COVID-19 has and will continue to have serious mental health consequences. To date we are seeing an increase in alcohol, substance abuse, and other forms of “binging”.
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L to R: Dennis McCuistion, Jim Falk, Andy Keller, PhD, and Vanita Halliburton
Joining hosts: Dennis McCuistion and Jim Falk to talk about “diseases of despair” related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for a collaborative and comprehensive approach to mental health education and suicide prevention are:
- Vanita Halliburton: Co-founder and Executive Chairman, Grant Halliburton Foundation. Ms. Halliburton speaks from the heart about her son’s battle with depression and bipolar disorder and his suicide at the age of 19 and
- Andy Keller, PhD, psychologist and President and CEO of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute which provides independent, nonpartisan, data-driven, and trusted policy and program guidance to improve mental health services in Texas.
In addition to the work of the Grant Halliburton Foundation, we reference the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute’s report, which shows a direct correlation on how the economic recession stemming from the pandemic may increase rates of mental health and substance abuse. In Texas alone it points out that each 5 %-point increase in the unemployment rate could result in 300 additional lives lost to suicide and 425 additional lives lost to drug overdoses.
Nationally it is predicted that for each 5% increase in the unemployment rate over a year we could lose 4,000 more lives to suicide and 4,800 to overdoses as well as 600,000 more people who will suffer from some form of addiction.
Our guests discuss solutions and offer suggestions to building better mental health.
And please remember the McCuistion Program, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization does not receive any KERA pledge dollars, PBS funds or government grants. The funding which has kept us on the air for 30 years comes from grantors and viewers just like you. So thank you, most especially in this critical time, for your continued support.
Be sure to watch other McCuistion TV programs on our website, www.McCuistionTV.com.
We appreciate you,
Niki McCuistion, CSP
Co-founder/ Executive Producer
Certified Speaker, Coach, Consultant
Strategist in organizational culture.
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
(214) 394-6794
nikin@nikimccuistion.com
(214) 394-6794
Many thanks for your continued support!
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Perspectives Matter is a McCuistion Program and as part of a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization does not receive any pledge dollars, PBS funds, or government grants. The funding that has kept us on the air for 33-plus years comes from our grantors and loyal viewers. Your donation allows us to continue to hold engaging programs that provide different perspectives. To be a catalyst for change, support our TV programs. Thank you for your support and for watching.
Many thanks for your continued support!