JUNE IS LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH and PTSD AWARENESS MONTH
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Did You Know?
In June 2017, the
PRIDE flag was redesigned
to recognize LGBTQ people of color (POC). The new flag incorporate a black and brown stripe above the rainbow acknowledging that the experiences of POC can often be overlooked within the overall LGBTQ umbrella.
LGBTQ+ and Mental Health
According to
NAMI
, LGBTQ individuals are almost 3 times more likely than others to experience a mental health condition such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder. This fear of coming out and being discriminated against for sexual orientation and gender identities, can lead to depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, thoughts of suicide and substance abuse.
Evidence has shown that:
- Even moderately accepting families have been shown to have a positive effect on lesbian, gay, and bi-sexual kids. [Family Acceptance Project]
- LGBTQ youth of color who have pride in their racial identity and LGBTQ identity are less likely to experience depression and anxiety. [Our Health Matters]
Why is this important?
Because DMH is committed to providing
person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-focused
services and serving the entire person, including intersecting identities. Let’s continue to work together to create a safe and respectful atmosphere at DMH for all LGBTQ+ staff, and individuals and families served!
PTSD Awareness
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Infographic source: Chicago Mind Solutions
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EXPRESS YOURSELF KIDS COME "ALIVE"!
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The 24
th
annual performance of
Express Yourself
(EXYO) entitled,
ALIVE
was held this past Thursday, May 31, 2018 at the Boch Center-Wang Theater. Partially sponsored by the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the show featured the artistic talents of over 300 youth from 80 Greater Boston and North Shore community collaborators.
erformance Highlights included:
Cammie Griffin from STOMP
,
Jeff Shade a Broadway dancer
,
TEN31 Productions
,
Chantel Hampton
and
Melissa Modifie
r
singers,
Ghost Town
– Honk Band,
Boston Children’s Chorus
(BCC), and colorful stage set by EXYO youth and artists.
For all of the young people involved, the Express Yourself show reflects of a year of artistic exploration and self-discovery. Every aspect of the show from the set, the music, the dancing, the videos, and the spoken words is the result of hundreds of individual contributions from youth working in the studio, in the community, and in treatment facilities. Being celebrated for their successes is often something new for these youth; and for the adults in their lives, the performance offers a way to see their children as important participants in an exceptional event.
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View Highlights from the 2018 EXYO show!
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YOUNG ADULT MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS CENTER OPENS IN SPRINGFIELD!
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The
Impact Youth Access Center
is a brand new space for young adults who are facing mental health, substance use and/or other significant challenges. The center is located in Springfield, and operated by
Gandara
. The official opening event was held on May 18, 2018. Many local officials, community partners and youth were in attendance.
The Gandara Center
is operating this program as part of the new Transition Age Youth and Young Adults System of Care Access Initiative (TSAI) Grant which was awarded to DMH through SAMHSA since October 2017, and running through September 2021.
The goal of TSAI is, to increase the numbers of Transition Age Youth and Young Adults (TAYA) with mental health and with co-occurring Substance Use Disorder to engage in TAYA-enhanced system of care planning and access child and adult services on their own terms, and in service of their own goals.
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(
From left to right: Peer Mentor Nate Hernandez; Participant LizMarie; Representative Carlos Gonzalez of Hampden County; Participant Anthony; Site Supervisor Kristine Rodriguez; Peer Mentor Carmelo Torres; and Recovery Navigator Amanda Alicea
)
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THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX AT THE 5TH ANNUAL CBH KNOWLEDGE CENTER SYMPOSIUM
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Over 150 people attended the 5
th
Annual Children’s Behavioral Health Knowledge Center Symposium on June 1 at the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital. Christina Gunther Murphy, an Executive Director at the
Institute for Healthcare Improvemen
t (IHI) delivered this year's Gailanne Reeh Lecture, titled, "Breaking the Rules for Better Care." Her lecture shared IHI’s international work with health care organizations to engage clients and staff members in identifying “rules” that should be broken to promote a better care or work experience. Attendees then undertook an activity to design a “breaking the rules” week at their own organizations.
- Fill an unmet need or gap in the children’s behavioral health care delivery system; or
- Respond to a “wicked” problem facing the children’s behavioral health field through creation of an innovative program or practice.
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Lahey Health Behavioral Services
was selected by the audience as the winner of this year’s award.
Team Fourteen
(T14) is a substance use counseling program for adolescents and families that has been providing outreach services in Essex County for two years, with encouraging results.
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POTO MITAN
: CHANGE AGENTS THAT PROMOTE WELL-BEING IN THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY
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By Gina Dessources, LICSW
Clinical Social Worker, Fenwood Inn
The Bi-annual Conference on Haitian Mental Health was held on Saturday, May 5,
2018. In partnership with the Haitian Mental Health Network, the conference was hosted by the
Center for Multicultural & Global Mental Health at William James College
, and was sponsored by the Department of Mental Health as well as other collaborators. Individuals, agencies, and institutions that serve in the role of a
poto mitan
, a Haitian Creole word for pillars
of the Haitian community were identified and celebrated as assets that strengthen the community. This year’s conference brought together local, national, and international agents of social change for a cross-cultural dialogue on ways to improve health, promote mental health, and embrace overall well-being.
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2018 ASIAN AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH FORUM
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My Identity, Our Community: Together Fostering Mental Wellness and Resilience in Today’s World
was the
theme of the 2018 Asian American Mental Health Forum held on June 1, 2018. Conference speakers included community advocates, artists, persons with lived experience, mental health clinicians, and researchers who spoke about racism and its impact on Asian Americans’ mental wellness. Interactive workshops gave conference participants the opportunity to dialogue and practice skills for building personal and community resources to fight oppression.
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ELIZABETH MACLELLAN SHARES HER COMEBACK STORY
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At seventeen, I could no longer hide the ways in which I was different from everyone else. I became anxious more easily than my peers. After a test, they didn’t still feel their heart beating out of their chest, and after a bad grade, they didn’t hurt themselves. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and while the therapy and medication helped, I still felt like I was less than my peers. I’ve been gaining in confidence over the years, but it was a confidence that kept my anxiety an arm’s length.
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Join the Northeast area office at the North Shore 2018 Pride Parade and Festival. This is a great opportunity to celebrating Pride and build community.
June 23, 2018
12:00pm-5:00pm
Shetland Park, Salem Common
For more information contact Ana Rodriquez
978-738-4530
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As we celebrate Pride Month during June, DMH continues to promote respect and safety for LGBTQ+ persons by launching its official training delivered by DMH staff. After an open application process, 21 employees representing all Areas, and across various job categories, participated in a Training-of-Trainers conducted by the
MaeBright Group
. LGBTQ training is beingl be provided to all DMH managers and supervisors, followed by training for all other staff beginning in July. In addition to providing a basic foundation of LGBTQ competence, the training also describes the draft DMH policy and guidance which will be finalized soon.
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Need more information, or have any questions, contact Joy Connell at:
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JAMES GEDRA APPOINTED NEW COO OF TAUNTON STATE HOSPITAL
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DMH welcomes Dr. James Gedra, Psy.D. as the new Chief Operating Officer of Taunton State Hospital (TSH). Dr. Gedra has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Xavier University. Previously, Dr. Gedra worked for the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities where he held several positions of increasing responsibility, including Division Director and Acting Facility Director at state hospitals and Deputy Commissioner for Behavioral Health. In addition, Dr. Gedra has experience in outpatient services and overseeing community programs. Dr. Gedra has also taught in the Departments of Psychology at Murray State University and the University of Findlay.
"I am very excited to have Dr. Gedra step into the leadership role at Taunton State Hospital. His administrative and clinical practice experience will be invaluable to leading and supporting our efforts to provide high quality care at TSH that meets the standards set by the Department of Mental Health. Dr. Gedra joins a strong, experienced team at TSH. I am confident that he will provide the leadership and vision to carry out the mission of the hospital into the future," said
Howard "Buddy" Baker Smith,
Southeast
Area Director.
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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 that are 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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ATTEND THE UPCOMING AWARD CEREMONIES
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2nd Annual DMH Southeast Area Academic, Civic engagement and Employment (ACE) Awards Ceremony
June 13, 2018, 1:30 to 4 p.m.
The ACE Awards recognizes individuals receiving DMH services for accomplishments in education, employment and civic engagement. One award recipient will be selected per site for accomplishments in either education, employment, or civic engagement. In addition, one Southeast Area-wide award will also be presented in each of the three categories of education, employment and civic engagement. For more information, contact Kim Anderson at
kimberly.anderson@state.ma.us
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Join DMH and your local legislators for our annual
DMH Citizens Legislative Breakfast Series for 2018
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NORTHEAST AREA
Thursday July 19, 2018
Massachusetts State House, Great Hall
Sponsors: Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Bradford Hill
Event starts with registration and refreshments from 9:30-10 a.m. The program starts promptly at 10 a.m. and runs approximately until 11 a.m.
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What year did the APA* remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in the DSM-II?**
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**DSM II -Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
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Michelle Cormier - Communications Coordinator
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Archive page
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