Bizzell Releases Essential Opioid Overdose Response Video in Wake of National Crisis

Bizzell Releases Essential Opioid Overdose Response Video in Wake of National Crisis

January 22, 2024, New Carrollton, Maryland – As the opioid crisis continues to devastate communities with over 136 American deaths daily, primarily from fentanyl-laced drugs, Bizzell US (Bizzell) has developed and unveiled a vital educational tool. The company has released “Opioid 5 Steps to Respond to Opioid Overdose,” a video outlining critical steps to respond to an opioid overdose, developed under the guidance of leading experts in the field.

The video’s creation was informed by the extensive knowledge and experience of Bizzell’s team of specialists, including experts in health and human services, behavioral health, public health, substance use disorders, treatment and prevention, maternal and child health, medication-assisted treatment, mental health, and pharmacy operations. This collective expertise ensures that the video is not only informative but also grounded in the latest research and best practices.

Anton C. Bizzell, MD, Chairman and CEO, William H. Scarbrough, III, PhD, and Todd W. Mandell, MD are among some of notable experts at Bizzell who contributed their insights, reflecting decades of experience in fields relevant to opioid crisis management, behavioral health, and substance use disorders. Their involvement underscores Bizzell’s commitment to leveraging deep expertise in tackling this pressing public health issue.

This initiative is part of Bizzell’s broader effort to educate and empower individuals and communities in the fight against the opioid epidemic. The video is mandatory viewing for all Bizzell employees and is accompanied by a call to action to carry naloxone (Narcan), an effective emergency response medication now available over the counter.

The educational video will also be accessible on the Bizzell and the Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center (BHARC) website, forming part of an informative mini-series on the opioid crisis.

About Bizzell US

Bizzell is a strategy, consulting, investment, & technology firm headquartered in New Carrollton, Maryland. Bizzell is a partner of choice for federal, state, and local government agencies, and private organizations. With a strong emphasis on innovation and impact, Bizzell transforms small ideas into powerful catalysts that drive change across markets worldwide. Learn more at www.BizzellUS.com.

About Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center (BHARC)

Bizzell established the Behavioral Health Advancement Resource Center (BHARC) to provide expert information and resources to support the behavioral health community. With BHARC, Bizzell disseminates new ideas, tools, and solutions to critical behavioral health issues including the opioid epidemic, substance use disorders, suicide prevention, and more. As a leader in behavioral health initiatives, we bring together subject matter experts with exceptional experience, as well as commitment to behavioral health solutions.

For more information, visit www.bharc.org.

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Bizzell Awarded Four SAMHSA IDIQ Domains

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Bizzell Group Contact
Chad Brown DM, Chief Administrative Officer
301-459-0100 | cbrown@thebizzellgroup.com

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell), a global strategy, consulting, and technology firm, is excited to continue its successful partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Bizzell has been awarded four domains as a prime contractor on SAMHSA’s Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract through 2027. The IDIQs help SAMHSA achieve its goal of reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

Through this award, Bizzell is eligible to compete for new contracts under the following domains:

  • Domain I: Feasibility, Pilot, and Evaluation Projects
  • Domain II: Statistical Projects
  • Domain V: Technical Assistance and Training Projects
  • Domain VI: Planning, Implementation, and Report Support Projects (8a and HUBZone)

Since Bizzell’s inception, the firm has worked with SAMHSA and other agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services to accelerate behavioral health advancements and improve services and resources for communities within the United States and across the globe. Bizzell has a full range of capabilities that can support SAMHSA’s mission, and includes program and project management, data analytics, evaluation and learning, and technical assistance and training.

Bizzell has conducted a wide range of feasibility studies, evaluation projects, and didactic learning seminars to strengthen health system interventions and training, foster data-informed decisions, and improve program outcomes and impact. Specifically, we’ve partnered with SAMHSA to provide direct technical assistance and support services to opioid treatment programs nationwide. Additionally, we’ve delivered in-person and web-based provider trainings in the areas of prevention treatment and recovery, substance use disorder and maternal and infant health, effective uses of medication assisted treatment, and improving cultural competence in substance abuse treatment.

“As a company, Bizzell is passionate about developing innovative solutions that lead to positive health outcomes,” says Anton Bizzell, M.D., President and CEO of Bizzell. “We are energized to support SAMSHA’s critical work to advance the nation’s behavioral health—especially now as more people struggle with mental health and substance use concerns and the demand for effective and accessible behavioral health services is growing.”

About Bizzell

About Bizzell Established in 2010, Bizzell is U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) HUBZone certified strategy, consulting, and technology firm with a mission to improve lives and accelerate change. Bizzell develops innovative solutions to some of the most critical issues of our time such as health care services equity, global health, workforce innovation and other urgent needs facing the world. Under the leadership and vision of founder, Anton C. Bizzell, MD, the company has grown into a thriving firm headquartered in New Carrollton, Maryland with staff and offices in various regions around the country including California, Colorado, and Georgia, and globally in Africa, Asia, and Central America. Learn more about how we develop data-driven, research-informed, innovative solutions to complex-real-world challenges: www.thebizzellgroup.com.

Suicide Prevention Awareness: “Creating hope through action.”

Suicide Prevention Awareness: “Creating hope through action.”

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021), suicide is the 10th leading cause of death and the 2nd leading cause of death in youth and young adults between the ages of 10-34 in the United States.These are startling statistics and highlight the importance of knowing the facts about suicide and suicide prevention. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions and false assumptions about suicide. To help those in crisis, everyone should take the time to learn the facts about suicide.

In this Psychology Today article, Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, CEO of The Bizzell Group, debunks some of the common false assumptions about suicide, identifies the triggers for suicide, and shares actions you can take and things you can say if someone is considering suicide.

READ MORE: Suicide Prevention Awareness: “Creating hope through action”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Facts About Suicide. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/

Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.

Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.

Mental illness is stigmatized in the U.S. and even more among minority communities and communities of color both nationally and internationally.  To help combat the mental illness stigma, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July as “Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month,” to “enhance public awareness of mental illness and mental illness among minorities.”  According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than 50 percent of all Americans will be part of a minority group by 2044.  The total incidence of mental illness, mental health outcomes of racial/ethnic, gender and sexual minorities will be much worse, writes Dr. Anton C. Bizzell in “Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.,” published online in Psychology Today.

Racial and ethnic minorities have more to contend with when it comes to accepting and addressing mental health issues. “What’s done in this house, stays in this house” is a mantra heard by many minorities. Stress, substance abuse, unemployment or underemployment, incarceration, education, or lack thereof, shame and denial are all reasons that minorities and communities of color find themselves dealing with mental health related issues.  Everyone, especially communities of color, need to debunk the myths and stigmas associated with mental illness.  Seek help today

READ MORE: Protecting Minority Mental Health in the U.S.