Timely Tips for Medications and the Holidays

By: Lisa Conrad, RPh, Pharmacy Director

Lisa Conrad

Holidays are often a time for travel.  Here’s a timely tip:  “Plan ahead and bring your meds!”  Be sure to check your prescription vials for an adequate supply to last through your vacation.  Your pharmacy may have to call your insurance company to authorize an early refill if you are due to run out of medication while you are out of town. 

Call ahead to your pharmacy as this required authorization can cause a delay in getting your prescription filled.  Keep your prescriptions in original containers while traveling. 

Support and Education through NAMI of Greater Kansas City

By: Ed Plese, RN, BSN

Ed Plese

I would like to thank NAMI of Greater Kansas City (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for empowering, educating and supporting consumers with mental illness as well as their families.  Illness affects consumers and families with mental illness.  The consumer needs to be the expert of their illness.  Families need assistance in learning about mental illness.

Unfortunately since the advent of Managed Care and decreased hospital stays, patients and family do not receive enough information about their illness during inpatient stays.  This applies to consumers with diabetes as well as those with mental illness.

A Primer in Positive Psychology

By: Richard Failla, Chief Executive Officer

Richard Failla

If you listen to the news it is very easy to feel like the world is a place of endless suffering, and no matter what you do it will not change the negativity that is everywhere in our lives. At Research Psychiatric Center we see what happens when people give up and decide that life is not worth living and they are admitted because of thoughts of suicide.

Over the years there has been much focus on psychopathology but very little focus on positive psychology.

It is a Wonderful Life!

By: Peggy Tyson, SPHR, Human Resources Director

Peggy Tyson

This time of year reminds me of the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life. Do you remember the story of George Bailey in the movie?  He wasn’t happy with his life because he felt discouraged and didn’t feel he had met up to his potential.  He goes to a bridge to end his life, and he ends up jumping in to save Clarence, his guardian angel (Clarence had been sent down to earth to earn his wings by helping George).  Clarence shows George what life would have been like without his life of service at the Building and Loan that George ran. How his wife never would have married and his children never would have been born. George is reminded of the important ways he has touched so many people in the town.

A New Pair of Glasses for the Holidays

By: Peggy Cunningham, MA, NCC,

Peggy Cunningham

As we approach the holiday season one is reminded that it is not happiness, joy, family, friends, fun, music and celebration for everyone.  Depression is prevalent in many people’s life.  The story heard from many people is I’m lonely, broke and sad.  I hate everything about the holidays, commercials, music, and families.

 What is depression?  It is a feeling of being sad, empty, anxious, hopeless, and worthless.  One may experience decreased energy, sleep disturbances; difficulty concentrating lost of interest in activities, and finds it difficult to carry out ones normal daily activities. 

College Students and the Stigma in Mental Health

By: Richard Failla, Chief Executive Officer

Richard Failla

Reducing stigma in mental health can be as simple as asking for help from your college student health center. There is tremendous pressure on students today to take heavy academic schedules, engage in research projects, and complete comprehensive examinations all in a very short academic semester.

As the pressure and stress of being a student mount it is very easy to succumb to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Many students enter college today with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety.