FINDING PURPOSE, A KEY TO RECOVERY
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Stephen Brown was recognized for his outstanding achievement at the second annual DMH Southeast Area
A
cademic,
C
ivic engagement and
E
mployment Awards (ACE) event held on June 13, 2018 at the Massasoit Conference Center in Brockton. “Continued pursuit of higher education along with participating in a multitude of professions and civic engagement opportunities has assisted me with focusing on the important things in life," said 76 year old Stephen Brown, DMH Southeast Area 2018 Excellence Award Winner for Civic Engagement. His nominator proclaimed, “Stephen is someone who has always been actively involved in the community he lives in. He enjoys giving back by being a part of his church, donating time to the Coalition for Justice in New Bedford, and has been volunteering his time at the Compeer Program overseen by Fellowship Health Resources for the past five years.” Stephen is a volunteer at the Coalition for Justice, where in 2016 he received the Volunteer of the Year Award for his contributions to the Coalition. His volunteer supervisor remarked, “Stephen is a great volunteer and is so effective in making phone calls to voters. He does a fantastic job and really is invaluable”.
Nominees for the ACE Award are individuals served in the DMH Southeast Area who demonstrate how their accomplishments in education, civic engagement and employment led to positive personal growth, more meaningful life activities and hope for the future, as well as expressing a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction and self-direction due to their experiences. All of Stephen’s experiences have cultivated his determination and drive to overcome anything put in front of him. He demonstrates how accomplishments in civic engagement have empowered him to live a meaningful life despite experiencing a mental health disruption. As Stephen affirmed, “If you don’t have something of value to do, depression is allowed to ooze back.”
In addition,
nine individuals
were awarded with notable achievements in education, civic achievement, and employment. Commissioner Mikula was among the more than 120 people who attended the second annual DMH Southeast ACE Awards event along with family members and members of the Southeast Area Board.
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DMH COMPLETES COGNITIVE THERAPY FOR RECOVERY CONTRACT
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By Robert Walker, DMH Office of Recovery and Empowerment
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) celebrated the completion of the Transformation Transfer Initiative (TTI) Contract for Cognitive Therapy for Recovery. Cognitive Therapy for Recovery (CT-R) is an evidence-based practice that empowers staff to operationalize recovery and resiliency in a person-centered, trauma-informed manner. Individuals receiving services collaborate to identify and achieve the life of their choosing, and become empowered to overcome the various challenges that they face.
Over the past two years DMH, in partnership with
The Bridge of Central MA
(The Bridge),and the
Aaron T. Beck Center
at the University of Pennsylvania have piloted CT-R in different sites across the service system. The Bridge has pioneered CT-R implementation in Massachusetts. They have implemented CT-R in four Group Living Environments designed to support adults through transitions from acute and intermediate care hospitalizations, to community integration and participation. CT-R has produced remarkable changes in the approach and practices of the staff and has been associated with individuals setting and achieving meaningful goals, engaging in activities of their choosing, and overcoming roadblocks to their personal recovery.
For the TTI Contract, DMH identified six multi-disciplinary teams to undergo CT-R training. Teams were chosen from across our continuum of services from both state operated and vendor operated services. The following teams were selected:
- Carney Hospital acute inpatient psychiatric unit
- Tewksbury Hospital
- DMH PACT Team from Brockton
- Springfield PACT Team (specializing in forensically involved individuals)
- Prevention and Recovery in Early Psychosis (PREP) first episode psychosis team from Western MA; and
- The Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) team in Worcester
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EXTREME RISK RESOURCE GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE
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Governor Charles D. Baker recently signed into law a measure that permits a family or household member who believes that a person who holds a license to carry firearms or a firearms identification card poses a risk or bodily harm to themselves or others, to file a petition seeking an “extreme risk protective order.” Such an order would require the individual to surrender their license or Firearms ID (FID) card and any firearms they may possess.
The new law also requires the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to compile a resource guide of mental health and substance misuse services, along with other information, to be provided by the Trial Court to any person who files such a petition or against whom a protective order is issued. DMH developed the required resource guide which contains many links to useful information. The guide is available online at:
www.mass.gov/handbook/extreme-risk-guide
.
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A FRESH START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR!
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By Tina Sang, Office of Race, Equity, and Inclusion
On September 2, 2018,
Mattapan’s Finest Barbershop
in Dorchester hosted its 9
th
Annual Back-to-School Cut and Curl event that provides free hair styling, backpacks, and school supplies for children in the community. Jamie Mitchell, owner of the barbershop, started this event to give kids in his community a confident beginning to the school year. Department of Mental Health (DMH) staff in the Metro Boston Area and Central Office partnered for the second year in a row to collect donations of backpacks. DMH staff also attended the event to raise awareness about children and youth mental health. Parents, guardians, and community members were provided with resources about behavioral health, substance use resources, legal assistance, and family support services.
While children waited for their turn in the barber’s chair, DMH Child, Youth and Family Services Division Director of Cross Agency Initiatives, Michelle Botus, handed out copies of the graphic novel,
Different Kinds of Hurt: Isaac’s Story
. Many parents and guardians said the book will help them discuss emotional wellness with their children, which is often a difficult conversation to initiate given the stigma associated with mental health.
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Pictured left to right: Michelle Botus, DMH Director of Cross Agency Initiatives, CYF Division; Jamie Mitchell, Owner of Mattapan’s Finest Barbershop; and Tina Sang, DMH Program Coordinator, Office of Race, Equity, and Inclusion.
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Please contact DMH Office of Race, Equity, and Inclusion at 617-626-8134 if you would like to support next year’s Cut and Curl event or collaborate on outreach events.
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WELCOME BACK STEPHEN CIDLEVICH
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Commissioner Joan Mikula with Central Office staff welcomed Stephen Cidlevich, Director of Constituent Affairs, back to work after a five month recovery from heart surgery. Steve suffered a heart attack while running this year's Boston Marathon and had double bypass surgery. Steve was greatly missed by his colleagues and legislators alike. He is feeling fully recovered and happy to return to work at DMH.
Pictured left to right: Commissioner Joan Mikula; Stephen Cidlevich; Daniela Trammell, Director of Communications and Community Engagement; and Janet Ross, Clinical and Professional Services, Assistant Commissioner/Director of Licensing.
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By Melahicia Virgile, Summer Intern
My intern experience here at DMH has been truly rewarding. Not the type of rewarding that can be quantified into a numerical or a monetary value, but instead one that can be seen through my work with others and personal growth. As an intern of color, working with the Office of Race, Equity, and Inclusion has been a breath of fresh air. To see my experience validated and to see the public sector address issues regarding race as it pertains to hiring practices and the workplace environment brings hope to young aspirants of the professional world such as me.
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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.
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The DMH Events Calendar is the one stop location for upcoming mental health related events planned around the state.
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Announcing the Zia grand opening!
Zia is a Young Adult Access Center operated through The Bridge of Central MA and the Kiva Center that focuses on self-directed growth and healing. They are a community of people between the ages of 16 to 22 who relate to and support one another through sharing lived experiences.
Open House, Food, Music and Connection!
September 20, 2018
4 to 8 p.m.
209 Shrewsbury Street
Worcester, MA 01604
Support provided through System of Care Cooperative Agreement (SM080145) from the child, adolescent and family branch, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
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SAVE the DATE
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, MA
Light Refreshments will be provided
Sponsored by School of Arts, Humanities and
Social Sciences at STCC
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Michelle Cormier - Communications Coordinator
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