Announcing FIRST WINNER of MHANJ's Behavioral Health Care Hero Award

Congratulations

Lisa McDermott, LCSW, LCADC,

FIRST WINNER of the

2020 Mental Health Association

in New Jersey's Behavioral

Health Care Hero Award

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) is very proud to announce that Lisa McDermott, LCSW, LCADC. is our first Behavioral Health Care Hero for 2020! Lisa is the Coordinator for the Adult Outpatient Unit, Department of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, a busy urban safety net hospital.

According to those who nominated her, Ms. McDermott's response to the COVID Pandemic has been a model of courage, caring, and innovation. Upon recognition of the COVID impact she developed ways for the staff to care for clients remotely. This included crafting a process to assist even the most vulnerable of clients to engage in tele-psychiatry services.

While addressing client needs with extreme compassion, Ms. McDermott was also concerned about the emotional effects on her colleagues on the front lines in both acute and behavioral health settings. She stated that,” due to the stigma of mental health, I was concerned that even our own colleagues might have felt hesitant to reach out to us for help.”

Going above and beyond her usual responsibilities, Ms. McDermott created a weekly newsletter called “Make a Mental Note,” featuring coping techniques and warning signs of burn-out, depression and crushing stress. She recruited clinical staff to each write an issue and submit to all hospital employees.

As the Pandemic surge lessened she turned her attention to those most seriously affected by COVID. Thinking outside the box, she came up with the idea to create “wellness boxes” to lift their spirits and to let them know that they were not forgotten.

Ms. McDermott marshalled the support of the staff in Adult Outpatient to contribute positive affirmations, wisdom quotes, stress balls, teas, granola bars and other items that could give a smile and help ease the sadness and stress. “I wanted to remind people to take care of themselves even though we work in the field,” she explained. Securing donations and funding she made 50 “wellness boxes” which have been distributed to staff who lost loved ones or struggled with the virus themselves.

For all these reasons, we believe that Lisa is the personification of a dedicated Behavioral Health Care Hero. We at the Mental Health Association want to express our gratitude to Lisa for working to ease suffering during this Pandemic.

(Re-printed with permission from those who nominated Lisa McDermott.)

Do you know someone going "above and beyond"

to help people with Behavioral Health Issues

During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Nominate Him/Her Today!

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) is pleased to be running a new Behavioral Health Hero Awards Program, highlighting individuals who are putting forth extraordinary efforts to help those with behavioral health disorders and their family members during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The purpose of this project is to recognize behavioral health peers, care providers, family members and volunteers who are putting themselves at risk as they serve others during these challenging times.

In addition, the program will help break the stigma of behavioral health issues as we highlight stories of those who have taken action to make a difference.

The MHANJ's Behavioral Health Hero Awards Program runs through November 10, 2020.

How to Nominate Someone:

Nominations may be submitted through email (preferred) or U.S. mail.
To nominate someone, write a true account of what the the person did and why he/she deserves the award in 250 words or less.
Share the nominee's extraordinary effort to go “above and beyond” the call of duty to help people with a behavioral health issues and/or their family members during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Include the person's name, title, business/organization of employment or where the volunteer work is being done, email address and phone number.
Include your name, email address and phone number.
To submit by email include the word "Hero" in the subject line, and address the email to ssabetta@mhanj.org. To nominate someone via U.S. mail, include the word "Hero" on the envelope and mail it to Stephanie Sabetta, Mental Health Association in New Jersey, 673 Morris Ave., Suite 100, Springfield, NJ 07081.

Nominations are currently being accepted as one winner will be announced each month.

Final nominations must be received by November 10, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

A person may be nominated by anyone, including him/herself.

Eligibility: The program is open to behavioral health peers, care providers, family members of people with behavioral health disorders and volunteers, putting themselves at risk as they put forth extraordinary efforts to help those with behavioral health disorders and their family members during the COVID-19 Pandemic and recovery period. The nominee must be willing to be identified and participate in public relations activities.

Please note: MHANJ employees may make nominations of volunteers, family members of people with behavioral health disorders, and people they know from other organizations. MHANJ's staff members are not eligible to be nominated. A separate recognition program will be provided.

Awards: The winners will be honored and receive an award at the Mental Health Association in New Jersey's 20th Annual Evening of Excellence, which will be a virtual event. Winners will also receive a gift. Each honoree will be highlighted in an article that will be circulated by the MHANJ and through a press release to be submitted to his/her local paper.

Review Committee: A Review Committee will help facilitate the program, including choosing honorees and assisting with promotional outreach.

Questions? Contact Stephanie Sabetta at 973-571-4100, ext. 123 or ssabetta@mhanj.org .