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DMH Office of Communications and Community Engagement

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

Department of Public Health Blog 

Leaders Gather for 3rd Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Forum

The 3rd Annual Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health Forum was recently held at the University of Massachusetts Boston campus with more than 150 participants. Cellist Ming-Hu Lin captivated attendees during registration with a solo performance. 

Moderated by Ed Wang, Psy.D., Director of the DMH Department of Multicultural Affairs, forum participants were welcomed with opening remarks by DMH Commissioner Marcia Fowler; Winston Langley, Provost of the University of Massachusetts Boston; Kathleen Betts, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS); Latifah Hasan, Director of Cultural Linguistic Competence & Social Marketing Early Childhood Mental Health, Boston Public Health Commission; and Ann Hwang, M.D., Director of Health Care and Strategy of EOHHS.  

Keynote speaker D.J. Ida, Ph.D., Executive Director of the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association and a panel discussion of local and national experts set the stage for an inspirational day of information sharing

The afternoon's four breakout sessions were Workforce Development; Integrated Physical and Behavioral Health Care; Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR); and Integrated Physical and Behavioral Health Care. In the Workforce Development breakout session, participants explored alternative educational models and culturally/linguistically supportive environments to increase the APPI workforce in behavioral health and improve the quality of services. The Integrated Physical and Behavioral Health Care participants developed recommendations for an ideal integrated physical and behavioral health care model for AAPI children, families and communities. Participants in CBPR learned from examples of successful community-based partnerships. And Consumer Involvement workshop participants explored the role of stigma in seeking mental health care and how to identify and prioritize barriers for the AAPI population.

  Pictured: Commissioner Fowler with Latifah Hasan, Director of Cultural Linguistic Competence and Social Marketing Early Childhood Mental Health, Boston Public Health Commission.

The DMH Community Honors Our Heroes

The Northeast-Suburban Peer Leadership Committee recently held its fifth annual "Celebrating Heroes: A Community Recognition Event" at the Waltham Government Building with more than 140 guests who honored 16 unsung heroes in the mental health community

The festivities kicked off with performances by flutist Michelle Paul and cellist Alan Jensen. Guests had the opportunity to view an artwork exhibit of "What is a Hero" by the Metro Suburban Recovery Learning Community in Quincy, and learned about the Northeast Suburban Recovery Center. Alan Jensen, Nicole McMahon and Matt Aronstein served as the emcees while DMH Northeast-Suburban Area Director Susan Wing delivered opening remarks and shared her thoughts of what is a hero.

Enthralling the audience at this year's event was keynote speaker Dr. Mark Vonnegut, pediatrician and author of his published memoirs, "Eden Express" and "Just Like Someone with a Mental Illness, Only More So." Susan Wing presented legislative citations on behalf of Rep. Elizabeth Malia, Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, to the award recipients for improving the quality of life for people who are in recovery from a mental illness. 

Thanks to the efforts of Linda Fountas, Gabrielle Matukas and Lee Goldberg, participants had the chance of winning one of the 45 door prizes donated by supermarkets, restaurants, hair salons, gyms, wellness centers and other local businesses. Refreshments were provided by Wayside S.T.E.P.S., Potter Place Clubhouse, Elliot House Clubhouse, Elm Brook Place Clubhouse and a generous donation from Andrinas Pizzeria of Arlington. Dunkin Donut gift cards for the "heroes" were provided by Neponset River House Clubhouse, and programs were printed by the Metro Suburban Recovery Learning Community.

The committee extends its appreciation to the Waltham Building Department and especially the maintenance department for their outstanding assistance in ensuring a successful event and to Gina Bozzi Curley for coordinating the food.

DMH congratulates this year's Unsung Heroes:

KELLY BRASSARD, ADVOCATES; MIKE LEGERE, COLE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER; JACKIE EDWARDS, DMH CASE MANAGEMENT, SOUTH SITE; RUSSELL SMITH, DMH CASE MANAGEMENT, SOUTHWEST SITE; JIFKA FITZPATRICK, EDINBURG CENTER; MARK ETHERIDGE, ELIOT COMMUNITY HUMAN SERVICES; DAN KENT, ELLIOT HOUSE; LESLIE JOHNSON, ELM BROOK PLACE; JOHN DONAHUE, EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS; JILL GICHUHI, METRO SUBURBAN RECOVERY LEARNING COMMUNITY, QUINCY; DOREEN WHALEN, METRO SUBURBAN RECOVERY LEARNING COMMUNITY, FRAMINGHAM; IAN WAYNE HENRY, NEPONSET RIVER HOUSE; ROBIN LITTLEWOOD, POTTER PLACE; RONALD DANGELO, WAVERLEY PLACE; ANNABELLE SHESTACK, WAYSIDE/S.T.E.P.S.; JULIETTE SAINT-PAUL, WAYSIDE/TEMPO

Conferences and Events

MA Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program 

2013 Trainings  

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program Workshop Calendar is available with the full schedule of 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.

Upcoming Trainings from The Bridge Training Institute

Click here for the complete 2012-2013 training schedule.

Training Institute events are held at the DoubleTree Hotel which is wheelchair accessible to people with mobility limitations. If accommodations such as ASL interpreters or visual aids are needed, please contact Stephen Murphy at:

stevem@thebridgecm.org 

or 508-755-0333 three weeks in advance of the training date.

 Upcoming Workshops at the Center for Professional Innovation 

(formerly Community Program Innovations) 

 CPI offers continuing education for mental health and healthcare professionals and educators, holding day-long workshops throughout Massachusetts on clinical and management topics.  Trainings are held in Billerica, Foxborough and Springfield.  To view the complete schedule and to register visit  

 http://bridgewellcpi.org   

All facilities are wheelchair accessible. If accommodations such as ASL interpreters or visual aids are needed, email:info@BridgewellCPI.org

 or call  339-883-2118.

 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 15th of each month for publication in DMH Connections.

DMH Hosts First Annual Stephanie Moulton Symposium In Honor Of Dedicated Mental Health Worker

The mental health community came together for a day of remembrance and collective focus on staff training as more than 400 stakeholders gathered at the John F. Kennedy Library to honor and remember the late Stephanie Moulton, a passionate and dedicated mental health professional. It was the first annual Department of Mental Health symposium named in Stephanie's honor, convening persons with lived experience, direct care and mental health workers, providers and DMH staff. 

"This is a time to honor Stephanie's work, her memory and her contribution to the care of individuals living with mental illness," said Commissioner Marcia Fowler, "I am grateful for the commitment shown by Stephanie's family to celebrating those within this honorable profession." 

Sen. Frederick Berry, the Majority Leader of the State Senate and legislative champion for the bill that established the Stephanie Moulton Symposium, was also honored for his more than 30 years of leadership and support for the mental health community. 

"This is an important day to remember the selfless life of Stephanie Moulton. I thank the Patrick-Murray administration and all attendees for their commitment to the implementation of best practices for the field," said Senator Berry. "I want to especially commend Stephanie's mother, Kim Flynn, for her unwavering pledge to pursue safety for all direct care workers."

The theme of the first annual Stephanie Moulton symposium was "Reconciliation and Moving On." The day-long event at the JFK Library included workshops focused on trauma response, healing, and lessons learned and concluded with a moving ceremony and tribute to Stephanie Moulton created by her peers and members of the mental health community. DMH will hold this event each year in Stephanie's honor to provide training for community-based mental health workers. 

Participants also heard from keynote speaker Dr. James O'Connell, M.D., president of Boston Health Care for the Homeless. 

DMH also established an annual award that will be presented to a direct care worker who embodies the spirit, compassion and professionalism of Stephanie Moulton. The inaugural Stephanie Moulton Memorial Award was presented today to Josephine Roman, a residential counselor at Community Healthlink in Worcester. Ms. Roman's compassionate outreach to persons with mental illness and her forward-thinking approach serves as an example for direct care workers to follow.

Whistle While You Work: Painting Program Benefits Youth and the Community

The Friends of Metro Boston and Vinfen have created a unique and collaborative employment opportunity for Department of Mental Health youth and young adults from the City of Boston. It started out seven years ago with 12 young adults who were taught how to be professional painters and learn trade skills to be competitive in the job market. And today, known simply as the Painting Program, it provides nearly 100 youth with jobs despite challenging economic times. 

Many of the jobs the Painting Program crews work on are at residences and facilities used by DMH. And while DMH benefits directly from the great work of the painting crews, the program also fosters an interaction between both DMH young adults and youth from Boston as a way to change perceptions and stereotypes about mental illness while creating lifelong friendships.

Learning real painting trade skills is part of the deal. Initially, the program began with about a dozen young adults under the direction of volunteer Gary Paris, a professional painter for more than 30 years. Gary supervised every task assigned to his crews from prepping a room to cutting in a window, ensuring that by the end of the summer each of them had a concrete knowledge of all aspects of the profession. Upon completing the program, the painters-in-training could be hired full time by a painting company, apply to join the union or eventually start their own painting company. 

This year, the program employed more than 30 young adults. In order to maintain the same level of supervision, veteran program participants from past years were brought on as mentors and worked directly with Gary to ensure that those beginning to learn the trade are grasping the skills and knowledge expected of a painter. 

Click the link below to watch this year's Painting Program in action.

"Whistle While You Work" Friends of Metro Boston Painting Program

Solomon Carter Fuller CMHC: An Urban Oasis of Healing 

In the heart of Boston's medical district, it is unique to find a place of fresh air, privacy and tranquility. The roof deck of DMH's Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center is that place. The healing garden, as it is known, took many creative ideas and crafty hands. Originally a "fresh air space," the urban roof garden space was completed this past spring. 

Mary Louise White, the center's Chief Operating Officer, asked Director of Rehabilitation Services Vincent Moy to think about creating a different kind of tranquil spot and encouraged him to use local and community resources to create the new Healing Garden. Taking concepts from other healing/meditation garden models both in DMH facilities and throughout history, Vincent discovered that these spaces can support DMH's Restraint/Seclusion Reduction Initiative by becoming an extension of the sensory/comfort rooms. Garden spaces can also use the multi-sensory approach by incorporating elements of nature and the creative placement of artwork, color and lighting. Healing gardens and spaces are ideal for self reflection and meditation.  

The Solomon Carter Fuller Center Healing Garden also has an adjacent therapeutic indoor space for inclement weather days and during the winter months. Vincent engaged the Center's community by holding an art contest to produce the pieces displayed in the hallways. With a person-centered approach, Vincent led a patient survey on all aspects of the space, from hallway colors, types of plants and elements that are placed in the healing garden. 

It was truly a community effort to bring the Healing Garden to life: Peer Coordinator Ed Blackman designed the plans. Carpenter Raymond Callaway offered to construct the seating and permanent planters. Sarah Berry of the Art Connection donated artwork. Mahoney's Garden Center deeply discounted the plants and Gladston McLean did all the planting and maintenance of the garden. 

Located on the side of the building, office windows overlooked the garden, making privacy for all a challenge. It was Occupational Therapist Claudia Orleans who persuaded John Borchard to donate his talents of creating Light Art to the Fuller. By using a waterproof vinyl material that covers the windows while letting some light into the offices, John was able to transform the office windows into a hand-painted landscape mural that fits seamlessly into the surroundings. He also created art that tightly fastened to the netting around the entire perimeter of the space. 

The Healing Garden is more than a fresh air space, it is an urban oasis for meditation, yoga, stretching and wellness. One patient named Kathleen wrote about the Solomon Carter Fuller garden: "To all involved with the Healing Garden, it is a lifeline of human necessity. It is God's beauty delivered by loving, caring artisan hands to help all.  Heal and feel love...together we can create heaven on earth." 

The project was completed early this fall and is a true example of making recovery real for both for those who completed it and those who will use the garden for years to come.   

Pictured left to right: Vincent Moy, Area Director Patricia Kenny, Dr. Mary Louise White and Deputy Commissioner Clifford Robinson cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening of the Healing Garden this fall.

Click here to view photos from the Opening Ceremony. 

Click here to view a video of John Borchard as he shares his experience developing the artwork for the roof deck healing garden.

Click here to view a video of John Borchard as he explains his ideas behind the artwork for the inside space.

Two of DMH's Own Recognized for Contributions at Friends Annual Awards

By Joan Rapp

The Friends Voices for Rehabilitation and Recovery, a statewide network of people who work in or receive mental health and rehabilitation services with the goal of education and advocacy, hosted its much anticipated Friends Leadership Awards Ceremony recently at Center Club in Boston. Two Department of Mental Health staff were among those recognized for their leadership around recovery for persons living with mental illness. A big crowd was welcomed to the event by DMH Deputy Commissioner Clifford Robinson; Rehabilitation Commission Regional Director Marcel Dube; and Transformation Center Director Deborah Delman. The awards presented included the following:

George Brocke Spirit of Collaboration Award:  This award was presented in honor of a "Friend," George Brocke, who was a remarkable leader in the vocational rehabilitation field, working primarily for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). He also had the lived experience of psychiatric disability as well as multiple physical/medical challenges. He brought to the "Friends" a serious commitment to relationships and collaboration among all the stakeholders. The 2012 award recipient was ANN CAPOCCIA, Coordinator of Interagency Activities for the DMH Child/Adolescent Division, in recognition of her vision and outstanding accomplishments on behalf of transition age young adults; her work requiring heroic collaborations among many agencies and constituents spanning both the child and adult systems of care.

Marie Balter Award for a Person with Lived Experience:  This award is for persons who have made great strides in his/her own recovery and whose accomplishments on behalf of persons with lived experience are outstanding. Marie Balter spent more 20 years at Danvers State Hospital, suffered much in her lifetime both physically and emotionally but who completed her education at Salem State College and Harvard University. She then went on to work for Northeast Family Institute, DMH and MRC. Her autobiography, "Nobody's Child," was made into a TV movie by the same name. She was truly a pioneer in the world of rehabilitation and recovery. The 2012 award recipient was ROB WALKER, External Consumer Engagement Liaison in the DMH Office of Recovery and Empowerment, in recognition of his strong commitment, dedication and passion to helping others with lived experience. He is a wonderful facilitator for DMH and individuals with lived experience, family members and the community. Collaborating with all stakeholders, Rob creates effective and innovative initiatives to promote recovery creating a systematic approach to putting the peer perspective in the forefront of policy and planning. 

Renata Halter-Riley Award for Rehabilitation Practitioner is given in honor of a former Friends Coordinating Committee member who was an outstanding leader, innovator and champion of psychiatric rehabilitation services for persons in mental health recovery. Renata worked at Center Club and ultimately was a program developer and supervisor for Riverside Community Care. Her unending enthusiasm and hope is at the center of this award. The 2012 award recipient was CARREEN REINHOLD, unit supervisor for MRC in Quincy. She has worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for 16 years with persons who have disabilities and are seeking employment and recently became a supervisor.  Over the years she has dedicated herself to her clients' recovery, particularly those who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses, showing remarkable persistence and unusual creativity, warmth and humor as she helped persons find employment. She has also worked as a liaison with DMH, clubhouses and Recovery Learning Communities, as well as with both public and private high schools assisting with transition planning for youth. 

The Unsung Hero Award has been given only once before and is reserved for someone who is making a tremendous difference within their sphere of influence and without acknowledgement for their achievements. This is for a very special person who is always behind the scenes making all the pieces of the tapestry fit together. This year's Unsung Hero was VINNETTE MCKAY, Director of Employment Services for Bay Cove Human Services Inc. For the past two years she has developed, modified and supervised employment initiatives throughout her agency. Prior to that she worked in Flexible Services, Career Advancement Resources and Center Club of Boston in each case focusing on employment and in all positions, helping to motivate and support staff and members in a myriad of ways. As one of her co-workers Sarah Selkovits, Director of Recovery, said at the ceremonies, "Vinnette is so passionate about what she does, she is always the first to arrive and the last one to leave."

The Employer Award is to acknowledge a person or company that has helped to hire, train and promote people in recovery by treating them as equals in the workplace and creating a work environment that supports their vocational and personal success. The 2012 award winner was LEO VERCOLLONE, President of VERC Enterprises. VERC is a family-owned retail convenience store/gasoline, and car wash group operating 26 facilities in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. It was started by two brothers with a car wash and five employees and grew to be the largest independently owned convenient store chain in New England. VERC is an exceptional company because of its commitment to hiring persons with development disabilities and with mental health lived experience. Tom Coppinger, Director of Point After Club in Lawrence, presented the award with these words: "As advocates we have a vision of our members working successfully in the community and it is crucial that we have employer partners like VERC Enterprises who not only share our vision but who provide real opportunities and leadership in the business community." 

Pictured left to right: Vinnette Mckay, Carreen Reinhold, Ann Capoccia and Rob Walker

National Leaders Gather for Pillars of Peer Support Summit

By Rob Walker, CPS

DMH External Consumer Engagement Liaison

The Pillars of Peer Support Services Summit has been convened by The Carter Center and other sponsors for the last four years and DMH is proud to participate in this worthwhile endeavor. The Carter Center's Mental Health Program is led by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and "works to promote awareness about mental health issues, inform public policy, achieve equity for mental health care comparable to other health care, and reduce stigma and discrimination against those with mental illnesses."

The Pillars program brings together national leaders, stakeholders and state leaders to develop consensus on how to support peer services in all states. In 2009, representatives from the states gathered to share how they established peer services and their lessons learned to help other states contemplating establishing peer services.  

The focus of this year's Summit, which convened on September 24 and 25, had two purposes. One was establishing national credentials and standards for Peer Specialists, and the other was creating recovery cultures that support Peer Specialists. Participants included representatives from 37 states, as well as from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, and the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services.

The Summit produced a report which contains the consensus of the group and suggestions for peer support services based on healthcare reform including through managed care organizations. Other areas of focus include other services which can be delivered by peers, including whole health, which is now being funded in Georgia, the first state to receive this coverage. Many at the Summit agreed that a national standard for peer specialists is needed. With a standard, peers could have reciprocity from one state to another, an example of one of many benefits of national standardization. Summit participants discussed that although the standards should be national, the certification and licensure should be kept at the state level. 

One of the important aspects for the success of peer specialists is to have an organization which is recovery-oriented and has services which promote and support recovery. Environments need to be welcoming and need to look welcoming.  Everything from the condition of the walls, the chairs, the dates of the magazines in the waiting room, the reception area, to the attitude of the receptionist need to reflect hope. Another important aspect of supporting peer specialists is to ensure that supervisors are adequately trained to supervise peers and who understand recovery and the role of the peer specialist.  

The Summit Report is being completed and will be made available in an upcoming 2013 issue of DMH Connections.

Erich Lindemann Community Mental Health Center Director Michele Anzaldi, right, presents a brand new bicycle and helmet to lucky winner Pamela Crasco at the 2012 Fall Into Wellness Health Fair. This year's fair featured over 30 vendor tables and was attended by well over 200 staff and clients of the Lindeman , making it the largest yet. 

The bicycle and helmet were generously donated by Pelham Community Pharmacy.

Click here to view more photos from the Fall Into Wellness Health Fair.

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Michelle Cormier Tallman