Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 8.
HB 605, authored by Representatives Landry, Duplessis, and Freeman, define "conversion therapy" and prohibit certain licensed health professionals from engaging in that practice with any minor. The bill is pending in the Committee on Health and Welfare.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 8.
Present law (R.S. 15:827) outlines the duties of Department of Public Safety & Corrections, or DPS&C. The proposed law creates the DPS&C Medical Advisory Council composed of 13 members from each of various disciplines or associations. HB 517 is pending in Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 8.
The proposed law provides that a licensed healthcare professional shall not be adversely affected for accepting or rejecting a healthcare procedure, treatment, or product; or exercising free speech. The measure is pending in committee.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 5. Source pages: 8.
HB 705 by Rep. Seabaugh provides for the procedure and orders for additional medical opinions regarding physical or mental conditions in controversy. The bill is pending in the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 11.
The Southeastern Psychological
Association held its Annual Meeting last month in South Carolina. Among those presenting were students of Dr. Erin Dupuis, faculty sponsor from Loyola University, and students from Louisiana State University, with faculty member Dr. Mary Lou Kelley.
Taylor Standberry and Dr. Dupuis presented their research, "The Association Between Online Gaming Relationships, Social Support, and the COVID-19 Pandemic." The aim was to examine the possible association between the COVID-19 pandemic, social support, and online gaming relationships.
The authors note, "Previous research has shown that high levels of social support can act as a buffer against stress and can increase well-being. Individuals get social support in various ways, including playing video games. Our study had a primary focus on Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPGs). MMORPGs are a genre of online video games where players join a world inhabited by other players’ characters and they often cooperate with other players to complete in-game tasks."
Participants completed the MMORPG Game Involvement Scale (Dupuis & Ramsay, 2011), and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation Scale to measure perceived emotional support from friends, with subscale for tangible support, belonging support, self-esteem support, and appraisal support.
"Playing online games during the pandemic was associated with increased levels of belonging, self-esteem, and social involvement in MMORPGs. The implications of these findings are that playing these games may be helpful during world-wide emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, in maintaining social support and online gaming relationships when individuals cannot give and receive this support through direct, in-person methods."
Ms. Standberry said, "This is my first time attending a big conference such as SEPA, so I am really excited to see other undergraduates' work as well as share the data Dr. Dupuis and I collected!"
Adrian Ridley and Dr. Dupuis presented their design for an ongoing project, "The Relation Between Differing Kinds of Fear and Compassion."
The authors note that fear is a survival response and is inherently self-interest based. Because of this it is associated with reduced empathy and compassion for others. Their research attempts to explain this relationship further by separating fear into specific subcategories of fright and dread.
From Louisiana State University, Kelsey Coulthard, Kristen Hollas, and faculty member Dr. Mary Lou Kelley, presented, "Coping Behavior Across Adults and Genders."
Coping, is categorized by problem-based and emotion-based, and across positive (approach & adaptive) and negative (avoidant & maladaptive) strategies. "Positive coping skills include meditation and receiving social support which are associated with positive outcomes. Negative coping methods such as behavioral disengagement and substance use which are associated with more negative outcomes.
"Numerous studies have examined coping styles in specific groups or clinical samples such as adolescents, college students, and minorities but few have examined general adult populations. […] The present study examines coping styles across a diverse, adult sample."
The researchers found that age is a significant predictor for several coping responses. Younger adults were more likely to use negative coping styles, maladaptive and avoidant coping strategies. Older adults were more likely to use approach-based positive coping. Adaptive coping skills tended to be used more by older adults but this this was not statistically significant. Gender identity was significantly associated with different coping styles.
"These results suggest differences between both age groups and sexes regarding the types of coping skills used. The implications from this data help us understand how adults respond to stressful situations. Specifically, younger adults were more likely to use negative coping strategies compared to older adults, who were likely to use positive coping skills. Further, female participants were more likely to use more coping skills, both positive and negative, compared to men."
Kristen Hollas, Kelsey Coulthard, and Dr. Kelley also presented, "Posttraumatic Stress and Familial Support on College Students’ Academic Achievement."
Authors note that research indicates that students with higher levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) have lower grades and that greater social support may facilitate recovery and lessen PTSS. For this study, initial analyses indicated that familial support was significantly correlated with GPA. "After controlling for the effects of race and socioeconomic status, hierarchical regressions revealed that family support did not moderate the relationship between PTSS and GPA, due to the interaction term between PTSS and family support being insignificant. However, individual regression analyses found significant relationships between PTSS and GPA, PTSS and family support, as well as GPA and family support. Additionally, being impoverished was significantly associated with having a lower GPA."
From the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Taylar Johnson and Dr. Manyu Li, presented "Fandom Communities’ Engagement in Black Lives Matters Digital Activism: A Study of Intragroup Processes." (See the March issue of the Times.)
Also at the Southeastern Psychological Association were members of the LSU Health Sciences Center who presented a workshop, " Making a Difference: Breaking the Intergenerational Cycle of Foster Care Through Baby Court Team."
Presenting were Amy Dickson, PsyD, Sebastian Del Corral Winder, PsyD, and Amy Rinner, PsyD, all from LSU Health Sciences Center.
Kelsey Coulthard (L) and Kristen Hollas, students of Dr. Mary Lou Kelley at Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association last month in South Carolina. (courtesy photo)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 16.
The Louisiana Psychological Association will host Dr. Jennifer Kelly, clinical health psychologist and past president of the American Psychological Association, at their 2022 Spring convention to be held April 8–9 at the New Orleans Marriott Lakeway. Dr. Kelly will deliver the Janet and Lee Mathews Invited Address.
Dr. Kelly was elected the 2021 President of the American Psychological Association. She most recently served as Co-Chair of the newly formed Advocacy Coordinating Committee of the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. She served on the Board of Directors as Recording Secretary for APA from 2013- 2018. Prior to that, she served on the Board as a member-at-large.
She has held other leadership positions within APA including service on the Council of Representatives for six years, Past-Chair of the Board of Professional Affairs, member of the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (CAPP), Past-Chair of the Committee of State Leaders, Past-President of the Division of State, Provincial, and Territorial Psychological Association Affairs (Division 31), Division 29 Member-at-large, and numerous task- forces. She served on the Board of Trustees of the Association for the Advancement of Psychology (PAC) and was Chair of the Board 2008-2009.
She was the 2012 recipient of the APA Division of Health Psychology/American Psychological Foundation Timothy B. Jeffrey Award for Outstanding Contributions to Clinical Health Psychology. In 2011 she was presented with the Diversity Award from the Committee of State Leaders of APA. She received the Outstanding Psychologist Award from Division 31 of APA in 2006.
Dr. Jennifer Kelly
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 3.
Gov. Edwards made appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions over the last month, including:
Melinda McGee Richard of Baton Rouge has been appointed to the Louisiana Department of Health. She will serve as assistant secretary of the Office of Aging and Adult Services. The Louisiana Department of Health protects and promotes health and ensures access to medical, preventative, and rehabilitative services for all citizens of Louisiana.
Claude A. Guillotte of Hammond has been reappointed to the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners, and reappointed to the Marriage and Family Therapy Advisory Committee. Guillotte is a self-employed therapist who offers services to individuals, couples, and families. He will serve a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Abigail B. Hays of Rayville has been appointed to the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners and to the Marriage and Family Therapy Advisory Committee. Hays is a behavioral health specialist for Richardson Medical Center School Based Health Clinic. She will serve as a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Rekesha "Renee" G. Antoine of Prairieville has been appointed to the Office of the Governor. Antoine is the former state director of Maternal Child Health and Government Affairs March of Dimes. She will serve as executive director of the Office on Women's Policy. William A. "Bill" Sommers Sr. of Lake Charles has been reappointed to the Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority. Sommers is deputy secretary of youth services for the Louisiana Department of Corrections. He will serve as an advocate in the field of mental health.
The Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority provides behavioral health and development disability services to the residents of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, and Cameron parishes.
Candace L. Blood of Pineville has been appointed to the Central Louisiana Human Services District. Blood is a director of clinical services for Longleaf Hospital. She will serve as an advocate in the field of addictive disorders.
Douglas L. Ryland of Alexandria has been reappointed to the Central Louisiana Human Services District. Ryland is the executive director of Evergreen Life Services. He will serve as an advocate in the field of mental health.
Central Louisiana Human Services District provides mental health and addiction-related counseling and treatment for adults, children, and adolescents in the parishes of Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn parishes.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 4.
U.S. Congressman Garret Graves said that $1,287,770,000 is allocated and related to natural disasters in 2020 and 2021. These funds are from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
So far, only $600 million of $5 billion had been allocated for those impacted by Louisiana's 2020 hurricanes. Graves said, "Within one month of Hurricane Ida's landfall, we secured billions of dollars in federal funding to help south Louisiana recover and are continuing to work on more funds. This is welcomed news, but it shouldn't have taken six months for the funds to be allocated. We have hurricane victims that needed these funds back in September when we passed the law."
Breakdown of the current allocations are:
* State of Louisiana is receiving $1,272,346,000. * Baton Rouge is receiving $4,648,000. * Lake Charles is receiving $10,776,000.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 4.
The Louisiana Spirit Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) operating under the auspices of the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) is receiving $9.2 million in additional funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The OBH announced that this funding will allow Hurricane Ida survivors access to disaster behavioral health and emotional support resources. FEMA awarded this supplemental funding through the Immediate and Regular Services Programs Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program grants. The funds allow OBH and five local governing entities to provide short-term crisis counseling services to survivors located within the impacted communities. CCP services include reducing stress and providing emotional support; assisting survivors in reviewing their disaster recovery options; promoting the use or development of healthy coping strategies; connecting survivors with appropriate people and agencies that can assist providers in their rebuilding efforts; and referrals to other disaster recovery programs.
A resource available through CCP is the Keep Calm helpline at 866- 310-7977, operated by VIA LINK, a local call center provider, available 24 hours a day,
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 6.
The Environment and Health Council of Louisiana (EHCL) is hosting its annual conference on April 21 at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge. This year’s conference theme is “Coastal Resiliency—Louisiana Initiatives."
The most recent conference focused on Medical Marijuana in Louisiana. Other conferences have explored the topics of Living a Better Life in Louisiana, Effective Water Management, Diabetes, a Report Card 2 years later on the 2010 Oil Spill, Alzheimer’s Disease and Obesity in Children.
The 2022 conference will feature Charles Sutcliffe, Chief Resiliency Officer for the state; Chip Kline, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Chair; and Ramsey Green, CAO and Resiliency Chief in the Mayor’s Office New Orleans.
They will discuss Coastal Governmental Initiatives. A review of Coastal Resiliency Research Initiatives will be led by Dr.Traci Birch; LSU School of Architecture and Dr. Nina Lam with LSU Environmental Studies. Providing a perspective on Local Initiatives to manage the coast will be provided by Archie Chaisson, President of Lafourche Parish. Wrapping up the conference will be a discussion of the History and Culture of Coastal Resiliency. Dr. Mike Pasquier of LSU Religious Studies and History and Dr. Craig Colten of the Water Institute of the Gulf will lead that discussion.
The event is free and open to the public. Pre- registration is suggested via the EHCL website at www.ehcla.org.
The Environment and Health Council of Louisiana is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 to facilitate independent, balanced and factual assessment of health issues related to the environmental and economic wellbeing of Louisiana by providing a forum for developing perspectives on health and environmental issues and assisting the public in understanding those issues.
Dr. Phillip Brantley, psychologist, serves as a Member-at-Large and was previously an EHCL board member. Dr. Brantly holds the John Stauffer McIlhenny Endowed Professorship in Nutrition, John S. Mcllhenny Endowed Professor and isProfessor in Behavioral Medicine at Pennington.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 8.
HB 272, authored by Rep. Jefferson provides, for mental health evaluations in divorce and child custody proceedings. A notation indicates that the bill is on the recommendation of the Louisiana State Law Institute.
The present law (R.S. 9:327) allows a court to order a mental health evaluation of the parties when determining an award of final spousal support. The proposed law requires the appointed mental health professional to be licensed. Additionally, new language states:
"C. 'Licensed mental health professional' as used in this Chapter means a person who possesses at least a master's degree and who is licensed in counseling, social work, psychology, or marriage and family counseling.
"D. When a licensed mental health professional has been appointed by the court, there shall be no ex parte communication by the litigants or their attorneys with the licensed mental health professional unless authorized by law or court order or agreed to by the parties. All oral communication with the licensed mental health professional shall be by teleconference or meeting in which each party to the proceeding participates either through the party's attorney or as a self-represented litigant. All written communication or correspondence to the licensed mental health professional, along with any attachments thereto, shall be provided contemporaneously to all parties to the litigation or their attorneys of record."
The measure was reported favorably at out of the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure, March 29.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 8.
Present law (R.S. 15:827) outlines the duties of Department of Public Safety & Corrections, or DPS&C. The proposed law creates the DPS&C Medical Advisory Council composed of 13 members from each of the following disciplines or associations: orthopedic surgery; obstetrics or gynecology; cardiology; interventional pain management; family practice; physical and occupational medicine; oncology; psychology or psychiatry; general internal medicine; La. State University School of Medicine dean, or designee; Tulane Medical School dean, or designee; Xavier University College of Pharmacy, or designee; and La. Dept. of Health director, or designee.
Present law provides that the professional association that represents each discipline shall provide the secretary with three nominees. The secretary shall choose the representative to represent their respective discipline on the council and the secretary may appoint additional representatives.
The measure has been referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 8.
HB 582 by Rep. Stagni adds Louisiana to the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact. Proposed law allows Louisiana to join the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact. Louisiana, as a participating state, to adopt the same uniform professional counseling licensure requirements as the states in the Licensed Professional Counselor Interstate Compact. Proposed law establishes telehealth technology for states in the Compact.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 9.
HB 605, authored by Representatives Landry, Duplessis, and Freeman, define "conversion therapy" and prohibit certain licensed health professionals from engaging in that practice with any minor. The bill is pending in the Committee on Health and Welfare.
Proposed law sets forth legislative findings relative to the practice known as conversion therapy including the following: (1) "Conversion therapy" is a general term that encompasses practices intended to change a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or two-spirit individual's sexual orientation, gender identity, or both. (2) According to the American Psychiatric Assoc., there is no rigorous scientific research supporting claims that an unwanted sexual orientation can be "cured" through any method. (3) The American Psychological Assoc., American Psychiatric Assoc., and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry have all taken public positions against the use of conversion therapy.
The proposed law defines "conversion therapy", for purposes of proposed law, as any practice or treatment conducted without a person's consent which is intended to change the person's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions, or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex or gender.
The measure provides that conversion therapy includes all of the following: (1) Any practice by a healthcare provider that attempts or purports to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity conducted without the person's consent. (2) Any practice by a healthcare provider that attempts or purports to change the behavioral expression of a person's sexual orientation or gender identity conducted without the person's consent. (3) Any practice by a healthcare provider that attempts or purports to eliminate or reduce a person's sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex or gender conducted without the person's consent.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 13, No. 4. Source pages: 9.
Present law provides for advisory committees to the La. State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) relative to occupations regulated by the board such as medical psychology, physician assistant, polysomnography, and others.
SB 34 provides that an advisory committee of the LSBME which is comprised of members from various locations statewide, and which acts only in an advisory capacity, may conduct and its members may attend and participate in a meeting via electronic means if the board and the advisory committee and its presiding officer comply with all the requirements of proposed law.
The proposed law provides for public notice and participation requirements including the publication, no later than 24 hours prior to a meeting conducted via electronic means, of a notice and agenda for the meeting and detailed information regarding how members of the public may participate in the meeting and submit comments regarding matters on the agenda.
SB 34 further requires the advisory committee to provide a mechanism to receive public comment electronically both prior to and during the meeting and to properly identify and acknowledge all public comments during the meeting and maintain those comments in its record of the meeting.
The proposed law provides that the presiding officer of the advisory committee shall ensure that each person participating in the meeting is properly identified and all parts of the meeting, excluding any matter discussed in executive session, are clear and audible to all participants in the meeting including the public.
The measure is pending in Senate and Governmental Affairs.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.