Crisis: The State of Mental Health Care in Louisiana
DATE: Thursday, November 15, 2007
LOCATION: Nicholls State University—Betsy C. Ayo Hall Auditorium
TIME: 8 a.m. (registration) until 3:30 p.m. (education activity ends)
CREDIT: 5.5 contact hours
COST: Fee includes continental breakfast, break refreshments and handouts
- $65 for nurses
- $30 for retired nurses age 55 or over
- $20 for Nicholls faculty and staff
- $20 for Nicholls students
- $10 late registration fee for registering less than seven days prior to education activity
SPEAKERS: Celeste Chauvin BS, MSW holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Nicholls State University and a Masters of Social Work from Tulane University of New Orleans. Ms. Chauvin has an extensive background in disaster recovery and crisis counseling, having most recently worked with individuals and families affected by the devastating effects of Hurricanes Lili, Katrina and Rita. Ms. Chauvin is employed as a Social Service Counselor Supervisor through the Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Mental Health, and provides counseling services to children and adolescents through Project Le Cirque in Houma, LA. In addition, she works through Options for Independence, Louisiana Spirit as a Crisis Counselor.
Linda Manfrin-Ledet DNS, APRN, BC is a Board Certified Advanced Practice Nurse in the field of Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, and is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Nicholls State University. Dr. Manfrin-Ledet’s professional nursing practice spans over 23 years and includes mental health care, oncology, home health care, and nursing education. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, and has authored numerous textbook chapters on the topic of mental health. Dr. Manfrin-Ledet’s most recent research focused on the mental health issues related to women’s health, HIV prevention, and intimate partner violence.
DESCRIPTION: Mental healthcare has suffered a decline in services over time related to cuts in funding and insurance reimbursement. The latest insult to Louisiana’s mental healthcare system occurred after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Many persons needing inpatient mental health care cannot find placement in an appropriate facility, and must remain in either the emergency department or be admitted to another unit of the acute care hospital. Questions remain such as: “What is being done to address the mental health crisis?” “What resources are currently available?” and “How do we care for mental health patients in the acute care settings such as the emergency department, medical units, and intensive care units?” This continuing nursing education activity is designed to answer those questions and more. All registered nurses working in mental health and acute care settings are encouraged to attend.