Lots of millivolts zipping and zapping from one neuron to the next neuron.

So can we, the medical doctors and medical researchers, figure out how to use electricity to tune up the brain?

That’s the BIG QUESTION.  

But the brain is the most complex structure in the universe aside from the universe itself.

But the work of using electricity to tune up the brain of those with mental health challenges is well underway.

Depression , for example, involves multiple neural circuits. This is different in different patients. So what is needed is a personalized approach to using electricity to treat depression.

The personalization is based on brain mapping of brain activity. EEG does that trick.

And then electrodes are programmed to target areas of the brain involved in creating depression.

This is like a pacemaker for the brain.  Deep brain stimulation with leads deep in the brain has been used for decades but it is very invasive and very expensive.

So transcranial brain stimulation using MRI targeting is a much less invasive and more accessible approach to treating depression and other conditions such as OCD.

Personalized brain stimulation requires accurate targeting of the right area of the brain but also the right rhythm. The neural code or the brain code is frequency dependent.  Like a song. Get the frequency wrong and Taylor Swift’s song is gaarbbage.

So the brain is and has been proven to be plastic. It can be rewired and using electricity in targeted and personalized methodologies will help humanity with the biggest illness of all – mental illness.

Raymond Rupert  health system disruptor and patient advocate.

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Unfortunately, if the child sustains adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) including trauma, separation and abuse, then there are likely to be resulting mental health concerns and challenges.

So planning for mental health for the family starts on day 1 of the infant’s journey in attachment and brain development.

If mental health challenges do arise, then the quality of socially and emotionally authentic relationships within the family are the key to helping the person with the mental health challenge.

The analogy often used in mental health involves the use of the oxygen mask on the airplane. The first thing to do on the airplane is for the parent to put on the oxygen mask and then the parent can help the child.

The parents have to take care of their mental health first in order to help the child.  The parents must be emotionally healthy in order to help the child.

The family system is an important part of our work at RCM Health Consultancy.   In family systems work, we look at the existing narrative within the family system.

The narrative is what the parent’s think. It is their assumptions about the child. If the problem has become entrenched and the parents have suffered with the problem for a decade or more, they might assume that nothing can be done. And then nothing will be done.

We recently spoke with the parents of a 30 year old child assumed to have “failure to launch”. The parent’s narrative and assumptions were that the child was not capable of becoming a productive and purposeful individual. When we offered to help with the narrative and assumptions, the parents said no thanks.  Nothing will change because of their assumptions which stopped any possible progress from being made.

If the narrative and assumptions can be unpacked and changed and a new more positive and optimistic outlook is adopted , then the ensuing changes in the conversation and actions might in fact work to help the child.  At least, an effort will be directed at changing in a positive and healthful way.

Challenges exist at this stage of implementing change, as well. Having the parents look at their own enabling behaviours is very difficult. It is hard work to change what is unexplored. Even if the parents had the best intentions in raising the child, things can go wrong.

Once the parents have examined their enabling behaviours,  and then changed the conversation and their actions including introducing consequences , then things might get worse before things get better. That is to be expected. So put on your seat belts for the bumpy ride and be patient.

This describes the family systems work that we do at RCM Health Consultancy when families commit to work with our teams in helping a family member with a mental health problem.

Raymond Rupert

CEO

RCM Health Consultancy Inc.

647 350 5500

info@rcmhealthconsultancy.com

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That is a certainty and all you have to do is look at the stats to see that it is a reality for many families.

It is time to start putting a plan in place for these mental health crises. Or the vague reference by a family member to ending it all might, in fact, happen.

In planning for a mental health crisis, it is important to realize that the family doctor is not likely going to provide the solution. And the healthcare system won’t likely provide a solution. A patient might be admitted to hospital for a crisis but that is just the beginning and not a solution. Solutions have to be crafted one patient at a time with a team with deep expertise in this field.

A family needs a mental health advisor to take the role of mental health coach. The mental health coach’s job is to build deep and trusting relationships with the family members. He/she has to understand how to use langugage to build trust.  And how to engage the family members either individually or as a group.

The mental health coach should have training in the assesment of mental health conditions. RCM Health Consultancy team members can take this role and RCM is able to provide an audit of the mental health status of the family members. Or at least an audit for those where there is some concern.

The family member will get feedback on their metrics and understand that if the family member wants help that the mental health advisor/coach can help to guide them on a treatment pathway. Crafting the treatment pathway requires a multi-disciplinary team with various skillsets.

This is a complex role. If there are 4 generations in the family, and an individual can have any of 30 conditions and if there are at least 40 different options for that person, then there are 4800 different scenarios to possibly consider.

This is a complex decision that a family needs to consider and hopefully with a team of professionals supporting their decision. That is what we do at RCM Health Consultancy.

A  family can call RCM Health Consultancy Inc. to learn more about how RCM can assist the family to prevent mental health crises.  We are always pleased to assist.

Raymond Rupert CEO  RCM Health Consultancy Inc.

647 350 5500 ext 118 /   info@rcmhealthconsultancy.com

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We have heard from our friends in Tel Aviv who have already received the vaccine.

Their process of vaccine distribution is very well orchestrated.  Our friends belong to one of 4 major HMOs ( health maintenance organizations) in Israel.

The HMOs are like OHIP. The big difference is that these 4 HMOs in Israel must compete for customers. OHIP is a monolithic monopolistic bureaucratic entity. Sometimes no one answers the phone.  Try it and you will see. Service levels are likely not even measured at OHIP.

The need to compete changes the entire service delivery experience for customers in Israel. If customers of the HMO do not get good service, then they can change to another HMO. The more customers, the more revenues and the more advances in technology and facilities that can be developed.

Competition amongst the HMOs forces them to up their game to the benefit of their customers.

Years ago, I toured the head office of Clalit, one of the HMOs. Their use of information technology (IT) at that time was light years ahead of the IT in Canada. Their managers manage service delivery and take pride in being excellent at it.

So when it came time to distribute the vaccine, the managers at Clalit pushed a few buttons and mobilized the effort. Somewhat like going to war. But this time, the enemy is a virus.

So the question for the political leaders and ministers of health in our provinces and territories is why don’t we use this model of competition to increase the service levels for Canadians. Lives depend on it.

Might be a useful thought exercise for our leaders to engage in, if their time permits.

All the best of luck with this initiative. I will be watching from the side lines.

Raymond Rupert patient advocate and part time health industry disruptor.

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