Mental Health Awareness Month and Resources to Treat Tobacco Use Dependence/Nicotine Addiction

 Authorizing Person: Lisa K. Kelly, Hlth Coms. Mgr.

Dear Health Care Professional,

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As a healthcare professional, you have an essential role in reducing commercial tobacco and vape product use among patients with mental health conditions. You are well-positioned to help your patients enjoy the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of a nicotine-free life. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 4 (or 25%) of adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with a mental health condition or substance use disorder. These adults consume almost 40% of all cigarettes smoked by adults.

Treatments for nicotine addiction work, and it's vital to make them available to everyone who wants to improve their overall wellness, especially for people with mental health conditions. People experiencing mental health issues want to quit, and cessation medications and counseling can help increase their success. You can help your patients with mental health conditions by integrating tobacco use dependence treatment as part of an overall approach to improve their health and wellness. The NYS Smokers' Quitline can also assist you with our Patient Referral Program and free tools and resources to help your patients quit. Quit Coaches are available seven days a week at 9 a.m. by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). Website visitors can visit nysmokefree.com to learn more.

Recipients: All Prescribers Roles: For questions: Please send an e-mail to patricia.bax@roswellpark.org, as notify01 is a non-monitored mailbox.