Advancing Excellence in Mental Health Despite Stalling Economy

The Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists And Psychotherapists (OACCPP), at their September 24th Annual General Meeting in Toronto have selected Paul Radkowski, CEO and Clinical Director of the Life Recovery Program as the recipient of the very first OACCPP "RECOGNITION AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE & CONTRIBUTION IN THE FIELD OF MENTAL HEALTH."

Times of economic uncertainty often mean cut backs in programs and funding http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifin mental health and addiction services. However, these variables didn't deter Paul, who served in hospital and treatment settings throughout Canada, from seeing the needs of people struggling to fhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifind adequate supports and services. This led him to create an on demand, video based, 24/7 therapeutic, psycho-educational support program called the Life Recovery Program https://www.liferecoveryprogram.com.

The OACCPP is a rapidly growing incorporated professional association formed in 1978 to represent providers of mental health services in the general areas of consulting, counselling, psychoeducational assessment and psychotherapy.

In terms of access and stigma challenges faced by those struggling with mental health and addiction issues, the OACCPP president, Naseema Siddiqui, stated that Radkowski not only identifies these needs, but also addresses them with the creation of the Life Recovery Program.

"The paradigm is starting to shift and this kind of innovation can no longer be ignored" states Radkowski. "The issues of mental health and addiction arehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif here to stay. The internet is also here to stay." Searches for health and help related resources on the internet are growing. According to a Statistics Canada 2005 survey, 35% of Canadians age 18 and over searched the Internet for medical or health related information which increased to 59% in 2007 and more recently 70% in 2009.

Research is beginning to build with online modalities. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health did a critical review of 75 online treatment studies showing strong evidence for internet based treatment approaches.

Radkowski states that he has been speaking with Employee Assistance Provider's, government agencies and treatment centres that are looking for a more http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifcoshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gift effective way to address these issues. "It's a more for less model, which provides more bang for one's buck. Its different than e-counselling, so it makes it even more cost effective. These are 24/7 issues requiring a 24/7 solution and as it turns out, the Life Recovery Program can improve lives while saving money".

The Life Recovery Program is unique in its delivery and customizability. Some agencies have expressed interest in customizing the Life Recovery Program into "Mini-Programs." This would enable clients to choose their topic of interest from a treatment menu addressing issues such as: healthy relationships, anger management, stress management, grief, boundaries, self esteem, anxiety, depression, trauma or PTSD, and relapse prevention. "These are some of the more common reasons why people seek counselling" says Radkowski.

Radkowski further justifies an online offering by asking, "What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. Historically some of the gaps in the mental health system results in people waiting for services. Some of these people may also be dealing with issues of stigma, lack of support and not getting the help they need resulting in them falling through the cracks. Sadly, according to CAMH, only 1/3 of those needing help, actually receive it. It's time to explore all options andhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif provide alternative and more cost effective approaches."

Radkowski's Life Recovery Program has also been recognized by the International Association of Addiction & Offender Counselors, a division of the American Counseling Association. In 2008 they awarded him the "Outstanding Addictions Professional Award" recognizing the innovation and comprehensiveness of his program.

To view the photo associated with this release, please visit the following link: http:http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif//www.marketwire.com/library/20111122-OACCPP800.JPG.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Contact Information

Life Recovery Program
Paul Radkowski
info@liferecoveryprogram.com
www.liferecoveryprogram.com

CAMH- Strong Evidence for Internet Based Treatment Approaches

Recent research by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows promising results for internet based
resources for the treatment of addiction and mental health.

http://alcalc.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2010/02/10/alcalc.agq009.full

Here are some of the highlights of the study.

-“One of the primary challenges in health behaviour change is to promote accessibility of efficacious tools and services that promote reductions in risk behaviours… the Internet is one promising option … recent review identified 75 research trials to-date of computer-based interventions for different health behaviours and concluded that such interventions had significant evidence for their efficacy.”

-“There are many advantages to the Internet as a modality to promote access to efficacious health behaviour change interventions.”

-“Other more intensive Internet-based interventions or interventions via other modalities may enhance this positive outcome..”

Internet based programs are helping to fill in addiction and mental health service gaps and appears to be the wave of the future.

Many people do not seek treatment due to issues of stigma, shame, lack of resource/access etc. and only 1/3 of those who need mental health services in Canada actually receive them (CAMH).

Addiction and mental health issues are a 24/7 issue requiring an immediately available 24/7 solution.

Although not a replacement to traditional treatment or counselling approaches, web-based programs are proving to be an innovative and powerful approach to effectively reach those with mental health and addiction issues.

Best of health and warmest regards, Paul Radkowski

Psychotherapist, CEO/Clinical Director, Life Recovery Program

Recent articles about how the online Life Recovery Program is making a difference.

http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/319961--innovative-online-recovery-program-helps-people-keep-new-year-s-resolutions


http://www.therecord.com/living/article/308616--community-services-seen-as-essential-component-in-mental-health-care




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