Our 2023 National Conference boasted a variety of informative sessions covering topics relevant to the limb loss and limb difference community. If you were unable to attend, learn more about the key takeaways from our deeper dive session on limb loss and mental health.
Speakers:
- Taylor Newman, Fitness & Nutrition Coach and Director of Client Relations, Ailm Medical
- Marni Stahlman, PhD, President & CEO, The Mental Health Association of Central Florida
- Regina Story, Health and Wellness Coach and Managing Director, Ailm Medical
- Dr. Stephen Wegener, PhD, Rehabilitation Psych, Professor of Physical Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Summary: Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act and helps determine how to handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Mental health problems are common, with one in four people experiencing a mental health problem in their lifetime. Maintaining positive mental health is vital to living well. People living with limb loss or limb difference experience a range of emotions as they strive to rehabilitate and adapt to their new way of life.
Key Takeaways from this Session:
- 988 initiative (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)/hotline launched in July 2022 and is available 24 hours
- Confidential
- Will not dispatch law enforcement
- Trained counselor
- You can talk as long as you need to
- Veterans line still available
- What can I do for myself?
- Assess the situation
- Connect with others
- Get the help you need
- Stick with it. Change takes time (6-8 weeks)
- Ask for 15 mins consult – do your homework
- Mental Health America has resources
- Verify who is paying the bill
- Be honest with the provider
- Ask your general practitioner about who they would recommend
- Finding professionals can be VERY hard
- The workforce has constricted
- Professionals are exhausted
- No insurance parity – laborious process to get paid
- Ask for self-pay rate
We encourage you to connect with the National Limb Loss Resource Center, browse our mental health and wellness information, and explore the Mental Health tab on our Thrive blog.
The 2024 National Conference is coming to the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, August 7-10 in Atlanta, Georgia. We would love to see you there! Connect with others ahead of the conference by joining AC Connect!