Transformation

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.

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.”

Mental Health First Aid featured at national summit

Missouri's Mental Health First Aid initiative shared the spotlight with its national partners during the second annual National Summit for Mental Health First Aid Instructors May 1 in San Diego. Benton Goon, Missouri's representative on the National MHFA USA collaborative, reminded participants of the challenges of "living in the house of MHFA that we are building." Dottie Mullikin, Missouri's MHFA director, served on a panel sharing practical information on how to obtain funding for MHFA.

The state of Missouri, the state of Maryland, and the National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care are the founding partners of Mental Health First Aid USA.

 

Governor signs legislation in support of Mental Health First Aid

The Missouri legislature has passed, and Governor Jay Nixon has signed, a bill allowing profits derived from the Mental Health First Aid USA (MHFA) initiative to be reinvested to support the program in Missouri. Without the legislation, such funds would go into the state's general revenue account.

House Bill 557, first introduced February 17 by Representative Jeff Grisamore (R-Lee' Summit), was signed by House Speaker Pro Tem Shane Schoeller (R-Willard) on Friday, April 22. "This legislation will allow the momentum of expansion of Mental Health First Aid USA in Missouri to continue," said Benton Goon, co-chair of Missouri's Transformation Working Group and the state's representative on the national MHFA planning group. Governor Nixon signed the bill into law on May 5.

Mental Health First Aid USA is one of the initiatives begun under the auspices of Missouri's Mental Health Transformation grant. For more information on Mental Health First Aid, go to www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.