Children's Mental Health Week (CMHW) is also observed May 6-12. During the month, help us also bring awareness to children's mental health. Check out our
PPAL's website
to get all the details about the various ways to get involved for CMHW 2018.
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Keep an eye out for the following buildings and bridges going green for CMHW!
- May 4 and 5 Kenneth Burns Bridge, Worcester
- May 6-12 Norman B. Leventhal Park at Post Office Square in Boston
- May 8 City Hall Plaza in Boston, Prudential Center, and Zakim Bridge
Some of our local news anchors will also wear green to support Mental Health Awareness! See if you can spot them.
- May 7-11 WCVB Channel 5
- May 8 WBZ Channel 4
Show your support by wearing green or PPAL green ribbons!
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REGIONAL EMPLOMENT COLLABORATIVE OFFERS A REWARDING OPPORTUNITY
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For individuals with mental health challenges, employment may be an outlet to incorporate structure, interact with others socially, and assist with financial freedom. The CVS/Riverside Employment Collaborative (REC) training program by
Riverside’s five RECs
, the
South Shore Collaborative on Employment
, and
CVS Health
. is an initiative that offers individuals served by any REC partner-agency the opportunity to pursue individualized training in and out of CVS stores as well as at the pharmacy's Regional Learning Center in Boston.
Riverside produced two videos highlighting the program and graduates Malcolm and Stephen. Three graduating classes totaling 103 individuals affiliated with Massachusetts’ six RECs have graduated from the program. Approximately 40% have secured positions at CVS or other employers. The success of the program is the emphasis on strengthening individuals core abilities including communication, team work, and the overall mastering of soft skills to enhance workplace success.
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Employment Collaborative Part 1
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Employment Collaborative Part 2
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FIRST NATIONAL OLDER ADULT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY MAY 18
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The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Administration for Community Living, together with the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging, invite you to join the first National Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day. This discussion is designed to raise public awareness about the mental health of older Americans and spur action to address the needs of this population. Watch a panel of experts discuss evidence-based approaches to mental health and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery supports for older adults, and encourage collaboration between the mental health and aging networks. The panel will also highlight the work of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee and offer guidance for people who seek treatment and services. HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, Elinore McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D., along with HHS Assistant Secretary for Aging, Lance Robertson, will provide opening remarks.
The event will be live webcast. Registration is required.
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We'd like to acknowledge and thank all our DMH employees for your hard work and dedication as we celebrate both
Public Service Recognition Week (
PSRW) May 6-12, and State Employee recognition day on May 9. This is a time set aside to honor individuals who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees.
Throughout the nation, public servants use this week to educate others about the work they do and why they have chosen public service careers, as well as the many ways government services make life better for all of us.
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Many thanks to Patty Kenny, Metro Boston Area Director for her dedicated service to DMH for the last 19 years. Prior to becoming Area Director in 2012, Patty was the Adult Services Director from 1999-2002, and Director of Community Services from 2002-2012.
Patty received her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Psychiatric Nursing from Boston University School of Nursing. Prior to her tenure at DMH, she spent a decade gaining experience at North Suffolk Mental Health Association in the roles of Director of Emergency Services, Clinical Director of Substance Abuse Services and Psychotherapist. She also was a Clinical Instructor at several prestigious colleges and universities in Massachusetts.
We are grateful for her commitment to the community and wish her all the best!
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Commissioner Mikula's Retirement Message to Patty Kenny
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SARAH STANLEY RECEIVES COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD
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Congratulations to DMH Plymouth Site Director Sarah Stanley who received the South Shore Partners in Prevention
CHNA 32 First Annual Community Leader in Health Literacy award. Sarah was nomintated by NAMI for her work in the community, with education and awareness about mental health. Her contributions include
d
Question, Persuade and Refer
(QPR) classes, community conversations, an anti-stigma comedy event, client art gallery, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for law enforcement, monthly support groups for Transitional Age Youth and parents, etc.
Sarah was noted to have a “contagious energy and passion in her job." She received the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition and Congratulatory citation from the House of Representatives, presented by Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, and Rep. Matt Muratore.
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Before working at the Plymouth DMH Site, Sarah was involved with the development of the
You Are Not Alone: A Primer on Mental Illness (with the Cape Cod & Islands NAMI team.) It just became available online and is a great resource.
Disclaimer:
The information in the Primer is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is for general information purposes only.
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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.
CLEBRATE MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH!
FEATURED UPCOMING EVENTS
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"Poto Mitan": Change Agents that Promote Well-Being in the Haitian Community.
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Celebrate May is Mental Health Month with Me2/ (“me, too”), the world’s only classical music organization created for individuals living with mental illness and the people who support them.
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Register now through May 10 for the rescheduled Stephanie Mouton Symposium at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.
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Join the GBCAN team or volunteer for this annual event which helps NAMI Mass provide educational programs, support groups, grassroots advocacy, and the NAMI Mass Compass, our resource helpline. With your help, all of these programs are offered free of charge to participants.
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Join us for the 24th Grand Annual Performance of Express Yourself at the Boch Center – Wang Theatre
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My Identity/Our Community: Together Fostering Mental Wellness & Resilience In Today’s World
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ATTEND THE UPCOMING AWARD CEREMONIES
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17th Annual Jonathan Schiff Scholarship Fund
Award Ceremony
Tuesday May 29, 2018, 6 to 8 p.m.
The Schiff Awards were created in 2002 to recognize the value of employment in recovery from serious & persistent mental illness, and are given to individuals with a lived experience of mental illness who receive services from the DMH Metro Boston Area. Award recipients exemplify the principles of rehabilitation & recovery from mental illness through employment.
View last years winners and nominees
.
For more information about the Schiff Award nomination process and how to RSVP to attend the 2018 event, please contact Brian Osborne at (617) 626-9267, or
Brian.Osborne@Massmail.state.ma.us.
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
Sponsor: 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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How do you promote good mental health to others?
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Plan an activity or conversation for your community
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Tweet or post on social media
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Thank you for your input!
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Tell us what you think about DMH Connections or this issue by sending feedback.
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FOR NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS CONTACT:
Michelle Cormier - Communications Coordinator
To view past issues of DMH Connections visit our
Archive page
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STAY CONNECTED WITH DMH ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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FOLLOW COMMISSIONER MIKULA ON TWITTER
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