Bright Nights Community Forum: Mobile Health Technology: Detecting Moods in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic disease with unstable and unpredictable moods. Many individuals with bipolar disorder live very productive lives, but an episode of mania or depression can be devastating. The ability to access support in time to prevent an episode is key for living a stable life with bipolar disorder.

Researchers at the University of Michigan Depression Center and College of Engineering have teamed up to create a program called PRIORI, which studies the acoustics of speech and the ability to predict mood state changes. This novel technology is designed to monitor moods with minimal effort from the patient.

Dr. Melvin McInnis, M.D., FRCPsych, the Thomas B. and Nancy Upjohn Woodworth Professor of Bipolar Disorder and Depression at the U-M Depression Center, will present a brief overview of bipolar disorder from a clinical and genetic perspective and provide information on new methods for monitoring moods. This will be followed by questions from the audience and a discussion with panelists John Gideon, BS, MS, Graduate Student Research Assistant, U-M Department of Computer Science and Engineering; Jennifer Montgomery, MSW, LMSW, Clinical Social Worker, U-M Department of Psychiatry; and Kelly Ryan, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Neuropsychology Program, U-M Department of Psychiatry.

For more information, please visit the Depression Center website at U-M Depression Center, or contact Trish Meyer, 763-7495, or meyerpa@umich.edu.

Bright Nights Community Forum: Depression During Childbearing Years: Strategies for Prevention, Intervention, and Raising Resilient Children

Research conducted by the University of Michigan Depression Center suggested that as many as one in five pregnant women may experience symptoms of depression during the childbearing years. Many are symptomatic during their pregnancies, and symptoms may continue during their children’s early years.

Kate Rosenblum, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor in the U-M Department of Psychiatry, Director of the Women & Infants Mental Health Program, and Co-Director of the Infant and Early Childhood Clinic, will give a brief overview of the latest research on perinatal depression, including strategies for prevention, intervention, and raising resilient children. Novel early interventions to improve maternal depression, parenting skills, foster healthy attachment, and maximize a healthy developmental path for children will be explored.

This will be followed by questions from the audience and a discussion with panelists from the U-M Depression Center, including Maria Muzik, M.D., MSc., Assistant Professor, U-M Department of Psychiatry; Medical Director, Women and Infants Mental Health Clinic; Lisa Hammer, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, U-M Medical School; and Lulu Zhao, M.D., Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynecology, U-M Medical School.

For more information on the UM Depression Center, please visit U-M Depression Center or contact Trish Meyer at 734-763-7495.

Grief 101: What To Expect When Grieving

Presented by Arbor Hospice’s Grief Support Services, this educational meeting will provide you with the resources and information you are looking for when coping with the loss of a loved one. The session will help examine what is normal during the grief process, strategies for coping, suggestions for self-care, and what support is available to you. There will be time for questions at the end.

Arbor Hospice is a community resource that provides grief support services to any member of our community who has experienced a loss through death. In addition to providing support services to family members who have utilized Arbor Hospice’s services, programs are open to any member of the community who has experienced a loss.

For more information about Arbor Hospice Grief Support Services, please call 734 – 794-5460 or contact mschultz@arborhospice.org.

Grief 101: What To Expect When Grieving

Presented by Arbor Hospice’s Grief Support Services, this educational meeting will provide you with the resources and information you are looking for when coping with the loss of a loved one. The session will help examine what is normal during the grief process, strategies for coping, suggestions for self-care, and what support is available to you. There will be time for questions at the end.

Arbor Hospice is a community resource that provides grief support services to any member of our community who has experienced a loss through death. In addition to providing support services to family members who have utilized Arbor Hospice’s services, programs are open to any member of the community who has experienced a loss.

For more information about Arbor Hospice Grief Support Services, please call 734 – 794-5460 or contact mschultz@arborhospice.org.

Grief 101: What To Expect When Grieving

Presented by Arbor Hospice’s Grief Support Services, this educational meeting will provide you with the resources and information you are looking for when coping with the loss of a loved one. The session will help examine what is normal during the grief process, strategies for coping, suggestions for self-care, and what support is available to you. There will be time for questions at the end.

Arbor Hospice is a community resource that provides grief support services to any member of our community who has experienced a loss through death. In addition to providing support services to family members who have utilized Arbor Hospice’s services, programs are open to any member of the community who has experienced a loss.

For more information about Arbor Hospice Grief Support Services, please call 734 – 794-5460 or contact mschultz@arborhospice.org.

Bright Nights Community Forum: Health Care Reform and Mental Health Parity: What Does It Mean for You?

There has been a great deal of discussion recently concerning the computer roll-out of the Affordable Care Act. However, less attention has been paid to the actual details of the ACA, especially relating to changes in coverage for mental illness. How exactly will these changes affect individual coverage and access to services, and on a broader level, how will the ACA impact a national mental health system that is already struggling to adequately serve the number of individuals seeking care?

To learn more about the Affordable Care Act and its impact on mental health coverage and access, the AADL and the U-M Depression Center present this discussion, featuring Marianne Udow-Phillips, MHSA, Director of the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation, and member of the U-M Depression Center National Advisory Board. She will give a brief overview of the Affordable Care Act, focusing on the changes that will impact mental health care coverage and what this will mean on a practical level for individuals seeking care for themselves and/or their family members.

This will be followed by questions from the audience and a discussion with medical experts, including Gregory Dalack, MD, Chair, U-M Dept. of Psychiatry; Kara Zivin, PhD, Assoc. Professor, U-M Dept. of Psychiatry, and School of Public Health Faculty Associate, Institute for Social Research; and Dr. Duane DiFranco, MD, Senior Medical Director, Blue Care Network of Michigan.

This edition of Bright Nights was postponed from a previous date. For more information on the Depression Center, visit their website at www.depressioncenter.org, or contact Trish Meyer, 763-7495, or meyerpa@umich.edu.

Hospice Memorial Gathering event

The staff and volunteers of Arbor Hospice's Grief Support Services cordially invite you, your family, and friends to honor the memory of your loved one at this Memorial Gathering.

You are encouraged to bring a photo of your loved one to display on a Memorial Table during this program. Light refreshments will be served.

Arbor Hospice is a community resource that provides grief support services to any member of our community who has experienced a loss through death. In addition to providing support services to family members who have utilized Arbor Hospice’s services, programs are open to any member of the community who has experienced a loss.

For more information on Arbor Hospice Grief Support, contact Grief Support at 734-794-5460 or mschultz@arborhospice.org.

City Of Ann Arbor 2014 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum: Climate and Adaptation

Come join the conversation about sustainability in Ann Arbor! The City and the Ann Arbor District Library host the third annual Sustainable Ann Arbor series. The series includes four events (held monthly and ending in April) with each focusing on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s sustainability framework.

This third event in the series centers on Climate and Adaptation, including a discussion of current adaptation and resiliency strategies within the community; an introduction of the newly launched Community Climate Partnership, a coalition of community stakeholders working to further support the City’s Climate Partnership; and how to take steps to both mitigate and adapt to climate change.

A think tank of local stakeholders including representatives from community organizations, City of Ann Arbor staff, and Washtenaw County staff will join the public to discuss local sustainability efforts and challenges in our community. Panelists for this event include Rebecca Esselman, Watershed Planner, Huron River Watershed Council; Mike Garfield, Director, Ecology Center; Susan Hutton, Vice Chari, City of Ann Arbor Environmental Commission; Monica Patel, Policy Specialist, Ecology Center; Mike Shriberg, Education Director, Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute; Lecturer, Program in the Environment (PitE) & Michigan Community Scholars Program (MCSP); and Melissa Stults, Science Research Fellow, University of Michigan; Commissioner, City of Ann Arbor Park Advisory Commission and Environmental Commission

The forums offer an opportunity to learn more about sustainability in the community and tips for actions that residents can take to live more sustainably. Details of this series will be posted online at www.a2gov.org/sustainability.

Staci Bockmann, Founder Of Learning Outside the Lines, Discusses Technology To Support Learning

Staci Bockmann, an advocate for children with special needs and the Founder of Learning Outside the Lines, presents an information session on how to use your iPad and computer for academics.

This session, co-sponsored the Washtenaw County CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) Parent Group, will focus on:

Finding and downloading digital books using the ‘Bookshare’ online library.
Using text-to-speech and word prediction software to support written expression.
Creating word banks to help with writing assignments.
Using electronic text readers with built-in comprehension tools.
Creating graphic organizers using various iPad apps and software supports.
Using your iPad to help you study for tests.Making sense of social studies and science content.

Staci has first-hand experience with school districts on both sides of the table, as a parent and as an advocate. Through her company – Learning Outside the Lines (www.LearningOutsideTheLines.com) – she guides parents through the Individualized Education Program process.

Staci also provides academic technology consulting and training for students, parents, and professionals. She is the co-founder of MyGreatKid.com, a blog resource for families with special needs kids

City Of Ann Arbor 2014 Sustainable Ann Arbor Forum: Healthy Ecosystems

Come join the conversation about sustainability in Ann Arbor!

The City and the AADL are hosting the third annual Sustainable Ann Arbor Series, which will include four events (held monthly and ending in April), each focusing on a different element of sustainability from Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework.

This second event in the series centers on Healthy Ecosystems, including an overview of Ann Arbor’s urban and community forest, tips for sustainable landscaping, yard design, and stormwater management at home.

A think tank of local stakeholders including representatives from community organizations, City of Ann Arbor staff, and Washtenaw County staff will join the public to discuss local sustainability efforts and challenges in our community. Panelists for this session include: Bonnie Bona​, Project Manager, Clean Energy Coalition; Commissioner, City of Ann Arbor Planning Commission; Kerry Gray, Urban Forestry & Natural Resources Coordinator, City of Ann Arbor; Roger Moon, Master Rain Gardener,Washtenaw County Master Rain Gardener Program; Evan Pratt, Water Resources Commissioner, Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner; and Harry Sheehan, Environmental Manager, Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner​.

Each program will include a series of short presentations followed by a question and answer session, offering an opportunity to learn more about sustainability in the community and tips for residents.