Programs

Join the Conversation on
Programs
7K people
0 stories
1K posts
About Programs
Explore Our Newsletters
What's New in Programs
All
Stories
Posts
Videos
Latest
Trending
Post

New to MS free virtual program

Quiz: What’s free, informative, supportive, collaborative, and the second Thursday of each month? That’s right, the New to MS: Navigating Your Journey virtual programs. Register to attend, learn, and interact with a healthcare professional and others new to living with MS. Add a comment if you've been diagnosed in the last year or in the process of diagnosis.

www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/Newly-Diagnosed/New-to-MS

1 reaction
Post
See full photo

Substance Use Disorders #SubstanceUseDisorders #Addiction #Depression #Anxiety #AlcoholDependence

I started drinking when I was a kid. My parents would give me sips of their beer when I would tell them I was thirsty and then laugh at how cute I was when I drank it. I loved the attention. I got drunk the first time at 11, after my sister died. I started drinking full time at age 14. I drank almost every day from the age of 19 until I was 40, except when I was pregnant: twice (and boy, did I not like that).

I “tried” to quit drinking a few times it never lasted. Finally, I joined AA. There, I was love bombed and abused much like the dysfunctional family I grew up in. They taught me I had a disease that was incurable and I was morally bankrupt. Any normal human emotion was a selfish symptom of my alcoholic/addict brain. Since, I was morally bankrupt I couldn’t be trusted to manage my own health. I must rely on a “higher power”.

I was encouraged to stop taking my prescribed medication and to stop seeing therapists and was being steered towards a certain religion. Further disempowering me, and making me dependent on the program, was the belief that I would have to remain dependent on this
“higher power” and be a life time member or I would die.

So to put it simply I had a scientific “disease” that science could not cure, I was too morally deficient to think for myself and AA knew what was best for me. I stayed for 6 months, before I had a falling out with a member when my dad died. The lack of empathy for my situation was appalling.

We had one member who was the leader rather than someone who shared that role with everyone the way the meetings are traditionally conducted. She verbally attacked me, stalked me, harassed me, started a smear campaign and threatened physical harm. Even my sponsor was harmful, she joined right in and so did her husband. I almost got a restraining order, instead I didn’t leave my house for almost a year. Even after, I rarely go out alone.

That experience caused me to finally quit, not because the “program” worked, but in spite of it. I never wanted to be involved with people like that again, nor did I ever want that life again.

So, those outside of the 12 step programs don’t know, and believe they’re great programs. Let’s be honest, that’s what you’ve been taught to believe, and until recently there has been no other choice. For those in the programs, you are desperately seeking love, acceptance, approval, and relief of your addictions (self medicating, that’s what it truly is). You have been taken advantage of, I hope you realize that, and get some real help someday. And for those who left, I’m proud of you, for finding that inner strength that was repressed in you; thinking for yourself, so you will never fall victim again to exploitation and empowering yourself to truly heal.

I’m 6 years alcohol free, and nearly 2 years tobacco free. No higher power did that. Thoughts and prayers didn’t do that. I did that. I can have all the alcohol and tobacco I want, I simply don’t want it. I have healthier choices and better ways to love my self.

I know a lot of people reading this, will experience cognitive dissonance.

16 reactions 10 comments
Post
See full photo

What’s been your experience with copay programs?

Many people don’t know that manufacturers have copay programs. Some can’t afford the out of pocket expenses despite having commercial insurance. Some don’t have commercial insurance. I thought your comments could be helpful to someone who might need it. #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain

2 reactions
Post

I'm new here!

Hi, my name is Emily Hornsby. I am the mindfulness curriculum coordinator for the University of Alabama School of HEalth Professions in Birmingham, Alabama and the programs it offers such as the National Center for HEalth, PHysical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) and MENTOR (mindfulness, exercise, and nutrition to optimize resilience). I teach mindfulness and mindfulness meditation to those with a mobility disabilty such as MS, TBI, Parkinson's, cerebral palsy, stroke, etc. I have fibromyalgia and sjogren's syndrome. I am interested in learning how mindfulness and meditation have helped those individuals with an illness or injury.

#MightyTogether #Fibromyalgia

4 reactions 3 comments
Post
See full photo

Resource Share Tuesday: Diabetes Educators

I've been working with my diabetes educator for over two years. She's been very instrumental in my disordered eating recovery. She's helped me with creating balanced meal ideas, worked with me in finding ways in managing my stress and has helped me understand my condition. If it wasn't for my diabetes educator, I'm honestly not sure if I would still be here. I came to her at a point where my overall health was declining. Her guidance saved my life.

Diabetes educators can be an invaluable resource for diabetics. Educate, support, and give personalized advice to diabetics. Diabetes educators can help you manage your diabetes better, reduce your chances of complications, and improve your overall health.

You can locate a diabetes educator through several avenues, including:

Medical Professional: Consult your primary care physician for a referral. Many hospitals have diabetes clinics staffed by diabetes educators.

Diabetes Association: Reach out to your local diabetes association or the American Diabetes Association (ADA). You can usually find a diabetes educator directory there. (https://professional.diabetes.org/erp_list_zip?utm_source=Offline&utm_medium=Print&utm_content=findaprogram&utm_campaign=PRO&s_src=vanity&s_subsrc=findaprogram)

Online Resources: Many websites offer directories of diabetes educators. The Certified Board of Diabetes Care Educators (CBDES) has a comprehensive directory that allows you to search by location and last name. (https://www.cbdce.org/locate)

Insurance Coverage: Check your health insurance coverage for diabetes education programs or diabetes educators covered under your plan. Your insurance provider may have a list of in-network providers.

Referrals: Ask friends, family, and members of your diabetes support group for recommendations. They may know of experienced diabetes educators they have personally worked with.

Are you currently working with a diabetes educator?

Do you have any recommendations?

Share in the comments!

#Diabetes #DiabetesType1 #DiabetesType2 #lada #mody #ChronicIllness #MightyTogether

2 reactions
Post

Mental Health at work: Is it really ok, to not be ok?

It’s a phrase I am sure we have all heard, ‘it’s ok to not be ok’. And as someone who advocates for mental health and who has a bipolar diagnosis, I am the first to admit there are times I have not been ok. But how comfortable are we sharing that in the workplace? And who here has not been ok, but not felt able to voice that at work?

I have been through some real low points in my life on my journey to balanced mental health, I have been in the darkest moments and still wiped the tears, put on concealer and walked into the office like I am ok because I know that taking time off will be seen as weakness and that my manager would judge me for it. So instead I go in pretending that I didn’t cry the whole night, that every breath I took didn’t hurt and that I wasn’t clinging to life by a fingertip. And in the process I have been pushing myself closer to exhaustion and closer to the edge which inevitably once I slip off it is a long climb back up. That may seem extreme but the truth is that I have been honest in the past, I have said ‘actually I am feeling incredibly depressed and anxious and I just need to have a few days to sleep, to walk, to stop the cycle’ and I have been made to feel like a liability and I, despite having low absence, have felt like it has hung over me ever since. In the past it certainly hasn’t been ok to say I am not ok without significant impact on my career. I am lucky to now have grown as a person and in my acceptance of my mental health and its limits, but also to have an employer that makes me feel empowered to be who I am and that has been down to some amazing managers too.

The truth is we ALL have mental health, we can all be honest and say we have good days and we have days where we just aren’t doing so well. For some those bad days might be debilitating, for others they may be able to fake it through and for a lucky few it might just be a bad day and tomorrow will be good again. But although a lot of how someone recovers from those bad days is down to themselves seeking help and support or knowing self care, the reaction and support of employers plays a vital role in their recovery or ability to return to work.

When someone is brave enough to disclose they are not doing ok, in our personal lives we all want to be that person that can support, we all want to be that person who is there for someone in their lowest moments and give them hope to get through the day. I doubt many of us would roll our eyes and think, what a pain! But how many of us can say the same in the workplace?

So we probably all agree that if a friend or loved one was struggling we would want to help. But here is the issue, what would you think if someone said that they were struggling with their mental health to you as a manager? Would you see the strength of someone who is aware of their mental health and able to be honest and open? Or would you see weakness? Something you don’t know how to handle? Maybe even a lame excuse from someone not cut out for the job? Or would you maybe think about the issues their absence causes you? The cost of absence, the inconvenience of rearranging meetings, finding cover or covering workload? The problem is it is not just a case of agreeing or accepting time off, it’s giving that person the reassurance, hope and belief that not only do you care about them as an employee but you want them to know there is no judgement and you support them.

I have experienced both types of managers and no suprise which one I had more respect for and flourished under.

Chasing someone for a return date, telling them how inconvenient it is, giving them the cold shoulder, refusing to invest in their development or being angry or even discussing or threatening performance management is not going to get that employee back to work quicker. Instead you are adding to their anxieties, their feeling of hopelessness and to their despair and they are more likely to have extended absence. Not only that, but you are treading a fine line that I personally see as morally and ethically questionable and certainly unlikely to generate a healthy, happy workforce. Mental illness should not be treated differently to physical illness, and it also should be considered whether or not their mental health condition is a protected characteristic and as such protected by law.

Businesses need to start thinking of mental wellbeing as part of their workplace offer. Training mental health first aiders, having access to assistance programs, training for line managers and having a culture of open conversations about mental health all will help. Where my manger has offered support, talked openly about mental health and given me the respect to manage my condition myself and seek support where needed I have had fewer absences, my work is of a higher quality, I am more engaged and I am happier in my workplace. We all benefit from that! Productivity is higher, engagement is higher, career development is more sustained and progressive and objectives are met.

So maybe we should ve asking ‘is it ok not to be ok in my workplace?’ and if the honest answer is no maybe its time to address that. Maybe the conversation shouldnt stop at ‘its ok not to be ok’ perhaps it should be followed by ‘what do you need? how can I help?’.

As mangers we are part of the answer to that question and as human beings we have a responsibility to our fellow humans to make a world that is kinder.

#MentalHealth #Work #Workplace #Anxiety #Bipolar #Bipolar2 #BipolarDepression #Depression #MoodDisorders #mentalwellbeing

8 reactions 5 comments
Post

Let Breathing be your Anchor

I held my breath through life, convinced that breathing would suffocate me. As I sit here, penning these words to all of you, I relive the torment of my mental illness – the excruciating, earth-shattering pain. A pain so relentless, seizing my voice and constricted my breath. I could not summon the words, “PLEASE HELP ME,” yet my eyes pleaded with those closest to me, urging them to delve deeper, the notice the unraveling within.

I was falling. The lifeline I clung to for so long frayed, panic setting in as depression threatened to consume me entirely. It felt like facing razor-sharp edges while searching for the hands that once anchored me. I WAS LOSING! It remained a relentless abyss, time slipping away. Despite it all, I fought on, seeking an escape even if it meant bidding farewell to those dearests to my heart.

Amidst the darkness, a distant voice echoed softly, “you are okay, just breathe.” A voice unfamiliar yet soothing. Yet, within that solace, a profound sadness engulfed me, my heart weighed down by an unbearable ache. I struggled to endure. It was my depression, my anxiety that pushed me to the brink of madness, but I whispered, “no more.”

The storm clouds loomed, and I clung to life, hope, and solace. Seeking peace in the depths of a blade and the emptiness of pill bottles meant to bring normalcy. But salvation wasn’t solely in medications or hidden blades; it resided in the smiles of fellow strugglers clinging to life. It was in the souls that clasped my hand when I teetered on the edge. It was in unconditional love, genuine hugs, and guardians warding off my demons. Voices of fellow survivors, continuing despite their own battles.

In that moment, I roared, “NO MORE.” No more pain, no more agony. No more abyss, waiting for my last breath. I screamed “BREATHE,” the same word once heard from that familiar voice, only to realize it was my own. My depression began to loosen its grip, though it lingered, awaiting my return. To claim I no longer fear the plummet would be false. Yet, this time, I hold fast to those hands that lifted me before.

When fear looms, I whisper “breathe” once more.

I won’t claim that I no longer struggle because I do. The path to recovery is arduous but feasible. The crucial lesson from therapy and residential programs: “it is okay to not be okay.” If that means simply breathing through your days, that is enough. Seeking help is permissible; you need not traverse this path alone, for there are others willing to walk beside you, holding your hand.

17 reactions 7 comments
Post

Famously in Recovery (At time of writing)

Part 1 of 2 Celebrities are humans too. I mean… some of them. But there are others who have earned their spot at the top because of what they’ve been through and how they are helping countless others with their stories of real life struggles. I know we like to put celebrities on a pedestal because they have something we wish we had in our own lives. But this list is true to that and a genuine and authentic way. I have found inspiration from each of there stories about addiction. Lots of tools in my bag after hearing them speak about their struggles and triumphs.

I have put together this list of celebrities who used to live in excess and how they who are now using their life and stories to help others attain a life in recovery. Through their ups and down, wins and losses, there is a common thread; you can fight those addictions and come out the other end alive and successful. It’s one thing to be depicted in fiction, and a whole ‘nother to be able to see it happen in real life.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR

Coming from 80’s Hollywood, Robert Downey Jr’s addiction and legal battles were well publicized. He was losing his career one more bad choice by choice. He felt he was hitting his bottom and decided to do something about it. Now living in recovery, he is one of the most successful and paid celebrities in Hollywood. It doesn’t hurt that he headlines one of the most famous franchises out there, Iron Man. He talks about his struggles as a caution to others.

DEMI LOVATO

On the more recent end of the Hollywood timeline, Demi has struggled through most of their life with addiction, eating disorders, and mental health. They have been extremely outspoken about the highs and lows of their life in an effort to help others who may be struggling the same. They seem to be one of the more accessible people’s story in Hollywood because of their age and also how open they are.

DREW BARRYMORE

Another celebrity product of the child celebrities, Drew Barrymore also has a well documented life in addiction. She first went to rehab at 13. Once she was older and realized how far off she drifted she decided to get clean and live life as an example to others that it is possible to live drug free. She is now one of the top paid female talk show hosts out there.

DANNY TREJO

Out of all the people on this list, Danny Trejo has to most clean time of any other celebrity. His story is full of drug use, incarceration, and wins. Danny has been sober for over 50 years. He has used his recovery as a tool to get as far as he has in Hollywood. His range has been everything from Star Wars to Machete. He uses his experience in recovery to be an advocate of drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs.

BEN AFFLECK

Ben Affleck is the child of an alcoholic so his examples of life were marred by that, much like all of us. He uses his attempt at moderation drinking and additional fall as part of his cautionary tale that it just doesn’t work that way for addicts.He credits his children as his main focus for being in recovery.

EWAN MCGREGOR

Not just did he play a drug addict in his breakout role, Trainspotting, Ewan McGregor struggled with addiction in real life as well. One of the most adaptable actor out there, Ewan credits his recovery to his family and friends. He uses his story to reach others.

JAMIE LEE CURTIS

Hailing from Hollywood royalty, and a queen in her own right, Jamie Lee Curtis wasn’t immune to a life in addiction. She has been in so many different pieces of art that it’s hard to pin her down to just one medium or one role. In full transparency and truth Jamie says her recovery come above all else, including her family, career, and failures. An example of how without or recovery, we have nothing else.

BELLA HADID

Gracing the cover of 35 Vogue issues, Bell Hadid was thrust into the spotlight by her famous family ties. As a supermodel that came with many substances. She also lives with mental health issues on top of it. She made the decision to go clean because it was having an obvious impact on her career, and she cherishes that role. She is now outspoken about those issues so that others can know there is hope for them too.

BRADLEY COOPER

Not only has Bradley Cooper portrayed multiple people who serious addiction issues, he also suffered from them im real life. Bradley hasn’t always been as open as others on this list, but when he does get candid, he uses those moments to advocate for living a life in recovery. He now as over 15 years under his belt.

LINDSAY LOHAN

Probably the most infamous celebrity on this list that has to do with addiction issues is Lindsay Lohan. Her life has been splashed across every tv screen and publication there is. Her substance use landed her in hot water multipl

1 reaction
Post

PDABs: Patients Caught in the Middle

It’s no secret that U.S. citizens are paying some of the highest healthcare costs in the world. Multiple states and the federal government have recently passed legislation that attempts to curb healthcare costs. Colorado is furthest along in the process and very few patients are engaging with the process. Most of the blame has been focused on the pharmaceutical industry’s role, and in response, Colorado has a list of over 335 medications they are reviewing for affordability. Unfortunately, while the reviews seek to reign in out of control pharmaceutical costs, it isn’t clear if the results benefit Colorado patients or other Big Health entities like Pharmaceutical Benefit Managers.

The first 5 medications are in mid-review, with serious questions being raised about the process and its effectiveness. The medications do have a list price in the thousands, but the majority of these have little to no out of pocket costs for the patient. Enbrel costs between $0 and $50 for patients using the manufacturer assistance program. According to analysis done by IQVIA, “The prevalence of this approach is so great that today 95% of branded products offer copay assistance, and approximately 75% of patient cost sharing in the commercial channel, where copay programs are allowed, is now offset by manufacturers.”

Manufacturer rebates are the biggest tool used to offset prescription costs for the consumer, but they aren’t available to everyone. Medicaid, Medicare, and government plans like Tricare are blocked on the federal level by the Anti-Kickback Statute. [42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(b)]. This means our most vulnerable, disabled, elderly, and low income, are left to fend for themselves when it comes to many life-saving medications. Prescription Drug Affordability Boards won’t change this by capping cost. Even if the Board caps Enbrel at half its price, it will still cost over $1,000 and that’s hardly affordable for most people. There’s also no guarantee that these programs would cover Enbrel should the price be capped.

So who is benefiting from PDABs and potential price caps? This question has no transparent answer. Patients don’t have any official representation on the Board or Advisory Council, and stakeholder opportunities are sparse. With potentially life-threatening impacts and no representation, Colorado patients are concerned decisions are being made that could take working medications away.

Losing a working therapy could be the difference between being able to work or not, and can even cause death. Losing access to Novoeight could have devastating consequences for a hemophiliac . Enbrel, Stelara, and Consentyx treat one of the most debilitating disease sets known keeping many, like myself, working and off government assistance. Making sure a holistic approach to drug reviews is utilized should be the Board’s top priority so we can avoid latent problems in the future. Patient representation is critical for that to happen.

We thank states like Colorado for taking a leadership role in healthcare affordability, but urge caution, inclusion, and a comprehensive process when determining affordability. Making sure the process is accessible, doesn’t cause lapses in patient care, and looks at all barriers, including costs, will benefit all patients. Blindly price setting without consideration for those things could spell death for many relying on the availability of their specialty medicine.

Post

Why we Should Care

Part 1 of 2 As my dad always tells me, Mental health is Physical health.

When I was younger, I never really understood this, because life was so simple back then. You wake up, go to school, play video games with friends, homework (if you really had to) and have the most stress-free time of your life. Then, college and college level sports happened and now I fully understand. College is a very fast paced environment and participating in a sport adds to that pace. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of daily life, often neglecting the most crucial aspect of our well-being, mental health. As we navigate the challenges of the college life, it’s essential to recognize the significance of mental health and prioritize it just as we do our physical health, because after all, mental health impacts our physical health significantly. This blog post aims to advocate for the importance of prioritizing mental well-being in collegiate athletics, breaking down stigmas, and fostering an environment that supports the holistic development of student-athletes.

College-athletes face a unique set of challenges, balancing the demands of rigorous academic coursework with the pressures of intense training and competition schedules. Aiming to excel in both academics and athletics can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout that many have a severe impact in performance in both the classroom and on the field. It’s crucial to recognize and address these challenges to ensure the well-being of college-athletes. I interviewed one of my friends and teammate, who opted to remain anonymous, on what his biggest struggles were and what it had done to his mental health. He said “having to manage my school work while traveling for tournaments is very stressful, because my professors don’t usually give me an extension and the material is hard for me. I have broken down so many times and just didn’t know what to do. It affected how performed the next day, because all I could think about was my homework due that night.” Having no one to talk to can make it worse because all your stress and anxiety will build up.

One major issue that I would like to shed light on is that in the competitive world of collegiate sports, there is often a culture of silence surrounding mental health struggles. Student-athletes fear that acknowledging their mental health challenges could be perceived as a sign of weakness, particularly in male athletes. They feel that showing their weakness is a sign of inferiority, therefore hiding it from everyone, even their closest friends. Having this built up stress and anxiety due to the athlete not talking to anyone can take a toll on their physical well-being. They may develop eating disorders, loss of appetite, severe weight gain or loss and many other consequences. Therefore, it is important to create an environment where college-athletes will feel safe in talking about their mental health and feel that it is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength in seeking support.

Creating this safe environment starts with the athletic programs. Integrating mental health resources and support services into these programs is extremely crucial. This can include access to mental health professionals, workshops on stress management, and initiatives that promote a healthy work-life balance. Coaches and staff should also be trained to recognize signs of mental health issues and provide the necessary support. In addition, fostering a culture and environment that prioritizes mental health is as important. Teammates, coaches, and athletic staff all play vital roles in creating a supportive environment for the team and each other. Encouraging open communication, practicing empathy, and normalizing discussions around mental health can help create a culture where student-athletes feel comfortable seeking help when needed.

Maintaining a healthy mental well-being is also on the students just as much as it is on the programs. While the pursuit of athletic excellence is a goal for every student-athlete, it’s crucial to balance performance goals with the overall well-being of yourself. Understanding the importance of rest, plenty of recovery time, and self-care in addition to training can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable athletic experience. Taking the time off to focus on yourself is never a bad thing, but a step forward in your mental well-being.

Collegiate athletics should not only be about achieving success on the field but also about advocating the development of student-athletes. By prioritizing mental health, breaking down stigmas, and creating a safe environment and culture of support, student-athletes will thrive both in their sports and in their personal lives. It’s time to recognize that the mind has an effect on the body and matter just as much in world