Above, California health professionals attend a pre-COVID-19 education session discussing opioid use disorder.

According to a CDC survey this summer, mental health distress and substance use have risen markedly in response to the pandemic. Close to 13 percent of adults reported starting or increasing substance intake.

Rates of anxiety disorder increased approximately three times compared to the same period in 2019. Rates of depressive disorder increased almost four times compared to the same period in 2019. While limited data exists, hospital professionals are thought to among the groups most impacted by pandemic-related behavioral health issues.

A webinar series, titled Be The Changemaker: Bridge Bootcamp For Champions and offered by the California Bridge Program provides insights for hospital teams, including  new treatments for opioid use disorder. The initiative aims to educate on evidence-based treatments, including medication assisted therapy, or MAT. The no-cost webinars are supported by the Public Health Institute.

The first webinar took place Dec. 10. The next one happens Thursday, Feb. 11, with additional sessions on March 11, April 8, May 13 and June 11. Learn more — and register — by clicking here.

“Our Be the Changemaker sessions are designed to empower the hospital-based MAT Champion at any phase of their implementation,” said Elizabeth Keating, MPA, program manager for the initiative. “Each session has its own topic, so participants will find few redundancies over the course of the series and will take away specific learnings from each session.”

California Bridge supports hospitals seeking information on rapid medical treatment for substance use disorders. 

With questions, contact HASC V.P., External Affairs and Strategic Communications Adam Blackstone.

Contact:
Adam Blackstone
(213) 538-0700
ablackstone@hasc.org