Behavioral Health

Today, the Louisiana Senate confirmed three appointments of Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) employees to top level positions. Earlier this year, DHH Secretary Kathy Kliebert appointed Jeff Reynolds as DHH undersecretary, Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham as Interim Assistant Secretary for the Office of Behavioral Health and Mark Thomas as Interim Assistant Secretary for the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Behavioral Health is issuing this RFI to determine the interest and capabilities of qualified provider organizations to operate up to 20 but not fewer than 4 contingency acute care adult beds during a declared emergency event.

Governor Bobby Jindal has declared March 2014 as Problem Gambling Awareness month to raise awareness about Louisiana's services for those experiencing problems with gambling. The movement coincides with National Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

Louisiana State Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System is issuing this Request For Information for the purpose of eliciting responses from qualified contractors interested in providing a group home in Region 2 for the severely/persistently mentally ill (S/PMI) adult male population with an array of services to clients discharged from ELMHS.

Louisiana State Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System is issuing this Request For Information for the purpose of eliciting responses from qualified contractors interested in providing a Forensic Supervised Transitional Residential Aftercare (FSTRA) Program with an array of services to conditionally released, and/or other selected, Forensic clients of ELMHS.

Each year OBH coordinates the Block Grant public forums amongst the local human service districts and authorities.

The holidays can be difficult times for those dealing with drug or alcohol use disorders. The Department of Health and Hospitals is encouraging all Louisiana residents, including those hosting parties, to take a few helpful steps to help prevent substance abuse this holiday season as part of its Healthy for the Holidays campaign. Finding a balance with alternative activities and maintaining the supports for those with substance use challenges are important ways to avoid a relapse.

Despite our best efforts to stay organized during the holiday season, the hustle and bustle of travel, shopping and entertaining can be stressful on the mind and body. The holidays can also be difficult for anyone who has experienced the loss of someone they loved. As part of our “Healthy for the Holidays” campaign, the Department of Health and Hospitals encourages Louisiana residents to learn how to reduce stress and depression with a few tips to help them fully enjoy this time of year.

Almost one year after Hurricane Isaac made landfall in Louisiana, the Department of Health and Hospitals is reminds residents that Louisiana Spirit continues to serve the people of our state. Louisiana Spirit is a federally funded Crisis Counseling and Stress Management program, offering counseling in 14 of the 26 presidentially declared disaster areas across the state.

DHH would like to recognize its nurses for the tremendous job they do each day in promoting public health and for the selfless care they provide during times of emergencies. This is National Nurses Week, May 6-12, set aside to honor all of America's 3.1 million registered nurses, including the more than 54,000 nurses in Louisiana. National Nurses Week is the time of year designated to recognize and celebrate these professionals and highlight the work they do every day to save lives and help people achieve better heath.