What's New February 2006

Addressing the needs of older adults with mental illnesses is one of the highest priorities for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Newly released SAMHSA publications address barriers to mental health care unique to older adults and provide strategies and solutions for improvement. These resources are now available to you from SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov. Details and ordering information are given below.

We have described other features and publications below that also may interest you. You can link to any of these resources or post the content to your site with a link back to the National Mental Health Information Center’s Web site as your source.

To order copies of print publications, go to http://nmhicstore.samhsa.gov/publications/ordering.aspx or call 1-800-789-2647 for bilingual information services, TDD: 1-866-889-2647, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 a.m., EST.

Features for February 2006

• New Publications
• SAMHSA Conferences
• Remarks by the CMHS Director
• CMHS Program Spotlight
• Health Observances

New Publications

• Community Integration for Older Adults With Mental Illnesses: Overcoming Barriers and Seizing Opportunities (SMA 05-4018) http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma05-4018/
  This report is the third in a series of reports prepared by the National and Statewide Coalitions To Promote Community-Based Care under the Olmstead project, sponsored by SAMHSA. It is designed to help State and local Olmstead coalitions understand the barriers that older adults face and learn about the innovative solutions being adopted and adapted across the country. (This publication is available in print and for download online.)
  


• Mentally Healthy Aging: A Report on Overcoming Stigma for Older Americans (SMA 05-3988)
  http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma05-3988/ This booklet summarizes the results of two older adult roundtables held in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, CA. Consumers, providers, public officials, researchers, older adults, and media representatives discussed research findings on older adults and mental health, manifestations of stigma and discrimination, barriers to eliminating stigma, and strategies to overcome the barriers. (This publication is available in print and for download online.)

SAMHSA Conferences

The Road Home: National Returning Veterans Conference—The Road Home: National Behavioral Health Conference on Returning Veterans and Their Families, March 16–18, 2006, Washington, DC. Sponsored by SAMHSA and Therapeutic Communities of America (TCA). http://www.palmergroup.biz/RVI/VetsInfoPg.asp

SAMHSA/Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) 2006 Joint National Conference on Mental Health Block Grant and National Conference on Mental Health Statistics: Sharing the KEYS: Knowledge To Empower You as a New Driver, May 30–June 2, 2006, Washington, DC. Registration information and other updates will be coming soon.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/StatePlanning/2006conference.asp

Recent Remarks by A. Kathryn Power, M.Ed. Director, CMHS

• Nebraska Mental Health Forum
  Jail Diversion: A Step Along the Path to Mental Health Reform
  January 23, 2006
  
  
• Before the Nebraska State Legislature
  Jail Diversion: A Step Along the Path to Mental Health Reform
  January 23, 2006
  
  
• Mental Health System Transformation: Solving The Mental Health Maze
  January 13, 2006
  

CMHS Program Spotlight—Mental Health Statistics

Through the National Reporting Program for Mental Health Statistics, CMHS collects, analyzes, and reports national statistical information on mental health services and the people served—with the ultimate goal of improving the Nation’s mental health care system. You can learn more about this key public health function at
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/MentalHealthStatistics/about.asp

Health Observances

• National School Counseling Week—February 6–10, 2006
  Sponsored by the National School Counselor Association (NSCA), this week is dedicated to celebrating school counselors and the valuable role they play in the American educational system. NSCA represents nearly 18,000 professional school counselors worldwide. For details and related resources, go to
  http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/February2006/school/default.asp.


• National Children of Alcoholics Week—February 12–18, 2006
  This annual national observance recognizes the damaging effects of alcoholism on children and children’s mental health. This year’s observance celebrates hope and healing. Details, related links, referrals, and resources are at
  http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/February2006/children/default.asp.


• Eating Disorders Awareness Week—February 26–March 4, 2006
  The focus of this national observance is to increase efforts to prevent eating disorders and to raise public awareness about the potential for serious emotional and physical damage for individuals affected by these disorders. For details, referrals, and resources, go to
  http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/February2006/eating/default.asp.
  This information is also available online in Spanish ( Semana de Desórdenes Alimenticios El 26 de Febrero al 4 de Marzo 2006) at
  http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/February2006/espanol/default.asp.



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SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center nmhic-info@samhsa.hhs.gov