Transformation

NMPRC celebrates RESPECT Day 2012

The results are in, and the second annual RESPECT Day at Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center (NMPRC) is an official success. Participation in the event, held January 25, nearly quadrupled from the first held last year, with more than 180 people in attendance from the center and the community.

It was a "fabulous day," according to Dee Kinder, an NMPRC staff member who worked on the planning committee.

"We offered speakers throughout the day as well as activities designed to educate people," said Gail Current, RESPECT coordinator at NMPRC. "It was gratifying to have so many people turn out to hear our speakers’ stories, educate people on the effects of mental illness, and hopefully reduce some of the stigma attached to those who have mental illness.”

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.

St. Francois County formation of Mental Health Board will help sustain Community of Hope efforts

With help and support of the St. Francois County Community Partnership and DMH staff, the St. Francois County Commission voted unanimously to officially form the St. Francois County Mental Health Board on August 30. The formation of the board will help solidify the Partnership's efforts to call attention to the mental health needs of the county's citizens.

The county commission currently is seeking candidates for the Mental Health Board of Directors.

"It's exciting to see that the needs and resource assessments and statistics that were gathered will now be put to good use," said Candy Zarcone, Special Programs Consultant for the St. Francois County Community Partnership. "I believe good changes are ahead!"

Communities of Hope Project helps address mental health issues in Polk and Stone counties

In the winter of 2010, eight agencies serving as support centers in their regions took on the task to implement the Communities of Hope grant offered through the Office of Transformation. The goal was to assess mental health needs and develop plans to address those needs in a designated county/community.

“It was more about mental health awareness than anything else,” said Virginia Selleck, Ph.D., Transformation project director. “For the most part, when communities identify problems, they don’t associate those issues with mental health. The Communities of Hope process shines a mental health light on those issues and allows community leaders to see how focusing on mental health solutions can help solve some of these problems.”

TWG accepts Evidence Based Practice Workgroup final report

During its April 22 meeting, Missouri's Mental Health Transformation Working Group (TWG) accepted and endorsed the Evidence-Based Practice workgroup final report, authorizing its distribution and encouraging state departments that offer mental health services to use the report to strengthen their evidence-based principles, practices and policies. 

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.

DMH Advisory Council chooses model for Peer Specialist training and certification

The Department of Mental Health's (DMH) Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services, on behalf of its State Advisory Council, has researched and chosen a Peer Specialist training and certification model.  Based on the Council recommendations, the Division adopted the Appalachian Consulting Group “Georgia Model” for Peer Specialist training. The Division and the Office of Transformation are committed to following through on the Council recommendations to move the mental health system to a wellness model that empowers individuals to establish their personal mental health goals and manage both their mental health and their plan of care through education and supports.

Employment of persons with mental illness is focus of project

Recognizing that employment is a key element in recovery from mental illness, Missouri’s Transformation Initiative is supporting a program that combats the myth that people with mental illnesses cannot succeed in meaningful work.

As one of 12 states participating in the Johnson & Johnson – Dartmouth Community Mental Health Program, Missouri is helping to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing evidence-based supported employment for people with severe mental illnesses. “While working is not the only role for adults in our society, it is clearly very important,” says Tish Thomas, state supported-employment trainer. “It is each person’s choice whether or not he or she would like to pursue work, but mental health centers should make it possible for the people they serve to have a job if it is their choice.”

Housing toolkit to offer hope for "a place to call home" to people in recovery

During Transformation's final grant year, a major focus is being placed on housing and employment as two critical elements essential to recovery from mental illness or substance abuse, as well as for quality of life for persons living with developmental disabilities.

A recently awarded contract to develop a housing toolkit is expected to lay the groundwork to help mental health service providers add housing assistance to their treatment plans. "A home and a job are huge contributions to the recovery process," according to Missouri's Transformation project director Virginia Selleck, Ph.D. "Treatment providers are generally not in the housing business, so we want to give them a tool that will be flexible for each region and that outlines the steps to take and the resources available to help consumers achieve adequate housing."

Mental Health First Aid featured in Springfield "I Love America" event

The Mental Health First Aid booth at the I Love America celebration July 4 in Springfield was popular with adults and kids alike. The booth featured a coloring contest and water-based tattoos for children, along with information on the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) 12-hour courses being offered in the area.

Springfield and Greene County are included in the MHFA Faith-Based initiative, where local churches and faith organizations will be involved in promoting the MHFA course in a 17-county area of rural Missouri. The I Love America celebration -- sponsored by the James River Assemblies of God -- provided an opportunity to acquaint local residents with MHFA and the initiative.

Participants in the coloring contest are intent on finishing their entries.

Moberly School District graduates 14 Mental Health First Aid Instructors

Fourteen individuals representing the Moberly School District were certified as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructors following a five-day instructor's course held June 28 - July 2 in Moberly. The school district is part of a Mental Health First Aid immersion project, during which district employees -- and eventually parents -- will take part in the 12-hour course that educates participants about mental disorders and teaches first-response techniques used with persons who may be experiencing a mental health-related crisis. Trainers Ginny Weil and Jermine Alberty conducted the course, with support from MHFA state coordinator Dottie Mullikin and assistant Shirley Hall.

Instructor Ginny Weil demonstrates the "Recovery Position" using a volunteer from the class. The "Recovery Position" is used for a person who may be experiencing alcohol intoxication or alcohol poisoning.