Bizzell CEO Joins U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Advisory Board

Bizzell CEO Joins U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Advisory Board

Dr. Bizzell was invited to join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) Advisory Board. This appointment follows his Fellow support where he advised the Foundation’s 2019 Sharing Solutions initiative, a campaign focused on business solutions to the opioid epidemic. The USCCF is dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness, educating the public on the conditions necessary for businesses and communities to thrive, showing how business positively impacts communities, and showing how emerging issues and creative solutions will shape the future. The Advisory Board is made up of leaders from some of the world’s most successful companies and leading Chambers of Commerce in the United States, and Dr. Bizzell is proud to leverage his experience as a small business owner to advise the work of the Foundation.

The USCCF is dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness. They educate the public on the conditions necessary for businesses and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future.

Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Depression During COVID-19

Strategies to Reduce Anxiety and Depression During COVID-19

Written by: Randolph Edmead

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had profound social, economic, and health effects. A recent study found that 56% of U.S. adults reported that worry or stress related to the pandemic has caused them to experience at least one negative effect related to mental health and wellbeing.  Physical distancing to reduce spread of COVID-19 increases social isolation and creates new challenges for individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Some of the most prevalent concerns people have reported about managing during the COVID-19 pandemic are uncertainty about the future, not having control over the virus and its effects, and the economic ramifications of the pandemic. With widespread job loss, and the potential for the virus to cause serious illness and death, these concerns are not unfounded. The pandemic is having a significant effect on those who have not previously struggled with mental health issues, and the effects are exacerbated for those who have. As with other traumatic events, it has taken an exceptional toll on frontline health care workers and first responders.

The American Psychological Association says that it is critical to maintain social support and connections during physical distancing, and that it is important to know the signs of anxiety and depression so that individuals who may be experiencing these challenges can get timely help.

Signs of anxiety include:

  • Persistent worry, feeling overwhelmed by emotions
  • Excessive worry about a number of concerns, general sense that something bad is going to happen
  • Restlessness, irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, feeling on edge

Signs of depression include:

  • Lack of interest or pleasure in activities
  • Significant weight loss or gain
  • Lack of energy or difficulty concentrating
  • Insomnia or excessive sleeping
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

One unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic may be that the increased media attention on the mental health effects of the crisis is helping to reduce the stigma of talking about mental health issues. A new social media campaign through , “How are You, Really?”, aims to decrease the stigma of mental health issues by encouraging people to safely share their stories to show others that they are not alone.

Tips for Staying Mentally Healthy

The Director Dr. Joshua Gordon provides 5 tips for staying mentally healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak, which are timely for individuals struggling with anxiety or depression, as well as for those who are simply looking for positive strategies to cope with the challenges of the pandemic:

  • Avoid using alcohol or other drugs as coping mechanisms.
  • Maintain routines for meals, exercise, and sleep. Try to stay active.
  • Explore wellness programs, like meditation, yoga, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises.
  • Stay connected. Talk by phone. Chat outside while maintaining recommended social distance. Join online gatherings.
  • Seek help right away if you have trouble coping or feel overwhelmed.

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) was founded by President & CEO Anton C. Bizzell, M.D., a leading behavioral health expert and former Medical Officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Bizzell’s recent work includes systematic, integrated approaches designed to effect lasting change in the field of behavioral health through work with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Learn more about how we develop data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to advance mental health, behavioral health, and other complex-real-world challenges: https://BizzellUS.com/.

Bizzell Supports NIDA in the Launch of Innovative Learning Tools to Help Manage Opioid Treatment

Bizzell Supports NIDA in the Launch of Innovative Learning Tools to Help Manage Opioid Treatment

In conjunction with the National Institute on Drug Abuse-Clinical Trials Network (NIDA-CTN), Bizzell announces the availability of three educational videos for healthcare providers managing opioid use disorder (OUD). The first two videos are animations that discuss overdose prevention. The third video is an interactive tool used to educate healthcare providers on OUD in an emergency setting.

Video 1Overdose Prevention Education for Clinicians Treating Patients with Opioids for Chronic Pain is an animated video that focuses on four key strategies: Reducing Risk for Development of OUD and Avoidance of Misuse, Identification of Risk Factors, Safety Planning, and Overdose Rescue Preparation.

Video 2: Overdose Prevention Education for Clinicians Treating Patients for an Opioid Use Disorder is an animated video that highlights three key strategies: Identifying Overdose Risk Factors, Developing a Safety Plan, and Overdose Rescue Preparation.

“These teachings are done in a simple, non-judgmental fashion offering the viewer clear and memorable points in assessing and managing opioid overdoses,” says Douglas L. Gourlay, M.D., MSc., FRCPC, FASAM, Former Director of the Pain and Chemical Dependency division of the Wasser Pain Management Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, a reviewer of the video.

Video 3:  Buprenorphine Initiation for Opioid Use Disorders in Emergency Departments: Interactive Case Vignettes is a branching video, which is an interactive educational tool. It allows participants to select a healthcare track which results in varying outcomes. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is providing Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit and access to the tool will require the creation of a free ACEP account. Throughout the course, guidance is provided on the clinical management of OUD with a focus on screening, enlisting the patient’s input into their treatment, buprenorphine initiation, and referral to ongoing treatment.

After watching these videos, participants will be able to apply a patient-centered, shared decision-making approach while discussing the prevalence of overdose and the process of introducing buprenorphine in the ED for treatment of OUD. Participants will also be able to discuss chances for recovery as research suggests that patients are twice as likely to enter addiction treatment and remain in treatment at 30 days if medication is initiated in the ED.

The targeted audiences for the buprenorphine initiation video include: Emergency Physicians, Emergency Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Residents, Medical Students, Physician Assistants, Emergency Department Medical Directors, Hospital Administrators, EMTs/Paramedics, and other healthcare providers engaged in the practice of emergency medicine.

“This branching video effectively and quickly walks users through the most high-yield information in the most engaging way possible. Providers around the country should see this video before their next shift caring for patients with opioid addiction,” says video reviewer, Alister Martin MD, MPP, Faculty – Center for Social Justice and Health Equity, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department.

All of the above mentioned videos were funded in part with federal funds from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Center for the Clinical Trials Network Dissemination Initiative (contract # HHSN271201700059C). The content for the videos was developed by researchers and experts and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. These training resources should not be considered as a substitute for individualized patient care and treatment decisions.

  • This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the American College of Emergency Physicians, NIDA, The Bizzell Group, and Modern Epic. The American College of Emergency Physicians is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • The  American College of Emergency Physicians designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate .with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • Approved by the American College of Emergency Physicians for 1 hour of ACEP Category I credit.

ABOUT BIZZELL

Established in 2010, The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) certified strategy, consulting, and technology firm that specializes in program management, administrative support, communications and outreach, conference management and logistical support, health services and research, technical assistance, and training and development. Bizzell’s expert staff and consultants work on health, scientific, education, environmental, research, and information technology projects that advance national priorities. Under the leadership and vision of founder, Anton C. Bizzell, MD, the company has grown from a staff of two in one small office, to a thriving firm with three offices in Lanham, MD, Rockville, MD, and Atlanta, GA, with ongoing projects around the world. Learn more about how we develop data- driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to complex-real-world challenges: www.BizzellUS.com.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE (NIDA)

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the world’s research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to inform policy, improve practice, and advance addiction science. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs and information on   NIDA research and   other   activities   can be found at www.drugabuse.gov, which is now compatible with your smartphone, iPad or tablet. To order publications in English or Spanish, call NIDA’s DrugPubs research dissemination center at 1-877- NIDA-NIH or 240-645-0228 (TDD) or email requests to drugpubs@nida.nih.gov. Online ordering is available at drugpubs.drugabuse.gov. NIDA’s media guide can be found at www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/dear-journalist.