Courses and Events

Event Description:  Addressing the Connection of Brain Injury, Public Health and the Legal System in North Carolina
A brain injury is an invisible disability that can affect a person’s behavior, ability to process information, and physical condition. Research dating back more than 30 years tells us that mental health disorders are commonly observed in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. In the first year post-injury, up to 77% receive a psychiatric diagnosis. Anxiety, mood, and substance-use disorders are common and often present co-morbidly. These individuals also face higher rates of mental health disorders are associated with worse health outcomes, increased mental health care utilization, and poorer quality of life.

Join Disability Rights NC (DRNC) and their resident TBI expert and survivor to provide an overview of the different types of brain injuries and dispel common myths about individuals with brain injuries, mental health, and its relevance to our state public health and the legal system. This will include learning about various strategies and tips for communicating with clients with brain injuries and opportunities to practice and engage with other attendees through interactive activities. This session will also share information on DRNC's newly launched Brain Injury Community Screening Program.

Provided by
Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program of Wake Forest School of Medicine and part of the NC AHEC System and Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC)