Black Mental Health Matters: Black Mental Health and COVID-19
With systematic racism, discrimination, historical trauma and the chaos of COVID-19, black mental health is significantly impacted. The daily stressors of having to navigate a society that continues to perpetuate racism can lead to anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions. The lack of access to quality mental health care and stigma within the black […]
Know the Risks of Marijuana
Marijuana use can pose many risks. Firstly, it can impart cognitive function, memory, attention and motor skills, which can negatively impact daily activities such as work, driving and school performance. Marijuana use may also lead to addiction which then brings in even more risks for those that use the substance. It’s not uncommon for some […]
Health Consequences of Smoking Tobacco
Smoking tobacco has numerous negative health consequences that can lead to serious health problems and even death. The harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke can cause damage to nearly every organ in the body. One of the most serious health risks associated with smoking is an increased risk of lung cancer. Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens that […]
Healthy lifestyle and Ending Marijuana Use
Building a healthy lifestyle means adopting habits and behaviors that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It involves making conscious choices that prioritize health and well-being, and sustaining those choices over time to create a positive impact on overall health. We can keep healthy and end marijuana use by adopting a holistic approach that addresses […]
Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults
If cigarette smoking continues at the current rate among youth in this country, 5.6 million of today’s Americans younger than 18 will die early from a smoking-related illness. That’s about 1 of every 13 Americans aged 17 years or younger who are alive today CDC Many American youth have a dependance on tobacco use, in […]
Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana Use
The landscape for legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use is rapidly shifting, patients may be more likely to ask their physicians about its effects on ones health, both being potentially adverse or beneficial. One very popular notion about the use of marijuana is that, it is a harmless and satisfying pleasure, and access to […]
A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PARITY PLAYBOOK: STRENGTHENING STATE LAWS AND PARTNERSHIPS
The Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act sets ground for national parity compliance. The law provides a detailed guidance and protections that some state statues have adopted and built upon to facilitate the implementation of the law. Parity is widely defined as the process of creating equality. A long-held goal of the behavioral health field […]
Behavioral Health Crisis Services Governed by the No Surprises Act and the Federal Parity Law
Crisis services for physical health emergencies have for a long time been recognized as essential for all Americans. However some behavioral health crises have been handled with inadequate\ ineffective approaches by law enforcement, incarceration, emergency departments focused primarily on physical health, or no care at all. Behavioral health crises and emergency services have been developing […]
Does Weed Kill Brain Cells? And 5 Other Things to Know
Its not known for sure if marijuana use can kill your brain cells. More research is needed to determine if each form of use, smoking, vaping , and eating edibles , has a different effect on overall brain health. Studies evaluating the long-term cognitive effects of marijuana use are still ongoing. Check out the link […]
Marijuana Toxicity
Many recreational marijuana users have noted symptoms of euphoria, perception alterations, intensified ordinary sensory experiences and motor impairment. Not all cannabis users welcome the drugs effects, such as, panic, fear or depression, which are all very unpleasant feelings. Acute intoxication can also affect the heart and vascular system, resulting in cannabis-induced tachycardia and postural hypotension. […]