Can You Spot the Face of Mental Illness?

Save the Date: 2010 Point in Time Count of the Homeless Thursday, January 28 – Volunteers Needed!

It’s the time of year again when we count homeless individuals and families in our community and recruitment of volunteers for the annual count. This information is used to assist in assessing the local homeless situation, to obtain funding and to ultimately create effective programs to end homelessness.

Help Show Someone Hope Homeless Count Volunteers Needed!

Your help could make a huge difference to someone in need. Information you gather will be used to assess the local homeless situation. This will help obtain funding for effective programs to end homelessness.

Volunteers are needed from all areas of Benton and Franklin counties, particularly the areas of Connell, Benton City, and Prosser.

Volunteers must:
• Attend a one-hour training session
• Commit to at least one 2-hour shift on Thursday, January 28th, 2010
• Have access to a cell phone on that day
• Bilingual skills are a plus.

Please contact Cricket Cordova via Email: ccordova@bfcac.org or Phone: (509) 545-4042. Benton Franklin Community Action Committee at 720 West Court Street, Pasco, WA 99301 Phone:(509) 545-4042 Fax: (509) 544-9691.

What a fantastic way to start your New Year… Volunteering and Making a real difference.
Call and find out how you can help.

How Media Can Influence Public Perceptions of Mental Illnesses and What You Can Do About It

A training for individuals interested in seeing more accurate reporting on issues related to mental illness in the news. Anyone interested in improving public understanding of mental illness, wellness and recovery is invited.

Social stigma against people with mental illness is alive and well in Washington State, creating barriers to recovery and wellness for thousands of individuals. As a person informed on mental health issues, you know first-hand the harm discrimination causes. Since public perceptions are shaped by popular and news media, this training will help raise awareness of the ways in which media characterizations can be inaccurate, how language shapes community attitudes and, on how to work successfully with local media organizations to provide accurate information about mental health.

DATE: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

TIME: 9:30 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health 402 South 4th Avenue Yakima, Washington 98902 (509) 575-4084

DEADLINE for registration: Friday, January 15, 2010

Free training and lunch for: Reporters, Mental health consumers and peers, First responders, Mental health providers, caregivers, anyone interested.

For questions about the Yakima event, please contact Chris Hoag by phone ((509) 783-7333 or (800) 257-0660), fax: (509) 783-1980 or email: chris_hoag@verizon.net.

For questions about the news informant trainings in general, please contact Rena Shawver of the Mental Health Transformation Project at (360) 902-7696 or rena.shawver@dshs.wa.gov
Recovery happens. Be part of the change.

This Emotional Life

This 3-part series represents what television does best. It opens a window into real lives, exploring ways to improve our social relationships, cope with emotional issues, and become more positive, resilient individuals.

Hosted by Daniel Gilbert, Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness.

Premiering Monday, January 4 at 9:00 pm. Can be viewed on Channel 31, serving Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, and Yakima.

Congress Provides Funding Increases for Key Mental Health Programs Hard Work Pays Off For All Advocates

Advocacy for funding increases for mental health supports, services and research is an all-year, every-year endeavor. Mental Health America is excited to report that their network of affiliates and NAMI advocates paved the way in reaching a goal of increased funding. Hard work—responding to the alerts, setting up District/State visits and participating in Capitol Hill day—and leadership from Congress resulted in significant funding increases to help meet the critical needs of millions of individuals with, or at risk of, mental health conditions.

Download Conference Appropriations Chart PDF

Congress moved a step closer to finishing work on appropriations for Fiscal Year 2010 by passing the conference report on the omnibus funding measure (HR 3288) by a vote of 221-202 on Thursday, December 10. It is unclear when the Senate will table debate on Health Care Reform to consider HR 3288. The current continuing resolution, which is funding the government at FY 2009 levels until the omnibus funding bill is enacted, expires December 18.

Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
Congress more than doubled the Administration’s funding increase request for mental health services and supports at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)—from $17 million to $36 million. The $36 million increase pushed funding for CMHS past a $1 billion for the first time.
The funding increases for CMHS include:

$13 million increase for Children’s Mental Health to provide children who have mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders with community-based care and supports;
$5 million increase for State homelessness (PATH) grants to provide homeless and seriously mentally ill individuals with community-based support services;

$7 million increase to double an initiative that integrates primary and behavioral health care for an estimated 3 million Americans with severe mental illnesses;
$5 million increase for Project Launch, designed to promote wellness in young children;

$1.5 million increase for suicide prevention efforts; and
$2.8 million increase for addressing the needs of children with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Other Key SAMHSA Increases:
$20 million increase for the Substance Abuse Block Grant;

$40.3 million increase in substance abuse treatment, mainly for drug treatment courts; and
$1.2 million increase for substance abuse prevention.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Congress exceeded the Administration’s 2 percent increase request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The funding increases for NIH include:
$39 million increase for the National Institute of Mental Health;

$27 million increase for the National Institute on Drug Abuse; and
$12 million increase for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Other Crucial Programs:
Housing: Congress provided a $50 million increase for Section 811 Supportive Housing (from $250 million to

$300 million). The Administration had proposed level funding.
Juvenile Justice: Congress provided a roughly $45 million increase for juvenile justice programs (from nearly
$300 million to slightly over $345 million). The Administration had proposed level funding.
Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act: Congress provided a $2 million increase for the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction grant program (from $10 million to $12 million). The Administration had proposed level funding.

Youth Suicide Prevention Program

With a reduction of funding in 1999, the Washington State Department of Health awarded a professional services contract to Sue Eastgard to continue program activities. In 2001, the Youth Suicide Prevention Program incorporated as a private, not-for-profit organization with continued support from DOH, as well as funding from contributions, corporate gifts, fundraising and training fees.

Today, YSPP envisions a state where youth suicide is a rare event, where young people are nurtured and supported, where individuals and families are aware of risk factors for suicide, and actively seek help from accessible, effective community resources. To that end, we focus on public awareness, training, and communities in action.

On February 24, 2009 they will be sponsoring a workshop on suicide prevention in the Tri-Cities. Their website can be reached at www.wspp.org to find out more about them.

State Plans to Release Hundreds of Patients, Landmark Legislation is Passed

Senator Codey’s outpatient commitment legislation improves New Jersey’s mental health treatment law

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New Jersey significantly reformed its mental illness treatment law earlier this year, on August 11th, when Governor Corzine signed Senate Bill 735 into law. Senator Richard Codey and countless advocates battled for years to give New Jersey a way to better help those who refuse treatment because of incapacitating symptoms of illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. “Our goal is to minimize time in the hospital and keep patients in the least restrictive environment that will help foster their recovery,” said Codey.

The law improves New Jersey’s ability to provide treatment to people with severe mental illnesses by allowing for outpatient commitment as an alternative to inpatient hospitalization. Outpatient commitment, also known as assisted outpatient treatment, is a less restrictive, less expensive treatment alternative for people who need intervention but do not require inpatient hospitalization. The timing of this law is critical as the state of New Jersey recently settled a case to release hundreds of psychiatric patients into the community over the next five years.

“This measure provides another mechanism to treat that small group of people who are extremely ill and unable to seek treatment voluntarily,” said James Pavle, executive director of the national Treatment Advocacy Center, a nonprofit dedicated to removing barriers to timely and effective treatment of severe mental illnesses. “Because of the work of so many advocates, New Jersey is the forty-third state to have a provision allowing the use of this powerful treatment option.”
These types of laws save lifes when implemented effectively, according to an independent evaluation. A comprehensive independent evaluation of that law recently conducted for the state confirms that the law is working to help those who need it. The bill will be phased in over three years. Each year, one-third of the state’s counties will implement assisted outpatient treatment. Now New Jersey counties must put this powerful tool to good use, to improve the lifes of individuals suffering from severe mental illness and to prevent further tragedies caused by untreated severe mental illnesses.“

“As a mental health professional and a consumer of mental health services in New Jersey, I am pleased to see this law passed,” said Valerie Fox. “When a person is held in the grip of voices and delusions and has no use of free will, it is humane to care for the person until he/she regains the ability to make rational decisions.”

SAMHSA Honors Writers, Producers and Mental Health Consumer Leaders at Star-Studded 2009 Voice Awards

During this annual event usually dominated by celebraties from Los Angeles, former U.S. Senator Gordon Smith of Oregon and Mrs. Sharon Smith received the SAMHSA Spotlight Award for heightening awareness about suicide prevention. In addition, SAMHSA honored five-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close with a Special Recognition Award for her work to educate the public about the effect of stigma on those with mental illness and their families. Grey New York, an advertising agency that developed a public service campaign in partnership with the Ad Council aimed at decreasing negative attitudes about mental illness and encouraging young adults to support friends who are living with mental health issues, also received a SAMHSA Special Recognition Award for its pro-bono work.

The History of the Mental Health Consumer Movement

What does the mental health consumer movement have in common with other civil rights movements?

How have mental health consumers and our society at large benefited from the pioneering advocacy of early mental health rights activists? What work remains to be done?

To help consumers, the general public, and the media explore these questions, SAMHSA’s ADS Center (Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health) invites you to a free teleconference training entitled “The History of the Mental Health Consumer Movement.”

Date & Time: Thursday – December 17, 2009 at 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (Pacific Time)

To register, please go to promoteacceptance@hhs.gov . We also encourage you to share this invitation with interested friends and colleagues. Please note: Registration for this teleconference will close at 3:00 p.m., Pacific Time, on Thursday, December 10, 2009.

This teleconference will provide a context to help consumers and others understand the origins of the movement, the challenges that members of the movement have encountered and overcome, and the societal advances gained through effective advocacy. This movement set the stage for efforts to support individuals in their personal recovery and to strengthen support for continued systemic change.

Informational Meeting of Benton-Franklin Counties Human Services

All interested members who want to stay informed of changes that will impact mental health services and others in our area, attend this open advisory meeting on Wednesday, December 2, between 11:30-1:00pm at the office of Benton-Franklin Counties Human Services Department, 7207 W. Deschutes Avenue in Kennewick. It is planned to be a potluck, so bringing a snack or dish is welcomed.

Annual Holiday Gift Bag Party Coming Up!

We’re going to have a large assortment of items arranged, sorted, and ready for stuffing into gift bags and we need your help. They will be given to over 100 adults and children in the Tri-Cities, who live with a mental disorder. This is done simply to let them know we are here and care. Refreshments will be available and you are welcome to bring a holiday treat for sharing, if possible. Get ready for a good time!

Time and location are: Tuesday – December 8 at 7:00 pm at the Fellowship Hall, Shalom United Church at 505 McMurray in Richland.

Thanks to the generosity of Washington Producers Inc., McDonalds, DQ Grill & Chill, along with others, we will we once again be able to share in the role as a caring community. Giving is part of receiving all that is good out in the world.

Clover Island Inn offers a holiday meal for needy

Chef Adan Mendoza wanted a chance to give back to the community and decided that it would be a good idea to cook a traditional buffet Thanksgiving dinner for those who otherwise might not have one.

Mark Blotz, general manager and partner, said the goal is to serve 500 to 750 people a dinner that will include turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy and assorted vegetables. One of their vendors, the Sysco Company, is donating some of the food and enough staff has stepped up to the plate to volunteer to cook and serve. Absolutely no money will change hands.

The dinner takes place on the evening before the November 26 holiday. To help with planning, Blotz is requesting that those who want to attend to please call ahead and RSVP by calling 586-0541.
The Inn is located at 435 Clover Island Drive in Kennewick.

Webinar

Webinar: Introduction to Shared Decision Making in Mental Health Creating Dialogue, Promoting Choice, Supporting Recovery
November 12, 2009 ~ 2:00 – 3:30 P.M. (Eastern Time)

Featuring: Patricia Deegan, Pat Deegan Ph.D. & Associates, LLC. and Laurie Curtis, Advocates for Human Potential, Inc.

We invite you to join us for an informative and lively introduction to SAMHSA’s initiative to support Shared Decision Making in mental health services. Participation in this Webinar is free of charge.

Sponsored by: The Office of the Associate Director for Consumer Affairs, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

To register for this event:
1. Go to the URL listed below and choose Web RSVP under Join Events.
2. Enter the conference number and passcode.
3. Provide your information for the event leader and then click submit.

Participant access information:
URL: https://www.mymeetings.com/emeet/rsvp/index.jsp?customHeader=mymeetings&Conference_ID=9091473&passcode=7011561
Conference number: 9091473 Passcode: 7011561

Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness

Help start the conversations rolling in the Tri-Cities by viewing this powerful media presentation produced by PBS and NAMI National at our next meeting on Tuesday, November 10th. Produced to inform people of what is not happening in America, it presents a thought provoking dialogue that points out huge gaps in services between our agencies. Many of us have already experienced them. It addresses the dilemma and concern that nationally we need to search for answers to this problem, as too many people suffering with mental illnesses in our society are ending up in our jails.

Let’s listen to the experts deal with this issue and then brainstorm some solutions. Refreshments will be available.

7:00 pm, Tuesday, November 10th
Shalom United Church
505 McMurray Street, Richland.

New Public Act 096-0181

Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities
Assuring All Workers with Disabilities Continue to Have Access to Affordable Health Care

Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD) is a program that allows individuals with disabilities who work topurchase Medicaid coverage. This Program is mostly utilized by individuals who receive or received Social Security Disability Insurance and return to work. It allows them to afford Medicaid without a large spend-down and receive “extra help” in paying for Medicare Part D prescription drugs.

By law, enrollees in this Program are subjected to Continuing Disability Reviews. While very rare, some individuals are found to be medically improved through these reviews. When this happens, the individual loses eligibility for cash benefits for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD), if applicable. However, federal law does allow Medicaid Buy-In Programs such as HBWD to continue to cover these individuals under
a category called “medical improvement.”

When an enrollee is found to be medically improved, the resulting loss of medical benefit is devastating. These individuals have successfully made the transition back into the workforce and are using HBWD to obtain needed medications and healthcare to maintain that job. Then, after this Review and an unfavorable decision, they lose access to the very healthcare that made the work transition possible. This can easily lead to lose of the job and a worsening of their medical condition just at a time when they are transitioning back to being active members of their community.

Public Act 096-0181 assures that all individuals with disabilities who have successfully transitioned to employment can maintain eligibility to HBWD and its needed healthcare. Adding this category of coverage to Medicaid costs very little as only a small number of working individuals are ever found medically improved each year. Providing these individuals with continuing access to healthcare does allow them to continue working, paying taxes to the state, and feeling empowered and productive.

Media Opportunity: New MTV Series

The producers of MTV’s True Life, a respected documentary series, are developing a new documentary series that focuses specifically on young adults living with mental illness.

Producers are looking for 18- to 25-year-olds living in the continental U.S. who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and are willing to share their personal experiences with a television audience.

MTV expects to start filming this fall and a camera crew would follow participants going about their daily life over the course of two to three months.

Participants should be comfortable sharing the ups and down of living with their illness, including the effect the illness has had on their relationships with family and friends, side effects from medications, therapy and other ways to manage their illness and challenges they take on in their academic and/or professional lives.

If you would like to be considered, please send your name, phone number and a brief description of your experiences (250 words or less) to MTV via e-mail.  If you also would like to be considered for future media opportunities with NAMI, please send a copy to Christine Armstrong (christinea@nami.org) MTV producers will decide which.