A publicatio n of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health October 2018
HIGHLIGHTING YOUNG ADULT PEER VOICE WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2018
Matthew Anderson, Youth Development
Specialist, Youth Move MA was interviewed
on World Mental Health Day (October 10th)
by Charter TV 3 Worcester News Tonight reporter Brittany Schaefer. Matthew shared his experience living with and over coming mental health challenges. He talked about hisstruggles as a teen with Depression and PTSD, and his attempted suicide. Matthew now uses his experiences to provide peer support to young adults and to empower them to use their voice. "Peer to peer support is having that genuine connection with that specific youth; and an understanding of where they're coming from," said Matthew.

To see the full interview with Matthew, watch the video clip below
GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH STATISTICS

  • Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages live with depression.
  • Around 20% of the world's children and adolescents have mental health challenges.
  • Mental and substance misuse disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide
  • Shortages of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, and social workers are among the main barriers to providing treatment and care in low and middle-income countries.
  • Low-income countries have 0.05 psychiatrists and 0.42 nurses per 100 people.
  • The rate of psychiatrists in high income countries is 170 times greater and for nurses is 70 times greater.
HOUSING CONFERENCE EXPLORES FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
By: Joseph Vallely
Housing and Homeless Specialist

Nearly 200 people gathered on September 25th, to advance the dialogue on how to bring best practices to engage and house individuals with mental health conditions. The event hosted by the
State Mental Health Planning
represented a unique collaboration
of several agencies that sponsored the day-long conference, “Housing and People with
Serious Mental Illness: Taking Actions to Implement Solutions at Scale.”

Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka set the tone for the day, with her powerful
and meaningful remarks, reaffirming her commitment to find resources for services and
housing. Director of Peer Support at Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) Heidi Trainor sharedher experience with mental health challenges over the years beginning in college, including numerous hospitalizations and interventions. Access to affordable housing was a critical resource in furthering her recovery and providing a safe and secure place to heal.

Morning and afternoon panels offered attendees an understanding of what is working, and the housing resources available to expand housing capacity for people with serious mental health conditions. Commissioner Joan Mikula presented the luncheon keynote address, emphasizing the connection between recovery and housing. Affordable housing and supportive services are core to effective treatment. President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health Danna Mauch, and President and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance Joe Finn concluded the conference leaving attendees with a clear understanding that the discussion must move from homelessness to housing, new relationships must be formed, and new resources uncovered to raise the capacity of housing available to people with serious mental health conditions.
Watch Heidi Trainor, Director of Peer Support at the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital share her story.
BOSTON HOSTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION
Boston was the host site for the International
Early Psychosis Association (IEPA) 11th International Prevention and Early
Intervention Conference, “Prevention and Early
Intervention: Broadening the Scope.” The
conference, held on October 7 to 10, 2018,
explored a full range of early interventions in mental health drawing scientists and clinicians
from around the world to present innovative and
novel ideas on these topics.

DMH staff Margaret Guyer, Rob Walker, Jonathan Delman, Josh Caims, and Melissa Weise participated in various presentations and panels.

Themes included the cutting edge of advances in
genetics to improvements in brain imaging, to
understanding how psychosocial interventions can prevent mental disorders. This fast-moving
field is rapidly increasing an understanding
about causes and treatments of mental health problems. Participants shared knowledge across different forums and many constituencies to teach and to learn, including service users, clinicians, educators, family members and scientists.
Pictured left to Right: From DMH PREP West program’s Josh Cairns and Melissa Weise, joined Sascha Altman DuBrul & Loren Dent of OnTrackNY for a lived experience panel that focused on clinical collaboration.
YOUNG ADULT PEER MENTORING VIDEO SERIES LAUNCHED
Young Adult Peer Mentoring (YAPM) is a specialty expertise based on sharing one’s lived experience of mental health challenges with the purpose and intent to inspire hope and motivation in a young adult who is struggling with similar concerns. 

Watch this short video of Young Adult Peer Mentor Julia talking about practicing cultural responsiveness, a core element of YAPM.

Learn more about YAPM.
STAFF NEWS
METRO BOSTON AREA DIRECTOR SARA FUENTES
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is pleased to welcome Sara Fuentes, MPH, MSW as the newly appointed Metro Boston Area Director.
The start of Sara’s tenure with the Department marks a homecoming of
sorts for her. Sara grew up in Boston and completed her undergraduate
studies in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tufts University.
She worked for both the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MHFA)
and the Judge Baker Children’s Center in Boston and later moved to
New York City where she obtained her Masters of Public Health from
Columbia University and her Masters of Social Work from Hunter
College.

Sara’s professional experience has focused on the delivery of mental health treatment
services to underserved populations, including a number of integrated health care
environments. She brings her experience with innovative models of care that are
intentionally designed to support individuals with complex care needs in the community
and to reduce reliance on institutional care. Sara has significant experience in connecting
with underserved communities, providing culturally consistent outreach and education and
delivering treatment services that match the needs of those communities. She has
experience across the age spectrum and is dedicated to the mission of improving access to
mental health services for everyone in the Metro Boston Area. Please join us in welcoming
Sara Fuentes to DMH!
ATTY. STEPHEN KILEY RECEIVES MEDALLION FOR JUSTICE
As part of its annual Red
Mass Celebration Southeast
Area Attorney Stephen Kiley,
was recently honored as a
Distinguished Attorney by
the Fall River Diocese. At the
conclusion of the mass,
Steve was one of five
recipients presented with
the St. Thomas More
medallion in recognition of
his dedicated service to
justice. Steve was noted for
his "accomplishments,
successes, faith and service
to the Legal Community”
From left: Attorney. Scott Lang; Judge Daniel O’Shea; Bishop da Cunha; Barnstable District Court Regional Secretary Faith Shannon; Attorney. Stephen Kiley; and Attorney. Deacon Robert Surprenant. (Photo by John E. Kearns Jr.)
Looking for new learning and development (LD) opportunities? Use the DMH LD Calendar to search for a variety of opportunities in your area or statewide. The learning calendar is updated on an ongoing basis with personal and professional development opportunities as well as continuing education events. Easily filter your search by clicking on any of the color-coded categories displayed on the calendar.

The DMH Events Calendar features upcoming mental health related events and groups planned around the state. These events are free or low cost, and generally open to the general public.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
A Community Conversation on Mental Health
Supports for Young People
Panel, Resources, Questions & Answers, Networking

November 7, 2018
6 to 9 p.m.
Springfield Technical Community College
(Scibelli Hall), Springfield

Light Refreshments will be provided
Sponsored by School of Arts, Humanities and
Social Sciences at STCC
OCTOBER QUIZ
Globally, how many million people of all ages suffer from depression?
less than 150 million
150-300 million
more than 300 million
SEPTEMBER POLL RESULTS
Thank you to those who responded!
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Michelle Cormier - Communications Coordinator

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