In This Issue

DMH Office of Communications and Community Engagement

DMH is Getting Social! 

DMH is on Twitter!

 @MassDMH  

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 Polanowicz, Commissioner Fowler and others

Department of Public Health Blog 

Connections Correction

SPOTLIGHT ON: In-House CBFS Job Fair

Community Counseling of Bristol County (CCBC), a CBFS provider serving DMH's Taunton/Attleboro Site, has piloted a new way to get people excited about work through the use of in-house job fairs. 

As described by Matt Cianci, the DMH Southeast Area's Director of Rehabilitation and Recovery, the in-house CBFS job-fair began in 2012 as a day when "the regular business of CBFS is put on hold to make this one day all about employment. Programs prioritized attendance to the Job Fair for those interested, including rearranging staff schedules to assist with transportation." The goal was to create excitement about work in individuals who, until then, appeared uninterested.

In 2013, while the purpose of the fair remained the same, the model changed: rather than bringing job opportunities to clients, CCBC began to host hiring managers from local businesses to speak directly to individuals enrolled in CBFS in an informal, familiar setting. Events are low key by design and make the idea of work less stressful for many. Managers spoke about what they looked for in applicants, positions they were actively hiring for, and outlined the hiring process.

Says CCBC's Employment Specialist, Michelle Pelletier, the events are so effective because employers "reinforce the same principles we've been saying" - for instance, that employers care about appearance, companies welcome employees with disabilities, and just because a person has a CORI or a long period of unemployment doesn't mean that person can never be hired. 

The job-fairs are marketed in multiple ways, including through staff meetings with team leaders and directors; through local team meetings; through groups run by peer-specialists; and through signage posted at CCBS offices and programs. 

Given past successes, CCBC is now planning an education-focused fair to stimulate interest in enrolling in school, as well as a follow-up event with Managers in the Fall. 

Conferences and Events

Northeast-Suburban Area Mental Health Month Activities 

Click here to view a listing

Upcoming Events at The Bridge of Central MA

May 21, 2014

South Police Department

is starting a Series of trainings on mental health awareness as well as Roundhouse Discussion on May21

Police Contact Info:  Chief Dan Charette   Phone:  508-764-5420  Email:  jdinguy@southbridgemass.org 

Bridge Contact:  Sharon Ploss

May 22, 2014

Information Booth

11:00 Jacob Edwards Library

236 Main Street

Southbridge, MA  01550

Library Contact Info:  Email:   refjel@cwmars.org  Phone:  508-764-5426 Ext. 105

Contact Person:  Melissa Doyle & Sharon Ploss Email:flex-support@thebridgecm.org

Healthy Cooking Groups in May, Food Training through UMass & Group outings in June

 Litchfield Program 

74 Litchfield Avenue

Southbridge, MA  01550

Bridge Contact Info:  Carrie Grzych-Sorenson, Program Manager Email: Litchfield-ave@thebridgecm.org

Click here for the complete 2014 training calendar.

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.

September 12, 2014

 Riverside Trauma Center's 4th Annual Conference

 "Uncomplicating Grief: Pathways to Hope and Healing"

8:30 to 4:15
Crowne Plaza, 1360 Worcester Street (Rt. 9) Natick, MA 

Keynote: George A. Bonanno, PhD, a professor of clinical psychology at Columbia University and author of  The Other Side of Sadness: What the New Science of Bereavement  Tells Us About Life After Loss 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Training Calendar

Please click on the link below to register.

Suicide Prevention Events Calendar

When registering for a workshop, please note that each event has tabs titled with information regarding the workshop, available CEs and cost.   

Space is very limited for each workshop and fills up quickly, so please register early.

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 Connections

Mind Your Health: Incorporating Mindfulness for mind/body health at the Fuller

By: Sushma Bharti

Mind/Body Program Leader at Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center

Research shows that when the brain changes it influences the body and correspondingly when the body changes it influences the brain.  One of the ways we try to observe mind/body health at the Fuller is called mindfulness. At the Fuller we use mindfulness to create introspective insight or mind. We believe that mindfulness can help our consumers recognize that they are the creator of every situation in their life.  We try to create this resiliency by providing mindfulness based activities. Some of our mindfulness interventions are moving meditation, compassion meditation, yoga nidra (yoga for sleeping), mindful coping and sensory connection. 

During moving meditation we use ancient traditional art of healing movements such as qi-gong, tai-chi movements, qi-gong forms.  "Eight pieces of brocades" is focused on eliminating negativity, reducing jitters and stress cultivating inner energy, and promoting longevity.  We also practice "six healing sounds" to protect internal organs. In six healing sounds, movements are performed visualizing each organ and making specific sounds for that particular organ. i.e. a "ha" sound for the heart.

            
We also use meditation using aroma and deep breathing as an object. Our meditation group is focused on "mental training" i.e. being alert, awareness, being in the present, observe what is going on in the mind and body and how they affect each other. For example. when one is relaxed they might not feel any emotional and physical pain.

Knowing how sleep deprivation affects mental health, we added "Yoga Nidra"(yoga for sleeping) group. In Yoga Nidra group we provided guided instruction with relaxing "Asanas" to be at the present moment and not to dwell in the past or worry about the future for better sleep.

"Mindful Coping" and "Sensory Connection" groups to promote mindfulness. These groups are focused on teaching our consumers how to react to situation and how to perceive the situations and perceive things as they are and to have all their senses alert and intact. They are taught about knowing themselves, knowing their senses and how Senses change and function in critical situations.

May 18--24 is SAMHSA's National Prevention Week 2014 (#NPW2014)! National Prevention Week occurs near the start of summer to engage individuals, families, organizations, and communities before the season's many parties, weddings, and other celebrations that can lead to increased challenges. This year's theme "Our Lives. Our Health. Our Future" encompasses many aspects of wellness!

There are many ways to learn more and get involved in National Prevention Week 2014:

• Watch the promotional video----also in Spanish
• Take the Prevention Pledge on Facebook
• Participate in the "I Choose" Project
• Review the partners
• Stay Connected by following SAMHSA on Facebook and
  Twitter-@samhsagov

Presidential Proclamation----National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2014

Read President Obama's proclamation for National Mental Health Awareness Month, which outlines new rules to help individuals receive mental health care, commonly known as parity protections. The proclamation also reviews new funding for mental health promotion among young people and increased number of providers to work with veterans.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP). This toll-free service provides round-the-clock information confidentially on where to go for help on prevention, treatment, and recovery issues related to mental illness or substance use disorders (assistance available in English and Spanish). For other helplines and information, click here.

CBH Knowledge Center Officially Launches!

DMH officially launched its Children's Behavioral Health Knowledge Center on May 7, 2014 at an event held at the Worcester Recovery Center & Hospital (WRCH).  The First Annual Symposium was attended by over 150 leaders, partners, and stakeholders from state agencies, provider organizations, and advocacy groups across the Commonwealth. 

The lunch keynote speaker, Dr. Kenneth Hardy pictured left, talked about racial trauma and its impact on youth who feel disconnected from healthcare systems.  Two panel sessions shared a wide array of projects that are building the skills and knowledge needed to engage youth and families in effective treatment.  

In conjunction with the Center's launch, its website is now available at: www.mass.gov/dmh/cbhknowledgecenter.  Materials from the May 7 event can be found there. 

Click the link below to view photos from the CBH Knowledge Center Symposium and Gailanne Reeh Lecture on the DMH Flickr site.

"Bursting the Stigma" for Children's Mental Health Awareness

Young adults were the focus of this year's National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day on May 8^th.  The Youth Voice Committee of the STAY Together grant came up with a plan for Mental Health Month to reach as many people as possible Ellen Degeneres-stye. We are going to storm Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook with videos of a whole month's worth of flash mobs dedicated to getting the word out about reducing stigma and mental health awareness.  

All through the month of May, young adults are performing mini-flash mobs that all carry the same theme.  They are calling this the "Burst the Stigma" campaign.  Young adult-led groups across the state are putting together flash mobs in their own communities. Don't be surprised if you see one in your neighborhood!  

Celebrate Children's Mental Health this May!  Let's join together in celebration of Children's Mental Health Awareness!  Below is a listing of events, including: entertainment, relaxation, education and support.

Thursday, May 22 - Express Yourself 20^th Annual Celebration! 7:00pm at the Citi Performing Arts Center - Wang Theatre.  

Friday, May 23 - 2 pm - JRI at Provincetown Pier "Burst the Stigma!" social media flash mob event  

Tuesday, May 27 - The Parent Strong Club, Beverly PPAL Parent & Caregiver Support Group 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM at the North Shore Educational Consortium 112 Sohier Rd., 3^rd floor Family Resource Center, Beverly. Call Krissie Burnham 978-290-1952 or email Krissie Burnham for more info.

Friday, May 30 - PPAL's 4th Annual Conference and Celebration! Building Circles of Wellness Best Western Royal Plaza and Trade Center 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, MA 01752  For more information, call 508-767-9725 or visit www.ppal.net. with a "Burst the Stigma!" social media flash mob event during the conference.

Families Come Together to Create A Family Position Statement on Restraint/Seclusion Prevention

On May 1, 2014 at the 14th Annual DMH Restraint/Seclusion (R/S) Prevention Forum the Family Position Statement on Restraint/Seclusion Prevention was released.  

Click here to download a printable version of the Family Position Statement (PDF prints to 11x17)

This strong and important declaration was created by families: Parents, Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents, Aunts and other family members who have been impacted by the use of restraint or seclusion on their child.  

Like the Youth Position Statement on Restraint/Seclusion that was written in 2010 by many Massachusetts youth, this statement was the result of a multi-meeting effort with family members whose child experienced restraint or seclusion in a treatment, educational or other service setting.  

The Parent Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) was instrumental in this effort by helping to outreach to families and hosting some of the early focus groups. The families identified three essential goals to preventing Restraint and Seclusion along with youth/family inclusion strategies and important prevention tools and alternatives to these high-risk procedures. Like the Youth Statement, DMH will be widely distributing this resource as part of its R/S Prevention toolkit and active efforts to change MA cultures of care.

The Metro Boston RLC (MBRLC) is excited to announce that they have renamed one of MBRLC services, Peer Warm Line to "Peer Support Line"!

Since learning some people had confused the service because of the name "Peer Warm Line", the MBRLC management team and service operators decided to change the name to Peer Support Line. 

They hope that the new name will show a much clearer concept of our service and will receive more calls from all over the United States.

However, the quality of service has not changed at all. The Peer Support Line is a compassionate community telephone service, staffed by operators who have lived experience with mental health issues. The staff provide a supportive ear to callers who want to share their thoughts and feelings about life and its challenges with a person who also has lived experience. They are able to suggest various community resources to each caller that may provide additional services and support. 

The Peer Support Line is open every day from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  A Spanish speaking operator is available on Sundays and Wednesdays. 

Please check promotion videos on MBRLC services at www.mbrlc.org for details. 

Click here for a printable flyer with phone tags.

   Sleep Matters 

Getting adequate sleep is just as important to your health as are proper nutrition and physical activity. But the fact is, these days we actually are sleeping less, and our health and well-being are suffering as a result. As many as 70 million Americans might be affected by chronic sleep loss or sleep disorders, costing billions in health care and lost productivity. Unfortunately, this sleep loss leaves them exhausted and unable to be at their best at work or at home. 

A fatigued mind and body is not fully alert and active. When alertness is critical, lack of sleep can have serious consequences, such as in cases of personal or public safety, your level of productivity, or the quality of your work. 

Tips for Staying Alert at Work 

• Stop periodically during your shift to take a break and stretch.   
• Try working with a "buddy." Talking to a co-worker can help keep you alert.   
• Get some exercise during your breaks. Try taking a walk around the building or the parking lot.   
• Climb the stairs for a few minutes to get some extra exercise.   
• Try to maintain a normal eating schedule of three healthy meals daily; include healthy snacks. Never go more than 6 hours without eating something to keep your energy levels stable.   
• If you consume caffeine, do it early in your shift.   
• Try not to leave the most tedious or boring tasks to the end of your shift.  

This month, prepare yourself for a positive sleep experience. Try to focus on the outcome and seek ssistance when you need to. Sleep well!  

Click here for a printable version of the sleep tips, take the sleep challenge and try a delicious recipe for Baked Cod Casserole.

 The conference site is an accessible, barrier-free location. Individuals with visual and/or hearing impairments, call (508) 368-0704 for assistance.

Application for Continuing Medical Education (CME) for Physicians has been submitted.  

Photo of the Month

Dr. Kathy Sanders Receives 2014 Massachusetts  Psychiatric Society Award

Congratulations to DMH Deputy Commissioner of Clinical and Professional Services Dr. Kathy Sanders!  Dr. Sanders was recently awarded the 2014 Outstanding Psychiatrist Award for Psychiatric Education from the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society (MPS).  She was selected by the Awards Committee, chaired by Dr. Orlando Lightfoot pictured and its members Drs. Stuart Anfang, Fe Feslin, Gary Goldsmith and Grace Mushrush and given her award at the MPS Annual Meeting.

Access photos of all DMH events at the DMH Photo Gallery on Shutterfly 

and now on Flickr!

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