Top News

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of former Mental Health America board member and longtime Administration Committee and Development Committee member William Hines. He passed away last week at the age of 93. Attached is an obituary which appeared on the front page of the Southampton Press. Please join us in a moment of silence and reflection in Bill’s honor.
Evidence-Based Healthcare Conference POSTPONED: The Jan. 30-31, 2008 National Working Group on Evidence-Based Health Care conference “Advancing the Evidence of Experience: Practical Issues for Patient/Consumer Inclusion” has been postponed. We are currently working to identify an alternate date. We will send out a notice as soon as a new date is confirmed. For more information or if you have questions contact Hazel Moran at hmoran@mentalhealthamerica.net or 703-837-4798.
Meet Me Call: Join our CEO and President David Shern for the Affiliate Council teleconference to be held Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, at 4 p.m. E.D.T. To participate, dial 866-894-2320 and enter participant code 7972592. Since, this is the first bimonthly call of the 2008 calendar we will begin our topic discussions on “Issues in Revenue Sharing.”

The purpose of this series of ”meet me” calls will be a chance for David Shern to communicate the Mental Health America agenda and get advice from affiliates on these initiatives, as well as to hear any other concerns you may have. These calls are held every two months and are open to the entire affiliate field. Eventually, we plan to comprise a representative body selected by affiliates to compose the Council. If you have any questions or would like to add topics for our discussions, contact Antionette Means at ameans@mentalhealthamerica.net.

Affiliate Teleconference THIS TUESDAY on “Communicating About Health” Consumer/Psychiatrist Survey: This Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. E.S.T., Mental Health America will conduct an affiliate teleconference call to discuss the results of our recent “Communicating About Health” survey of people with schizophrenia and psychiatrists, which will be released on Jan. 29, 2008. Mental Health America is launching this research project as part of the Dialogue for Recovery program to explore how health-related issues are being addressed in mental health treatment settings. To participate in Tuesday’s call, please dial 866-894-2320 and enter the conference code, 7971943. Please see the attached memo for details on our national and affiliate media outreach plans and visit the Affiliate Only website at http://www1.nmha.org/affil_extra/Consumer_Survey_Report.ppt and http://www1.nmha.org/affil_extra/Psychiatrist_Survey_Report.ppt for survey findings. We ask that you not share this information with anyone outside your affiliate offices and respective boards until 9 a.m. E.S.T. on Jan. 29.
2008 Affiliate Survey – Now Open! We have launched the much anticipated Mental Health America Affiliate Survey. We are conducting this survey of the Mental Health America affiliate field to gather a comprehensive data set on who we are, what we provide and who we serve. This information gathered will be used to:
- Identify common trends and issues within the entire affiliate field
- Help the National office prioritize programs and services for the benefit of the field
- Overhaul the current National office affiliate database so that we have the most accurate information about your organization
- Create a searchable program and expertise database for affiliate use

You will also be able to receive a record of what you enter into the system once you complete the survey, and you’ll be able to update your information online as it changes in the future.

All affiliate executive directors should have received an announcement and instructions for the survey last week from David Shern and Kate Gaston. If you did not, please contact Kate at kgaston@mentalhealthamerica.net.

Here is your link to the survey: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/affiliates/2008survey/. If you have any questions or problems with this survey, contact Kyle Johnson at kjohnson@mentalhealthamerica.net or 703-838-7548.

Affiliates Needed for Maternal Depression Project: Mental Health America is working with SAMHSA on the development of an Action Guide for communities to take steps to address the widespread problem and impact of depression in families (parental/maternal depression). We are in immediate need of examples of affiliate programs in this area to highlight in the guide. The objective is to share promising programs and real-world examples from the field for other groups and affiliates interested in taking action on this issue. We also are interested in identifying two affiliates to field-test the draft guide. Please forward information about existing parental/maternal depression projects by no later than Friday, January 25 to Diana Morales at dmorales@mentalhealthamerica.net. You also can reach her by phone at 703-838-7552. We greatly appreciate your assistance with this project. We believe this will be an excellent tool for affiliates and other groups committed to improving family and community wellness and resiliency!

Conference Updates

Early Bird Registration for the 2008 Conference and National Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Summit to be held in Washington, D.C., June 4-7, 2008! Download your registration form at: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/conference.
Make your hotel reservation today at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Reserve your room here: https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=61056

Good News From the Field

On Dec. 13, 2007, Mental Health America and the MHA of Oregon cohosted a policy strategy meeting titled Balancing Recovery and Public Safety: A Look at Oregon's PSRB. Over 60 attendees participated from Portland and participating satellite sites in Salem, Corvallis, Eugene and Ontario. The meeting provided an opportunity for local law enforcement, public defense, mental health consumers, advocates, national justice/policy experts, and local districts attorneys to discuss some of the challenges and success of Oregon's Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB). Attendees worked toward key concept goals to promote a more recovery-oriented system, and committed to forming a forensics coalition to address the needs of people with mental illness within the PSRB system.
Mental Health America is proud to announce that it is collaborating with 10 state affiliates to host State Advocacy Networks to assist with local coalition and issue campaigns, and to build and measure the size and strength of our grassroots community. During 2008, the following affiliate sites will be deployed on a quarterly basis: New Jersey, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Arizona, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Florida, Nevada and New Mexico. In 2007, Mental Health America launched four state advocacy networks in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Montana.
As follow-up to the Understanding, Addressing and Meeting the Needs of Transitional Aged Youth multistate meeting, MHA attendees from Hawaii, Oregon, and San Francisco applied for and received grants to support local activities to address the needs of transitional-age youth. Grantees will use the funding to implement their action plan to develop partnerships with community organizations/coalition members, and focus on specific policies and activities supporting transitional-age youth services.

Other news: Do you have some good news or an event announcement you would like to share with your colleagues in the affiliate field? If so, we want to know! Just send Mental Health America’s Kathy Chamberlain an e-mail and we'll spread the news. You can reach Kathy at kchamberlain@mentalhealthamerica.net.

Requests From the Field

Other news: Do you have a question you'd like to ask your colleagues in the affiliate field? If so, we want to know! Just send Mental Health America’s Kathy Chamberlain an e-mail and we'll spread the word. You can reach Kathy at kchamberlain@mentalhealthamerica.net.

Affiliate Services Update

Looking For a Few Good Peer Reviewers: We‘re looking for four to six executive directors to serve as peer reviewers for our affiliate re-affiliation process in 2008. These volunteers from local, city and state MHAs will serve for a 12-month period, evaluate three to five re-affiliation applications each quarter and participate in an hour-long conference call with other peer reviewers. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Kyle Johnson at kjohnson@mentalhealthamerica.net by Fri., Jan. 25. We will notify those who have been chosen by e-mail on Fri., Feb. 1.
Class of 2008: Recruitment has begun for the next new affiliate/renewing affiliate year-long symposium and supportive training program. If you know of anyone interested in joining us or who would be interested in learning about starting an affiliate, please nominate him or her for consideration. Class of 2008 will be limited to 15 individuals, and where space is available, is open to new executive directors and to affiliates who are in a rebuilding period. We are also seeking interested parties in Idaho, Wyoming, New Hampshire and South Dakota. For information, contact kjohnson@mentalhealthamerica.net.

Mental Health America Announcements, Resources and Opportunities

Mental Health America 2006 Annual Report Now Available: Mental Health America’s 2006 Annual report is now available for viewing and download at http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/financial. If an affiliate would like one hard copy of this document mailed to them, contact Kyle Johnson at kjohnson@mentalhealthamerica.net.
Outreach During the Presidential Elections: We are seeking your assistance in identifying individuals who have relationships with individual presidential candidates, campaign staff and major campaign donors. Mental Health America is a founding partner of the Whole Health Campaign, a national partnership of mental health and substance use organizations dedicated to presenting presidential candidates and political parties with a united message that mental illness and addiction prevention treatment and recovery need to be integrated into health care reform strategies. As you know, some of the most effective education and advocacy occur through personal relationships we need your help reach out to presidential candidates. Please contact Laura Galbreath at 703-797-2594 or lgalbreath@mentalhealthamerica.net to learn more about the campaign and to help with this important outreach initiative.
National Board of Directors and Committee Nominations: The Nominating and Board Development Committee is looking for nominations from the affiliate field for Board and Committee members for 2008. All nominations are welcome, and the board is especially interested in those who will bring cultural diversity to the board. We are looking for dedicated mental health advocates willing to assume responsibility for serving as a Director or Committee Member. Nominees should be willing and able to commit to attending four meetings a year, three of which are in the Washington, D.C.-area and another hosted by an affiliate. For more information and an application form, please contact Cassi Powell at cpowell@mentalhealthamerica.net.
SAD Toolkit Available: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a popular topic for journalists during, and leading up to, the fall and winter months, which makes it an excellent opportunity to educate the public about this disorder. Because of its link to other mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, SAD also serves as a good stepping stone to promote your organization’s overarching messages. Mental Health America developed a media outreach toolkit to help you reach out to the media and your community with important SAD information and resources this winter. It includes media strategy, talking points, a sample press release and drop-in article. View the toolkit at www1.nmha.org/affil_extra/resources/sad/default.html. For help or for additional information, contact Jason Halal at 703-797-1943 or jhalal@mentalhealthamerica.net.
Mental Health Weekly Discount: Remember—Mental Health Weekly subscriptions are now available to Mental Health America affiliates at a special discounted rate. Mental Health Weekly is the leading publication for mental health news and analysis, coverage of public policy, sources of funding, innovative practices, treatment innovations, provider news and trends in behavioral health. The base price for a one-year subscription (48 issues) is normally $699; however, to the discounted rate for Mental Health America affiliates is $329 per year—more than half off the regular price. Subscriptions are available in both print and PDF formats. To order, contact Sandy Quade at squadepe@wiley.com or 203-643-8066.
Promote Your Events on the Mental Health America Event Calendar: Did you know that the Mental Health America website hosts an Event Calendar where Affiliates can post announcements and activities? This calendar can be seen by all affiliates and by the general public. If you have event you want to publicize to the Mental Health America Affiliate field and general public, send your announcements to webmaster@mentalhealthamerica.net to have them placed on the calendar. To view the Event Calendar, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/action/event-calendar/.
LOGON INFORMATION FOR AFFILIATE ONLY SITE AND AFFILIATE INTRANET: We’ve changed our logon information to reflect our name change. Note that both the old and new logon information work at this time.

Affiliate Only site (http://www1.nmha.org/marketing.cfm) password: thebell

Affiliate Intranet website, password and username change:

The address is https://affiliates.mentalhealthamerica.net
The username is affiliates
The password is thebell

Branding Update

Branding Grants are Now Available: Affiliates are in the process of changing their name to Mental Health America! To qualify for a branding grant to help defer the costs of your name change, send a copy of your board resolution noting your affiliate’s name change to Mental Health America, along with a completed “intent to transition” form. For questions and a copy of the form, contact Kyle Johnson at 703-838-7538 or kjohnson@mentalhealthamerica.net.

“Who do I contact if I have questions?” The contact for questions about the Branding process is Danielle Fritze, project manager for Public Affairs. Danielle can be contacted by email at dfritze@mentalhealthamerica.net or by phone at 703-797-2591.

Other Announcements, Resources and Opportunities

Conference on State Mental Health Agency Services Research, Program Evaluation, and Policy: The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute, Inc. (NRI) 18th annual Conference on State Mental Health Agency Services Research, Program Evaluation and Policy will be held on Feb. 11-13, 2008 at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel in Arlington, Va. NRI's conference provides one of the primary national forums where mental health services researchers can share their work with colleagues. The goals of the meeting are to provide an opportunity for researchers to disseminate the most current findings on service systems research and to continue to foster an active network of individuals who are involved in public services research. For more information and to register, visit www.nri-inc.org/conferences/index_nriconf.cfm.
System of Care Research Conference: Registration is now open for the University of South Florida’s 21st Annual Research Conference, A System of Care for Children's Mental Health, to be held Feb. 24 – 27, 2008 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside. For more information and to register online, visit http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcconference/.
Save The Date for Alternatives 2008: Mark your calendar so you do not miss Alternatives 2008 which will be held Oct. 29 through Nov. 2 at the Adams Mark Hotel in Buffalo, N.Y. Be a part of creating a learning community and become active citizens to advocate for change! Call for Presentations, Scholarship Information and Registration will be available soon.
Systems Advocacy Webcast Presentation: The University of Illinois at Chicago National Research and Training Center on Psychiatric Disability is offering a free Webcast, Systems Advocacy: What It Is and How to Do It. This audiovisual presentation covers grassroots organizing, how to create an advocacy plan, negotiation strategies and tactics, and "nuts and bolts" skills-building, including effective advocacy letter writing, phone calls to policymakers, and managing in-person meetings. Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the archived Webcast is available at http://www.cmhsrp.uic.edu/nrtc/advocacywebcast.asp. For more information about the UIC Center, visit http://www.cmhsrp.uic.edu/nrtc/default.asp.
Web Training on Stalking and Teens: The National Center for Victims of Crime will hold a Web training seminar, Stalking and Teens, on Jan. 23, 2008, at 2 p.m. E.S.T., in conjunction with the fifth National Stalking Awareness Month, January 2008. Stalking and Teens, moderated by our Teen Victim Initiative director Mitru Ciarlante, is the fourth in its Web-based series on helping teen victims of crime. Sandy Bromley, the Stalking Resource Center's senior staff attorney, will discuss harassment cases involving teens and recent research on the use of technology in stalking. She will also explore the normalization of stalking and its impact on youth and teens. Registration is free, but space is limited. Organizations with multiple participants should register as one person and view the presentation together. Register early—the response to the first trainings has been overwhelming. To register or to access training materials, visit http://www.ncvc.webex.com. For assistance, please contact Mira Krivoshey in the Teen Victim Initiative at 202-467-8747 or mkrivoshey@ncvc.org. Materials from past sessions can be downloaded at www.ncvc.org/tvp/main.aspx?dbID=DB_TeenTA151.
National Stalking Awareness Month Resources: To help you observe January as National Stalking Awareness Month, the Stalking Resource Center has launched a Web site, www.ncvc.org/src/main.aspx?dbID=DB_NSAM2008739, with many downloadable materials for your community to use. These resources include posters, button and magnet designs, a victim brochure, a stalking fact sheet, the "10 Things You Should Know about Stalking" flyer, and a sample proclamation and resolution to use at the municipal, county or state level. Some materials also are available in Spanish.
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week Resources: National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2008 (Feb. 24- March 1) will highlight the fact that body size and shape are strongly influenced by biological factors, such as genetics, while also calling attention to some of the new discoveries surrounding the role of genetics in the development of eating disorders. Too often individuals struggle against their natural, genetically influenced size just to fit into that pair of “skinny jeans” in the back of their closets. Fighting your natural size and shape can lead to unhealthy dieting practices, poor body image and sometimes eating disorders. While you can adopt a healthy lifestyle and aim to be fit for your particular body type, you cannot change your genes. The theme for the week is “Be comfortable in your genes. Wear jeans that fit the TRUE you.” The Great Jeans Giveaway events will empower individuals to donate old (or new) pairs of jeans that do not comfortably fit. For more information and to register, visit http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=767.
“Canvas” Out on DVD January 29: Joe Pantoliano and “Canvas” were featured recently on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. To view the clip, visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/22422615#22422615. Academy Award Winner Marcia Gay Harden and Emmy Award Winner Joe Pantoliano star in this heartwarming story of a family coping with mental illness. This critically acclaimed and award-winning film is as full of hope and humor as it is heartbreaking performances. The movie is coming to DVD on January 29. Pass this information on to your friends and families to help spread the word! To pre-order "Canvas" on DVD, visit http://shop.screenmediafilms.net/product/show/11028 or http://www.canvasthefilm.com/.
Transformation Transfer Initiative: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) last week announced the selection of Transformation Transfer Initiative program funding awards to 10 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The states selected are Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Each of these states and Puerto Rico will receive an award for up to $105,000 for one year. The Transformation Transfer Initiative will support new and expanded efforts to improve the capacity and effectiveness of mental health systems that foster recovery and meet the multiple needs of consumers. For more information, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0712110604.aspx.
Criminal Justice System Substance Use Treatment Brochures: Alcohol and Drug Treatment: How It Works, and How It Can Help You is a 4-page brochure that informs people involved in the criminal justice system about substance use treatment resources. Based on TIP 44: Substance Abuse Treatment for Adults in the Criminal Justice System, the brochure describes what can be gained through substance abuse treatment before trial or while a person is incarcerated, on probation or on parole. It encourages people to seek help for substance use disorders regardless of their situations. Spanish version coming soon! To download the brochure, visit http://www.kap.samhsa.gov/products/brochures/pdfs/CJA_ConsumerBrochure.pdf. To order free copies online, visit http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17725. Visit http://kap.samhsa.gov to find additional products (print and online) developed under the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment's Knowledge Application Program (KAP).
CMHS Publication Focused on Disaster Response Dialogue: A facilitated roundtable meeting brought together 20 mental health consumers, policymakers, providers and others involved in the disaster response community who shared their experiences, perspectives and insight to create a new publication called Building Bridges: Mental Health Consumers and Representatives of the Disaster Response Community in Dialogue (SMA07-4250). Published by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the publication highlights recommendations and identified opportunities for improved disaster responses to people with mental illnesses. Natural and manmade disasters have heightened awareness of the critical need to support effective mental health responses. The dialogue gave consumers and representatives of the disaster response community an opportunity to discuss what is needed to promote recovery in such situations. For more information and to download the publication, visit http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA07-4250/default.asp.
Three New Papers Provide Information on State-of-the-Art Approaches to Treatment for People with Co-Occurring Disorders: Three new short overview papers from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provide information about how epidemiology, services integration and systems integration research and practices can be best utilized in helping people with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. The series is based on the best available science, research and practices and is primarily geared for a wide array of mental health and substance abuse treatment service professionals, although the papers provide useful information to the general public as well. To read more about the papers and to download them, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0801031230.aspx. SAMHSA is creating these training materials as part of the plan outlined in its November 2002 Report to Congress on the Prevention and Treatment of Co-Occurring Substance Abuse Disorders and Mental Disorders. Previously published short papers address a wide range of other issues and practices related to addressing the needs of people with co-occurring disorders. More information about the Co-Occurring Center for Excellence and the short papers can be found at www.coce.samhsa.gov.
New Data on Children with Special Health Care Needs: The Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI) has just released national- and state-level findings from its 2005/06 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN). The CAHMI Data Resource Center provides "point and click" online access to new NS-CSHCN data on over 100 child health indicators. Users can also select and download findings for various population subgroups, including household income level, race/ethnicity and insurance coverage. The NS-CSHCN is a national survey sponsored and designed by the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and administered by the National Center for Health Statistics. The survey provides national and state-specific estimates for children with special health care needs, in combination with other information about their health, health care needs and the quality of care CSHCN receive. For more information, visit http://www.childhealthdata.org/content/Default.aspx.
Study on Disproportionality and Disparity in the Child Welfare System: While most disparity studies focus on comparisons between blacks and whites, a new report from the Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity in Child Welfare, incorporates other communities, namely American Indians, Asians and Pacific Islanders and Hispanics. This analysis describes racial/ethnic disproportionality and disparity at three levels—national, state and county. For example, at the national level, the disproportionality rates among black children and American Indian children rise as the child goes deeper into the child welfare system. For more information, visit http://www.casey.org/Resources/Publications/AnalysisOfDisproportionality.htm.
Disability an Important Determinant of Material Hardship: A new report from the Social Science Quarterly examines the extent to which working-age people with disabilities experience several types of material hardships. The findings provide support for policies that account for disability-related expenditures and needs when determining eligibility for means-tested assistance programs. In addition, a large majority of the low-income respondents who reported a material hardship also reported being limited for some period of time in the amount or kind of work they can perform. For more information and to download the report, visit http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-6237.2007.00513.x.
Nominations Open for Purpose Prize: The Purpose Prize provides five awards of $100,000 and 10 awards of $10,000 to people over 60 who are taking on society's biggest challenges. Winners are innovators from the government, nonprofit and private sectors who each have the determination to make lasting change. Nominations close March 1, 2008. For more information, visit www.purposeprize.org.
Save The Date for 2008 Georgetown University Systems of Care Training Institutes: The National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health at Georgetown University will hold its Training Institutes July 16-20, 2008 in Nashville, Tenn. at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention center. This year’s theme is “Developing Local Systems of Care for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Needs and Their Families: New Directions to Improve Outcomes.” The Training Institutes will focus on developing local systems of care for children and adolescents with or at risk for emotional disturbances and their families. In-depth, practical information will be provided on how to develop and operate systems of care and how to provide high-quality, effective, clinical interventions and supports within them. For more information, visit http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/TrainingInstitutes/TI2008/TI08_std_web.pdf.
NIMH Grant Funds Available to Support Partnerships to Research Stigma Reduction Efforts: The program announcement, Reducing Mental Illness Stigma and Discrimination (Collaborative R01), was recently issued by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and conceived in collaboration with the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This grant will provide funding for partnerships to assess the effectiveness of existing stigma and discrimination reduction programs and approaches, including media-oriented approaches such as public service announcements; develop innovative new programs and approaches; and examine the role of media in perpetuating and changing mental illness stigma and discrimination. These partnerships must include (1.) consumer and/or advocate organizations, communities, or state and local agencies with hands-on expertise in developing and implementing stigma reduction programs and strategies, and (2.) social, behavioral, and/or communication scientists with expertise in stigma research design and methodology. Partnerships to further information exchange with public stakeholders and organizations to improve the accuracy of public awareness about effective treatments for mental disorders, and to examine how service delivery organization and mental illness treatment financing (e.g., non-mental health parity, separate behavioral health insurers) impact mental illness stigma and discrimination are also appropriate. To view the full announcement and get more information, visit http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-040.html.

Last but Not Least...

Let Us Showcase Your Latest News and Update Your Records: Make sure that Mental Health America’s Kathy Chamberlain is on your mailing lists for print and electronic versions of your newsletters and news releases. Send your news to Kathy Chamberlain's attention at kchamberlain@mentalhealthamerica.net or to 2000 N. Beauregard Street, 6th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22311. Also be sure to update your records with this address; it is Mental Health America’s main address and all mail should be sent here.