What's New November 2005

Mental illnesses affect millions of Americans across all socioeconomic lines. However, there are populations in communities across the country that are at risk for mental illnesses and have only limited access to effective mental health services.

To make high-quality, community-based services available to and accessible for all people with or at risk for mental illness and their families, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) initiates Federal programs to address the needs of special populations. One such program focuses on the unique needs of people with HIV/AIDS who also have a diagnosable mental and substance abuse disorder.

Below is a brief description of the CMHS HIV/AIDS program along with descriptions of other highlights for November—all of which are available at SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center Web site. We also are offering a new publication below that addresses the service needs of another at-risk group—homeless persons with mental illnesses.

The hurricane season is still with us. Stay informed and get resources for coping with hurricane-related crises and other disasters at http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/katrina/.

You can link to or post any of these resources to your Web site with a link back to the National Mental Health Information Center’s Web site as your source.

Features for November 2005

• Featured Publications
• CMHS Program Spotlight
• Remarks by the CMHS Director
• National Observances

Featured Publication

Stepping Stones to Recovery: A Case Manager’s Manual for Assisting Adults Who Are Homeless, With Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income Applications (SMA05-4051) This manual was developed to help case managers and others assist adults who are homeless with serious mental illnesses apply for Social Security Administration disability programs that provide income support to individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled.

To order this and other free publications, go to http://nmhicstore.samhsa.gov/publications/ordering.aspx or call 1-800-789-2647.

CMHS Program Spotlight: HIV/AIDS
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/HIVAIDS/about.asp

CMHS has partnered with five other Federal components to look at treatment adherence, health outcomes, and costs associated with delivering integrated mental health, substance abuse, and primary care services to people living with HIV/AIDS. This program focuses critical attention on the unique needs of people with HIV/AIDS who also have a diagnosable mental and substance abuse disorder.

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

• Vermont Association for Mental Health 67th Annual Meeting
  November 3, 2005
  
  
• Breaking New Ground: Integrated Treatment for Co-occuring Disorders
  October 31, 2005
  
  
• Preparing People for Change: Knowledge and Choice
  October 28, 2005
  
  
• Taking Charge of Transformation: Finding the Fire Within
  October 26, 2005
  
  
• Recovery: Guiding Principle of a Transformed Mental Health System
  October 11, 2005
  
  

November National Observances

National Family Caregivers Month http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/November2005/caregivers/default.asp
Created by Presidential proclamation in November 2000, this annual event recognizes the unselfish and loving devotion of caregivers who willingly give their time, energy, and support to help loved ones with disabilities or chronic illnesses live in the community.

National Alzheimer’s Disease Month http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/November2005/alzheimers/default.asp
The National Alzheimer’s Disease Month observance was established by former President Ronald Reagan in 1983. The main objective of this annual observance is to increase public awareness of the disorder and its effects on families as well as to increase Federal research funding to find treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

National Epilepsy Awareness Month http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/November2005/epilepsy/default.asp
During this monthlong observance everyone with epilepsy is encouraged to share his or her unique story with someone at school, in the workplace, or at a house of worship. The general public often overestimates the impact epilepsy has on one’s lifestyle, and National Epilepsy Awareness Month was created to change that.

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