HYBRID EVENT: You can participate in person at Baltimore, Maryland, USA or Virtually from your home or work.

5th Edition of Global Conference on

Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health and Psychiatry

October 21-23, 2024 | Baltimore, Maryland, USA

GAB 2021

Brian Monahan

Speaker at Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health and Psychiatry 2021 - Brian Monahan
GTI, United States
Title : GTI - A non-traditional approach to behavioral prevention

Abstract:

Green Thumb Initiative (GTI) is a Colorado non-profit organization seeking alternatives to traditional psychotherapy. GTI provides primary prevention, predominantly in its universal and selective form. We work with youth 12-18 and adults in the community in providing education and implement evidence-based prevention programs to reduce the demand for substance use, along with research-based practices increasing the effects of the protective factors in youth and families. We are addressing the behavioural health needs of adults and children through STEAM education, behavioural prevention, therapeutic horticulture and building physical and psychological resilience. The organization’s staff has background in education, biology, horticulture, and mental health. This allows us to custom-design collaborative projects including evidence-based practices in substance abuse prevention. The programs currently are implemented in school and community settings. Sixty-eight students who participated in GTI programming during Spring 2020 completed Baseline Surveys. Challenges reported by these students show that there is substantial need for programs to increase access to healthy food, reduce stress, and increase resiliency. One in five students reported having a diagnosis for a learning disability, such as ADHD, dyslexia, or autism (19%). Fifteen percent reported difficulty concentrating, remembering, or deciding, and 7% reported a traumatic brain injury or TBI. The top areas of improvement in the recently researched three-month school programs are Connection to Resources (70%), Overall Health (66%), Food Insecurity (55%), Compassion (54%), School Performance (51%).

These initial results hold promise that the GTI program could be effective in preventing behaviour disruption and the need for “talk” therapy, and in aftercare upon completion of mental health treatment

Biography:

Brian is also a co-founder and Business Director/Coach of GTI. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration, works on his master's degree in Clinical Psychology, and is a Certified   Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He served his country as a US Army Special Forces Operator (Green Beret); His love of the outdoors, gardening, and learning was first cultivated by his grandparents who were environmental engineers and educators and helped to establish best environmental practices and institutions of higher education all over the eastern seaboard and Midwest.  His father was an FBI agent, and his mother was an experienced social services worker. Brian's unique background drives his dedication to help improve the quality of life in the community.

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