Antioch University's Major Area of Study: Clinical Health Psychology

01/27/2021

The connection between mental and physical health is well known in the integrated care community, however, many still believe in the theory of dualism: a distinct difference between the mind and body. It is important as psychologists to advocate for the integration of mental health and physical health because ones mental health affects ones physical health and vice versa.

Experts say the brain and body are connected, so having good mental health can help improve your overall physical health, especially heart health

12/09/2020

The link between mental health and HIV and TB is clear.
Poor mental health puts folks at higher risk of
contracting HIV or TB and contracting HIV or TB puts
folks at higher risk of poor mental health. Access to and
continuation of treatment is a possible negative outcome
when one has poor mental health and HIV or TB. Implementing
integrative programs is important to bring an end to
these pandemics that affect so many worldwide.

Why is an integrated approach to mental health services for those living with HIV and tuberculosis so critical? As the board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria meets this week, two board members explain.

10/10/2020

October 10th is Mental Health Awareness Day! Clinical Health Psychology integrates mental health care into medical settings to help treat mind and body together. This is especially helpful for individuals with chronic illness, serious medical illnesses, substance use, and a range of other medical issues. Antioch University's Major Area of Study in Clinical Health Psychology prepares students to enter this ever-growing field. How will you care for your mind and body today?

10/09/2020

Behavioral health is often thought of as happening in the primary care office. However, it is embedded in many different parts of the healthcare system, though not without flaws. Hospice providers are working to expand resources to address the mental health issues with their patients, but there is limited research available to these health care workers. With further research on how to respond to these mental health issues in a timely manner, some of the patients can experience a relief of symptoms. It is important not to forget our geriatric population, which is the main population hospice serves, as we continue to advance research and put more resources into behavioral health.

Advocates have increasingly called for expanded resources to address mental health issues and substance use problems (SUPs) among hospice patients to improve delivery and quality of their care. However, limited research is available for hospice providers looking to integrate psychiatric or mental he...

09/17/2020

The environmental disaster wreaking havoc on the west coast of the United States will have consequences and effects for many years. Something that is already becoming more problematic, though, is an uptick is individuals experiencing headaches, due to the poor air quality and stress. This article demonstrates how connected everything is: the planet, physical health, and mental health. Psychologists working in primary care locations may start to see environmental issues causing both physical and mental health problems in their clients. It is important for health psychologists to be able to make these connections when treating clients.

With COVID-19, wildfires and the worst air quality the Bay Area has seen in recent years, it's no wonder why a psychologist is seeing an increase in isolation and depression. Here's how some Bay Area residents are trying to cope:

09/03/2020

This article highlights the importance of having a behavioral health professional in the room during primary care visits. Working together as a team improves patient outcomes. Antioch's major area of study in Clinical Health Psychology prepares students to step into these critical professional roles upon graduating.

Loma Linda University Health's study of MEND program shows health costs decreased by thousands of dollars per patient as a result of integration

08/20/2020

While social distancing is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we must remember that isolation can cause stress that can affect us mentally and physically. This article looks at how isolation can negatively affect one's immune system and ways to prevent this from happening. When working in an integrated care setting, we must be prepared to look at how a person’s mental health affects their physical health and vice versa. Antioch University's Major Area of Study (Clinical Health Psychology) knows the importance of this and works to instill this in students.

Isolating at home may have paradoxical effects on immune health, particularly among our oldest.

08/10/2020

Opioid misuse and overdose is very prevalent in the Latinx community. This issue brief discusses the factors that make the crisis so challenging in these communities, including difficulty accessing preventative treatment. It also highlights outreach strategies to engage with the community members. Antioch University New England’s Major Area of Study (Clinical Health Psychology) prepares students to reach these communities where substance use care may not be as readily available as a means of addressing such crises.

Download only This issue brief presents data on prevalence of opioid misuse & death rates in the Hispanic/Latino population; contextual factors & challenges to prevention & treatment; innovative outreach & engagement strategies to connect people to evidence-based treatment; and the importance of com...

03/09/2020

Childhood trauma, as measured by adverse childhood experiences (ACE), effects adults' mental and physical health. Vulnerable individuals or those in minority groups statistically have more ACEs and thus have an increased risk for negative outcomes.

Primary care screening can be an essential feature of a broader prevention and mitigation strategy against the deleterious effects of childhood trauma. Culturally and trauma-informed practice provides patients with more efficacious and responsive healthcare.

What happens to you in childhood can affect your health for a lifetime. New data show a link between childhood trauma and disease later in life. Prevention is critical, public health experts say.

02/27/2020

Integrated primary care is imperative to providing comprehensive and holistic healthcare to our patients. This toolkit provides resources to other states that wish to develop integrated primary care practices in their state. Some aspects included on the site include: workforce development, pay structure, ethics, and political advocacy.

Director Daniel Mullin and former CIPC faculty member Christine Runyan contributed to this toolkit on . A valuable resource http://bit.ly/32ldOuV