Transformation

Mental Health First Aid featured in USA Today

Mental Health First Aid USA, a Missouri Mental Health Transformation initiative, was featured in the March
 11, 2012, issue of USA Today. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a 12-hour course designed to teach the general public how to help individuals who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Missouri currently has more than 180 MHFA instructors in the state.

The USA Today article mentions a growth in the number of MHFA classes being taught in Arizona following the shooting of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, the value of MHFA in reducing stigma experienced by persons with mental health disorders, and the five-step process that Mental Health First Aiders use in helping persons in crisis. The article is available online at http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/story/2012-03-11/Classes-teach-first-aid-for-mental-health-crises/53489150/1.

Mental Health First Aid expanding in Missouri; state to test a new course targeting adults who work with youth

Mental Health First Aid is taking shape in Missouri, five years after it was introduced in the state through the efforts of staff of the Mental Health Transformation grant, awarded by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The five-year grant will wrap up by March, and sustaining Mental Health First Aid is a priority.

“Our main focus with Mental Health First Aid has been twofold,” said Benton Goon, co-chair of the state Transformation Working Group and Missouri’s representative on the national Mental Health First Aid USA planning team. “We wanted to train enough instructors so that the course is available in all areas of the state, and we wanted to initially target training to groups who are most receptive and where it could be most useful.”

Those objectives seem to have paid off. The state now has 183 certified instructors of Mental Health First Aid statewide, and – in addition to mental health agencies – higher education agencies and faith-based organizations have become partners in the effort to spread the word.

National Council Selects 10 Groups for New Co-Occurring Disorder Learning Community

Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare of Missouri selected to participate.

Washington, DC, (November 8, 2011)—The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, in partnership with MTM Services and Hazelden, has selected 10 community behavioral health organizations to participate in its new Co-Occurring Disorder Learning Community. This initiative will enable participating organizations to enhance their ability to provide effective integrated and comprehensive care to individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

TWG releases White Paper on Evidence-Based Practices

The final report of the Evidence-Based Practice workgroup chartered by the Transformation Working Group is now available on line.The report, submitted to the TWG in the form of a white paper, provides a definition of Evidence Based Practice derived from scientific method, and a suggested  "ruler" for determining whether particular mental health services are evidence based.

The TWG encourages state departments that offer mental health services to use the report to strengthen their evidence-based principles, practices, and policies. For additional information on the workgroup's objectives and activities, go to http://missouridmh.typepad.com/transformation/evidence-based-practices-group.html.

National Council Awards Mental Health First Aid USA Challenge Grants

Washington, DC, Sept. 15, 2011 — The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council) announced today it is awarding community dissemination grants to 18 organizations to support Mental Health First Aid programs nationwide.

Introduced in the U.S. in 2008, Mental Health First Aid teaches people how to help someone with the signs and symptoms of mental illness or in a mental health crisis. To date, nearly 30,000 people have been trained through a network of 1,300 certified instructors across the country.

“These grants will help instructors expand Mental Health First Aid offerings in communities across the country,” said Linda Rosenberg, the National Council’s President and CEO. “This simple yet powerful program holds the key to combating stigma, increasing health literacy and building a community’s capacity to reach out to struggling neighbors and families.”

Remembering 9/11, renewing the commitment to trauma-informed care

 
Ten years ago, the fabric of our country was incontrovertibly changed with the tragic events of 9/11. The staff, board, and members of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare remember the lives that were lost and honor those who remain. We also honor the brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight to keep our country strong, safe, and free.

The tenth anniversary of 9/11 drives home the pervasive and debilitating impact of trauma. Anniversaries of disasters and traumatic events can be “healing” or they can be “triggers,” reminders of the reactions one had to the original event. Even ten years later, one can re-experience what it was like to flee the World Trade Center or the Pentagon, or — in Shanksville, Pennsylvania — to smell, taste, and see the smoke and debris. The closer one was to the epicenter of the tragic event, the more serious the impact.

RESPECT speakers participate in college course videoconference

It's one thing to share your personal life story in front of a group of people. But to share with people in remote locations on a six-site teleclass is another. Two RESPECT speakers from northwest Missouri -- one a veteran speaker and one on his first speaking engagement -- did just that and were cool, calm, and collected throughout the process.

The outing started out normally. The two speakers -- Mark and Steve -- went to speak at a Social Work class at Missouri Western State University. But when they arrived, they discovered the DSM Psychopathology class was to be video-conferenced to six sites: Kennett, Cape Girardeau, Kirksville, Warrensburg, Blue Springs, and Columbia, with 42 students in attendance statewide and a local instructor.

"They did a wonderful job!," said Scott Clark, staff development officer at Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center (NMPRC) in St. Joseph, where the two speakers are based. "We knew Mark would handle himself well . . . and did. He attached the lapel mic and said 'test, test' a couple of times and launched into his talk. Stacy (Downey) and I cannot say enough about Steve's performance. This was his first time out. His presentation went really well."

Colleges Embrace Mental Health Training

Washington, Aug. 25—An innovative mental health program is helping stem the rising tide of mental health issues among students at colleges and universities in the U.S. With a recent survey finding the emotional health of incoming freshmen at a record low, colleges are offering Mental Health First Aid to teach students, staff and faculty how to help someone with the signs and symptoms of mental illness or in a mental health crisis.

“It’s well documented that over the past 10 to 15 years, the number and severity of mental health issues on campuses has increased,” says Kim Leisey, PhD, associate vice president for student affairs at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), one of 10 colleges in Maryland that offers the program. “Given that most counseling centers are not staffed to do a lot of outreach, Mental Health First Aid is playing an increasingly larger role to help manage anxiety about mental health issues on campuses.”

 
The evidence-based training uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis, select interventions, and provide initial help. The training also addresses the risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders.
 

Missouri trains more Mental Health First Aid instructors

Missouri added to its number of Mental Health First Aid instructors in July and August, as a total 35 students were certified as instructors during the two five-day training sessions, held in Jefferson City. The trainings, which added 32 Missouri instructors and three from Chicago, brings Missouri's total to 155.

Trainers Christy Hutton (bottom left) and Ginny Weil (bottom right) welcomed the class of 20 newly graduated Mental Health First Aid instructors in July.

 

Trainers Jermine Alberty (bottom left) and Sharon Thomas-Parks (bottom right) trained 18 new Mental Health First Aid instructors in August.

Supported Housing Summit scheduled for Sept. 7-8

 

The Missouri Department of Mental Health Housing Unit and the Missouri Housing Development Commission, in cooperation with the Office of Mental Health Transformation, is sponsoring a Housing Summit September 7 and 8, 2011, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Jefferson City.

The purpose of the summit is to facilitate the planning, development, and management of special needs and supportive housing in Missouri.

"We know that adequate housing and meaningful employment are at the heart of recovery for persons with mental health and addiction challenges," said Virginia Selleck, Ph.D., Missouri Mental Health Transformation project director. "Having a place to call home is a critical part of every person's life, including the people we serve in the mental health community. A discussion of this important issue with input from all involved -- from developers to clinicians to consumers of mental health services -- can only help to improve the quality of life for us all."

Their is no cost to attend,but space is limited, so early registration is recommended. Expenses for lodging and incidentals are the responsibility of attendees. Lunch will be provided on Sept. 7 and breakfast on Sept. 8. All other meals are the responsibility of the attendees. For more information, including registration forms for individuals and exhibitors, visit the Missouri Housing Summit web page. For more information on housing in general, visit the Department of Mental Health Housing Unit Web site.