Needing Ideas

Back in the '90's, when Medicare began benefitting mental health skilled nursing visits, I started and supervised a program as an NS for a HH agency. It was found that 80% of recidivistic patients return to inpatient services due to medication noncompliance.

Before and since that time, I have worked with mental health clients in a variety of settings- in hospitals, clinics, and in the community. I have given groups and lectures that sometimes lasted as long as hours and can whole-heartedly relay this: Everybody likes to learn about themselves, their body, and be entertained.

In order for a speaker to find a topic of interest, that topic needs to be interesting to the speaker. For example, I chose topics on how medicines work in the brain, with cartoons of synaptic clefts and neurotransmitters. I talked about dopamine antagonists and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors repeating the words over and over, using audience participation:

"All together now! SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS!"

Getting the audience involved always sparked interest and if a topic was completed and there was still time left, I asked them questions like, "So what's important to you?"

Everybody likes to talk about themselves and this was a good time to give feedback and support. For example...

"My kitty is important to me." After enquiring on its name, characteristics, etc, I would talk about the importance of companionship, avoiding isolation, checking in with mental health professions, and the like.

In essence, if all else fails, allow the audience to choose the topic, give verbal listening, feedback and support and let them do the work!

Good luck, Rusti!

On 5/27/2022 at 1:39 PM, Rusti22 said:

Thank you so much for some great ideas!

Warning signs of a relapse, such as difficulty sleeping, and when to call provider.