TMS THERAPY
FDA-cleared, non-medication depression treatment
Interview with Maggie Mortali for AFSP’s Interactive Screening Program
Daniel Hageman
What is the AFSP?
AFSP stands for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. We’re a non-profit organization headquartered in New York City with local chapters in all 50 states and founded in 1987. Our mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. We also support survivors of suicide loss and those who have lived through suicide ideation and attempts. We use an upstream approach to preventing suicide through research, education, and advocacy. One of our programs is the Interactive Screening Program.
How did the Interactive Screening Program (ISP) come about?
AFSP was approached by two families with college-aged children who had died by suicide. Though the two students both attended colleges that offered counseling services, neither of them had reached out to a counselor. They wanted to gain a better understanding of college student suicide risk, and especially wanted to know what could be done to improve help-seeking for mental health distress. We connected researchers and scientists to figure out a systematic, routine method of reaching out to at-risk students and connecting them to available campus mental health support. This became the Interactive Screening Program. That was just the beginning. Since its inception as a research project, the ISP has grown to become a resource for those seeking mental healthcare at colleges and universities and workplaces nationwide.
What’s been the impact of the ISP?
To date, we’ve connected 180,000 people to mental health resources with the use of the ISP. Beyond college campuses, this tool has been implemented by first responders, healthcare systems, and other workplaces. The ISP starts with a screening for stress, depression, and other mental health concerns, and provides participants to connect with a counselor who can provide information on clinical services, offerings, and options.
Implementing ISP, has helped build out mental health resources and networks, so that students and others have more options in their own community. The community partnerships are important in the event the college does not have the resources that someone needs. For example, a student may want longer term counseling, or students may want to know about non-medication depression treatments that aren’t typically available on a college campus, such as TMS therapy. Overall, we really strive to make everyone aware of all services and treatments that are benefitting others and how to access that care.
Have you seen increased demand from COVID-19?
During the first few months of COVID-19, we were receiving the highest number of inquiries from institutions and organizations wanting to implement the program than we’ve ever had. COVID-19 created a shift where other care options were needed when some services were closed for public safety. We all needed a way to reach people when communities were no longer on campus or in the work setting. ISP is a way to engage people directly into virtual counseling and other treatments.
Greenbrook TMS is a proud sponsor of the AFSP. Learn more about AFSP here.
If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741
Let's see if we might be a good fit
Take our 6 question quiz to see if TMS therapy could be right for you
Share this post
We're Better Together
Subscribe for mental health, self-care, and TMS therapy updates for those affected by treatment-resistant depression or OCD.
Contact Us
By providing your email address, you are consenting to receive blog updates from Greenbrook TMS Inc. You may unsubscribe from these alerts at any time by following the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of email alerts. At Greenbrook TMS Inc. we take the privacy and security of your personal information seriously. To learn more about how we protect your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
You might also like
You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
Our free mental health calendar for 2023 includes mental health awareness events, holidays, self-care activities, and a monthly 30 second mental health checkup!
We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
Greenbrook TMS supports an accessible internet. If you have any questions about our accessibility features, please contact us at
866.928.6076 and/or info@greenbrooktms.com.
TMS THERAPY
RESOURCES
OUR COMPANY
