Bizzell Group: Addressing Suicide Prevention

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing and assisting in substantive public discourse around suicide and suicide prevention. Through various contracts, Bizzell works with organizations, Federal clients, non-profits and partners to make an impact with the hope of reducing suicide rates across the country. Some of Bizzell’s work in the area of suicide prevention includes: American Indian and Alaskan Native suicide, military suicide and Arctic region suicide.

The American Indian/Alaskan Native communities have strikingly higher rates of suicides than the overall population in the U.S. The Indian Health Service identifies suicides as the second leading cause of death among AI/AN youth (5 and 24 years old). These AI/AN adolescents are also at greater risk for suicide contagion and suicide clusters, which can be particularly devastating for the often close-knit and rural AI/AN communities. Bizzell examined the research on suicide clusters and contagion in general and within AI/AN communities.

In addition to researching rates of suicide among American Indian/Alaskan Native populations, Bizzell has supported suicide prevention efforts among Veteran and Service member populations. According to a recent study by the Department of Veterans Affairs, roughly 20 veterans a day nationwide commit suicide. Researchers concluded that veterans are at a 21 percent higher risk for suicide than civilian populations. In 2014, the latest year available, more than 7,400 veterans took their own lives, accounting for 18 percent of all suicides in America. Veterans make up less than 9 percent of the U.S. population. Military suicide also has a significant impact on the family members left behind. The University of Southern California found “that military connected adolescents have a higher rate of suicidal thoughts than their civilian counterparts, and other studies indicate that military spouses— particularly those serving as caregivers to support their wounded veterans—are more at risk to suffer mental health problems.” The untold costs of military service on family members is difficult to measure. The National Military Family Association, a nonprofit that serves a quarter of a million military relatives, reported “hearing about an increasing number of stories about family members killing themselves.”

Bizzell recognizes that high suicide rates are not limited to American Indian/Alaskan Native populations or military communities; suicide rates in the Arctic are among the highest in the world. Historically, indigenous people in circumpolar regions had very low rates of death by suicide. However, there is currently no other region that suicide has had such a strong impact and social burden on than in indigenous populations—specifically those in circumpolar regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that suicide accounts for roughly 800,000 deaths per year worldwide—although rates differ within countries according to geography,gender, ethnicity and cultural variables. Greenland and the arctic regions of the United States, Canada and Russia have considerably higher suicide rates than the non-Arctic Regions, and where data is available by ethnicity (Alaska, Canada and Russia), the increased risk of suicide in indigenous communities is evident. Bizzell is assisting RISING SUN, an initiative under the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council that is designated to identify a toolkit of common outcomes to be used in evaluating suicide prevention efforts to assess the key correlates associated with suicide prevention intervention across Arctic states. The goal is to generate shared knowledge that will aid health workers in better serving circumpolar communities, and help policymakers measure progress, evaluate interventions, and identify regional and cultural challenges to implementation.

Bizzell CEO Contributes Chapter to The ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine

Anton Bizzell, M.D., CEO of The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) celebrates the publication of the fifth edition of The ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine.  The publication is the go-to textbook in the specialty field of addiction medicine, with the fifth edition providing core knowledge by “blending scientific principles underlying addiction with the practical essential of clinical addiction medicine.” The chapter, Ethical Issues in Addiction Practice was co-authored by Dr. Bizzell, H. Westley Clark, MD, JD, MPH, CAS, FASAM and Anthony Campbell, RPh, DO.

Dr. Bizzell brings significant experience within the health care community having served as a medical officer for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and with the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).   The chapter itself, details core ethical principles, aspects of dealing with denial, establishing an ethical stance, and potential future developments that could stimulate unprecedented paradigm shifts that may influence health care decision-making that would impact the disenfranchisement underlying health disparities in addiction treatment.

“It’s always an honor to be asked to participate in developing a narrative for something I’ve always been very passionate about,” Dr. Bizzell said in a statement.  “Its one thing to manage programs and work with people addressing addictive behaviors nationwide, but to be able to contribute to the field, and educate others is equally as rewarding. “

The ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine Fifth Edition may be ordered through the publisher Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and includes a fully searchable online app version of the text and appendices and review questions. Phone orders dial 1-800-638-3030.

Bizzell CEO Named Opening Speaker at Annual REMBA Conference for Trauma and Addictions

The Department of Human Development and Services at North Carolina A&T State University will hold its 8th Annual Rehabilitation of Racial and Ethnic Minorities with Behavioral Addictions (REMBA) conference.  The two-day conference will convene on Thursday – Friday, April 10th and 11th at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina.  Dr. Bizzell will serve as the opening speaker on Friday, April 11th from 9 am – 10 am to discuss practices related to treatment of behavioral addiction and trauma.

The conference, entitled Building a Network of Recovery in Communities, will address the growing needs of people of color who have been affected by trauma and addictions – an area of expertise for Dr. Bizzell.  The goal is to share data focused on the unique needs of people of color with behavioral and/or process addictions, including alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, sexual addictions and criminal offense.

Yearly, approximately 200 attendees participate – including Rehabilitation Counselors, Agency Counselors, Human Service Personnel, Human Resource Professionals, Administrators and Students interested in learning more about the topics at hand.

Bizzell Supports HBCU Campus Dialogue on Prescription Drugs

The Bizzell Group (Bizzell) supports The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) with its recruitment of students, staff, and faculty from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for an open dialogue on prescription drugs. The event LET’S TALK ABOUT IT: Prescription Drug Use and Its Side Effects is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The groups will discuss current campus trends, explore beliefs about substance abuse and addiction, and discover on- and off-campus prevention, treatment and recovery services.  There will be two sessions – one for faculty and staff on Friday, March 28th and one for students on Saturday, March 29th.

Research suggests that there are varied motivations for prescription drug abuse among teens and college-aged students, including getting high, coping with pain or sleep problems and in some instances improving or enhancing cognition.  These behaviors are risky as medications prescribed by doctors are assumed to be safe, however abuse of these drugs can have harmful health effects, including overdose.  This discussion seeks to open a dialogue among students and health professionals to combat myths and generalizations about prescription drug misuse.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to RSVP by March 21, 2014 for the event on March 28th from 10 am – 3 pm.  Students should RSVP by March 25, 2014 for the event on March 29th from 11 am – 4 pm. Interested participants should RSVP by calling 202.806.7706 or emailing dm_barnes@howard.edu.

Both sessions will take place at The Gallery Lounge in the Blackburn Center at Howard University, 2400 Sixth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059. Participants are advised that this counts as a community service activity and resume-builder.  Limited seating is available. Lunch and parking will be provided.

To learn more about the issue, visit: Taking Action to Prevent & Address Prescription Drug Abuse:  A Resource Kit for America’s College Campuses and www.recoveryopensdoors.org