Missouri DMH Connections

Another goodbye to a good friend

Dr. John Constantino ended his term on the Mental Health Commission recently, and I want to express our deepest appreciation and admiration for his outstanding leadership as member and chair of the commission for the past three and a-half years. Dr. Constantino’s time on the Commission coincides with some of the most difficult and stressful periods in DMH’s history. Multiyear funding reductions and the gradual erosion of DMH administrative and clinical leadership impacted DMH’s ability to provide critically needed, high-quality mental health services to Missourians. Statewide concerns about the lack of client safety within DMH services, highlighted prominently by the media, further eroded DMH credibility.

Throughout this period, John’s uncompromising leadership as chair of the commission helped overcome organizational paralysis, demanded higher levels of operational and clinical accountability, and helped create a more positive vision for DMH’s future. Under his guidance, the Mental Health Commission conducted a series of well-publicized statewide hearings and issued a critical report entitled “Building A Safer Mental Health System,” highlighting key DMH program safety and treatment problems, and recommending a blueprint for change now being implemented by DMH. While these recommendations necessarily focused on prominent safety issues in DMH programs, they went much farther in mapping a broader direction for improving the overall quality and accountability of DMH services.

Perhaps John’s mental health leadership over the last four years is best depicted in the following quote by Dr. Martin Luther King:

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort,
but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.”

On behalf of everyone at the department, we wish John the very best in his numerous endeavors and look forward to a time when our paths will cross again.

Keith Schafer, Director

Mental Health Champions

I have long been very interested in finding a special way to recognize the people that we serve for their many talents and accomplishments. For years I have seen firsthand many inspiring stories of people doing exceptional things, despite having a mental illness, developmental disability, or substance abuse problem. I am very happy to say that we are going to celebrate the accomplishments of these Mental Health Champions.

We are actively soliciting nominations for Mental Health Champions in each of three categories: an individual with a diagnosed mental illness; an individual with a developmental disability; and an individual in recovery from substance or gambling addiction. These individuals should be persons who have overcome their personal challenges to make life better for others and their communities. The Mental Health Champions we select will be persons who inspire others. Nomination information has been distributed to advocacy, provider, and consumer networks. If you wish to learn more, or make a nomination, please go to www.dmh.mo.gov and click on the “News and Events” tab.

– Keith Schafer, Director

Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold – traditional Girl Scout song--author unknown

During the August Mental Health Commission meeting, we experienced the passing of a torch, of sorts, as we said goodbye to George Gladis and welcomed Kathy Carter. Both of these individuals have long and distinguished histories with the department in one form or another, and both are deeply committed to assuring the highest quality possible of the services we offer.

George is a brilliant and tireless strategist, and a master of the legislative process. He established the commission’s first Legislative Committee and made it a priority to find ways to keep lawmakers informed about the issues that affect the people served by DMH across all program divisions. In this regard he is particularly exceptional. DMH has been blessed with a number of outstanding commissioners in its history, but their expertise had generally been focused on a single program area. Not so with George. George’s positive leadership in the political arena has helped DMH achieve increased funding, greater visibility for its consumers, and a higher level of empathy for DMH services among legislators.

Never the “yes man,” George challenged DMH when he thought its policies and practices were getting off track. DMH will miss George, but his legacy will not be lost nor forgotten.

Thanks, George, for your leadership, your commitment, and the standard you have set for future Mental Health Commissioners.

– Keith Schafer, Director

DMH Vision and Values

Fifteen years ago the Department of Mental Health and the broader Missouri mental health community spent an incredible amount of time and energy creating and articulating a DMH vision statement and the values within which DMH would operate.  That vision stood the test of time and is still used across DMH and the broader community. 

It is now time to revisit that vision and those values to determine if and how they need revision to more accurately reflect what we believe in the current environments in which we exist.  Please review the origninal vision and values statements and let us know whether you think they should be changed, and if so, in what way.  For example, we have received some feedback that the words ". . . lives beyond the limitations of mental illness, developmental disabilities or substance abuse problems" are stigmatizing.  Others of us believe they aren't and still reflect the best way of stating our vision.  What are your thoughts?  Among our value statements, are there some that don't resonate well with you?

We plan to take the summer and fall to revisit these statements and consider revision. We will keep you posted on the feedback we receive from interested individuals and groups.  Thanks for your help in this regard.

Director's Contact

Good morning to those of you interested in the activities of the state's Department of Mental Health.  I am Keith Schafer, Department Director.  DMH has decided to open a blog to enhance communication with our consumers, families, employees, contractors and stakeholders. As we become more skilled at posting messages on this site, we hope to expand the dialogue about mental health issues in Missouri. Stay tuned for future postings.