Page 6 - Our Hands Fall 2020

SAMARITAS TO PROVIDE

NEW MENTAL HEALTH TOOLS

Programs provide assistance to hundreds of seniors, youth, refugees and immigrants to
Pr ogr ams pr o vide as sis t ance t o hundr eds of s enior s , y outh, r efugees and immigr ants t o
identify risk factors for mental illnesses and addiction sooner for a healthier community
identify risk f act or s f or ment al illness es and addiction s ooner f or a healthier community
Samaritas will offer three mental health support programs in
Oakland County to address increases in mental health issues
and substance use disorders brought about or intensified by
the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects.
Primarily targeting support for seniors, youth, refugees and
immigrants to cope with increased emotional and economic
hardships, Samaritas will offer community members, medical
professionals and social services providers Mental Health First Aid
courses; Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment
(SBIRT) tools; and an Educational Series on a range of mental health
topics. The goal of the programming is to better identify the signs,
symptoms and risk factors of mental illnesses and addictions to foster
a healthier community during and after this crisis. Comprehensively, the
organization aims to host nearly 600 “seats” through its training options.

COMMUNIT Y RESPONSE AND NEW PART NERSHIPS

The new programming is funded as part of a $470,000 grant awarded to Samaritas from the Oakland Together
Community Response and Recovery Fund and represents a partnership with Oakland County Executive, Dave Coulter
and United Way for Southeastern Michigan. It includes...

Samaritas will provide Mental Health First
Mental Health First Aid Educational Series
Aid trainings in 12 virtual trainings, hosting
10 people per training, and 2 outdoor trainings
hosting up to 25 people, with precautions in
place as recommended by health officials. These
trainings will provide participants with skills
to identify, understand and respond to signs
of mental health and substance use issues,
allowing them to understand individuals who
are at risk and support them in developing a
plan of action to get assistance.
Samaritas’ Educational Series will
SBIRT The Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to consist of 19 virtual classes, hosting
Treatment (SBIRT) method is a comprehensive, 20 participants each. These one-hour
versatile approach to assisting individuals facing sessions will address the topics of
substance use disorders. The tool allows for quick suicide prevention, understanding
assessment of the severity level to identify care self-harm, recognizing depression,
needs, intervention toward change and provision trauma comprehension, the
of access to appropriate care to address the need. foundations of substance use
Samaritas will conduct four virtual trainings, and counseling preparedness.
hosting 10 people each.

Information about the program and calendar of upcoming trainings are available at Samaritas.org/SUD

welcome to samaritas nation!

Melissa Joseph, PA-C graduated from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA in 2015 with her
Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She has practiced in Family Medicine for 11
and a half years and has been in Psychiatry and Substance Use Treatment for the past 3 years.
Melissa is a key staff for Samaritas’ growth in behavioral health services. She is utilizing both her
substance use treatment and psychiatric expertise through evaluating and prescribing
medication to support treatment with clients. Melissa is honored and excited to be the
new MAT and psychiatric provider for Samaritas!

6