On the CMHS Front
Networking Works
Dialogue Meeting Between Consumers and Psychiatrists. A teleconference was held to plan a CMHS sponsored two-day meeting later this year composed of invited consumers and psychiatrists. The conference goal will be to begin working toward a mutual understanding as well as establishing and maintaining rapport as an effective means in developing productive communication.
Workshop on Safe Havens for Homeless Persons with Serious Mental Illness. An expert consensus workshop will be held by CMHS, representing the Department of Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to focus on exemplary practices for the development and operation of Safe Havens. Safe Havens, an HUD-funded program, is a special type of entry and transitional housing for homeless persons with serious mental illnesses who have difficulty exiting from homelessness. The consensus experts (consumers, administrators and providers) will shape recommendations for successful safe havens. Consensus will be reflected in a "tool kit" jointly distributed by HUD and HHS that can guide others to develop such programs.
Cross-Cultural Conference. Consumers David Gettys of South Carolina Self-Help and Advocacy Resource Exchange and Hikmah Gardener of the Mental Health Association of Philadelphia were keynote speakers at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health 19th Annual Cross-Cultural Conference held in February. The Conference focused on: spirituality, diverse populations, clinical, education/research, government, deaf culture and student participation.
Cultural Competency. CMHS Special Programs Development Branch staffer, Harriet McComb, moderated and presented at the Mental Health Policy Institute on Cultural Competence. The policy institute focused on developing methods to assist states in moving toward a more culturally competent system of care within a managed care environment. Consumer groups participated in this meeting.
National Networking. CMHS Consumers Affairs continues to provide technical assistance by helping consumers/survivors to network with one another. The first edition of the Consumer Affairs Bulletin prompted a number of contacts.
Electro-Convulsive Therapy. A focus group met this past winter to begin investigating if and how CMHS should study recipient (meeting participants chose to use "recipient" to indicate someone who has received ECT) attitudes/ self reports about ECT.
Partners in Mental Health Conference. State mental health representatives from across the country will be meeting this May in Richmond, VA. at a meeting sponsored by the State Planning and Systems Development Branch. These state mental health planners will be discussing the process for states to apply for Federal block grant funds as well as sharing information on mental health needs, resources and solutions in different areas of the country.
Technical Assistance Centers
National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC) for State Mental Health Planning. CMHS supports NTAC in its goal to help states collaborate and improve systems. NTAC is working on bringing together consumers, family members, state planning councils, and state mental health agencies to target critical issues; to identify potential solutions; and to determine what works best under specific circumstances.
National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse. CMHS supported the 12th Annual Alternatives Conference sponsored by the Clearinghouse.
National Empowerment Center (NEC). SAMHSA Administrator Dr. Nelba Chavez will be the keynote speaker at the NEC sponsored "Learning From Us Conference" being held this spring in Albuquerque, N.M.. The conference faculty, made up of people in recovery or who have recovered from mental illness, will be teaching mental health administrators, policy makers, managed behavioral health care personnel, and other mental health professionals unique models of empowerment, healing and recovery developed by the NEC.
And Did You Know?
New Deputy Administrator Paul M. Schwab. SAMHSA has a new Deputy Administrator. Mr. Schwab, officially appointed to this position in February, brings to the agency a broad knowledge of public health issues gained through a career which spans more than 20 years and includes lengthy service with the Health Resources and Services Administration.
New Director of Office of External Liaison (OEL). In February, CMHS welcomed Curtis Austin, public affairs specialist and renown reporter. He will direct the OEL office that houses all CMHS public affairs/media contacts, consumer affairs, SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center, and the children's campaign.
Consumer-Operated and Consumer-Provided Services. Consumers/survivors and researchers will meet this spring as a focus group sponsored by CMHS to discuss current practices and future directions related to consumer- operated and consumer provided services.
Consumer/Survivor Meeting on World Congress for Mental Health. CMHS sponsored a February meeting of national mental health consumer/survivor leaders organized by the World Federation for Mental Health in Alexandria, Va. The meeting was held to plan activities for the World Congress for Mental Health in Finland, July 6-11.
Involuntary Mental Health Treatment and Coercive Practices. An invitational meeting is planned to query stakeholders and identify important issues, trends, and needs regarding involuntary treatment and coercive practices. The meeting participants will be asked to recommend possible activities CMHS and others might engage in to address these problems. Consumers/survivors will be actively involved in this project.
CARING FOR EVERY CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH: Communities Together. This public education campaign was created by CMHS to help families and people who work with children and adolescents to recognize mental health problems and to seek appropriate intervention and services early. The campaign creates brochures, fact sheets, videos, public service announcements, and posters to disseminate important messages nationwide.
SAMHSA Announces Mental Health-Related Grant$
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced the availability of the following mental health-related grants. For more information, please contact the National Mental Health Information Center.
Action Grant Program, SM 97-002. "Community Action Grants for Service Systems Change"
HIV/AIDS Risk Behavior, SM 97-003. "A Cooperative Agreement for an HIV/AIDS High-Risk Behavior Prevention/Intervention Model for Young Adults/Adolescents and Women"
Housing Initiative, SM 97-005. "Cooperative Agreements to Evaluate Housing Approaches for Persons with Serious Mental Illness"
Criminal Justice Diversion Program, SM 97 006. "Cooperative Agreements on Criminal Justice Diversion Interventions for Individuals with Co-occurring Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Disorders"
Child Mental Health Initiative, SM 97-007. "Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services Program for Children and their Families"
Consumer Affairs Bulletin
Volume 2, No. 1 Spring 1997
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