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August 05, 2020
After the COVID-19 pandemic, a state shutdown, mass unemployment and disruption of school and family life comes Isaias, one of the most devastating tropical storms to hit Connecticut since Sandy in 2012. Enough is enough. “This sort of disaster over the last 24 hours has absolutely pushed some people to…
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July 30, 2020
Data showing increased drinking among American men and calculations of its impact on society prompted national experts to suggest the government cut the daily recommended alcohol limit in half. The recommendation came this month in “The Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee,” a report to the U.S….
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July 09, 2020
The New England Society of HealthCare Communications (NESHCo) has recognized BHNews as the top healthcare employee newsletter in all of New England. The weekly electronic employee newsletter received a Gold Award from NESHCo, one of 34 Lamplighter awards received by HHC. Other BHN recognitions included silver awards for MATCH (Medication…
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May 19, 2020
In any catastrophe, the medical needs must be tended first, followed by a wave of behavioral health issues that can last for months and years. The COVID-19 infection rate peaked in Connecticut at the end of April and now the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network (BHN) is preparing for increased demand…
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May 04, 2020
At first, the COVID-19 requirement to stay home felt chaotic and unstructured, but even as many found a groove, some uncontrolled habits remained, including excessive drinking. Whether it’s isolation, lack of in-person support group meetings or sheer boredom, the nation’s consumption of alcohol has spiked as the pandemic drags on….
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April 22, 2020
The numbers of people seeking help for behavioral health and substance abuse issues aren’t jibing for Dr. J. Craig Allen, vice president of addiction services for Hartford HealthCare. As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads into its second month in Connecticut, sales of alcohol, cigarettes and vaping substances have increased, but the…
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April 16, 2020
As Connecticut enters the surge stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, with state officials urging residents to “Stay Safe, Stay Home,” Hartford HealthCare will now offer access to most of its primary care, specialty and behavioral health providers through virtual health technology. More than 1,300 medical providers — including 550-plus primary…
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April 14, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic brings all the elements needed to worsen the state’s opioid epidemic – increased isolation, inability to keep medical appointments and an overarching pall of fear and depression. “I’m concerned that this pandemic will worsen the opioid epidemic in a number of ways,” said Dr. J. Craig Allen,…
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April 10, 2020
Beyond the fever and cough, the coronavirus has brought fear and anxiety to our lives. At the very least, it’s disrupted everything we know. While many people can work remotely, nurses, doctors, environmental services and food workers, pharmacists, respiratory therapists and many others don protective gear and help those sick…
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April 01, 2020
The uncertainty of these coronavirus times only increases the population’s need for mental health and addiction services, and the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network responded quickly by shifting outpatient individual and group counseling sessions online. Using the electronic platform Zoom, the BHN now offers therapy services for all ages, according to…