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DBHDD Going Tobacco-free On January 5, 2010, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) will officially be a tobacco-free agency. According to a study done by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), nearly half of all cigarettes consumed in the United States are by individuals with a psychiatric disorder. People with serious mental illness, on average, die 25 years younger than the general population – largely from conditions caused or worsened by smoking. The policy not only addresses consumer health, it also urges employees to quit smoking which puts additional dollars used for tobacco surcharges back in employee’s paychecks. “DBHDD is committed to providing an environment for employees and consumers that promote healthy living,” said Frank Shelp, DBHDD Commissioner. “As healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility to act in the best interest of our consumers who out seek our facilities for guidance. There is certainly no better place to deal with addiction than our facilities.” DBHDD will begin a public education campaign on November 19, 2009 leading up to January 5, 2010. For additional information regarding the DBHDD tobacco-free policy or tobacco cessation options, please visit www.dbhdd.georgia.gov. For many people with mental illness, smoking is a coping mechanism. Should we be taking that away? The role of treatment is to provide healthy, sustainable ways to cope. Smoking can provide short-term calming effects, but quitting smoking has been shown to provide more lasting benefits by decreasing anxiety. We wouldn't enable heavy drinking or drug abuse, which are also ways of coping. And we know that tobacco use kills. Won't removing tobacco endanger treatment? Studies at psychiatric hospitals that have gone completely tobacco-free have shown that symptoms do not worsen when a tobacco user is admitted to a tobacco-free facility and discharges against medical advice do not increase. At the same time, smoking can interfere with the effectiveness and safety of medications, with smokers requiring higher doses to get the same therapeutic effects. And among people with schizophrenia, the heaviest tobacco users also require more hospital admissions and more services. What about safety? Won't it make hospitals more dangerous? In fact, state mental health facilities that have gone completely tobacco-free report a decrease in behavioral problems, decreased violence, and increased staff satisfaction after their tobacco bans. One hospital that tracked aggression rates before and after the ban saw aggression rates drop by half in the first few months. Among people with depression, smokers are at a 43% greater risk of suicidal thoughts and are twice as likely to have attempted suicide. That's great, but why are employees subject to the ban? The greatest benefits have been demonstrated only in hospitals that go 100% tobacco free campus-wide. Viewing and smelling staff smoking can negate the positive benefits on aggression, in addition to potentially exposing consumers to second-hand and third-hand smoke. As healthcare facilities, we're concerned about the health of everyone on campus. Charitable Contributions It’s charitable contributions time and this year is a year for firsts. This is the first year the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is participating in the 2009/2010 State Charitable Contributions Plan (SCCP) as a new agency. This also the first year employees can make their pledges online. https://state.uwma.org/epledge/crm/Start.jsp Charitable contributions are a great way to give to a charity of your choice and there just so happens to be more than 1200 local, statewide and international charitable organizations for you to choose from and learn about. Employees can select a monthly or one-time (payroll deduction, cash, check, money order or credit/debit card) contribution amount. With the support of Commissioner Shelp, DBHDD has had the United Way, Special Olympics and Canine Assistance come and share vital information about the work their organizations do. DBHDD has also hosted a garage, pizza and bake sale to raise money in support of this year’s charitable contributions event. Many fundraisers are still underway as the final days approach. Monday, November 30, 2009 (Payday) will be the last day to participate. So, we encourage you to contribute today and visit http://www.spa.ga.gov/employees/sccp_Main/index.asp. We're Hiring Yes, we're hiring, but we're also hiring. East Central Regional Hospital held a hiring fair recently that brought more than 29 RNs, LPNs, and a dietician. That's a great result for some critical positions. Staffing up has been job #1 since DBHDD launched in July. So many of the challenges we face have solutions that start with getting enough people with the right skills in place to care for the people we serve. Our promise to new employees is that they will be challenged, valued, and working to change lives on Day One...and every day. That can sound daunting, but we need the kind of people who wouldn't have it any other way. Recruiting isn't just for Human Resources anymore. If you know good people looking for a challenge, point them to www.DBHDDJobs.com |
Our Values: Integrity "Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching." "One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised." "To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice." "Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not." "Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right; decide on what you think is right and stick to it." Family Album Milestones DBHDD In the News DBHDD to Celebrate $2.4 Million Grant Award (The Savannah Tribune) Justice Department wraps up Central State visit; state spokesman discusses future of Central State (The Baldwin Bulletin) Ga. to ban smoking at mental hospitals (Rome News-Tribune) List could help save Central State buildings (Macon Telegraph) Roman to head Georgia Division of Addictive Diseases (Rome News-Tribune) A Powerful Identity, a Vanishing Diagnosis (New York Times) New mental health director faces difficult task, critics (AJC) State defends plan to improve psychiatric hospitals (AJC) Magazine looks at health care reform, disabilities issues (The Daily Citizen) DBHDD launches Web site for job seekers (The Daily Citizen) |
All regional hospitals, offices, state operated community services and facilities controlled by DBHDD will prohibit the use of tobacco. | DBHDD Web Site | DBHDD Twitter | Employee Information | eNewsletter Archives | |
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This employee newsletter (eNewsletter) is for employees of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental
Disabilities (DBHDD).
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