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Mental Health

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Mental Health Following A Stroke

Our brain is in charge of most things in our body, including our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When someone experiences a stroke, it can affect parts of the brain that control our mood and behavior so that they no longer work as they used to before the stroke. That is why those who have had a stroke often struggle with common mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation, during and after their recovery. In general, we call these concerns Post-Stroke Psychosocial Stress.

Post-stroke, when patients do not get treatment for post-stroke psychosocial stress, it can take longer for them to feel better during their recovery. This can have a negative effect on survivors’ quality of life as well, which in turn can worsen the post-stroke psychosocial stress. Add to this the fact that when these patients discharge directly home from the hospital without additional supportive services they are only able to receive care from family members, spouses, and loved ones, whom we call informal caregivers. Because informal caregivers usually don’t have any medical training, they can feel overwhelmed and develop caregiver burden and psychosocial stress. Increased caregiver burden can affect the informal caregiver’s ability to help those who have had a stroke through their recovery. This means that both the patient and their informal caregiver’s psychosocial stress can increase, which can also make recovery more difficult.

Fortunately, there are helpful therapies and supports for those who have had a stroke and their informal caregivers. Receiving these kinds of supports can improve the post-stroke recovery process and quality of care for their loved ones by reducing post-stroke psychosocial stress.

The Mental Health Program focuses on developing behavioral interventions, supports, and therapies for this crucial post-stroke period. We are interested in learning about how the interventions can improve post-stroke psychosocial stress so that we can improve the education and support services for those who have had a stroke and their informal caregivers in our communities.


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Post-Stroke Depression Study

If you have experienced a recent stroke and are struggling with depression, our ongoing research study may be able to assist you. If you qualify you can expect a no cost MRI and PET scan, a free mental health evaluation, and a referral to a mental health provider.

To learn more contact Caitlin Farrington, Clinical Research Coordinator

Caitlin.E.Farrington@uth.tmc.edu

(713) 500-8207


RESOURCES



"Social Situations for the Elderly"

Doug Pike interviews Dr. Jennifer Beauchamp, PhD, RN about social situations for the elderly.

World Stroke Day Awareness

Share this video with others to encourage Stroke Awareness!

Mental Health After Stroke

 Jennifer Beauchamp

Jennifer Beauchamp, PhD, RN

Associate Professor, Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston
 Jason Burnett

Jason Burnett, PhD

Associate Professor, Geriatric and Palliative Medicine
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
 Alejandro Chaoul

Alejandro M Chaoul, PhD

Founder and Director of The Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute;Adjunct Faculty, McGovern Center for Humanity and Ethics;Adjunct Faculty, Department of Integrative Medicine MD Anderson Cancer Center
 Jennifer Hughes

Jennifer B Hughes, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth Houston
 Carina Katigbak

Carina Katigbak, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAHA

Associate Professor | Department of Research | Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston

UTHealth Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease Faculty: Recent Publications (2020-2023)

For Health Care Professionals

The stroke institute holds a monthly mental health program meeting every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 4 PM CST on TEAMS  to discuss current projects related to stroke and mental wellness and ideas for future projects. Interested in joining? Email Dr. Jennifer Beauchamp at  jennifer.e.beauchamp@uth.tmc.edu.


In The News

  • Sen. John Fetterman opens up about his mental health struggles
    The Pennsylvania Democrat was discharged in March from inpatient treatment for clinical depression after his mental health struggles intensified during recovery from a 2022 stroke.

    Read in NBC News: https://apple.news/ATyFy0y1fQLWPJO60lxS5ww

MH-Consortium

The UTSHB Consortium is a UT System Administration initiative designed to improve the health of Texans by providing a standardized biospecimen/related data search and request mechanism for UT personnel at participating institutions. Mental health data is available with appropriate approvals. Find out more at: https://www.utsystem.edu/utshbc/home.html