Connecting Communities to Mental Health Care: 4 Questions with Jacob Passerman
In the behavioral health field, the word “sales” can make people uncomfortable. It sounds transactional in a field built on compassion and trust. But the reality is this: If people do not know we exist, they cannot access the care that could change or save their lives. At Sanford Behavioral Health, we are unapologetic about […]
The Brain’s 4 Feel-Good Chemicals Explained (with Dr. Bibhas Singla)
Recently, we’ve seen a surge in website clicks and phone calls from people seeking natural ways to boost the brain’s 4 feel-good chemicals: dopamine, endorphins, serotonin, and oxytocin. They may not use the exact words, but what people are looking for is neurochemical help to: Reduce stress Feel genuinely happier Stop relying on alcohol, drugs, […]
Righting the Ship – Reflections on My First Year as CEO of Sanford Behavioral Health
The weekend I signed on as CEO at Sanford Behavioral Health, my son began working on a new 10,000-piece Lego project. Ironically, it was a likeness of the Titanic that would take him a year to complete. I do not mean to say Sanford was a sinking ship, but the analogy of righting a ship […]
How Sobriety Changed My Relationships
I’ll never forget when my dad looked at me and said, “You’re different.” He said it just a couple of weeks after I left rehab for alcohol dependence. I laughed, feeling a little off guard, and asked, “How?” He proceeded to explain that I seemed less anxious, more present, more here. My leg wasn’t bouncing. My […]
Sanford Behavioral Health Joins Manifest Provider Collective to Expand Behavioral Health Solutions
Alec Green has been developing models to help self-funded employers ease the burden of the behavioral health ecosystem since 2018. As Sanford Behavioral Health’s Executive Vice President, Alec has led efforts to reach self-funded employers by developing an understanding of their needs and engaging community leaders. Consequently, the relationship with Manifest Provider Collective was organic […]
Someone Who Listens: Inside the Role of a Resident Support Specialist
The Resident Support Specialist (RSS) at Sanford Behavioral Health supports clients and assists with day-to-day operations. It’s an important role, because the RSS is also responsible for creating a community and ensuring that everyone in treatment feels welcome and safe. The RSS has a long list of responsibilities, including safety checks and inspiring participation in […]
The Double Barrier to Mental Health Care: Public and Internalized Stigma
Individuals who seek out mental health or substance use disorder (SUD) care have often crossed hundreds of invisible mental barriers long before they make the first call. Research shows that stigma operates repeatedly in this process. Public stigma is the widespread belief that mental health and SUD conditions reflect weakness, poor choices, or lack of willpower. […]
Welcome Sanford’s New Chief Medical Officer, Bibhas Singla, MD, MBA, FACHE, CPE, FAPA
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Bibhas Singla, MD, MBA, FACHE, CPE, FAPA, has joined Sanford Behavioral Health as Chief Medical Officer. We sat down with Sanford’s new CMO to discuss how he will approach the role, why he chose Sanford, and how he intends to bridge critical gaps in access to high-quality mental […]
Sober Fun (Holiday Edition)
One of the biggest lies people with an addiction believe is “If I don’t drink/smoke/use, I can’t have fun.” Unfortunately, the lies we tell ourselves are often the hardest to overcome—especially during the holidays. So, what does sober fun look like between November and January? You might be surprised to know it can look both very […]
Home for the Holidays? Go to Detox Now.
The holidays often come with the unrevealed thought: I’ll just get through it. Get through the parties. The stress. The expectations. The drinking that feels unavoidable. But for some, “getting through it” has become more difficult than it should. Perhaps drinking has gotten out of hand, and the thought of getting through the spirited season without […]
