DMH Connections

A publication of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health

September 2011
 

2011 Photo Collage

National Recovery Month September 2011 

This month, DMH celebrates Recovery Month, a national observance that raises awareness of the fact that mental health services and addiction treatment can enable those with mental illness or a substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life. Our focus is to applaud the gains made by those in recovery, just as we would commend those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma and heart disease. 

 

The September issue of DMH Connections is dedicated to Recovery Month. We hope you'll spread the word: We have the positive message to share that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

 

See the article, "Recovery Is Now," in this issue to learn more about Recovery Month.

 

In This Issue

DMH is Getting Social! DMH is on Twitter
Multicultural Corner: Seeing Recovery Through the Eyes of Ethnic and Cultural Minorities
RLC Spotlight: SE Recovery Learning Community Hosts 5th Annual Recovery is Real
Recovery Is Now: Get Involved!
On the Path to Recovery By Shedrick M. Gavin
DMH and SAMHSA: National Wellness Week Launches During Recovery Month at Tewksbury SH
Music as Stigma-Stopper: Tunefoolery Musicians Play to a Different Drummer
Lulu Promotes Recovery Through Licks and Smiles at Cape Cod & Islands Program
DMH Runs, Rides and Remembers
New Content on the DMH Website
Photo of the Month

DMH Office of Communications and Community Engagement

Questions or suggestions?

Call 617-626-8124

Contribute to the next DMH Connections

Deadlines for upcoming issues: 

    
September 16 for the October  newsletter

Please send all materials to 

 Michelle Cormier Tallman

 

Click here for Submission Guidelines

Socail Media icon

DMH is Getting Social! 

Twitter birdDMH is on Twitter!

 @MassDMH
 

Spread the word: DMH is now on Twitter!  We're looking forward to sharing great information, resources, links, happenings and content with you. Follow DMH on Twitter @MassDMH or just click the button at the bottom of the page and we'll follow you back!

 

If you have news items of interest to the mental health community to Tweet, send it to Anna Chinappi or Michelle Cormier Tallman. Remember, Tweets are 140 characters. (Not words!)

 

DMH joins the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and several of its agencies on Twitter -- please follow them too. Here's a list:
  • EOHHS - @Mass_HHS
  • Department of Public Health - @MassDPH, @MassinMotion
  • Division of Health Care Finance and Policy - @MassHealthCare
  • Department of Veterans Services (DVS) - @MASSDVS
  • DVS Save Team  - @MassVeterans
  • DVS Women Veteran Network - @WomenVeterans
Thank you for supporting DMH communications efforts. As always, any questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact Anna Chinappi... 

 

 Follow us on Twitter

Commonwealth Conversations

  BLOGS

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Health and Human Services Blog 

 This new social media platform provides news, updates and serve as a forum for open dialogue about issues related to all 16 EOHHS agencies.

 Click here to read blog posts by Secretary Bigby, Commissioner Leadholm and others

  

Department of Public Health Blog 

Click here to view the DPH blog which features expert tips on nutrition and physical activity as well as a roundup of health and wellness events 
  

Multicultural Corner   

Multicultural hands around in a circle 

 

Seeing Recovery Through the Eyes of Ethnic and Cultural Minorities  

 

In recent years, racial and ethnic disparities in health care have been consistently documented across a wide range of medical conditions and health care services, including mental health care. Providing recovery-oriented and peer support services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner is important to reducing these disparities. Understanding how consumers of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds perceive and interpret the concepts of recovery and peer support as well as their experience of service access is a critical path for providers and peer support workers to better serve diverse populations.  

 

"Understanding How Ethnic and Cultural Minorities Perceive Peer Support and Recovery" is a recent study completed by Linda Cabral, Kathy Muhr and Judy Savageau of the University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Health Policy and Research in collaboration with from Ed Wang, Psy.D., Director of the DMH Office of Multicultural Affairs; Lucille Traina, DMH Coordinator of Statewide Initiatives; and John Deluca, MassHealth Behavioral Health.

 

This research builds on work initiated by DMH in our efforts to insure that people who are deaf/hard of hearing and other minority clients benefit from the peer support and recovery movement. The Office of Multicultural Affairs promotes the use of cultural brokers through work with and advocacy on the part of its Multicultural Advisory Committee.

 

Lucille Traina, who also coordinates deaf services at DMH, has worked with deaf consumers to promote access to the Recovery Learning Communities and with the Transformation Center to develop a CPS curriculum which is culturally and linguistically appropriate. The following synopsis of the study is written by Linda and her team:

 

The study sought to better understand how persons with mental health conditions from two cultural groups, Latino and Deaf/Heard of Hearing (D/HH), access recovery-oriented and peer support services. Results from this study helped to inform the DMH regarding system improvements that could be made to better serve these populations.

 

We utilized cultural brokers, who were mental health peers from the cultural communities of focus, to work with the research team in all phases of the study. This approach was effective because cultural brokers can identify with and have knowledge of the cultural heritage, as well as knowledge of the mainstream mental health system. The cultural brokers partnered with evaluation staff to conduct interviews and focus groups in the participants' language of choice. The goal of this approach was to maximize the comfort level of participants and to encourage them to share their views on mental health recovery and peer support.

 

For both cultural groups, multiple communication issues were barriers to accessing appropriate mental health services. Barriers such as a lack of providers able to communicate in a person's preferred language and inadequate interpretation services were cited as well as a lack of qualified professionals who speak Spanish or use American Sign Language (ASL). Among both groups, the preference was to work directly with someone in the language they feel most comfortable with and to avoid interpreters.

 

Among the peers interviewed, peer support was valued among everyone. All study participants preferred peer support to be offered in a language they could fully participate in. However, there are limited peer support groups available in Spanish and even less available in ASL.

 

We believe that this study can inform others who are interested in collecting health disparities data from people of different cultural groups. Using qualitative data collection and employing a cultural broker was an effective approach and one that should be considered when seeking to collect sensitive data from people of different cultural backgrounds.

 

For the complete study, Click here to view the report.

RLC Spotlight
 
 Southeast RLC logo

 

SE Recovery Learning Community Hosts 5th Annual Recovery is Real

 

The DMH Southeast Recovery Learning Community (SEMA RLC) is looking forward to the 5th Annual Recovery Is Real Celebration on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Ricky Silvia Gym, Taunton State Hospital. The SEMA RLC officially turns three this year and celebrates recovery being real every day. This year's celebration theme is "Conversation, Connection and Community: How open dialogue, person first language & Intentional Peer Support can create community." The event will feature speakers whose stories reflect diverse communities and paths to recovery.

 

Speakers will discuss personal milestones such as going back to work, getting one's own place, volunteering, health and wellness, transitioning from the hospital into the community and how  connections and community support recovery goals. The audience will hear how individuals accomplished some of these goals, how they stay well on a day-to-day basis and how others can make some of those same connections.

 

This year the SEMA RLC will present the 2nd annual Recovery is Real Award to Pathways Day Treatment. It is important to recognize not only peers but also providers who do wonderful recovery-oriented work and are dedicated to mental health wellness.

 

A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Recovery is Real is held in collaboration with Community Counseling of Bristol County and Taunton State Hospital.

 

If you plan to attend, please confirm by Sept. 23 by calling Debbie at 508-977-3417. Deaf and Hard of Hearing interpretation will be provided. Questions or more information: call the SEMA RLC at 508-880-8527. Click here to view a printable flyer.

 Conferences and Events 

 

September 17, 2011

13th Annual Run for Ricky
Click link for more info 

 

September 18, 2011

A Reason to Ride

Click link for more info

 

September 19, 2011

Northeast-Suburban Area  National Wellness Week Event

Click link for details  in the National Wellness Week article.

Click here for flyer for the morning session. 

Click here for the flyer for the afternoon session.

 

 Western Mass CBFS Wellness Team National Wellness Week Events

 September 22, 2011

Greenfield: 12 to 1:30 p.m. Greenfield - at ServiceNet Outreach offices, 13 Prospect Street, Greenfield.

and

September 23, 2011

Northampton:9 to 10:30 a.m. at ServiceNet Outreach offices, 129 King Street, Northampton. Events  will highlight the physical activity offerings available. Learn more about ServiceNet's Fit Together Wellness Center, the Fit Together Mobile program and other activities participants can access for free. 

 

September 24, 2011

Embracing the Journey Through Spirituality and Mental Health

2 to 4 p.m. First Parish, 24 Vernon Street, Framingham. Please join our ongoing forum featuring Nancy Kehoe, author of "Wrestling with Our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness, and the Journey to Wholeness," individuals with lived experience, diverse spiritual leaders and providers in the mental health field. ASL Interpreters have been requested. Contact Glenn Malloy at 508-877-2104 if you have questions. Sponsored by Advocates, Inc. and NAMI

 

September 27, 2011

Friends of Metro Boston present 2nd Annual Talent Show "Ain't No Stopping Us Now"

 Click the link for information.

Contact Ken Mack for more info.

 

September 29, 2011

Current Issues in Eating Disorders, Diagnosis and Classification

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tewksbury Hospital Events Room. Presenters Kamryn Eddy, Ph.D., and Jennifer Thomas, Ph.D. An introduction to the classification and diagnosis of eating disorders, including future enhancements with the DSM-V.  Basic motivational enhancement techniques for residential staff and others will also be discussed. Open to state employees, provider staff, persons with lived experience, and other interested parties. DMH employees can register through PACE. All others can e-mail with the number of people planning to attend at [email protected] or if you need a special accommodation to participate fully in this event. Click here for a printable flyer.

  

 September 29, 2011

Strategies For The Treatment of Eating Disorders

1 to 4 p.m. Tewksbury Hospital Events Room. Presenters Kamryn Eddy, Ph.D., and Jennifer Thomas, Ph.D. This workshop introduces empirically based treatment models for providing treatment to clients struggling with bulimia, anorexia and eating disorders. Tailored to the provision of treatment for eating disorders within a non-eating disorder treatment setting. DMH employees, please register through PACE.  All others, e-mail us with the number of people planning to attend at [email protected] or if you need a special accommodation to participate fully in this event. Click here for a printable flyer.

 

 

 ~ SAVE THE DATE ~

 

October 5, 2011

The Peer Leadership Committee Presents: 3rd Annual CELEBRATING HEROES - A Community Recognition Event

1-4 p.m. Braintree Town Hall,

1 John F Kennedy Memorial Drive 

Braintree. Join us in celebrating the unsung heroes of the Mental Health Community for improving the quality of life for people who are in recovery from a mental illness. Entertainment and Refreshments will be provided.  For more information or to get involved, Click here for a printable flyer. Contact Kim Anderson at 617-984-1070.

 

 

MA Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program

2011 Trainings  

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program Workshop Calendar is available with fall trainings. More workshops will be added throughout the year. When registering, note that each event has tabs titled with information regarding the workshop. Space is limited for each workshop and fills up quickly, so register before the deadline. Click here  to view the current Suicide Prevention Training Calendar.

 

Click here  for the Transformation Center website and all the latest information and events happening throughout the Mental health Community.


 

Please send your event information to

Michelle Cormier Tallman

by the submission date for publication in DMH Connections 

DMH Cares - Think before you print logo
We will be posting DMH Connections on DMH's on the new improved archives page of the internet and staff intranet sites.  View issues from 2008 to the Present.
~
DMH Connections proudly celebrates 3 years of continuous publication!

Recovery Is Now: Get Involved!

 

DMH joins the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in celebrating Recovery Month. Now in its 22nd year, Recovery Month highlights individuals who have reclaimed their lives and are living happy and independently in long-term recovery. Recovery Month also honors the treatment and recovery service providers who make recovery possible. Recovery Month promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible and also encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective recovery services for those in need.

 

While Recovery Month is observed in September, for DMH, its staff, consumers, providers and advocates, recovery is a year-round initiative that supports educational outreach and events throughout the year that highlight the many recovery stories that give hope.

 

Recovery Month began in 1989 as TreatmentWorks! Month, which acknowledged the work of the treatment and recovery professionals in the field. The observance evolved to National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) in 1998, when it expanded to include celebrating the accomplishment of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. The national observance is evolving once again in 2011, to include all aspects of behavioral health.

 

Each September, thousands of treatment and recovery programs and services around the country celebrate their successes and share them with their neighbors, friends and colleagues in an effort to educate the public about recovery, how it works, for whom and why. There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery.

 

SAMHSA gathered 140 federal, state and local government entities, as well as non-profit organizations and associations affiliated with prevention, substance use and mental disorders to work on the Recovery Month Planning Partners' group. The Planning Partners assist in the development, dissemination and collaboration of materials, promotion and event sponsorship for the Recovery Month initiative.

 

To learn more about Recovery Month and how you or your organizations can get involved, click Recovery.

On the Path to Recovery

By Shedrick M. Gavin


Profile Photo of Shedrick GavinShedrick Gavin is a person with lived experience who recently performed as a soloist at the Boston Pops Gospel Night. Shedrick shares his remarkable story of recovery and hope with DMH Connections.

 

 

These past few months have been some of the best times of my entire life. It all started on May 21, 2011, the day of the NAMI walk. The Boston Pops Choir manager informed me that Maestro Charles Floyd chose me to be a soloist for this year's Gospel Night at the Pops. However, the singing was not the best part of Boston Pops. Communion with the other choir members was priceless. And thanks to the generosity of Dr. Derri Shtasel and the Massachusetts General Hospital Division of Public and Community Psychiatry, and Bernie Carey of the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH), residents from the DMH West End Shelter were able to come and hear me sing.

 

I sang my solo "Jesus Reigns" on June 18 at Symphony Hall in front of more than 2,000 people, including friends from the West End Shelter, the Center Club and Friends of Metro Boston.

 

Less than six months before singing at the Boston Pops, I was homeless. Indeed, I really did have a lot to sing about at Gospel Night. After the Boston Pops concert was over, Bernie Carey contacted me about another opportunity to sing at MAMH's Friend & Leader awards banquet in honor of Victoria Reggie Kennedy and Dr. Jerrold F. Rosenbaum, M.D., who introduced me at the banquet. After I performed my solo at the dinner, Jack Connors, who is on the Board of Trustee at Boston College, was the first person to jump to his feet and give me a standing ovation. Mr. Connors' ovation was significant to me because he's well known in the Boston area and he's one of the forefathers of BC, which used to be commuter school when he was student. He helped transform BC into an international school that welcomed people from different races, backgrounds and disabilities. And there is a personal connection for me: I earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in philosophy from Boston College. I cannot remember a time in my life when so many good things have happened to me all at once. It let's me know that I am doing the right thing.

 

However, I would be doing a disservice to myself if I were not up front about what has kept me on the straight and narrow path: the mental health community continues to reward me. I think that the word "recovery" is a misnomer, because no one ever really "recovers" from a mental illness. However, it has been my dream and my goal to be fully integrated back into society. I'm already well on my way. I have my own apartment and I am looking for full-time employment. I have definitely reached a turning point in my life. I realize that I have to take medications, regardless of how I feel. It took me a long time to get to this point. But it does not matter how I got here or how long it took me to get here. The fact is I realize that taking medications is a lifeline.

 

Being homeless and institutionalized changes people, even if they are not aware of it. For me, I know that I am a lot less friendly than I used to be. And I have trust issues. My friends, most of whom I met in the Boston Community Choir (BCC), tell me that I have a lot of trouble smiling and socializing in groups. So, there are a lot of things I have to learn all over again. But I am up for the challenge. I am greatly appreciative of Brother Dennis Slaughter, who played the keyboard for me at the banquet. He was instrumental in bringing out that authentic gospel sound. He is the artistic director of the Boston Pops Gospel Choir and the director of BCC. The gospel song, "I Won't Complain," is a true testimony about my struggles with mental illness. I'm hopeful, as the song says, that "all of my good days, outweigh my bad days. So, I won't complain."

Bro. Dennis Slaughter, Shedrick Gavin and Clifford Robinson

Brother Dennis Slaugher, left, joins Shedrick Gavin and Metro-Southeast Area Director Clifford Robinson, right, at the 2011 MAMH Awards banquet.

 

"I am greatly appreciative of Brother Dennis Slaughter, who played the keyboard for me at the banquet. He was instrumental in bringing out that authentic gospel sound. He is the artistic director of the Boston Pops Gospel Choir and the director of BCC." - Shedrick M. Gavin

 

Click here to view Shedrick's debut performance of "Ordinary People" at the 2010 Friends of Metro Boston sponsored DMH Talent Show. 

 

Click here to View Shedrick's performnace of "I Won't Complain" at the 2011 MAMH Awards.

 

Click here to view Shedrick's performance of "This Land is your Land" at the 2011 MAMH Awards.

 

Stay tuned for more from Shedrick in upcoming issues of DMH Connections.

DMH and SAMHSA: National Wellness Week Launches During Recovery Month at Tewksbury  

 

As part of September's nationally observed Recovery Month, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will launch the first National Wellness Week September 19-25 to promote the many ways wellness can improve quality of life and increase life expectancy for people with mental illness and substance use disorders. The DMH Northeast-Suburban Area is excited to host Lauren Spiro, the Mental Health Communication Manager for SAMHSA and one of the forces behind National Wellness Week, who will launch the first National Wellness Week in Massachusetts with DMH on Sept. 19 at Tewksbury State Hospital in a day-long workshop. Lauren will discuss the SAMHSA 10x10 Campaign and the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.

 

Regular readers of DMH Connections are familiar with the fact that persons with mental illness have a shorter life expectancy of an average of 25 years than the general population. In our efforts to raise awareness, change attitudes and focus on whole health, DMH signed on to the SAMHSA 10x10 Wellness Campaign. Launched in 2010, the campaign promotes the importance of addressing all parts of a person's life in hopes of increasing life expectancy for persons with mental illness and substance use disorders by 10 years in 10 years. Nearly 3,000 organizations and individuals have made a commitment to this work by signing the Pledge for Wellness. The Campaign is guided by a multidisciplinary Steering Committee representing consumers, providers and researchers.

 

Aligned with the campaign, SAMHSA is promoting the Eight Dimensions of Wellness (chart pictured below). SAMHSA defines wellness as "overall well-being. It incorporates the mental, emotional, physical, occupational, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of a person's life. Each aspect of wellness can affect overall quality of life, so it is important to consider all aspects of health. This is especially important for people with mental illness and substance use disorders because wellness directly relates to the quality and longevity of your life."

 Circular chart displaying the 8 dimensions of wellness

Social - developing a sense of connection and a well-developed support system

Physical - recognizing the need for physical activity, diet, sleep, and nutrition while discouraging the use of tobacco, drugs, and excessive alcohol consumption

Emotional - developing skills and strategies to cope effectively with stress, challenges, and conflict

Spiritual - searching for meaning and purpose in human existence

Occupational - deriving personal satisfaction and enrichment from one's work

Intellectual - recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills

Environmental - fostering good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being

Financial - feeling satisfied with current and foreseeable future financial situation

 

The National Wellness Week workshop at Tewksbury State Hospital will also include morning session speakers Oryx Cohen from the National Empowerment Center; Lisa Forestell fom the Western Mass. Recovery Learning Community; and Elizabeth Frates, M.D. of The Institute of Lifestyle Medicine. Oryx and Lisa will talk about local wellness activities and Elizabeth will discuss wellness of body, mind and spirit.

 

In the afternoon session, Lauren Spiro will present an educational workshop with Beth Filson on trauma and wellness. In addition to her involvement with the 10x10 Campaign, Lauren, who was as a teenager labeled with chronic schizophrenia, is also a coordinator with the National Center for Trauma-Informed Care.  Beth Filson serves on the Steering Team of the National Center for Trauma-Informed Care.  She is lead developer of a peer engagement guide for women in trauma-informed peer support to be released later this year. 

 

Both workshops are open to DMH and provider staff, persons with lived experience and other interested parties. Registration is required. DMH employees can register through PACE. All others can e-mail the DMH Northeast Staff Development office with the number of people planning on attending at [email protected]If you need special accommodations, notify the Staff Development office as soon as possible.  Click the links to download a printable flyer for the morning session and the afternoon session.

 

Below are some useful links to SAMHSA's Health and Wellness Resources:

Follow us on Twitter Follow the DMH Twitter account @MassDMH for Tweets on health and wellness related information and resources during the week of September 19-25.

 

Health and Wellness is everyone's concern: staff, people receiving services and the general public. There are many examples of things everyone can do right now that are low or no cost and can be done by anyone. Remember that exercise and healthy eating work better when done with partners and that wellness is not just a one-week event, it's a lifestyle.

Music as Stigma-Stopper

 

Tunefoolery Musicians Play to a Different Drummer

  

Since 1994, Tunefoolery, a non-profit organization comprised of musicians with psychiatric disabilities, puts out a simple yet powerful message emphasizing people's strengths by focusing on abilities, not disabilities. Tunefoolery's 50 musicians perform as solo acts and in ensembles at hospitals, nursing homes and other venues where quality live music is needed most. Music styles span everything from rock to classical. Tunefoolery also provides their members with discounted guitar and voice lessons.

 

Brendan Burns is one of those teachers. He is a guitar instructor, performer and composer living in Cambridge. For the past several years, he has taught guitar part time with Tunefoolery.

 

Tunefoolery's Rick Davenport and guitar teacher Brendan Burns

Tunefoolery's Rick Davenport rocks the house at the "Stops the Stigma" concernt  with Tunefoolery guitar teacher Brendan Burns

 

Photo courtesy of photographer

Arthur Tsicoulias

"Tunefoolery has changed my life as musician, guitar teacher and human being," Brendan said. "When I started working with them in 2006, I didn't know anything about mental illness. I had never had any direct experience with psychosis, schizophrenia or trauma. Through my work and experiences at Tunefoolery, I've had the amazing opportunity to witness the extraordinarily capabilities and musicianship of a group people who have challenges integrating with society."  

 

 

Brendan said he believes Tunefoolery represents a profound development in the awareness, acceptance and care for people living with mental illness in our community and that their work is helping erase the social stigma of mental illness and educating us that we all exist on a mental health continuum just as we do with our physical health.

 

"I was inspired to put together an awareness concert for Tunefoolery one night in August at the LilyPad in Cambridge," Brendan said. "My goal of this concert was to raise awareness about what mental illness is and what it is not, and to help help stop the stigma by booking Boston-based musicians and Tunefoolery members on a collaborative bill. Local performers included Mali Sastri, Tony Leva and Raky Sastri (of Jaggery), Sarah Rabdau (of Sarah Rabdau & The Self-Employed Assassins), Molly Zenobia, Lainey SchoolTree, Brian King (of What Time Is It Mr. Fox), myself and seven Tunefoolery members."

 

It was a jam-packed night at the Lilypad in Cambridge. The evening showcased a collection of music from all artists as well information about Tunefoolery and mental illness in general. The concert featured some excellent music as well as some powerful sharing from performers about dealing with mental health issues. Tunefoolery's Executive Director Jens Rybo talked about Tunefoolery's important work and gigs that bring hope and healing to thousands of people every year.

 

"As the audience walked out into the busy streets of Inman Square that night," said Brendan, "many talked about how inspiring it was to hear about Tunefoolery and realizing that people dealing with mental health issues have so many talents that for sure challenge stigma related to psychiatric conditions."

 

We're happy to report that because of the success of the Lilypad concert, Tunefoolery is already planning a similar event in the future. Watch for more concerts from Tunefoolery here at DMH Connections.

 

Click here to view more photographs from the Stop the Stigma concert.

Lulu Promotes Recovery Through Licks and Smiles at Cape Cod & Islands Program

 
Lulu wiht a chew toy in her mouth, held by Donna GriswoldThe DMH Cape Cod & Islands Community Mental Health Center Day Hospital Program in Pocasset has introduced pet therapy into their groups. Lady Lupine of Franconia, known to the group as Lulu, is owned by Donna Griswold, pictured, the program's treatment coordinator. Lulu has recently earned her Canine Good Citizen Certificate through The American Kennel Club which qualifies her to become a pet therapy partner. The 16-month-old sable Pomeranian is helping lift moods and increase social interactions and connections among patients and staff.

 

Therapy dogs assist with the emotional states of the group participants. People with depression for example will often respond to an animal offering genuine affection and unconditional love. At Pocasset, the presence of Lulu brightens the atmosphere, increases amusement and laughter and helps decrease people's feelings of isolation or alienation. Research has found that pets are also therapeutic for people with mood and anxiety disorders as well as other psychiatric disorders. A quote by Ben Williams says it all: "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face!" Pocasset's newest staff member Lulu is a welcomed addition to the program.

DMH Runs, Rides and Remembers

 

Recovery Month is an excellent time to remember that there a many ways to stay healthy, get exercise and maintain wellbeing. Listed here are a few events that not only get people moving, they help us keep in mind the selfless individuals who dedicate themselves to a worthy cause.

 

Run...

The13th Annual Run for Ricky Scholarship 5k Race (3.1 miles) run and family fun walk will take place this year on a new date in the early fall -- Saturday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. on the grounds of Taunton State Hospital. The running event has many categories based on age and gender with medals and special prizes for participants who bring their babies with strollers, who bring their dog, for the youngest runner and oldest runner. This year features more than 75 free raffle prizes to all who participate.

 

A special race category called the Area Director's cup is open to all public agencies that have three runners from the same agency. Teams compete for the coveted cup. The winner's name is engraved on the cup and the the team keeps it for display at their agency until next year's run. Teams compete in a separate division for this cup. Teams that place first, second and third all receive medals. Some agencies or DMH facilities such as Corrigan Mental Health Center in Fall River plan to field a few teams this year.

 

It's a fun-filled day with a seasonal theme of displays of the bounty from the Taunton State Hospital patient greenhouse. The Friends of Taunton State Hospital will host a coat sale; volunteers will recite poems by Robert Frost; and face painting and refreshments for all will add to the festivities.

 

The Run for Ricky Scholarship 5k Race was created 13 years ago in memory of Taunton State Hospital staff member Rick Silvia. Rick Silvia was returning home from work one winter day and heard a youth yelling for help and struggling on an icy pond in Taunton. Rick dove into the pond and kept the teenager above the water but sadly lost his life in his heroism. The Hospital Trustees and The Friends of Taunton State Hospital organized this community-wide event in his honor. As always, the Run for Ricky is open to everyone.  Click here for an entry form.

 

Ride...

On Sunday, Sept. 18, DMH Essex North Case Management Supervisor Bob Weeks; Jim Farren, Child/Adolescent Human Service Coordinator Supervisor in the Lowell Site Office; and Jack Lyons, Program Manager, Child/Adolescent Services in the Northeast-Suburban Area Office will be joining Fred Knowles, a former long-time DMH case management supervisor and some family and friends for their 4th annual bicycle-riding fundraiser, A Reason to Ride. Bob's goal this year is to ride 25 miles as part of TEAM DALE.

 

A Reason to Ride was established in 2008 to benefit brain cancer care and research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). Fred learned about the ride while his wife Dale was receiving treatment at BIDMC that year. He worked himself into 25-mile bike-riding shape and established TEAM DALE with Bob Weeks to participate in the event and acknowledge Dale's tremendous battle. Team Dale has been rolling ever since. To learn more about the Knowles' story, read "Dale is Fred's Reason" on the Reason to Ride home page.

 

Anyone interested in riding may join the team. If you are interested in volunteering or supporting riders on the day of the event you can sign up on the Reason to Ride site as well. Bob reports that it is an especially inspiring event where you can meet cancer survivors and patients who are undergoing treatment, as well as family and friends who are supporting loved ones, living and deceased.

 

And Remember...

Participating in these events is a fun way to incorporate health and wellness into our lives while showing our support for others. Recovery Month is a great opportunity for all to run, ride and remember.

New content on the DMH Website:
Log on and check it out! 

 

DMH Connections works to keep you up to date on changes and additions to our online presence so that you can stay connected and supported in your work. We strive to stay on top of website and intranet updates. If you have any site or contact changes at your facility or in your division, or if you spot any inaccuracies, please send them to Anna Chinappi.
 
Below are a list and links of the most recent changes and updates: 
  
On the DMH Internet 
    
In the top left column under What We Do>DMH Resource Guides. The DMH Resource Guide (Word) has been updated.

 

In the top left column under What We Do>DMH Results and Reports page under the Consumer Experience Data bullet: the DMH Peer Workforce Survey Report 2011 has been added. 

  

In the top left column under What We Do>Accessing Mental Health Services>Applying for Mental Health Services under the Access Service Applications link to the Service Application Forms and Appeal Guidelines: Both the Clinical & Needs and Means Appeal Guideline formshave been translated and are now available in: Chinese, Portuguese, Haitian/Creole, and Spanish.

 

In the left middle column under Initiatives>DMH Transitional Age Youth links have been updated.

 

In the left middle column under Initiatives>Community Based Flexible Supports>CBFS Alerts bullet: the CBFS Alert #1 - Disenrollment (Word)form has been added.

 

In the center column DMH Offices link, Central Office page: staff contact information has been updated.

 

Under the Provider (tab) > Forms and Applications > Mental Health > Transfer Protocols and Forms the Continuing Care Admission Contact List (PDF) | Word document has been added and the DMH Continuing Care Referral Transfer Form for Adults (PDF) l Word document has been updated.

 

Check out the new improved archive page of DMH Connections!

In the right hand column under Publications and Reports>DMH Connections you can now click for a complete printable and forwardable archive of all DMH Connections from August 2008 to the present.

 

On the DMH Staff Intranet:
  
In the left middle column under Contact Information: DMH Divisions and Departments continue to be updated to reflect the DMH Redesign progress.
  

Please note that moving forward, whenever a document is posted on the Internet, the link that is posted on the intranet site will direct you to the same link that is on the Internet. 

 TalentShow 2nd Annual Talent Show 9/27 12-1:30 & Stuart St. Playhouse, Boston

Photo of the Month
Shout Out for Young Adult Recovery!

 

YAC Awards

 DMH gives a shout out for young adult leaders recovery at their second Certificate of Appreciation Ceremony honoring peer leaders and their employers. Sponsored by the Youth Development Committee, and welcomed by Commissioner Barbara Leadholm, Deputy Commissioner Marcia Fowler, and Assistant Commissioner Joan Mikula, over 119 family, friends and colleagues applauded the accomplishments of young adults and the support of their employers as they transition into adulthood.  Stay tuned to the October issue of DMH Connections for more coverage of this event!


Visit the DMH Connections Photo Gallery,available through Shutterfly to see more photo of the new hospital construction progress. 

 

Visitors can access photos from DMH Events anytime at the DMH Photo Gallery on Shutterfly

www.dmhconnectionsphotogallery.shutterfly.com 

 

New to the DMH Photo Gallery:

7-25-2011 YAC Awards Ceremony

8-19-2011 Tunefoolery-Stop the Stigma Concert   

 

If you have photos from a DMH event that you would like featured as photo of the month or on the site, please send them to

Michelle Cormier Tallman