Transformation

Healthy IDEAS milestone reached: eight certified as instructors

In an effort to combat depression in older adults, Missouri has implemented an evidence-based  depression screening, education, and intervention initiative called Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors). Six sites across the state are using Healthy IDEAS in their programming that serve elders.

On February 24, 2011, the Healthy IDEAS initiative in Missouri accomplished a major milestone.  Clinical coaches working with each of the Healthy IDEAS teams took part in a webinar conducted by the initiative's national training team. The purpose of the webinar was to train the participants as instructors for the two-day case manager training that is a key part of Healthy IDEAS. Upon completion of the webinar, each of the participants became certified Healthy IDEAS instructors.

Proposed rule amendment expands services to aid older adults

A newly proposed amendment to the admission criteria for the Department of Mental Health’s Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation (CPR) program will open new services to older adults suffering from depression. The proposed amendment allows adults 60 years of age and older who experience a single episode of a major depressive disorder to be eligible for the CPR program.

Some of these newly eligible individuals may be referred into CPR through the Healthy IDEAS initiative being implemented in six service agencies in the state (see May 21 post).

This rule amendment, which is expected to go into effect around the end of this summer, will provide an important new treatment outlet for older adults who might otherwise have little or no access to mental health services.

Agencies implementing Healthy IDEAS ready to begin training staff

The implementation of Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors) in Missouri continues to progress.  All six implementing agencies (four area agencies on aging (AAA), one community mental health center (CMHC), and one county mil tax board), have been making necessary policy changes, data collection changes, and training staff on the symptoms and debilitating effects of depression.  

Now, four of the six agencies are ready to bring the program up.  These four agencies are bringing in national Healthy IDEAS trainers from Houston, Texas, in May and June to train their case management staff and clinical coaches.  The schedule is as follows:

Agencies prepare to implement Healthy IDEAS for older adults

Healthy IDEAS, an evidence-based depression intervention aimed at older adults, is nearly ready to make its debut in Missouri. An informational forum on the program, held in September 2009, resulted in six local agencies that serve an older adult population committing to including Healthy IDEAS in their programming.

The six agencies involved submitted applications to receive technical assistance and training in Healthy IDEAS funded through Missouri’s Mental Health Transformation Initiative. The applicants received notification in December of their selection to receive the resource.

Healthy IDEAS forum draws statewide interest

On Thursday, September 10, 2009, the Mental Health and Aging Workgroup and the Washington University Center for Mental Health Services Research co-sponsored an informational forum on Healthy IDEAS, an evidence-based depression intervention aimed at older adults. In many ways, the forum, held at the Stoney Creek Inn, Columbia, Mo., was an historic event, as it was the first time in Missouri that any mental health project aimed specifically at older adults had been introduced for possible provision on a statewide basis. Representatives of 36 state and private agencies that provide services to older adults were in attendance.

Aging Workgroup addresses depression through Healthy IDEAS forum

The Mental Health and Aging Workgroup, chartered by the Missouri Mental Health Transformation Working Group (TWG) is sponsoring a free informational forum on September 10 to help service agencies address the issue of depression among the state’s senior population.

The forum, which focuses on an evidence-based depression intervention called Healthy IDEAS, (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors) is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Stoney Creek Inn in Columbia, Mo.  Two nationally known speakers: Alixe McNeill with the National Council on Aging and Nancy Wilson, Baylor College of Medicine, will present.  Both have been leaders in the development and dissemination of Healthy IDEAS.

Mental Health and Aging Workgroup

A Mental Health and Aging Implementation Team has been meeting since the summer of 2008.  Chartered by the Transformation Working Group, the group is looking at the mental health problems of older adults, especially late-life problems and those associated with aging with developmental disabilities.  The group has identified an integrated set of factors that local communities can use as a reference when planning and implementing activities dealing with the mental health of older adults.  This conceptual framework is also a guide for the Mental Health and Aging Implementation Team as it seeks to encourage the development of mental health issues aimed at older adults.