New News
Scholarships to Two Conferences
Two mental health conferences are offering financial
assistance to participants. Scholarships include registration, travel, lodging,
and meals.
33rd annual
USPRA (U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association) conference, June
16-19, 2008 in Chicago.
http://www.uspra.org
The American College of Mental Health Administration (ACMHA) 2008 summit, "Impacting
Healthcare Reform '08: Leadership in Moving the Mental Health and Substance Use
Agenda," March 13-15, 2008, in Santa Fe.
http://www.acmha.org/summit/summit_2008.cfm
RIVA Seeking Board of Directors
Recovery Innovations of Virginia, Inc. (RIVA) is seeking
individuals who have a desire to give to their community by serving on its
Board of Directors. RIVA is a non-profit peer-run organization that provides
recovery-based peer-provided mental health services, education and consultation.
Recovery Innovations of Virginia firmly believes that people
who experience mental health challenges can live fulfilling, meaningful lives
and contribute to the betterment of society. If you would like to help RIVA
make a difference in people's lives, please contact Mary McQuown for an
application at 757-361-0255 or marym@recoveryinnovations.org
MHA Welcomes Proposals
Mental Health America is seeking proposals for
poster and breakout sessions to be presented at the 2008 Mental Health America
Annual Conference, including the inaugural National Mental Health Promotion and
Prevention Summit, to be held June 4-7, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Washington
on Capitol Hill. Submissions are due no later than January 15, 2008.
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/conference
Documentary Film Seeking
Writing & Interviews
~ From Zee Zarbock,
zee@unfoldingstorypictures.com
I am looking for folks to interview and/or submit writings
(prose, poetry, journal, opinions, etc) for consideration to be incorporated in
the voice-over part of our documentary film. We are especially interested in
those folks who have had run-ins with the law and been in jail or prison
instead of getting the help they needed for their mental health issues. We'd
love to hear from you. About the film:
A Call for Help is a high-quality but low-budget independent
film that focuses on the trend in the USA to incarcerate rather than treat
citizens with mental illness that run afoul of the law. The inspiration for
this film came from the tragic 2003 Denver
shooting of Paul Childs, a 15-year old developmentally disabled boy with mental
health issues.
I am self-funding this project on a shoestring, and have
sold my house to make it happen. We are living in an RV, traveling the country
for the stories, and are currently in the Baltimare/DC area. A Call for Help
Trailer (need QuickTime on your computer to play this) www.unfoldingstorypictures.com/help.html About "Zee" www.unfoldingstorypictures.com
Free Peer Specialist Trainings
Two Peer Specialist Training Programs will take place in Williamsburg or Portsmouth
February 3-15, 2008 and in Charlottesville,
April 6-18, 2008. There is no cost to participants. DMHMRSAS pays for training,
lodging and meals. Participant Requirements: 18 or older, Receiving or has
received Mental Health services for a severe Mental Illness, High School
diploma or GED, 12 months of any successful work or any volunteer experiences.
There will also be two Mini-Conferences on Peer Support and
Supervision: Jan. 31-Feb 1, 2008 Williamsburg or
Portsmouth and April 3-4, 2008 Charlottesville. For registration forms,
please contact pat.shank@co.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov
Save The Date
~ From Ann Benner, VOCAL Network
We are happy to be able to announce that the VOCAL annual statewide
consumer/survivor conference for 2008 will be held May 20 through 22. We've
located a new and excellent setting for this conference -- the Festival Conference
Center on the campus of James Madison
University in Harrisonburg. Here the meeting rooms and cafeteria are
contained in the same building, which is right next to the dorm. Over the next
few months we will provide more information about the program, scholarships,
and so forth. Please contact Yolande Long, Conference Coordinator at yolande@vocalvirginia.org if you would like to help with the conference in any way. And please
save the dates!
Creative Writing Sessions
Mental health consumers often have a difficult time reaching
self understanding and maintaining self esteem. As a result, fulfillment in life
can be limited. John Heritage, an avid and talented writer, has been conducting
writing groups with consumers at various organizations in Northern
Virginia. Starting Thursday, January 24 at 3:00 p.m. John will hold
4 weekly sessions for those interested in exploring writing about their
personal experiences. We'll meet at: Laurie
Mitchell Employment
Center, 6295 Edsall Road, Suite 175, Alexandria, VA 22312 (Inside ServiceSource, next to
the Social Security Office)
You don't need to be a Langston Hughes or e.e. cummings to
participate! John is hoping to attract any and all who've ever had the desire
or interest in putting their thoughts and experiences in written form. Poems,
essays, journal entries. All are welcome to be shared at your comfort level. For
more information and to sign up for these sessions, contact John at
703-534-2957.
Consumer Veterans
~ from Jo-Amrah S. McElroy,
Department of Mental Health Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services
I am looking for veterans from the consumer community who
would be interested in being guest speakers to tell their stories in support of
the mental health needs of returning troops. I am looking for representatives
from all service branches, any conflicts, male and female. Please respond directly to me. Thanks for
your help. Jo-Amrah S. McElroy,
804-786-2316
Free Employment Seminars
The Laurie Mitchell Employment
Center, a consumer-run program in Northern Virginia, is offering free seminars designed for
mental health consumers. All are welcome! For more information Call (703)
461-3886. Upcoming events:
In Our Own Voice is a program where mental health
consumers share their stories of mental illness, recovery and hope! Thursday,
January 17.
SSI Benefits and Medicaid - Learn how you can earn
additional income from working, while still receiving benefits. January, 26, February
2.
Basic Rules of Networking, January 15 & 16. The
fact is, only 1/3 of jobs are advertised. That means 66% of job openings are
hidden from the general public. How do you find these jobs? Come and find out!
Job Hunting Basics, Feb 5 & 6. The workshop will
focus on the fact that "finding a job is a job", that there are over
30 places to look for work, some of which you might have missed, the importance
of follow up" and much more!
Do I Have a Chance at Getting a Federal Job? Feb 19
& 20. YES!! Come to a workshop and learn about applying for a Schedule
A Appointment, which may make it easier for you to obtain a federal job.
