In This Issue

DMH Office of Communications and Community Engagement

DMH is Getting Social! 

DMH is on Twitter!

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Commonwealth Conversations

  BLOGS

 This 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 

Connections Correction

Connections Correction

March Edition - In the DMH Holds 2013 Citizens Legislative Breakfast Series article "Mr. Vassar participated in transitional employment and training through his local clubhouse", should read "Mr. Vassar participated in transitional employment and training throughthrough the Community Healthlink CBFS program".

Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition Recognizes DMH Site Office and Employers Around the State

Taunton State Hospital and the DMH Taunton-Attleboro Site Office were recognized at the Massachusetts Employment Celebration for their collaboration in providing employment for clients. The Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition annual event was held in the Great Hall at the State House last month. The awards celebration recognized more than 30 businesses and agencies across the state for their efforts in offering employment opportunities for Clubhouse members in Massachusetts.

The Corner Club in Attleboro nominated Taunton State Hospital for the hospital's successful Work Skills program. Over the course of 21 years, the program evolved from a medical model to a rehabilitation service model that embraces the principles of recovery. The program is designed to provide meaningful work opportunities and is part of a patient's comprehensive and individualized treatment plan that integrates traditional treatment activities with work-based therapy. The work program is a pathway towards discharge and a successful transition back into the community. It is an experience that helps patients overcome the stigma of having a mental illness and being hospitalized.

The DMH Taunton-Attleboro Site Office was nominated for the innovative collaboration with the Fellowship and Corner Club for the oversight and expansion of the Greenhouse work program. The Corner Club has managed the Greenhouse for Taunton/Attleboro clients in early March. Working in the Greenhouse is an enriched work experience that many current and former patients value and enjoy. The work teaches transferrable skills and help some move into other types of employment.

The DMH Western Mass. Area Office was also nominated by the Star Light Center in Florence.

Congratulations to all the Employer Awardees across Massachusetts listed below:

Atlantic House Quincy

TJ Maxx of Norwell

Baybridge Clubhous, Hyannis

Mentor House Inc.

Center Club, Boston

Clover Food Labs

C.W Potter Place, Waltham

The Nelson Companies

Corner Club, Attleboro

Department of Mental Health, Taunton Attleboro Site Office

Crossroads Clubhouse, Hopedale

Central Mass Employment Collaborative

Crystal House, Gardner

Liberty Tax Service, Gardner

Elliot House, Needham

Newton Free Library

Elm Brook Place, Bedford

Marshalls of Burlington

Fairwinds, Falmouth

Windfall Market

Forum House, Westfield

Creative Machining and Molding Corportation

Genesis Club, Worcester

TJX Asset and Recovery Center

Green River House, Greenfield

Tom Masters, Murphy's Realty, Northampton

Haverhill Clubhouse, Haverhill

Christmas Tree Shops, Salem, NH

Heritage House, New Bedford

Humane Society and Shelter

Horizon House, Wakefield

Sanborn Place, Home Care and Day Services

Lighthouse, Springfield

CW Resources

Neponset River House, Norwood

Liberty Tax Service, Dedham

Options Clubhouse, Marlborough

Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School

Pioneer House, Peabody

Torrigan Family YMCA

Plymouth Bay House, Plymouth

Walmart

Point After Club, Lawrence

Borrelli's Deli

Renaissance Club, Lowell

Market Basket, Tewksbury

Star Light Center, Florence

Department of Mental Health

Western MA Area Office

Tradewinds, Southbridge

Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center

Towne House, Fall River

Big Brother Big Sister Foundation

Transudations of Boston, Dorchester

Big Brother Big Sister Foundation

Westwinds, Fitchburg

Fitchburg Historical Society

Conferences and Events

May 3-4, 2013

2nd Annual Conference on Haitian Mental Health

 Weathering the Storm Like Bamboo: Rethinking the Concept of "Resilience" in the Haitian Community

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, One Wells Avenue, Newton, MA

Keynote Presenters: Marjory Clermont Mathieu, Ph.D., Guerda Nicolas, Ph.D

and Dr. Ronald Jean-Jacques

Click here to register

Click here for a printable flyer

May 8, 2013

B.A.T.T.L.E.M.I.N.D

Transitioning from Combat to Home

Presented by Kevin Lambert, Department of Veteran Services Statewide Advocacy for Veterans Empowerment (SAVE) 

10 a.m. to noon, DMH Central Office, 25 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114

Boston Room, Plaza level

Upcoming Trainings from The Bridge Training Institute   

 Click here for the complete 2012 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 

DMH Joins the Nation in Observing

Mental Health Month

Theme focus: Pathways To Wellness

By Robert Walker

DMH Office of Recovery and Empowerment

Not so long ago wellness was seen as the absence of disease. Now we know it includes mental, physical, spiritual, and social health. Just as we check our blood pressure periodically, it is also important to take regular stock of our emotional well-being. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Integrated Health Solutions has identified 10 key whole health, wellness and resiliency domains that are meant to inform individuals, medical practitioners and mental health professionals as they treat the whole person and develop more resilient lifestyles.

The 10 Domains include:

1. Stress Management - Stress is unavoidable in today's society. Individuals being served by DMH also have added stressors of stigma, poverty and less access to preventive healthcare. Although stress most likely can't be eliminated, there are things we can all do to manage stress.

2. Healthy Eating - You notice we didn't say "diet." If you ask most people if they would like to go on a diet, they would probably cringe and walk away. If you asked the same group of people if they would like to eat healthier, most would agree with you. Nutrition plays a key role in wellness and how we feel mentally and physically.

3. Physical Activity - Again, most folks would cringe at the mention of exercise, but wouldn't be so opposed to increased physical activity. Again, physical activity benefits mental health, physical health and is a great tool for stress management.

4. Restful Sleep - Long-term sleep deprivation is associated with many illnesses including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and obesity.

5. Support Network - Everyone needs a support network. Studies have shown that people with strong support networks and social ties tend to live the longest and are more healthy. The advent of Certified Peer Specialists in Massachusetts has shown the positive effects of peers on persons served by DMH, and the healing and recovery effects of knowing you are not alone in your struggles.

6. Service to Others - Similar to having a support network, giving back to others helps develop and maintain support networks and develop connectedness.

7. Optimism Based on Positive Expectations - Attitude is an essential component of wellness, both physical, mental and spiritual. Studies have also found that heart patients with a positive attitude have a much better 15-year survival rate. Part of what Peer Specialists and other can do is offer hope and positive expectations to the individuals they work with.

8. Cognitive skills to avoid negative thinking - Along with optimistic thinking, having the skills to catch negative thoughts, examine them and change them is important to wellness.

9. Spiritual beliefs and practices - Spiritual beliefs can involve traditional religious practices, ceremonies, connection to a higher power or another connection with something bigger than one's self. Having a spiritual connection has been found to be helpful for people to weather the storms in life and maintain wellness.

10. A sense of meaning and purpose - Meaning and purpose in life may change as we pass through different stages. This connection to something bigger than ourselves is an essential component of wellness.

Fully embracing the concept of wellness not only improves health of mind, body and spirit, but also maximizes the potential to lead a full and productive life. Using strategies that promote resiliency and strengthen mental health and prevent mental health and substance use conditions leads to improved general health and a healthier society, greater academic achievement by our children, a more productive economy and families that stay together.

Jenny Murphy, Art Therapist

At the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Metro Boston Mental Health Units (MBMHU), visitors will find an incredibly active rehabilitation program in a brand new space on 4N. When walking through the doors of the Transitional Rehabilitation Education and Employment (T.R.E.E.) program, you are greeted by a colorful mural of a tree with a "Welcome" sign hanging from one of its branches. The patients worked together to paint this mural, which is just one example of how the arts infused within the T.R.E.E. program promote a wonderful sense of growth, hope and strength-based recovery. This is Expressive Therapies and it offers music, writing, art, movement and drama, all of which are essential to patients as well as to everyone in order to promote a sense of wholeness and wellness. Below are descriptions of three groups within the Expressive Therapy program that serve as an example of how Shattuck Hospital helps foster wellness.

Empowerment through Drama Performance: Creating a Voice

In the drama therapy group, patients have participated in theatre techniques that promote group connection and teamwork, emotional expression and exploration of identity. With a playful and spontaneous spirit, the drama therapy group has used role play and improvisational scenes to explore pretend scenes as well as real life scenarios where they have supported each other both as participants and audience members. The group performed in the T.R.E.E. community meeting and will be performing again soon at each of Shattuck's MBMHU units. The purpose of the performance is to build connections and community among the Shattuck patients by sharing their unique and collective experience of mental illness.

The Shakespeare Group is another place where people can connect, learn and perform. In the Shakespeare Group, patients have explored Shakespearian sonnets, the Shakespearian comedy "Twelfth Night" and Shakespeare's tragedy "Romeo and Juliet." Currently the group is working on reading scenes from "Julius Caesar." This group was founded on the belief that Shakespeare is for everyone. Shakespeare's many works convey a wide range of human experience and emotion. In Shakespeare Group, participants feel empowered as they take on the challenge of speaking the Shakespearian language and share their own insights, reflections and feelings about the characters and the story themes as they read in a supportive and encouraging environment. Patients share how Shakespeare's plays resonate with them and what can be learned from the stories and characters as they engage with the group in lively discussions.

Museum of Fine Arts Seminars: Community connection and a sense of normalcy

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Seminar Group is an educational and experiential group that meets once a week in the art studio at the beginning of our open art studio time. Each week a different artist whose work is exhibited at the MFA is introduced and a brief lecture is given on the artist's biographical information, inspiration, method and style of art. Following the lecture, patients are invited to create an art piece, either as a group or as individuals, in the style of the featured artist with similar materials and methods. Once a semester, a field trip and special guided tour is planned to the MFA to view the works and artists that have been discussed including John Singer Sargent, Arthur Dove, Dale Chihuly, Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas. The opportunity to view the artworks in person provides both a richer learning experience as well as a chance to explore the MFA. At the end of the tour, participants are given the opportunity to sketch in the galleries, an experience that has patients sitting alongside staff and other museum visitors, sketching from the contemporary paintings in front of them. To those passing by, this group was seen for who they really are: simply artists sitting and sketching together at the MFA.

Vocational Arts: Building an artist identity through meaningful work

Last year, an arts-based work program was established as one of the many vocational opportunities available. In this program, artists are paid for their time working in our art studio creating art. The products created during their work time are sold at in-house craft fairs. Now a year later, the program employs six professional artists in training and has had two very successful craft fairs in the main lobby. Artists in this program report that "it doesn't feel like work" when they arrive in the studio for their work shift. This is the best kind of work, when you can say you truly love what you do! Products created in this program include SAORI weavings, hand-painted and collaged cards, beaded jewelry, small painted wood items and silk scarves. The artists have learned how to document their work with a digital camera for their artist portfolios as well learn how to write a professional artist statement. One of our talented jewelry artists was commissioned by Shattuck Partners to create a piece for an auction.

DMH Wraps Up Its 2013 Citizens Legislative Breakfast Series

A 16-year tradition continued as DMH hosted annual Citizens Legislative Breakfast series for the Metro Boston and Southeast and Western regions of the state. The breakfast events are an opportunity for members of the mental health community to meet with their legislators, thank them for their support and discuss how the Department helps people with mental illnesses recover and live independently in communities of their choice.  It is also an opportunity for consumers and family members to share good news and success stories about their life experiences. 

Lyn Legere, Director of Lifelong Learning at the Transformation Center, brought her lively energy and passion for recovery to the Metro Boston breakfast as she introduced Metro-Southeast Area Director Patty Kenny, Commissioner Marcia Fowler and Legislative sponsor Representative Liz Malia. Irene Chavez introduced and shared the story of her son Alejandro Chavez Jr., pictured left, and his experience at the PREP program. A video "A Way Home" highlighting consumers in the Southeast was also screened at  both the Metro and Southeast breakfasts.

Frances Sokell, Director of the Southeast Recovery Learning Community, joined returning emcee Robert Rousseau, Director of Peer Recovery Services at Fellowship Health Resources to emcee the Southeast Breakfast. With his trademark enthusiasm, Rob introduced Metro-Southeast Area Director Patty Kenny, Commissioner Fowler and Legislative sponsors Senator Mark C. Montigny and Representative Paul Heroux, pictured above receiving his award from Commissioner Fowler. Representative Heroux is personally passionate about mental health issues and as a regular blogger for the Huffington Post, he frequently discusses mental health topics. Consumer speakers included Tiffany Lougee and Lisa Murphy.

The Western Mass. region Legislative Breakfast was held at Springfield Technical Community College. Central-West Area Director Susan Sprung and Commissioner Fowler joined legislative sponsors Senator James T. Walsh, pictured left with Commissioner Fowler and Susan Sprung, and Representative Brian M. Ashe at this well-attended event. Speakers were introduced by John Hornik, President of the Western Mass. Area Citizens Advisory Board. Recovery perspectives were presented by Marty Hadge, Robert Douglas and Thomas Robie.

The breakfasts continue to be a shining example that our legislative leaders are committed to supporting and funding mental health services to support consumers and families in achieving their goals.

  Mark Your Calendar!

Cosponsored by Riverside Community Care

and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Suicide Prevention Program

Click here for a printable flyer

October 29-30, 2013

MassPRA Conference "Putting Our Collective Vision Into Action"

 Tuesday - All Day Institutes

Wednesday - Keynote and Workshops

College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA

Visit www.masspra.org for updates

Click here for a printable flyer with more information

This month we feature a creative way to get Young Adults ready for a job interview. This brightly colored informative bulletin board is prominently displayed at STEPS. A DMH-funded program of Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, STEPS is a resource center for young adults ages 18 to 25 who need a safe, supportive environment where they can get the help they need as they transition to independent living. STEPS aims to show young adults they are not alone. Regular workshops and events are held to teach valuable life-skills. Members are encouraged to draw on their strengths so they can recognize they already possess the capabilities to accomplish their goals and have the power to overcome obstacles. 

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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