CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
January 22, Vol. 08-08

New Technical Assistance Center Website for Consumer Involvement

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) National Technical Assistance Center (TAC) website was just launched.

See: http://www.peershelpingpeers.org/

The TAC is one of five consumer and consumer-supported assistance centers funded by SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The purpose of the centers is to promote the involvement of consumers of mental health services in the transformation of mental health systems nationwide and to assist consumers in gaining the necessary skills to enhance consumer, peer-run programs. DBSA's work will be heavily focused in two states, Wisconsin and Arkansas.

Supported by this grant, DBSA will work to strengthen consumer organizations and leadership in states, promote skills development for consumers, expand consumer participation in policy development and promote the recognition of recovery among mental health providers.

Over the span of the three-year grant, DBSA will teach consumers the skills needed to establish programs that make the best use of self-determination and recovery principles, to help the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) "transform the mental health system through changes that help adults with severe mental illnesses recover and live independently and productively in the community." DBSA will assist consumers through services such as:

• Online/media-supported training
• Peer leadership coaching programs
• Peer specialist training
• Consumer organization assistance
• Focus group development, knowledge exchange and skill-building activities

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.