pricilagran, Author at Lindner Center of HOPE

Talented Staff Members Grow in Leadership Roles.

MASON, Ohio – Lindner Center of HOPE, a leading provider of mental health care, is pleased to announce the promotions of the following individuals who are poised to continue to lead the organization into the future:

Lindsey Collins Conover, PhD, has been promoted to medical staff and is serving as an Outpatient and Residential Psychologist.

Tracy Suzanne Cummings, MD has been promoted to the newly created role of Associate Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Excellence.

Rebecca Dickerscheid, MSW, LISW-S, has been promoted to the Co-Director of Residential Services.

Jennifer Farley, PsyD, has been promoted to Associate Chief of Psychological Services.

William Jason Thompson, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, has been promoted to Clinical Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).

Sidney Hays, MSW, LSW, DARTT, has been promoted to a medical staff position as an outpatient therapist.

Nicole Jederlinic, DO, staff psychiatrist, has been promoted to Medical Director for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center unit at Lindner Center of HOPE.

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Christine Collins, MD, Lindner Center of Hope

By: Christine Collins, MD, Lindner Center of HOPE Addiction Psychiatrist

Legalization of cannabis is rapidly expanding across the world. To date, 17 states (and DC) in the US have legalized marijuana for all uses, and another 19 states have legalized it for medical purposes only. The media tends to portray cannabis and its constituents, as safe, natural items that have potential to provide benefit. As medical marijuana dispensaries and CBD stores seem to be popping up all over, it is important for us to recognize the impact of cannabis on mental health and how it may affect vulnerable populations, such as young people. Clinicians and patients alike should be aware of the current state of scientific evidence and possible risks posed by cannabis use.

Cannabis is a complex plant composed of hundreds of compounds including THC (9delta-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component) and CBD (cannabidiol, purported to offer many health benefits). There are currently several medications approved by the FDA that are cannabis-related: dronabinol and nabilone (synthetic THC containing meds used for chemotherapy-related nausea and for appetite/weight gain in HIV patients), and recently-approved Epidolex (cannabis derived which contains CBD used for the treatment of rare childhood seizure disorders, Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome). These were extensively studied and underwent the typical FDA process for approval as effective and safe medications for these purposes. Other uses of cannabis are largely unregulated.

Using “medical” marijuana varies by state and is a much different process from taking an FDA approved medication which has been rigorously studied. Since it is designated DEA schedule I by the federal government, large scale studies on cannabis have been limited in the US. The current scientific evidence on cannabis remains mostly observational data and animal studies, rather than the gold-standard randomized controlled trials in humans. There is an ongoing need for well-designed research in this area to better understand the possible therapeutic benefits and safety profile of cannabis and to differentiate the effects of its constituents. Current evidence suggests that cannabis may help chronic pain, nerve pain, and spasticity in certain patients. There is limited and inconsistent evidence that CBD in particular may have benefit in treatment-resistant anxiety, social anxiety, and insomnia. However, other studies show that whole-plant cannabis worsens existing anxiety and mood. Notably, there IS consistent evidence that cannabis increases the risk for developing a psychotic disorder in vulnerable individuals and exacerbates psychotic symptoms. Cannabis use in anyone with a history of an addictive disorder may trigger another cross addiction or contribute to someone falling back to an old addiction.

Safety considerations must be taken into account regarding cannabis. Today’s whole-plant cannabis is generally more potent (higher levels of THC) than it was historically. How it is consumed also plays an important role—vaping allows for a higher percentage of THC to be absorbed quicker and therefore may be more likely to trigger adverse mental health reactions such as anxiety and paranoia. Edibles can cause problems for users who expect a quicker onset of action leading to higher levels of consumption to achieve a desired effect. Interactions with other medications do occur. For instance, certain psychiatric meds may alter the breakdown and elimination of THC and CBD, and vice versa.

What may be the area of greatest concern is the impact of increasing cannabis acceptance and legalization on young people. A recent study demonstrated that earlier use of all substances including cannabis was associated with increased risk for developing a substance use disorder later in life. Cannabis use has been shown to have adverse effects on IQ and executive functioning. Moreover, younger onset of marijuana use is associated with lower overall neurocognitive functioning. Youth who engage in marijuana use, also report taking part in other risky behaviors such as using other substances like nicotine and alcohol, and driving after marijuana use. As such, there is grave concern that cannabis use in this age group could lead to significant problems.

While ongoing high-quality research is needed in this area, current available evidence does NOT show consistent benefit for cannabis (including CBD products) on mental health symptoms and it may instead exacerbate symptoms. Patients should be encouraged to use caution and to have open conversations with their mental health and medical providers about cannabis use in order to understand how this may impact their mental health. Clinicians should be aware of the risks of cannabis use particularly for adolescents and should help prevent use in this specific population.

Sources:

Dharmapuri, S, Miller, K, & Klein, JD. Marijuana and the pediatric population. Pediatrics. 2020; 146(2)279-289

Hill, K. Medical marijuana for treatment of chronic pain and other medical and psychiatric problems, a clinical review. JAMA. 2015; 313(24) 2474-2482

Levinsohn, E & Hill, K. Clinical uses of cannabis and cannabinoids in the United States. Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2020; 116717

Whiting et al. Cannabinoids for medical use: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2015; 313(24) 2456-2473

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Jennifer L. Farley, PsyD
Lindner Center of HOPE, Associate Chief of Psychological Services

Congratulations! Your child graduated from high school! And now… what?

Many are busy selecting their fall semester college courses and buying necessities for their dorm room. Others have chosen to delay college and work instead, using time to consider their future. Some opted to focus on a career trade and are doing apprenticeship work. No matter their course, these newly-minted adults can now do 3 main things in America: vote, go to jail for their own actions, and enter into contracts on their own accord. Yet, there are some contracts for which 18-year-olds are too young, and many lack the financial independence many contracts require. Bottom line: young adults still need support. But things are different, they’re high school graduates now. And most still live at home, at least for a little while.

The length of time it takes for one’s emancipation from home is entirely dependent on the path they’ve chosen and their success with it. For college students, the biggest first leap is when they move into their college dorm. It’s their first space outside of home to call their own. Yet, the college dorm is still a contained bubble, where rules still dictate what’s expected and complete freedom is not given. Even dorms typically shut down during extended or holiday breaks. Freshman year represents the first of a graduated series of “bubble” expansions, when by their 3^rd or 4^th year, students have learned how to cook some of their own meals (instead of relying on cafeteria meal plans), they have to navigate roommate tensions without the aid of a dorm resident advisor, and they’ve (hopefully) learned to be self-disciplined and self-accountable. Most college students aren’t fully emancipated from their parents until they function completely independently on their own – when they get a job and make enough money to support themselves. That stage doesn’t mean “without support” of parents, it’s just that the adult child no longer requires parents’ resources to live on their own. For any young adult, this takes time: time to get a job, time invested in working, and time spent saving money.

Even among the healthiest of families, any young adult’s process of emancipating from home comes with tension. This is par for the course… it’s how young adults develop self-confidence and gumption. Without “tests” involving interactions with family, without the development of gumption, young adults risk a poor transition into their independent years. Imagine going away to college, working a full-time job, or moving out feeling insecure about yourself, not being able to trust that you can assert yourself or make good decisions. Without gumption, one may be so comfortable at home that they don’t seek more independence. Gumption fuels self-decision-making and serves as a foundation towards independence. Gumption often brings tension, and tension is experienced before big changes or transitions. The changes involved with emancipation are experienced by young adults and their families, alike.

During the months leading up to one’s emancipation from home, tension is often experienced in waves. Parents, realizing the borrowed time they have with their child, may seek more time to spend together with their child. Other times, parents may engage in more activities without their child to prepare themselves for their child to leave home. Adult children do a similar dance; sometimes they may seek their parents in anticipation of being away from them, while much of the time they want to spend time with friends. You can imagine the conflicts that arise when an adult child wants freedom with friends during a time when parents seek quality time with their child. This is all natural, it’s just a matter of recognizing and understanding it. Time spent together can involve some creativity with lessons in laundry, basic cooking, and how to manage money – while times of tension make it easier for everyone to prepare to say “goodbye” and to face the changes ahead.

No matter the transition ahead, practice the cycle of a “submarine parent” – stay offshore, come up for air sometimes to check in with your young adult child, and retreat back down in the water when you see your child is doing just fine.

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Effective July 1, 2021, Paul R. Crosby, MD, MBA has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of The Frances and Craig Lindner Center of HOPE, the comprehensive mental health center of excellence in Mason, Ohio, which opened in 2008. Dr. Crosby’s full title is President and CEO, with the responsibility of providing leadership and direction for the overall operation of the Center.

Dr. Crosby, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine and summa cum laude graduate of The Ohio State University, was recruited to join the Lindner Center of HOPE medical staff for the Center’s opening in 2008. As a people-first physician leader with expertise in healthcare operations and policy, Dr. Crosby is guided by the values of empathy and excellence. He drives results by combining his clinical experience with sound business principles. He played significant, strategic roles in the growth and development of Lindner Center of HOPE, taking on more responsibility over time and serving in progressively more complex roles: Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical Director of Lindner Center of HOPE Professional Associates, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Clinical Officer, and Chief Operating Officer (COO). In September 2020, Dr. Crosby was appointed President and officially began an organized process to succeed outgoing CEO, Paul E. Keck, MD. Dr. Keck was LCOH’s founding president and CEO and will remain employed at the Center in the new role of Psychiatrist in Chief.

Dr. Crosby’s leadership has brought achievements in clinician recruitment and retention, multiple surveys by regulatory and accrediting bodies, and restructuring of Lindner Center of HOPE’s nationally-renowned residential services resulting in increased referrals, increased census, and increased patient and referrer satisfaction. He led LCOH’s pandemic response including coordination of communications, establishment of safety best practices rapid conversion to telehealth of most outpatient services, and rapid transitioning to working-from-home for many staff. Notably, throughout the pandemic, the Center has not instituted layoffs or furloughs, pay reductions, or capacity reductions. He is a recipient of The Healthcare Leadership Award, Venue and LEAD Magazine, Cincinnati, and a 2021 winner of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Healthcare Hero’s Award in the manager category.

Dr. Crosby is board certified in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has provided care in many of the Center’s service lines, including residential services, inpatient adolescent services, and partial hospital programs. He will continue to provide outpatient psychiatric consultation to children and families referred from around the country.

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The role of the circadian system in obesity and disordered eating

By Nicole Mori Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The circadian system is the body’s endogenous timekeeper, a network of hierarchically-organized structures (“clocks” or “oscillators”) in nucleated cells, which regulates a variety of biological processes (including the cell cycle, metabolism, growth, development and sleep/activity cycles) by generating outputs in a rhythmical manner. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus acts as the “master” pacemaker by generating periodic outputs targeting clocks in peripheral cells. The endogenous SCN period is greater than 24 hours, but it resets every day in response to environmental signals. The main synchronizer for the SCN is the periodical light/dark signal over the course of 24 hours. Additional environmental synchronizers include feeding and social activity. The circadian system enables organisms to adapt to environmental changes and optimize function, playing a central role in the maintenance of health and illness. Research has linked circadian dysregulation to a variety of disorders including cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic abnormalities and obesity in humans and animals.

Recent studies support the role of circadian dysfunction in the development and maintenance of obesity. Circadian misalignment can manifest as metabolic abnormalities, sleep disturbances, delayed sleep phase (evening preference), abnormalities in daily rest/activity rhythms and disordered eating patterns. Both endogenous (e.g., genetic) and exogenous factors are involved in circadian dysfunction. External factors include decreased sleep duration, jet lag, frequent snacking and nighttime eating and exposure to bright light. Epidemiological data show shift work is an independent risk factor for obesity and increased metabolic risk. Decreased sleep duration is associated with increased risk for obesity and metabolic disease. Among children, sleep loss is associated with the development of obesity and is a predictor of lifelong obesity. The increasing prevalence of obesity in recent decades has coincided with trends such as shortened sleep duration, light pollution, increased nighttime exposure to bright light and increasing shift work.

Sleep pattern changes affect appetite and eating behaviors and vice versa. Sleep restriction has been associated with changes in circadian hormonal patterns, which result in increased appetite, hunger and food choices such as increased preference for sweets. In turn, alterations in eating patterns have a dysregulating effect on the circadian system. For instance, overeating has been associated with decreased sleep duration, high dietary fat and carbohydrate intake with decreased short wave sleep and high increased nighttime arousal respectively.

The timing of food consumption plays an important role in metabolism and body weight. Nighttime eating leads to increased insulin resistance and worsened glucose tolerance and lipid levels than meals consumed during the daytime. Among bariatric patients, eating late in the day has been associated with less post-operative weight loss. In addition, irregular eating patterns are associated with abnormal weight gain, increased binge eating and greater eating disorder severity. Conversely, appropriate timing of eating and regularization of meal times appear to have a beneficial effect. Animal studies show that time restricted feeding (limiting feedings to a timeframe appropriate to the species’ diurnal/nocturnal pattern) is associated with decreased obesity. Among humans, an app study showed an association between time-restricted feeding and sustained weight loss.

As we have seen, the regulation of metabolism and body weight appear to depend on the optimal function of the circadian system, which requires appropriately timed exposure to synchronizing stimuli. Interventional studies suggest that manipulation of synchronizers may be beneficial in treating disordered eating behaviors, metabolic abnormalities and obesity. Potential interventions for circadian dysfunction would optimize the timing of synchronizers (such as bright light therapy, timing of food intake and time-restricting feeding), regularize rest/activity circadian rhythms (by increasing regular exercise, maintain a consistent waking up schedule), or the administration of medications according to circadian phase. The treatment of circadian dysfunction promises improved outcomes in the prevention and treatment of obesity, but further research is needed. New technologies and methods will enable a thorough characterization of circadian function is obesity and eating disorders and determine whether the circadian system is a potential target for chronotherapeutic interventions.

The Lindner Center of HOPE is conducting a comprehensive study of circadian function in adults with obesity with and without binge eating disorder. For more information, contact Brian or George at (513) 536-0707 or visit http://www.lcoh.info

Bibliography

Broussard, J. L., & Van Cauter, E. (2016). Disturbances of sleep and circadian rhythms: novel risk factors for obesity. Current opinion in endocrinology, diabetes, and obesity, 23(5), 353-359.

Garaulet, M., Gómez-Abellán, P., Alburquerque-Béjar, J. J., Lee, Y. C., Ordovás, J. M., & Scheer, F. A. (2013). Timing of food intake predicts weight loss effectiveness. International journal of obesity, 37(4),
604-611.

self-esteem and self-worth in our youth will bring about numerous long-lasting, positive changes that Cupid’s arrow could only dream of creating.

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Lindner Center of HOPE Chief Research Officer member of team that identifies 64 regions of the genome that increase risk for bipolar disorder

Mason, OH, April 22, 2021 – Chief Research Officer of The Research Institute at Lindner Center of HOPE, Susan McElroy, MD, was part of a research team in the largest genetic study of bipolar disorder to date. In his genetic study researchers have identified 64 regions of the genome containing DNA variations that increase risk of bipolar disorder—more than double the number previously identified.

The research team also found overlap in the genetic bases of bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, the study supports a role of sleep habits, alcohol, and substance usage in the development of bipolar disorder, although further research is needed to confirm these findings. The study results were published May 17 in Nature Genetics (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00857-4). Read the full press release at https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-05-regions-genome-bipolar-disorder.html .

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A UC, Lindner Center of HOPE study investigates the role of the circadian clock in obesity and eating behavior

The clocks on our walls, on the lock screens of our phones and attached to our wrists drive most actions in our lives. Time determines when we have to go to bed or wake up in the morning, when we need to be in class or at work and even when we feel the need to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.

We also have inner, cellular clocks in most tissues of our body that are coordinated by a master circadian clock in the brain. These clocks form our circadian system that triggers some of these needs and responses, like getting tired and feeling hunger.

Now, researchers at the University of Cincinnati and the Lindner Center of HOPE are hosting a unique clinical trial to see if readjusting the circadian system of people with binge eating behavior can help in understanding more about why this occurs and develop new treatment options in the future. Scientists are using tabletop lamps and melatonin supplements to test their theory.

Binge eating behavior is a form of disordered eating characterized by excessive food consumption with a loss of control, causing a person to overeat in a relatively short period of time.

The associated Binge Eating Disorder, or BED, is characterized by recurrent episodes, without the compensatory behaviors observed in bulimia nervosa, meaning purging afterward. BED is the most prevalent eating disorder worldwide and affects an estimated 2.8 million people in the United States. It is frequently observed in individuals with obesity and those with other psychiatric diagnoses, like mood and anxiety disorders. Many are unaware that they have BED, and it remains undiagnosed. Additionally, treatment options are very limited.

Francisco Romo-Nava, MD, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at UC, associate chief research officer for the Research Institute at the Lindner Center of HOPE and a UC Health physician scientist, says little is known about how the circadian system in these patients impacts their eating patterns.

“The circadian system makes it possible for our body to adapt to day and night periods, which has profound effects on physiology and behavior beyond regulation of sleep and wake cycles,” he says. “The most powerful signals that synchronize our circadian system are the presence of daylight and the production of melatonin at night, which is the chemical signal of darkness.

“The circadian system is different for each person. For example, some people work better during the day while others do so at night. Some people skip breakfast, while others eat a large meal to start the day. Recent studies suggest that the circadian system may be involved in regulating our food choices, the time at which we eat and how much we eat. However, the involvement of the circadian system in disordered eating behavior, such as binge eating behavior, is not well understood.”

Romo-Nava says preliminary research has shown that those with binge eating disorder may have circadian system abnormalities, and that by targeting this system in the body, new interventions and treatments may be available for patients.

In this study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and housed at UC’s Lindner Center of HOPE, researchers will compare the circadian system function in 80 adults with obesity, 40 with binge eating disorder and 40 without, for two weeks. Participants will complete a sleep and eating behavior diary and wear a device — a watch — that measures activity patterns.

Their circadian phases will be assessed by determining surges in melatonin concentrations at the specific point in time when their brains and bodies shift into “night mode.”

Romo-Nava says, traditionally, studies such as this involved costly and inconvenient in-hospital or sleep lab assessments of melatonin concentrations in saliva samples under dim lights, mimicking dusk, to detect the time of the surge in melatonin production at night.

However, in this study, researchers are using a new approach, where participants can collect the saliva samples easily at home in a dimly lit room.

Finally, researchers will test whether or not they can resynchronize study participants’ circadian system over the course of a month by combining morning light, mimicked by tabletop lamps, and the administration of a fixed dose of melatonin or placebo at night. The melatonin is given at times that are individualized according to each participants’ circadian phase. This phase of the study will only be conducted on individuals who have been diagnosed with binge eating disorder.

“We want to evaluate if this method can be an individualized way to study the circadian system in this condition,” Romo-Nava says. “But ultimately, we want to advance our understanding of the role of the circadian system in binge eating disorder, and this study will provide valuable insight on its potential as a new therapeutic target. We’re excited about how this could positively impact patients with binge eating disorder in the future.”

More about the study

Participants without binge eating will be paid up to $215 for completing four study visits that involve assessments and laboratory studies. Participants with BED will be paid up to $440 for completing study procedures, which also include an intervention study phase and a total of eight study visits. Payments will be made at the end of each study visit with a prepaid debit card. For more information, contact Brian or George at (513) 536-0707 or fill out a prescreening questionnaire.

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Francisco Romo-Nava, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Chief Research Officer, Research Institute at Lindner Center of HOPE, has been distinguished as a 2021 International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) Best Poster Awardee, for his poster Revisiting the Bipolar Disorder with Migraine phenotype: Clinical Features and Comorbidity. His poster is the effort of the team at The Research Institute. The program committee reviewed almost 200 posters, and Dr. Romo-Nava’s was rated among the highest. The best poster awardees will be recognized with a ribbon on the poster image in the poster gallery, listed in the General Conference Information and will also be acknowledged in the email that will be sent out to all registered attendees to launch the poster session each day.

This is the ISBD’s 23^rd annual conference. It is a global conference taking place via interactive platform May 13-15, 2021.

Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason is a comprehensive mental health center providing excellent, patient-centered, scientifically-advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization and partial hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, outpatient services for all ages, diagnostic services for all ages and short-term residential services for adults, and research. The Center is enhanced by its partnership with UC Health as its clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Together Lindner Center of HOPE and UC Health offer a true system of mental health care in the Greater Cincinnati area and across the country. The Center is also affiliated with the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.

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Lindner Center of HOPE has a Professional Development Staff Reward Program to recognize those employees (within patient care units, the Access and Referral Center, Partial Hospitalization Program and/or Neuromodulation Center) who exhibit performance and behaviors that meet and exceed criteria established for staff development. Criteria for the acknowledgement falls within the four categories of: customer service, professional development, creativity and innovation, and teamwork. Points are awarded for criteria met within each of the categories. Based on the number of points accumulated by an employee, there are four tiers for designation. Tier IV is the highest level of designation. Rewards are given based on tier designation.

Recently, Brittany Heuer-MHS and Alexis Pitzer-MHS received Tier IV designation.

Congratulations to Brittany and Alexis on their achievement.

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May 6, 2021, Mason, OH – Lindner Center of HOPE is proud to announce that it is a founding member and official provider of Hall of Fame Behavioral Health. The Pro Football Hall of Fame today announced the formation of Hall of Fame Behavioral Health, a program created to find comprehensive solutions through a network of mental and behavioral health services designed specifically for current and former athletes and their families.

With the support of numerous ambassadors – among them Pro Football Hall of Fame President & CEO David Baker; Hall of Famers RONNIE LOTT, BRIAN DAWKINS, STEVE ATWATER, ANDRE REED and TIM BROWN; current players Adrian Peterson and Calais Campbell; and other former NFL players and health care advocates – Hall of Fame Behavioral Health was founded with a simple yet challenging mission: to make mental health and the treatment of issues surrounding athletes and those who care for them destigmatized, accessible and widespread.

“We have to end the stigma surrounding mental health, and that includes athletes,” Dawkins said. “It’s OK to ask for help and to reach out if you are having issues. It’s OK not to be OK. But it’s not OK to stay that way – because our silence is killing us and damaging our families.”

Hall of Fame Behavioral Health will offer an easy-to-use concierge call center and crisis line to match treatment and counseling services with a vetted and accredited premier network of service providers across the country. These providers are trained to deal with such issues as post-career transition, identity, addiction, performance anxiety, mindfulness and the culture of sports. They understand athletes and can customize care to meet their needs. Services will complement existing programs and assistance available to players through the National Football League and its affiliated partners.

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame has always been about protecting the most important part of the game of football: the players,” Baker said. “With Hall of Fame Behavioral Health, our mission is to make mental and behavioral health services that meet the Hall of Fame’s standards of excellence easily accessible and available not only to Hall of Famers but to every player of this game, the people who support them and the kids dreaming about one day playing in the League. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is committed to ending the stigma that surrounds asking for help and protecting our family of athletes for generations to come.”

Wes Cain, President and CEO of Hall of Fame Behavioral Health, understands the importance of reaching those who feel reluctant to take the first steps in getting help. “Whether it’s affordability, access or simply saying the words ‘I need help’ to a trusted friend, current and retired athletes have faced an uphill battle in seeking and receiving mental health services. Our goal is to let everyone know that if you are a first-ballot Hall of Famer or a practice squad player, we hear you and we are here to support you. No one should be left behind on their journey to live a healthy life.”

Hall of Fame Behavioral Health is the newest health care-related initiative affiliated with the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In early 2020, the Hall announced its official entry into health services with the creation of Hall of Fame Health. Over the past year, Hall of Fame Health has developed several ways for former players and their families to obtain a full range of medical care. Offerings include: a provider network with concierge access at more than a dozen (and growing) top health systems in the country; a medical advisory board comprised of world-class physicians and clinicians; and a partner benefits administrator to assist with gaining access to top insurance offerings.

“Hall of Fame Behavioral Health is the latest development in this growing initiative, and it might be the one addressing the greatest need,” said Jeremy Hogue, CEO of Hall of Fame Health.

Hall of Fame Behavioral Health has partnered with these Centers of Excellence across the country:

Ashley Addiction Treatment (Baltimore, Md.)
Aultman Health Foundation (Canton, Ohio)
Baylor Scott & White Health (Dallas)
Emory Healthcare (Atlanta)
Lindner Center of HOPE (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Nashville Recovery Center (Nashville)
New Method Wellness (Southern California)
Sabino Recovery (Tucson, Ariz.)
The Becoming Counseling & Wellness (National)
The Menninger Clinic (Houston)
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences (San Francisco)
Vanderbilt Health (Nashville)

Additional Centers of Excellence, player ambassadors and strategic partners are expected to join the Hall of Fame Behavioral Health network in coming months.

For those needing financial assistance, Hall of Fame Behavioral Health has partnered with the HART Foundation to provide grants and funding to ensure those who need help can receive it – no matter their economic situation.

“We are a forever brotherhood,” Dawkins said of athletes, “and we must do a better job of looking out for one another. There are many options out there, and now you can add Hall of Fame Behavioral Health as a viable and reliable one.”

Anyone experiencing a mental health emergency or requiring emergency assistance should call the HOFBH Crisis Line at 866-901-1245, or call 911, or head to the nearest hospital emergency room.

CONTACTS:
Rich Desrosiers, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations
[email protected]; 330-588-3622

Rachel Gutting, Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives
[email protected]; 330-588-3671

ABOUT THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the National Football League, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution with the Mission to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, & Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. AAM accreditation is national recognition for the museum’s commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards of museum operation and public service.

Hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe travel to Canton annually to experience
“The Most Inspiring Place on Earth!” that chronicles America’s most popular sport. Fans can also enjoy the Hall of Fame Store at the Hall, and online at www.profootballhof.com/store, for merchandise from all 32 NFL clubs plus the Hall of Fame. Proceeds from the Store support the Hall’s Mission.

Construction on Hall of Fame Village Powered by Johnson Controls, a mixed-use development project, is under way in Canton to transform the Hall of Fame’s campus.

CONTACT:
Lauren Renschler, William Raymond Communications
[email protected]; 310-463-0863

ABOUT HALL OF FAME BEHAVIORAL HEALTH:
Hall of Fame Behavioral Health is an affiliate of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Its mission is to provide a comprehensive solution for mental health, behavioral health and substance use issues for all athletes and their families. By partnering with Centers of Excellence across the United States, HOFBH can ensure consistent, high-quality care customized for athletes and those who support them. For more information visit, www.hofbh.com, email [email protected] or call 866-901-1241 to speak to the HOFBH Concierge Call Center.
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SOURCE Hall of Fame Behavioral Health

Author: pricilagran

Lindner Center of HOPE Chief Research Officer member of team that identifies 64 regions of the genome that increase risk for bipolar disorder

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