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Categories BHARC, Insights Tags Behavioral Health, BHARC, COVID-19, Social Media

Social Media Use and Well-being: What We Do and Don’t Know

Social Media Use and Well-being: What We Do and Don’t Know

November 15, 2022 (New Carrollton, MD) Nearly 60 percent of the world’s population, and 81% of the US population, are active social media users. As social media use becomes more pervasive, there is a growing interest in the role social media plays in wellness and mental health. Does social media help or hinder mental health? The answer is not that simple. Social media can be an easy, accessible way for people to establish social connections and networks. These can be important contributors to well-being and mental health. Yet some studies indicate social media use also may have a negative effect on mental health and well-being, although these effects vary by age, race, and other demographics. Recent research suggests that how social media is used can have a greater impact on mental health than how often or how long social media is used.

The November 2022 Behavioral Health Spotlight focuses on social media use and well-being. “Social Media Use and Well-being: What We Do and Don’t Know” was written by Nancy Bateman, MSW, a Senior Public Health Advisor for Behavioral Health Services at Bizzell. It discusses current findings on social media use and well-being, meaningful uses of social media data in the mental health/well-being space, and recommendations for future research. The BHARC Behavioral Health Spotlight, published by the Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center (BHARC) and funded by Bizzell, is a thought leadership series highlighting various behavioral health topics that impact communities across the United States and abroad.

Read the report: Social Media Use and Well-being: What We Do and Don’t Know

About BHARC

The Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center (BHARC) is an ever-growing and trusted source for current behavioral health program development and research findings, examples of evidence-informed and promising practices, and emerging behavioral health policy and interventions. The BHARC Advisory Council consists of experts in substance use, mental health, clinical trials, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare standards and quality. For more information, visit: BHARC.org

About Bizzell US

Bizzell US (Bizzell) is a strategy, consulting, and technology firm that designs innovative solutions to help build healthy, secure, and sustainable communities in our nation and around the world. Bizzell leverages the combined experience of our diverse subject matter experts to develop data-driven, research-informed answers to the world’s most complex challenges—ensuring our clients achieve their vision and goals. For more information, visit: BizzellUS.com

Categories BHARC, Insights Tags Behavioral Health, COVID-19, Trauma-Informed Care

Engaging Patients through Trauma-Informed Care in the Age of COVID-19

Engaging Patients through Trauma-Informed Care in the Age of COVID-19

Most individuals will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime. According to the CDC, nearly 60 percent of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that by 16 years old, nearly two-thirds of children have experienced a traumatic event. Traumatic events can include physical or sexual abuse, assaults, wars, serious accidents, illnesses, sudden loss or violent loss of loved one, and natural disasters. They can lead to significant health problems or other adverse consequences. Trauma-informed care (TIC) provides a strengths-based framework for treatment that actively engages the client, so they experience a sense of control, involvement, empowerment, and safety through collaboration and choices.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, a renewed emphasis surfaced on the role and benefits of TIC. Many people experienced significant stressors and traumas associated with the pandemic. As Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Bizzell US, noted in a recent Psychology Today article, the pandemic has particularly impacted the mental health and well-being of our youth and children and could lead to adverse long-term affects without appropriate care and services. Adoption of TIC at the clinical and organizational level can offer a path to healing and recovery for individuals who might otherwise suffer unnecessarily.

The BHARC Behavioral Health Spotlight, published by the Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center (BHARC) and funded by Bizzell, is a thought leadership series highlighting various behavioral health topics that impact communities across the United States and abroad. The October 2022 Behavioral Health Spotlight focuses on trauma-informed care. “Engaging Patients through Trauma-Informed Care in the Age of COVID-19” was written by Nancy Bateman, MSW, a Senior Public Health Advisor for Behavioral Health Services at Bizzell US. It discusses trauma-informed care principles, the prevalence of trauma, and varied expert perspectives on the relationship between trauma and COVID-19.

Read the report: Engaging Patients through Trauma-Informed Care in the Age of COVID-19

About BHARC

The Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center (BHARC) is an authoritative source for behavioral health information, insights, technical assistance, training, and innovative tools. BHARC is a mechanism to share evidence-based behavioral health interventions and best practices. The BHARC Advisory Council consists of experts in substance use, mental health, clinical trials, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare standards and quality. Learn more about the Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center at BHARC.org.

About Bizzell US

Established in 2010, Bizzell US (Bizzell) is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) HUBZone certified strategy, consulting, and technology firm with a mission to improve lives and accelerate change. Bizzell US develops innovative solutions to some of the most critical issues of our time such as health care services equity, global health, workforce innovation and other urgent needs facing the world. Under the leadership and vision of founder, Anton C. Bizzell, MD, the company has grown into a thriving firm headquartered in New Carrollton, Maryland with staff and offices in various regions around the country including California, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Georgia, and globally in Africa, Asia, and Central America. Learn more about how we develop data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to complex-real-world challenges: BizzellUS.com.

Categories BHARC, Insights Tags CEO Insights, COVID-19, Health, HIV/AIDS, Mental Health, Minority Health, Special Populations

Easing the Mental Toll of HIV and AIDS

Easing the Mental Toll of HIV and AIDS

Epidemics and pandemics. HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. National and global issues affecting people around the world and highlighting health inequities that impact access to health and mental health care. During the physical and mental health stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions are also living with the ongoing effects of HIV/AIDS. “Since the global epidemic began, an estimated 79.3 million people have been infected with the HIV virus and 36.3 million people have died of HIV-related illnesses,” said Anton C. Bizzell, M.D., President/CEO of The Bizzell Group.

Individuals living with HIV/AIDS often experience discrimination, stigma, persecution, isolation, and exclusion, which can lead to depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and other negative mental health effects. There is proven benefit from mental health groups, HIV/AIDS support groups, talk therapy, physical exercise, and meditation.

Several effective vaccines were developed within the first year of the emergence of COVID-19, yet forty years after it was first identified there is still no vaccine for HIV/AIDS. Although there are still healthcare inequities, through the efforts from UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS), several U.S. government agencies (including U.S. Department of State) millions have received people-centered physical and mental health HIV services in over 55 countries. HIV/AIDS remains a public health and mental health crisis. While there is significant research, education, training, and technical assistance taking place, there is much more to do in the U.S. and around the world. Everyone needs to contribute to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Read more: Easing the Mental Toll of HIV-AIDS

Categories News Tags Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Corporate Updates, COVID-19, Ebola, Global, Global Development, Health, Special Populations, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Bizzell Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary and Gives Back to Orphanage in Africa

Bizzell Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary and Gives Back to Orphanage in Africa

 

December 14, 2021 (New Carrollton, MD) – The Bizzell Group (Bizzell), an award-winning strategy, technology, and consulting firm, was featured in local media in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for its global health and humanitarian focus and contributions to the Leve Moi Orphanage, an organization founded to serve children orphaned by natural disasters like the May 2021 Mount Nyiragongo volcano eruption, on-going political conflict and tension, and health epidemics including HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19.

Bizzell donated 30 bunk beds, 60 mattresses, and dozens of mosquito nets to Leve Moi Orphanage. The donations, locally sourced from DRC businesses, will help the orphanage continue to serve the ongoing needs of the children in Goma, as they do not receive State funding and rely on the goodwill of donors like Bizzell to deliver essential services such as free education and meals. Leve Moi Orphanage serves nearly 500 children each day from the surrounding community and houses dozens of children overnight. During the trip to DRC, Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, President/CEO, and members from Bizzell’s Global leadership team, Yomi Jones, Vice President of Finance & Global Operations, and Rose Amolo, Director of Global Programs, traveled over 2000 miles from Kinshasa to Goma to visit the Leve Moi Orphanage. The children of Leve Moi welcomed, embraced, and thanked the Bizzell team through song and dance during the visit.

Learn more about this story as covered by local media in Goma: https://youtu.be/yNriMkva9CQ

                                                   

Bizzell continued its 10 Year Anniversary celebration with its global staff in Kinshasa, honoring Bizzell’s DRC staff for their dedication to the firm’s global mission and international success. Dr. Bizzell addressed attendees at the celebration, noting Bizzell’s continued growth and global commitment, including expanding an initial two-person team into a global operation with representation in six countries around the world. In addition to Bizzell team members, other guests in attendance included staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Special Assistant to the President of DRC, Dr. Benjamin Bola, and other implementing partners and private sector representatives from Equity Bank and Vodacom.

Bizzell’s 10 Year Anniversary in DRC, combined with its philanthropic efforts continue to highlight and emphasize the firm’s focus on global expansion, addressing issues that improve the overall quality of life for people in low, emerging, and middle-income countries. DRC is the largest office in the Bizzell Global portfolio, with 13 staff implementing and supporting various global health protection activities including laboratory strengthening, health workforce development, early detection, treatment, and disease surveillance for Ebola, COVID-19, other epidemics and vaccine preventable diseases including Measles, Polio, Meningitis, Cholera, Monkey Pox.

About Bizzell

Established in 2010, Bizzell is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) strategy, consulting, and technology firm with a passion to improve lives and accelerate change. Bizzell develops innovative solutions to some of the most critical issues of our time, including the opioid, Ebola, and COVID-19 epidemics. Under the leadership and vision of founder, Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, the company has grown into a thriving firm headquartered in New Carrollton, Maryland with staff and offices in various regions around the world including California, Colorado, Georgia, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

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