Matthew McCoy, Kimberly A Lynch, Sonya Gabrielian, Peter Capone-Newton, Lisa Altman, Emily DeFraites, Maria G Aguilera Nunez, Gregory Gee, Alison B Hamilton, Lillian Gelberg
{"title":"Encampment Medicine: Innovating Care Delivery in a Community of Tiny Shelters on Veterans Affairs Grounds.","authors":"Matthew McCoy, Kimberly A Lynch, Sonya Gabrielian, Peter Capone-Newton, Lisa Altman, Emily DeFraites, Maria G Aguilera Nunez, Gregory Gee, Alison B Hamilton, Lillian Gelberg","doi":"10.1176/appi.ps.20240466","DOIUrl":"10.1176/appi.ps.20240466","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Veterans experiencing homelessness face barriers to traditional U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care, even when temporarily housed on VA grounds. An encampment medicine team was launched at the West Los Angeles VA to deliver primary care, psychiatry, and harm reduction within a community of tiny shelters. Using principles of street outreach and continuous quality improvement, the team embedded services around the shelters, coordinated closely with peer support specialists and social workers, and adapted care with real-time feedback from a veteran-led engagement committee. Over 15 months, the team conducted 923 official visits with 181 veterans, initiated long-acting antipsychotics, expanded naloxone distribution, administered vaccines, supported housing transitions, and cured seven cases of hepatitis C. By integrating continuous quality improvement into a low-barrier, person-centered care model, the team built trust and improved health engagement. This approach offers a model for reaching high-need veterans in emergency housing environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":520759,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)","volume":" ","pages":"926-929"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145025214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How I Found My Way to Providing Psychological Care to People With Psychosis.","authors":"Emily Owens","doi":"10.1176/appi.ps.20250238","DOIUrl":"10.1176/appi.ps.20250238","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":520759,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)","volume":" ","pages":"919-920"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144487769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elizabeth Y Li, Elaine Shen, Franzel Tablan, Shu Zhang, Jessica A Xu, Jason Xu, Eunice Y Yuen
{"title":"CHATogether Community-Based Program for Evaluating Asian American and Pacific Islanders' Mental Health Needs Post-COVID-19.","authors":"Elizabeth Y Li, Elaine Shen, Franzel Tablan, Shu Zhang, Jessica A Xu, Jason Xu, Eunice Y Yuen","doi":"10.1176/appi.ps.20250166","DOIUrl":"10.1176/appi.ps.20250166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, Compassionate Home, Action Together (CHATogether) is a community program that uses interactive theater to promote mental health among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Culturally informed mental health programs remain insufficient to meet the needs of AAPIs. This study aimed to evaluate ongoing AAPI mental health needs after COVID-19, as described by community leaders who work with AAPI families in community settings and as mental health professionals; assess how CHATogether can meet the needs of community partners through theater webinars; and explore the adaptability of CHATogether for AAPI subpopulations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Mixed methods included thematic analysis, with an inductive approach, of 12 qualitative interviews with community leaders as well as a quantitative survey (16 webinars across 16 states) to evaluate participants' emotional responses before and after the program and to evaluate program satisfaction. A subgroup analysis also measured the adaptation of CHATogether to AAPI faith-based organizations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>AAPI mental health needs were identified at the individual, family, and service delivery levels, and CHATogether was perceived to address these needs. Webinar participants had more positive sentiments about mental health conversations with their families after versus before participation in the program (p<0.001, N=179 survey respondents) and found CHATogether to be helpful and informative (Kolmogorov-Smirnov D≥0.6, p<0.001, N=89-149) and adaptable to the church setting (D=0.6, p<0.001, N=26).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Through community partnership, CHATogether fosters AAPI mental health conversations by using creative storytelling and theater skits. This model may inform future community-based psychiatric services.</p>","PeriodicalId":520759,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)","volume":" ","pages":"872-880"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145067526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sunny Cui, Maureen Henry, Deborah J Cohen, Karen L Fortuna
{"title":"Medicare Part B Updates for Peer Support Specialists in Behavioral Health for Older Adults and People With Disabilities.","authors":"Sunny Cui, Maureen Henry, Deborah J Cohen, Karen L Fortuna","doi":"10.1176/appi.ps.20240375","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.20240375","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Effective January 1, 2024, Medicare Part B reforms now permit physicians to bill for peer support as an auxiliary service for Medicare and Medicaid patients. This change addresses the behavioral health crisis that was exacerbated by COVID-19 by allowing certified peer support specialists to provide Medicare-reimbursable services nationwide. Peer support, which includes sharing lived experiences and offering role modeling, has shown positive effects related to hope, recovery, and empowerment. However, implementation variability and billing limitations persist. The authors discuss the implications of, opportunities for, and potential solutions related to integrating peer support into Medicare settings to enhance care for older Americans and people with disabilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":520759,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)","volume":"76 10","pages":"915-918"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonathan Purtle, Amanda Mauri, Andrew Riblet, Michael A Lindsey, Ramesh Raghavan
{"title":"Financing Factors Perceived as Affecting the Implementation and Future Success of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.","authors":"Jonathan Purtle, Amanda Mauri, Andrew Riblet, Michael A Lindsey, Ramesh Raghavan","doi":"10.1176/appi.ps.20240525","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.20240525","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Concerns about financing for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline have persisted since its launch. The authors aimed to assess perceptions of financing factors affecting 988's implementation among professionals involved with its operation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In May-August 2024, professionals (N=384) completed a web-based survey. Fifteen items were used to characterize perceptions of the extent to which financing factors had positively influenced 988's implementation and were considered important for its future.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 15 items were rated significantly (p<0.001) lower in past positive influence than in future importance to 988's future. Only 10% of the respondents completely agreed that the 988 Lifeline had sufficient funding to meet its service demands, and 8% completely agreed that sufficient funding had been available for quality monitoring. Ratings were similar for respondents who were (vs. were not) very involved with 988's financial planning.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The professionals surveyed perceived financing as a prominent concern likely to affect the 988 Lifeline's future success.</p>","PeriodicalId":520759,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)","volume":"76 10","pages":"906-910"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Search for Replicable Models.","authors":"Lisa B Dixon, Howard H Goldman","doi":"10.1176/appi.ps.20250484","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.20250484","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":520759,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)","volume":"76 10","pages":"859"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Matthew D Erlich, Michael B First, Rachel M Talley, Lisa B Dixon, Jeffrey Berlant, Matthew L Edwards, Marcus A Moreno, Nicole Kozloff, Mary F Brunette, Samuel Siris, David A Adler
{"title":"Integrating Social Determinants of Health Into Clinical Formulations: The Need for a Biaxial System in the <i>DSM</i> and Psychiatry.","authors":"Matthew D Erlich, Michael B First, Rachel M Talley, Lisa B Dixon, Jeffrey Berlant, Matthew L Edwards, Marcus A Moreno, Nicole Kozloff, Mary F Brunette, Samuel Siris, David A Adler","doi":"10.1176/appi.ps.20240610","DOIUrl":"10.1176/appi.ps.20240610","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although social determinants of health (SDOH) have a significant impact on health outcomes and many are already included among the \"Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention\" in the <i>DSM-5</i>, general awareness of these codes and the importance of using them to communicate SDOH has not occurred. This Open Forum proposes that the <i>DSM-5</i> adopt a biaxial system of assessment to enhance their consideration and reporting. A biaxial approach, the authors argue, when combined with financial incentives, will increase the likelihood of SDOH reporting and potentially improve care.</p>","PeriodicalId":520759,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)","volume":" ","pages":"911-914"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144802419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tina Marshall, John Cosgrove, Melissa Wilson, Tabitha Hoey, Jeffrey Taylor, Sushmita Shoma Ghose, Nikhil A Patel
{"title":"Suicide Prevention Interventions in Schools: Assessing the Evidence Base.","authors":"Tina Marshall, John Cosgrove, Melissa Wilson, Tabitha Hoey, Jeffrey Taylor, Sushmita Shoma Ghose, Nikhil A Patel","doi":"10.1176/appi.ps.20250162","DOIUrl":"10.1176/appi.ps.20250162","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Rates of suicide among youths, both in the United States and globally, remain high. Schools can serve as an important intervention setting for suicide prevention efforts because youths spend a great deal of time in school. This systematic review aimed to examine the level of evidence of specific school-based suicide prevention interventions by using established rating criteria.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A search of major databases, gray literature, and evidence-based registries was conducted to identify individual studies that focused on suicide prevention interventions within school settings and that were published between 2008 and 2022. The authors rated suicide prevention intervention as having high, moderate, or low levels of evidence; ratings were based on the number and rigor of studies with positive outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 14 different interventions identified across 14 studies, no intervention had enough studies to be rated as having a high level of evidence; one intervention, Signs of Suicide, was rated as having moderate evidence. Improved outcomes were found for 10 interventions, including reduced suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide planning, and suicidal behavior. Four studies of three interventions found positive effects on mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. No cost data were found for Signs of Suicide to complete a cost analysis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>More research is needed to build the evidence base for school-based suicide prevention interventions that demonstrate positive impacts on suicide-related and mental health outcomes. Future research should also examine the cost-effectiveness of interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":520759,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)","volume":" ","pages":"898-905"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144995135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samuel R Bunting, Aparna Das, Luca Iacobelli, Emily Griner, Beth Broussard, Robert O Cotes
{"title":"A National Analysis of Facility-Level Clozapine Availability in U.S. Mental Health Services.","authors":"Samuel R Bunting, Aparna Das, Luca Iacobelli, Emily Griner, Beth Broussard, Robert O Cotes","doi":"10.1176/appi.ps.20250098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.20250098","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Clozapine is highly effective but underutilized because of patient-, prescriber-, and system-related factors. The purpose of this study was to describe clozapine availability at U.S. mental health facilities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional analysis of the 2023 National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey was conducted. Clozapine availability was assessed along with facility characteristics associated with odds of clozapine prescription via logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among facilities that prescribed antipsychotics (N=6,445), clozapine was available at 58% overall and at 64% that had a dedicated serious mental illness program. Psychiatric hospitals had the highest availability (80%). Outpatient facilities (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.41, p=0.004) were less likely to offer clozapine, and those with serious mental illness programs (AOR=1.57, p<0.001), those with on-site laboratory testing (AOR=1.69, p<0.001), and those that accepted Medicare (AOR=1.92, p<0.001) were more likely to offer it.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Limited facility-wide clozapine availability in many settings underscores the depth of its underutilization. Closing gaps in clozapine access will require targeted policy, quality improvement, and educational initiatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":520759,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)","volume":" ","pages":"appips20250098"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145194355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Matthew Siegel, Nichole Goldfeder, Patrick Romani, Martine Lamy
{"title":"Raising the Bar: Growth of Specialized Hospital Psychiatric Units for Youths With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.","authors":"Matthew Siegel, Nichole Goldfeder, Patrick Romani, Martine Lamy","doi":"10.1176/appi.ps.20240623","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.20240623","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Co-occurring psychiatric conditions and externalizing behaviors are prevalent among youths with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs). For youths with NDDs and serious emotional and behavioral challenges, specialized inpatient psychiatric units are a critical part of the care continuum. Since 2011, the number of these units, their geographic distribution, and the diversity of their host institutions have expanded, and a coalescence has formed around a care model. This study aimed to examine these specialized units and describe their key features.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A 41-item survey was developed and distributed in 2023 to organizations that have an inpatient psychiatric unit dedicated to youths with NDDs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty units were identified, with at least one in every major U.S. geographic region; the directors of 13 units responded to the survey. These units served primarily male (70%), non-Hispanic (89%), White (62%) patients ages 13-18 years (57%) with autism spectrum disorder (88%). The average length of stay was 41.3 days (median=34.2 days). The average unit size was 15 beds. Most units were in psychiatric hospitals (62%) and were part of nonprofit organizations (77%). The units deployed multidisciplinary teams, with an average of seven disciplines represented. All units employed psychologists or board-certified behavior analysts.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The number of specialized inpatient psychiatric units for youths with NDDs in the United States has more than doubled since 2011, and the geographic distribution of these units has widened. Nationwide, units use similar treatment models to provide a distinct form of targeted patient care to meet the needs of this growing and unique population.</p>","PeriodicalId":520759,"journal":{"name":"Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.)","volume":" ","pages":"appips20240623"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145194366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}