Mph, Olivia Dooley Mpa

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Recovery And Opioid Addiction Resources (Roar): Summary Of Kennebec Behavioral Health Focus Group, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Evelyn Ali Bs, Katie Rosingana Ba, Mark Richards Bs, Rachel M. Gallo Mph, Tyler Egeland Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Mat Program Patient Satisfaction Survey: Mehaf Addiction Care Grant Year 3, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Rachel M. Gallo Mph, Evelyn Ali Bs

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Lincoln County Community Paramedicine Data Collection Initiative, Katie Rosingana Ba, Evelyn Ali Bs, Karen Pearson Mlis, Ma

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Healthy Acadia Mehaf Addiction Care Program. Year Three Summary, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Katie Rosingana Ba, Evelyn Ali Bs, Rachel M. Gallo Mph, Tyler Egeland Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Health Access Network: Mehaf Addiction Care Program, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Katie Rosingana Ba, Rachel M. Gallo Mph, Evelyn Ali Bs

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Downeast Maine Mat Expansion Project: Year 1 Data Summary, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Olivia Dooley Mpa, Evelyn Ali Bs

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

This report summarizes the Year 1 activities of the Healthy Acadia Downeast Maine MAT Expansion Project. Through a collaborative effort of Healthy Acadia, its providers, the Downeast Substance Treatment Network and Downeast Substance Use Response Coalition, the project utilized multiple evidence-based strategies to combat opioid use disorder (OUD) in Downeast Maine.

Key findings focused on:

• capacity building,
• stakeholder engagement,
• organizational and peer support,
• payment and reimbursement issues,
• the creation of low-barrier access to MAT,
• barriers, including stigma, to MAT
• patient-centered approaches
• auxiliary recovery supports

For more information, please contact M. LIndsey Smith, PhD at [email protected]

Experiences Of Veterans With Ptsd And Sud In An Outpatient Setting, Andrew Breault, Hannah Shifflett-Kohler

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

In 2014, there were approximately 7.9 million adults in the United States with co-occurring Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD) (SAMHSA, 2014). Of the veterans who served in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan alone, 30% of those in SUD treatment also meet the criteria for PTSD (Seal et al, 2008, pp. 476). Furthermore, statistics show that about 20 Veterans in the United States complete suicide daily (Spiva, 2019, p. 8). The Department of Veterans Affairs is urgently seeking successful approaches to addressing the high incidence of suicides among all veterans along with the low retention …

Cyberbullying And Suicide Among Lgbtq Youth: Is There A Connection?, Holly Wright, Victoria Wilson Townley

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The suicide rate among children and teens has been rising over the last decade, and members of the LGBTQ youth population are at considerably greater risk for suicide than their heterosexual peers. LGBTQ youth are also at heightened risk of being bullied due to sexual orientation. Recent technological advancements have created a new platform for bullying, that of cyberbullying, which can contribute to feelings of depression and low self-esteem. The detrimental impact that cyberbullying can have on mental health suggests the possibility of a potential connection between cyberbullying and LGBTQ youth suicide. This qualitative study examines the possible link between …

Fake Service Dogs: Leading By Example, Joshua Ferguson

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

This qualitative research examines public awareness pertaining to the protocols surrounding service dogs and their handlers, known collectively as the service team. The use of service dogs has been on the increase as more people discover the benefits provided by service dogs. The increase in the number of service dogs fosters questions about safety, training, the dog’s purpose, and its legitimacy. Previous studies suggest that many individuals are falsely claiming their dogs as service dogs or “fake service dogs.” This research explores what trends are leading to increases in service dog use and how fake service dogs affect people involved. …

Lgbt+ Teens, Social Media Use & Depressive Symptoms, Megan Curtis, Danielle Ryder

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Sexual and gender minority youth are statistically more likely to face severe mental health challenges than their cisgender, heterosexual peers; they consistently comprise a disproportionate percentage of youth who report experiencing depression, suicide ideation and attempted suicide in the United States every year (e.g. Abreu & Kinney, 2018). The aim of this study was to fill a gap in the current literature base by investigating the effects of social media use on sexual and gender minority youth mental health. The researchers conducted an online anonymous questionnaire targeted toward American LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, etc.) youth ages 14 to 18, …

Perceptions Of Mental Health: Eight Conversations With Mainers From Africa, Teresa Sosa, Emelda Ogweta

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

As of 2016, 42 million refugees from around the world had been forced to flee their homes due to war, persecution, or natural disaster (George & Jettner, 2016). Due to these factors, as well as relocation and resettlement, refugees are at a significant risk for trauma and other mental health issues (George & Jettner, 2016). While the literature consistently validates this heightened risk for mental illness in refugees, more research is needed into refugee's perspectives on mental health. Through analysis of semi-structured interviews with eight refugees from Africa, this phenomenological study investigated refugee's perceptions of mental health and mental illness. …

The Experience Of Social Workers Who Utilize Therapy Dogs In Practice, Kathryn Jochems

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Animal assisted therapy, which incorporates animals into structured therapeutic interventions, and its use within social work has been shown to increase social interactions, communication, and the overall health and safety of clients (Nimer & Lundahl, 2007). However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the professional and personal experiences of individual social workers with incorporating certified therapy dogs into their practice. This study examined the approval process, perceived effects on practice, perceived effects outside of practice, and future implications of using therapy dogs in social work through the analysis of qualitative data from seven in-depth interviews with licensed social …

A Thematic Analysis Of Adults’ Reflection On Childhood Experiences Being Parented By An Adult With Mental Health Issues, Jennifer Luja, Meg O'Malley

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Children are impacted by their relationships with caregivers. The objective of this research was to develop awareness of the impact on children being cared for by caregivers with mental health issues by examining the experiences of individuals who had a caregiver with severe and persistent mental health issues during childhood. Researchers also gained insight on how social workers can be more supportive to children in these circumstances. The researchers conducted interviews with five participants, the recordings of which were then transcribed and coded to identify themes. Prevalent themes include critiques of available services, resiliency and challenges of family members as …

Education On Burnout And Self-Care At The University Of Southern Maine School Of Social Work: A Case Study, Noelani S. Hansen Msw

All Student Scholarship

Social work practitioners can experience symptoms of burnout at high rates, and sometimes are not able to effectively engage in self-care to combat these symptoms. For social work students, learning the signs of burnout and how to practice self-care are crucial tools. However, there is scant information in the literature on burnout and selfcare in social work curricula. This case study looks at the education on burnout and selfcare in the University of Southern Maine (USM) School of Social Work. Social work professors were interviewed on how they teach about burnout and self-care, and undergraduate and graduate students were interviewed …

Challenges And Strategies To Expanding Mat Within Primary Care: Provider Perspectives. Issue Brief, Rachel M. Gallo Mph, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Katie Rosingana Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Building Capacity For Medication-Assisted Treatment (Mat) Through Mehaf's Addiction Care Program. [Infographic], Rachel M. Gallo Mph

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Addressing The Treatment And Recovery Support Needs Of Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder: Patient Perspectives, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Katie Rosingana Ba, Rachel M. Gallo Mph, Frances Jimenez Ba, Mark Richards Ba

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Expanding Access To Medication-Assisted Treatment (Mat) Through Primary Care Practices: Findings From The Maine Health Access Foundation's Addiction Care Program (Years One And Two), Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Rachel M. Gallo Mph, Katie Rosingana Ba, Mark Richards Bs, Frances Jimenez Bs

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Maine Health Access Foundation Addiction Care Program: Interim Evaluation Report, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Katie Rosingana Ba, Frances Jimenez Ba, Rachel M. Gallo Mph, Mark Richards Bs

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.

Self-Care In Graduate And Undergraduate Social Work Students At The University Of Southern Maine, Rachel Andreasen

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Prior literature clearly demonstrates that social workers are at a high risk for burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary stress, and vicarious trauma (Kapilistas & Corcoran, 2015) (Kinman & Grant, 2011). Social work programs that have incorporated training on self-care education have found students less stressed and with less burnout. Using Self Care Deficit Theory as a theoretical basis, the purpose of this descriptive quantitative study is explore the ways in which social work students at the University of Southern Maine are incorporating self-care into their education and lives. Students participated in a survey, which measures self-care in multiple domains. Descriptive and …

Therapeutic Riding And Psychological Health In Older Adults, Alyssa Pattison, Craig Ashford

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

This project explores the available quantitative and qualitative research to see if there is a link between therapeutic horseback riding and the reduction in symptoms of depression in older adults. Currently, there is a gap in evidence based research surrounding older populations with depression and therapeutic riding. However, research gathered on adolescents and adults suggest that therapeutic riding may alleviate depressive symptoms in persons over 65 years of age. Studies included in this project reveal groups of themes. The first is assessments, tools and evaluations. The second is animal assisted therapy, equine assisted therapy, therapeutic riding, and the barn environment. …

“Older Adults And Their Experiences With Home Care And Assisted Living”, Faith Robinson

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

As the state of Maine and the U.S. population at large continues to age, discussion about future care and living arrangements for older adults has become an increasingly relevant issue. Older adults are often faced with a range of options for housing, including staying in their home in their community while receiving home care services, or moving to an assisted living facility.

Currently a gap in the research exists as to the attitudes, perceptions, and lived experiences of the older adults themselves around these decisions, experiences, and the meaning of “home” in our older years. This study aims to provide …

A Qualitative Study Of Asylum Seekers Experience As Mentees With The Welcoming The Stranger Program, Deborah H. W. Hamilton

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Asylum seekers are foreign nationals who enter the United States legally fleeing danger in their home country. Over 26,000 individuals were granted asylum in 2015, with 3.4% of the State of Maine’s population identifying as immigrants. Portland Maine’s General Assistance (GA) office reports nearly 40% of GA recipients were visa holders seeking asylum during fiscal year 2016. Asylum seekers arrive with psychological and physical burdens and then face hurdles trying to gain legal status while attempting to get their basic needs met in the social service systems. Organizations have been created on a grassroots level to provide support and bypass …

Animal Assisted Therapy For Adult Domestic Violence Survivors, Kaden Flynn

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The focus for my research project for my Women and Gender Studies, Capstone course has revolved around Domestic Violence and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). AAT has been around since the 18th century but the benefits of it, aren’t talked about enough; when looking at what it does for adult DV survivors. I will determine if AAT, in conjunction with other therapies, is beneficial for DV victims. To determine how beneficial AAT is, I will be reviewing current literature on AAT, the results of different types of therapy and how it effects the victim’s PTSD, trauma, stress, and anxiety levels. If …

Military Sexual Trauma: A Thematic Analysis Of Impact And Interventions, Rebecca Cornell Du Houx

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Media driven awareness of military sexual trauma (MST), meaning sexual harassment or assault that occurred while serving in the US Military, may have increased since the term was first coined in 2004, yet the services available for survivors of MST could still be lacking. Percentages of MST prevalence range, with one research study finding 80% of women serving in the military have experienced some type of sexual harassment or assault (Meade, Glenn, & Wirth, 2013). Previous research has also shown that MST is connected to depression, suicidal ideation, and PTSD, along with other mental health conditions.* During the present study, …

The Role Of Rural Hospitals In Addressing Opioid And Other Substance Use Problems, John A. Gale Ms

Mental Health / Substance Use Disorders

Webinar presentation to the Small Rural Hospital Transition project addressing issues of rural opioid and other substance use issues, focusing on the role of rural hospitals, and the importance of community engagement. Component parts of an effective opioid/substance use system of care include prevention, treatment, and recovery. Models must be adapted to the geographic, resource, and cultural realities of rural areas. Examples of strategies are provided.

Grantee Organization Spotlight: Tri-County Mental Health Services. Mehaf's Addition Care Program, Mary Lindsey Smith Phd, Katie Rosingana Ba, Rachel M. Gallo Mph

Substance Use Research & Evaluation

No abstract provided.