Thursday, June 27, 2013

TV Creators Tackle Mental Health with Mixed Success


Specificity can be key to portraying serious issues in skeins 

Although debates about gun control gained more traction in the wake of shootings at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school in December, the issue of mental illness also re-entered the public conversation. In primetime, mental illness has been in the mix of social issues showrunners address head-on in serious dramas.

Wipe out the stigma of mental illness


By Patrick J. Kennedy, Special to CNN
Editor's note: Patrick J. Kennedy is the former U.S. representative for Rhode Island's 1st congressional district, serving from 1995 until 2011. He is a son of the late U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

(CNN) -- Fifty years ago, we stood at a moral crossroads as a nation.
The day was June 11, 1963. That morning, then-Gov. George Wallace attempted to block integration of the University of Alabama with his futile "stand at the schoolhouse door." Hours later, civil rights leader Medgar Evers would be gunned down in the driveway of his home by a white supremacist. In between, my uncle, President John F. Kennedy, took to the airwaves in a historic televised address on civil rights -- one that would forever change the way our nation perceived the struggle for racial equality.

"We are confronted primarily with a moral issue," President Kennedy said that night, hours before Evers was killed. "It is as old as the Scriptures and is as clear as the American Constitution. The heart of the question is whether all Americans are to be afforded equal rights and equal opportunities." You can listen to his speech here.

It was a seminal moment in our history. President Kennedy defined for the nation the struggle for equality not just as a constitutional or legal issue, but as a moral one as well.
Five decades later, we're again at a crossroads as a country. As we mark the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's famous speech, the question he asked the American people that evening from the Oval Office remains strikingly relevant -- shouldn't all Americans be afforded equal rights and equal opportunities?

Sadly, when it comes to the treatment of people with mental illness, addiction and brain injury, equality remains unattained.

In America in 2013, thousands of our fellow citizens are still marginalized. They are still discriminated against. They face stigma every day. Today, too many Americans are told that they're less entitled to health care than those who have diseases like diabetes or cancer or asthma, just because the origin of their illness is in their brain. Without equality, or parity, insurers can refuse to cover mental illnesses at the same level as other physical illnesses, making it harder for people to get well and often further isolating them in their struggle. Together, we must change that.

The words [President Kennedy] used to describe the insufficient attention and resources devoted to mental health in 1963 could still be said today.
Patrick J. Kennedy


Eliminating the stigma of mental illness -- and finally achieving parity for its treatment -- is the next chapter in America's civil rights movement.

When I represented Rhode Island in Congress, I fought for the rights of people with mental illness, and was proud to sponsor -- along with my father, Sen. Ted Kennedy -- the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act to provide access to mental health treatment for tens of millions of Americans who previously were denied care. Signed into law by President Bush in 2008, this landmark legislation requires health insurers that offer coverage for mental illness and substance use disorders to provide those benefits in a no more restrictive way than all other medical and surgical procedures covered by the plan. This was a proud moment for me, but those with mental illnesses are still waiting for some pieces of this law to be implemented.

For those with mental illness, this October marks another landmark 50th anniversary -- President Kennedy's signing into law of the historic Community Mental Health Act. This legislation, and the words he used to describe it, laid the foundation for contemporary mental health policy.
These historic dates are important to remember, but as we look back, we are reminded not just of inspiration and achievement, but also where we have fallen short. Because while President Kennedy set us on the right course, the words he used to describe the insufficient attention and resources devoted to mental health in 1963 could still be said today: "This situation has been tolerated far too long. It has troubled our national conscience -- but only as a problem unpleasant to mention, easy to postpone, and despairing of solution."
He then said, "The time has come for a bold new approach."

This October, as we mark this important occasion, I am proud to launch the inaugural "The Kennedy Forum," an annual event that will serve as a vehicle to honor President Kennedy's efforts, celebrate the progress made in the past half-century, and rededicate the entire mental health community to further progress. We have to eradicate the stigma of mental illness once and for all, and treat mental illness equal to other physical illnesses, so that all Americans can lead dignified lives and share in the benefits of our society.
We are confronted with a moral issue but also a historic opportunity. We have the chance to take action and live up to the principle upon which America was founded: that all people are afforded equal rights and equal opportunities.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Patrick J. Kennedy.

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

National HIV Testing Day
Thursday, June 27 is National HIV Testing Day
National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is an annual campaign to encourage people of all ages to "Take the Test, Take Control."

Too many people don't know they have HIV. In the United States, nearly 1.1 million people are living with HIV, and almost one in five don't know they are infected. Getting tested is the first step to finding out if you have HIV. If you have HIV, getting medical care and taking medicines regularly helps you live a longer, healthier life and also lowers the chances of passing HIV on to others.

Find a local testing location here

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Building the Case to Support Tobacco Cessation

Reposted at http://www.tobaccodeathray.blogspot.com,

Webinar Date: Friday, June 28, 2013, 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern

Speaker: Chad Morris, PhD, Director, Behavioral Health and Wellness Program, University of Colorado

Register for Free at www.thenationalcouncil.org/events-and-training/webinars

Almost half of the 430,000 deaths in the U.S. annually are from tobacco-related disease, and nearly half of these deaths occur in persons with behavioral health disorders. Persons with mental illness consume over 34% of all cigarettes smoked and smoke 2-4 times the rate of the general population while receiving far less tobacco cessation support. With its focus on addictions prevention, National Council offers training in how to screen, assess, and treat tobacco dependence. This webinar shows behavioral health organizations how to build the case for integrating tobacco cessation into standard practice by obtaining buy-in from board members, staff, and persons served. Value-based and business development perspectives are discussed. Join us to learn why tobacco cessation is essential to health reform and other emerging standards of care and how to overcome common concerns like competing demands, staff apprehension, and potential loss of business.

Learn more about upcoming webinars at www.thenationalcouncil.org/events-and-training/webinars.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Health Disparities and Peole with Disabilities

By Guest Blogger Stanley Holbrook, President and CEO of Three Rivers Center for Independent Living and Diversity Chair of National Council on Independent Living
In spite of startling evidence of health disparities among people with disabilities and the inherent costs to treat preventable conditions, current federal law does not consider individuals with disabilities as a “medically underserved population.” It also does not include disabilities under requirements for cultural competence and fails to recognize disabilities under any federal program that addresses health disparities.

Overall, people with disabilities have been reported to experience fair or poor health approximately four times more than their peers without disabilities. In addition, a disproportionate percentage of people with disabilities experience the social determinants of poor health (CDC Health Disparities and Inequities Report United States 2011).
See article full at http://disparitiesinhealth.blogspot.com/,

Friday, June 21, 2013

From the Sidelines: Another Day, Another Referral Spammer

From the Sidelines: Another Day, Another Referral Spammer

Warning about Blog Scams

http://from-the-sidelines.blogspot.com/2013/02/another-day-another-referral-spammer.html

Please read this important information about blog spam.

If you notice another Blogger site by the name of www . kmzackblogger . com in your referrals, know that it is a blog setup to get you to pay for better YouTube video placement. It showed up on the blog I just started for my grandmother's diaries, so I was curious enough to check it out.
www . bthemes . info
This looks somewhat legitimate in that it has themes for Blogger. But the fact they use referral spam makes them look quite shady. I don't advise using them for that alone.

vampirestat and zombiestat
These are run by the same people using the same templates with different graphics and purport to show the monetary worth of websites. Do not go there.

UPDATED:

Yet another referral spammer on Blogger showed up with 11 page views on February 28.

make-money-with-your-blog . review-blogspot . com is another get rich quick scheme making the rounds. "Mary" even has a short bit on the page about people reporting her blog is a scam and that she has "the approval of Blogger." Of course there is only the one post containing a shortened link.

Avoid at all costs.

Reposted at http://www.darkestcloset.bloggerspot,

National Practice Standards for Peer Recovery Supporters


National Practice Standards for Peer Recovery Supporters: Comments Welcome
A draft of the National Practice Standards for Peer Recovery Supporters is open for public comment until June 24, 2013. When finalized, the National Practice Standards will be used to set policy and shape the future of peer support services. If you have already commented on the draft, thank you for your input. Please be sure to share this opportunity with others. Every voice matters!

The deadline for comments is June 24, 2013. To access the draft, visit http://na4ps.wordpress.com/national-standards.

Monday, June 17, 2013

the Connection Between Tobacco & Mental Health

Posted at http://www.tobaccodeathray.blogspot.com,

I am serving as a presenter for SOPHE’s webinar, Determining the Connection Between Tobacco & Mental Health” coming up on June 20, 2013.

We are at our registration capacity (125 people) for the live webinar, but the webinar will be posted/archived to SOPHE’s Center for Online Resources (CORE) within two weeks of the presentation. Anyone can create a free CORE account or log in with their SOPHE username and view the presentation.

Thank you for your interest. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or are searching for resources.

Sincerely,
Kristen Frame
kframe@mail.com

Deep brain stimulation appears to be safe for obese patients

Deep brain stimulation appears to be safe for obese patients
Deep brain stimulation appeared safe and helped two of three severely obese patients who failed to lose weight following weight-loss surgery to shed pounds temporarily, according to a study in the Journal of Neurosurgery. Researchers noted some short-lived side effects associated with the procedure, including nausea and anxiety. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News (6/13)

Medicaid Coverage of Behavioral Health Services for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Significant Mental Health Conditions

Posted at http://gucchdtacenter.georgetown.edu/resources/TAWebinars.html Reposted at http://www.darkestcloset.blogspot.com,

June 20, 2013, 1:00 - 2:30 PM E.T.
Webinar Description: This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Joint Informational Bulletin issued on May 7, 2013, entitled "Coverage of Behavioral Health Services for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Significant Mental Health Conditions".
This bulletin provides important information to assist states in designing a service array to enable children with complex behavioral health needs to be served in their homes and communities. In addition to describing important services to include in a benefit design such as Intensive Care Coordination using a Wraparound approach, parent and youth peer support services, intensive in-home services, respite care, mobile crisis response and stabilization and flex funds, the document provides links to helpful resources from states who have successfully been using these services.
Comprehensive information is provided about the various Medicaid Authorities and Demonstrations that can be used to provide the kind of coverage described in this bulletin. Much of the information in the bulletin is based on the experiences of states and communities supported by two major CMS and SAMHSA initiatives - the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) Waiver Demonstration and the Children's Mental Health Initiative. In this webinar, two states who have experience with both of these initiatives will share their lessons learned from the beginning stages of benefit design, through the successes and challenges in providing the services, and finally to their sustainability plans using several of the Medicaid Authorities and Demonstrations described in the bulletin.

Everybody Plays a Role in Suicide Prevention

Posted at http://www.blsmeetings.net/everyoneplaysarole/  Reposted at http://www.darkestcloset.blogspot.com,

About 100 Americans die by suicide each day, more than double the average number of homicides.
8 million adults in the United States had serious thoughts of suicide within the past 12 months.
Fortunately, suicide is preventable. There is strong evidence that a comprehensive public health approach is effective in reducing suicide rates.
 
June 27, 2013 Participate via live webcast 9-11 Central time or 9-12:30 p.m. Northwesternn Law School
 
LEARN:More about the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, available tools, resources, and dramatically the ultimate goal of eliminating the tragic experience of suicide

HEAR FROM:Surgeon General VADM Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A.
Richard McKeon
, Director, SAMHSA Suicide Prevention Branch
Jerry Reed, Director, Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Dan Reidenberg, Executive Director, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
Panel: High-Risk groups–Veterans, American Indians, LGBTQ
ACTION SESSIONS:Preventing Suicide in:
Middle and High SchoolsThe Workplace
Colleges and UniversitiesFaith-Based Communities
Primary Care SettingsCommunity-Based Organizations

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) have been applied for by the Great Lakes ATTC with the National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) and the Illinois Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA).
Oakton Community College Continuing Education for Health Professionals is an approved sponsor of continuing education for this program by the State of Illinois, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the following professions: 3.0 clock hours offered LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC, LMFT, SLP, 3.6 contact hours for OT. 3.0 Universal training hours will be provided for all other professions
For more information contact EveryonePlaysARole@samhsa.hhs.gov.

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Understanding the Angry Child: Strategies for Living with Emotional and Behavioral Health Disorders


Act Now! A Conference Opportunity on June 14, 2013

Understanding the Angry Child: Strategies for Living with Emotional and Behavioral Health Disorders

Parents, caregivers, foster families, kinship families, adoptive families, respite families, advocates, school mentors, teachers, social workers, counselors, case managers, psychologists and others who work with children will gain valuable knowledge and can earn up to 6 hours of continuing education credit for the low price of $50.

Scholarships are also available to parents and caregivers on a first come first serve basis.

NAMI Ohio namiohio@namiohio.orgmailto:namiohio@namiohio.org 

614-224-2700 or 800-686-2646

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

BRAVO Alert: Columbus Area Hate Crimes

Reposted at http://www.darkestcloset.blogspot.com,

Buckeye Regional Anti-violence Organization (BRAVO) has recently received multiple reports of anti-LGBTQ hate crimes. The incidents have occurred in the vicinity of LGBT establishments both in the Short North area and on the South side. Several of the incidents have involved both physical assault and robbery. BRAVO has good reason to believe that these attacks are anti-LGBTQ motivated.

According to Gloria McCauley, BRAVO Executive Director, "BRAVO believes that these incidents underscore the importance of a renewed discussion and action on hate crimes against LGBTQ people. Sadly, we know that hate violence is intended to send a message of hate and to instill fear throughout the entire community. Hate crimes are largely under-reported or not reported at all, and people are left feeling alone and vulnerable. BRAVO is a great resource – we are asking people to call and report – we can help."

It is Gay Pride season and BRAVO wants everyone to have a fun and safe Pride! Be alert, walk in groups, walk each other to your cars and be aware of your surroundings. Additional safety tips are available on our website. WWW.BRAVO-ohio.org.


For further information BRAVO can be reached at
614-294-7867 or 866-86-BRAVO.

All reports to BRAVO are confidential and may be made anonymously. All BRAVO services are free.

STAY ALERT
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
BE AWARE

Don’t take it. Report it.

BRAVO Alert for Hate Crimes

Reposted at http://www.darkestcloset.blogspot.com,

Buckeye Regional Anti-violence Organization (BRAVO) has recently received multiple reports of anti-LGBTQ hate crimes.  The incidents have occurred in the vicinity of LGBT establishments both in the Short North area and on the South side.  Several of the incidents have involved both physical assault and robbery.  BRAVO has good reason to believe that these attacks are anti-LGBTQ motivated.

According to Gloria McCauley, BRAVO Executive Director, "BRAVO believes that these incidents underscore the importance of a renewed discussion and action on hate crimes against LGBTQ people. Sadly, we know that hate violence is intended to send a message of hate and to instill fear throughout the entire community. Hate crimes are largely under-reported or not reported at all, and people are left feeling alone and vulnerable.  BRAVO is a great resource – we are asking people to call and report – we can help."

It is Gay Pride season and BRAVO wants everyone to have a fun and safe Pride!  Be alert, walk in groups, walk each other to your cars and be aware of your surroundings.   Additional safety tips are available on our website.   WWW.BRAVO-ohio.org.


For further information BRAVO can be reached at
614-294-7867 or 866-86-BRAVO.

All reports to BRAVO are confidential and may be made anonymously. All BRAVO services are free.

STAY ALERT
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
BE AWARE

Don’t take it. Report it.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Obama Says U.S. Must Take Mental Health Treatment Out of Shadows

Reposted at http://www.darkestcloset.blogspot.com
President Barack Obama said he wants mental health issues elevated to a national discussion as he convened aconference today that follows up on last December’s shootings at a Connecticut elementary school that killed 20 children and six educators.

Obama said his goal is to “bring mental illness out of the shadows.” “We want to let people living with mental health challenges knowthey aren’t alone,” Obama said at the White House as he opened the one-day meeting with Cabinet members and advocates.

The issue affects many returning veterans and millions of people who suffer in isolation or without treatment, he said. While Obama didn’tdirectly mention the Connecticut shootings, he said the impact can be seen “in the tragedies that we have the power to prevent.”

National MHA president Wayne Lindstrom was joined by about 150 health-care providers, mental health experts and advocates, lawmakers, religious leaders and representatives of state and local government.

The day-long conference, one of 23 executive orders signed by the president after the Connecticut shootings, comes after the Senate rejected Obama’s proposal plan to widen background checks for firearms purchases and banassault weapons.

Obama said the Veterans Affairs department will conduct conferences at its 151 health-care centers between July 1 and September 15 to help boost awareness of mental health programs for veterans.
The government started a new website today, www.mentalhealth.gov,a clearing house for information, including a section on how to get help.

For full article post see http://www.ffcmh.org/article/obama-says-us-must-take-mental-health-treatment-out-shadows
 

Monday, June 3, 2013

Upcoming Webinar on Eating Disorders

Please join us as Dr. McShane, PhD, CEDS, auth or of Why She Feels Fat and Eating Disorders specialist as she shares about the challenges and rewards of treating long-term Eating Disorders. 
Location: Casa Serena 1868 Clayton Road, Suite 123, Concord CA 94520
Time and Date:  Friday, June 21th from 12:00 to 2:00 PM
Cost:   $35.00 includes lunch and 2 continuing education units
Presenter: Johannah McShane, PhD, CEDS, Eating Disorders specialist and author of Why She Feels Fat

Reposted at http://www.darkestcloset.bloggerspot,