May News & Updates

May 15, 2017

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Hello and thank you for being an MHA of AZ Supporter! This newsletter is filled with a multitude of information, events, initiatives from MHA and other great non-profit organizations. Enjoy!
        
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  1. 2017 Mental Health America of Arizona Seeds Conference      
  2. Ricky Business- May is Mental Health Month
  3. New Grant Announcement
  4. Health Insurance for Youth Formerly in Foster Care
  5. Mental Health First Aid USA- Be the Difference!
  6. Common Mental Health Challenge
  7. End of Session Brings Bipartisan Achievements
  8. Upcoming Events
  9. Fight in the Open 
  10. Marc Community Resources Inc.  
  11. Community Calendar     
  12. NIMH Outreach Partnership Program            
  13. Support Groups  

2017 Mental Health America of Arizona SEEDS Conference

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Glendale Community College

Join together with individuals and family members living with mental illness, health care providers and other mental health partners in public safety, education and faith communities, in discussing the early detection and prevention of mental illness.

Former NFL great, Mark McMillian, is the featured keynote presenter. Nicknamed Mighty Mouse, McMillian started off working in the mental health field before completing an eight year career in the NFL.In 1997 while playing for the Chiefs, he led the NFL in interception return yards and was tied for  second most interceptions with eight. During his time in the NFL, he saw the significant impact of mental illness both on and off the field, recognizing that such an illness can impact any one of us. Mark has committed himself to giving back to the community and putting himself in position to help others. 

Glendale Police Chief, Rick St. John, leads off the conference by discussing the importance of mental health education and crisis intervention training among law enforcement professionals. Glendale Deputy Fire Chief, Chuck Montgomery, will close the conference with a discussion about the value of mental health education among emergency medical professionals and will share his values around advocacy.

Bruce St. James, KTAR News, will join a Recovery and Resiliency Panel session. Attendees also have the opportunity to participate in a Town Hall Listening Session, where we will discuss how we breakdown and identify system barriers.Attendees will learn how to recognize the early signs and symptoms to navigate the hurdles of mental health; develop strategies to advocate for your loved ones and for self-management; find access to community resources including crisis services; get information on innovative programs and services; and engage and mobilize with other community members.
For ticket information and registration click  here .

Click  here  to become a sponsor.

You can apply for a scholarship  here .

View the agenda  here .



Would You Know When You've Gone Too Far?
 
Mental health is essential to everyone's overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. But people experience symptoms of mental illnesses differently-and some engage in potentially dangerous or risky behaviors to avoid or cover up symptoms of a potential mental health problem.
 
Sometimes people-especially young people-struggling with mental health concerns develop habits and behaviors that increase the risk of developing or exacerbating mental illnesses, or could be signs of mental health problems themselves.
 
Activities like compulsive sex, recreational drug use, obsessive internet use, excessive spending, or disordered exercise patterns can all be behaviors that can disrupt someone's mental health and potentially lead them down a path towards crisis.
This May is Mental Health Month; MHA AZ is raising awareness of
Risky Business (#riskybusiness). The campaign is meant to educate and inform individuals dealing with a mental health concern understand that some behaviors and habits can be detrimental to recovery-or even mask a deeper issue-but that seeking help is nothing to be ashamed of. 
 
Take the interactive quiz at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/whatstoofar and tell us when you think behaviors or habits go from being acceptable to unhealthy.
MHA AZ wants everyone to know that mental illnesses are real, that recovery is always the goal, and that even if you or someone you love are engaging in risky behavior, there is help. It is important to understand early symptoms of mental illness and know when certain behaviors are potentially signs of something more.

We need to speak up early and educate people about risky behavior and its connection to mental illness-and do so in a compassionate, judgement-free way.
When we engage in prevention and early identification, we can help reduce the burden of mental illness by identifying symptoms and warning signs early-and provide effective treatment
Before Stage 4.
So, let's talk about what is and is not
risky business. Let's understand where it's important to draw the line, so that we can address mental illness
B4Stage4, and help others on the road to recovery. For more information, visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may

New Grant Announcement!

HHS Awards $485 Million in Funding To Address Opioid Crisis

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $485 million to be used in the form of grants to fight the rising opioid crisis. Click here for more information! 


For young people who have experienced foster care, access to affordable health insurance is critical to their everyday success. While Federal Law has expanded health coverage to alumni who were in foster care at age 18, there are significant roadblocks to enrolling in and maintaining coverage.  
Our policy brief,  Health Insurance for Youth Formerly in Foster Care - Focus on Medicaid Coverage in Arizona, examines the barriers many youth in foster care face and recommendations to ensure eligible young people can get the health insurance coverage they need to thrive in adulthood. 
We also spotlight community provider Phoenix Day; their  HealthLinks program provides state-wide support to youth who have aged out of foster care with immediate enrollment assistance. Call Phoenix Day at 602-252-4911, extension 104 to help with the enrollment application.  

Be the Difference!
by: Mental Health First Aid USA

"Anyone, anywhere can be the difference for someone facing a #mentalhealth issue. Are you with us? #BeTheDifference. http://thndr.me/tGfgQ3"


You can show your support by allowing Mental Health First Aid USA to post a one-time message on your Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr account. Click here for more information and show your support! 

Common Mental Health Challenge:


End of Session Brings 
Bipartisan Achievements

Click here to view the full article!




Neurosequential Model in Caregiving Webinar
Arizona Council of Human Service Providers
Monday, May 22nd, 2017
More information here.


David's Hope 2017 Step Up Arizona 
Mental Health Criminal Justice Summit
Monday, August 28th, 2017
Sign in at 3:45 p.m.
Starts at 4:30 p.m.
Click     
to learn more.




 C all Andy Arnowitz (Information & Resources
Coordinator) at Marc Community Resources, Inc. 480-994-4407, M-F 9am-4pm. No matter what your need is, he is committed to solve the problem or point you in the right direction, free of charge!

 to learn more about Marc Community Resources 
and how it can help you!



Check out more events in the Phoenix Area.


Mercy Maricopa of Integrated Care Community  Events 
  
Health Choice Integrated Care Community  Events 
  
AZ Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy  Events

Arizona Trauma Institute  Trainings 

NAMI AZ   Calendar



News Updates:

HIGHER DEATH RATE AMONG YOUTH WITH FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS: NIH-FUNDED STUDY HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR INCREASED EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS 
More information here

VA REACH VET INITIATIVE HELPS SAVE VETERANS LIVES: PROGRAM SIGNALS WHEN MORE HELP IS NEEDED FOR AT-RISK VETERANS
The VA has started a program called  Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health - Veterans Enhanced Treatment (REACH VET) to address suicide prevention. More information here
 
CIGARETTE SMOKING RATES SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER AMONG ADULTS EXPERIENCING MENTAL ILLNESS 
Individuals who experienced mental illness within the past year are more likely to smoke cigarettes that individuals who have not experienced mental illness. More information here


PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON COMBATING DRUG ADDICTION AND THE OPIOID CRISIS 
Executive order signed by President Trump establishing President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. More information here.


Resources: 

ARCHIVED LECTURE: NONINVASIVE NEUROMODULATION IN PSYCHIATRY: STIMULATING THE SCIENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH Provides an overview on advances in neuromodulation interventions. More information here.


NIDA: RESEARCH SHOWS PARALLELS BETWEEN ADDICTION AND AGGRESSION 
Researchers have found that individuals with addiction and aggression pursue harmful behavior despite the consequences. More information here


BLOG POST: ADDRESSING PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES: SUICIDE AND OPIOID ADDICTION ARE PREVENTABLE 
HHS examines two treatable public health issues: suicide and opioid addiction. More information here


FOCUS ON PREVENTION 
Guide for planning and delivering substance abuse prevention strategies. More information here


TRANSITIONING FROM PRISON TO COMMUNITY 
Experts agree that by providing behavioral health support services to individuals with mental, substance use, and co-occuring disorders in transition, they can increase their chances of returning to healthy and productive lives in the community. More information here


NEW SUICIDE PREVENTION TOOLS TO HELP GUIDE COMMUNITIES 
Two new resources that combine knowledge about community-based suicide prevention and emphasize the need for comprehensive prevention efforts that combine multiple strategies. More information here


PERFORMANCE UPDATE OCTOBER 2011-DECEMBER 2015: JUSTICE AND MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE GRANT PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS 
The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program seeks to increase public safety by facilitating collaboration among the criminal justice and mental health and substance use disorder treatment systems. More information here


ARCHIVED WEBINAR: TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES FOR AT-RISK YOUTH 
"Expert Q&A: Working with At-risk Youth with High Levels of Trauma and Risk for (Re)Victimization."  More information here


VA BLOG POST: IMPORTANT OFFICE THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF 
Since VA inpatient mental health care began, the VA's National Center for Patient Safety has contributed to an 82 percent decrease in deaths from suicide. More information here.


DCOE BLOG POST: WHEN THE BLUES LAST BEYOND WINTER 
This blog describes the signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). More information here


Please see the attachment for the current information for FREE mental health Peer Support Groups. The groups are located throughout the Maricopa County, and also a group in Yarnell.  They are for people 18+ diagnosed with a mental illness.



The free support groups are sponsored by the 
Mental Health Guild.

MHA OF AZ 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Shafer, Ph.D. Chair  
Joshua Mozell, J.D., Vice Chair  
Jason Bernstein, C.P.A., Treasurer
Karen Pitico, M.P.H., Secretary

Kathy Bashor, M.C.
Sheri George
Charles Goldstein, M.D
Laurie Goldstein

Emily Jenkins, J.D. 
Marcus Johnson , M.P.H.
Charles Montgomery
Mohamed Ramadan, M.D. 
Clarke Romans, Ph.D.
Charlene Smith
Myra Richman
Mental Health America of Arizona| Phone: 480-982-5305 |Email: info@mhaarizona.org  
Website: www.mhaarizona. org

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