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

Metro Boston Mental Health Units

Wellness Week: A true Celebration of Wellness and Recovery!

Celebrate National Wellness Week  September 15-21, 2014!

In May, Metro Boston Mental Health Units (MBMHU) rehabilitation staff and patients dedicated an entire week to celebrate and practice wellness. Regularly scheduled groups heard from guest speakers from the community, enjoyed special events and free giveaways all on the theme of wellness.  

The week was inspired by the MBMHU's community belief that wellness is holistic and includes the search for a healthy mind, body, spirit and community.

Throughout the week they asked: How do we stay healthy? How do we maintain life balance, eat right, exercise, remain at peace and cultivate happiness? Where do we find support? How do we care for our mind, body and spirit?  What makes us laugh? Where do we find meaning?  

During MBMHU's Wellness Week, patients and staff were encouraged to try something new. Staff asked the community to have an open mind and experience a variety of healthy choices. As an example, each morning, people were greeted at the door with a free cups of herbal tea as an alternative to coffee or soda. Another table was filled with a variety of books, current and popular fiction, non-fiction and biographies, to stimulate the mind as an alternative to television or social media. Each morning that week, people were offered a wide variety of wellness options: pet therapy, music and meditation, outdoor qigong and drum circle and several different presentations from local programs focusing on how to find wellness in the community. 

During the afternoons of Wellness Week, people were refreshed and energized with fruit infused water and a variety of healthy snacks to sample made by our lunch group chefs. Snacks that week included raw vegan brownies, fruit popsicles, tuna spinach burgers, mango salsa and more. The group themes in the afternoon included 15-minute meditation vacations, healthy relationships, person centered language, yoga, fitness and recovery, healthy eating and a green smoothie demonstration by Whole Foods. 

The week ended with a performance and presentation by Tunefoolery and a local DJ spinning tunes for a dance party. Everyone thought the week was fun, energizing and inspiring. Patients and staff both made some significant discoveries and several aspects of Wellness Week created some long-term changes to the program. For example, regularly scheduled outdoor exercise group are scheduled and the café no longer serves hotdogs and sausages. Instead, offered are healthier options like chicken and bean burritos, hummus and chips and flavored seltzer. MBMHU rehabilitation staff are looking forward to Wellness Week as an annual event, and encourage other communities to give it a try!

Hope, Strength, and Promise - GIFT Graduations

By Alicia Anzaldi

GIFT graduate

GIFT graduates and their supporters at the Gandara graduation in Western Mass.

The GIFT training, taught by Kimberly Bisset, Ed.D., is a unique curriculum that encourages young adults to understand their greatest attributes and how to utilize them when mentoring and supporting other young adults. Luis Vergara, one of the five graduates from Gandara said, "GIFT is a great training. It makes you take a step back and reflect on yourself and your story to allow you to help and comfort others with the fact that you overcame life's barriers and still came out on top. You are a walking example to others that hope and success is achievable! The GIFT [training] is awesome."   

As one of the eight graduates from the Worcester class, I was given the opportunity to share my recovery story, but more importantly expand and further develop what I am doing with my story in my current role. As a Peer Mentor at The Home for Little Wanderers, I work in collaboration with Intensive Care Coordinators (ICC) to help young adults who are currently struggling with their mental health conditions. Recently a coordinator and I were standing out in the hot sun waiting for a youth to join us and we were talking about the heat, beach, tanning and other things. I told her that this was the first summer in over five years that I was able to get a tan explaining how I used to wear long sleeves to cover up my scars. Last summer, I had laser scar treatments done on my arm and had to wear a sleeve to protect it. Despite my mother's generous offer to have all my scars removed entirely, I chose to leave them because they are a part of me that cannot be erased. The coordinator turned to me and said, "I love that we have peer mentors. It's so powerful to hear you talk openly about it. I hope all our youths will be able to get to that point."  

Her response made me feel valued as a professional and respected for who I am as well as the work I do. It is empowering for me to know that people working in this field see the significance of peer support and appreciate its implementation. It meant so much to me personally as well because she was not only complimenting how far I've progressed in my recovery, but that I am able to convey it in a meaningful way.  

I had one of the most gratifying experiences of my life the first time I met "J." I was forewarned that this young lady is very shy and soft-spoken. During the visit, the coordinator who referred "J" to me was checking in with her and asked when was the last time she had cut herself.  When she said, "Not since January," I immediately responded "Good for you. That's awesome. It will be 5 years for me in November."  She said, "Wow, that's amazing." I agreed. It felt amazing to say it, especially to someone who not only needs to hear it's possible, but who shares that lived experience. I never saw the meek little girl that was described to me. She immediately opened up, completely comfortable and I got to meet an intelligent young woman with a huge personality. When I was her age I wished for someone who understood, that lived through it, to tell me that I would get through it too. I didn't get the type of support I needed at that age, but I am proud to provide it for transitional age youth and young adults now.

Through the GIFT training, young adults are learning how to advocate for themselves and others in the mental  health field. We take the skills and life lessons we have learned along the way and teach them to others. Deputy Commissioner Mikula's description of GIFT as "a training that is all about hope, strength and promise for young adults" couldn't be more true.

Conferences and Events

Upcoming Events at The Bridge of Central Mass.

Click here for the complete 2014 training calendar.

Training Institute events are held at the DoubleTree Hotel which is wheelchair accessible for 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.

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, 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

It's National Recovery Month, 

Let's Celebrate!

September is Recovery Month, this year marking the 25th anniversary of annually promoting the societal benefits of prevention, treatment and recovery for mental and substance use disorders. This year's theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Speak Up, Reach Out," encourages people to openly speak up about mental health and substance use disorders and the reality of recovery. It also raises awareness of how individuals can recognize mental health issues and reach out for help. Recovery Month helps us spread the word that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

By Russell D. Pierce

Director, DMH Office of Recovery and Empowerment

Through all the sorrow of the sorrow song there breathes a hope in the ultimate justice of things.

--W.E.B. Du Bois

Such is recovery, moving triumphantly through the distresses of illness with effective approaches to care and treatment in a holistic way. The Department of Mental Health (DMH) and the Office of Recovery and Empowerment celebrate renewal and possibility through engagement with those living with a psychiatric condition as friends, colleagues, family members and valued confidants. We recognize that recovery is a process of reclaiming dreams and aspirations for community life and is possible.

The DMH Office of Recovery and Empowerment has worked with groups across the community including government, youth-serving organizations, faith based groups, veterans, the LGBTQ community and the elderly. We believe that through this work we can stimulate discussion that will result in a dedication to values supported by research and data to inform decision makers that recovery is both an art and a science--and possible.

We are delighted to see peer leaders involved in the research and design of our unique Recovery Learning Communities which continue to evolve to reflect the interests of those looking to hone skills and increase a sense of belonging that we all crave as human beings. And we marvel at how persons do in fact recover through both work and leisure and how many others contribute by volunteering their experiential knowledge on boards, committees and panels ranging from participation in our satisfaction surveys or membership in advocacy groups.

The cultivation of voice allows us all to reach higher and say "I can, too."  We are part of community despite our address or diagnosis. Recovery is real and the beauty of revealing our talents and aspirations helps us to hold onto the ethos of justice to which this office proudly espouses.

These are exciting times, as the peer role in health care is fundamentally changing as a result of health care reform and the fact that many systems integrate those with lived experience into policy roles. We see in our own system peers as managers, directors and working alongside treatment teams as peer bridgers, helping people navigate back into community life. What better example of hope is there than participation in vibrant and accepting communities.

Recovery is less of a model but more of an attitude, but also anchored in the belief that people have complete identities and should be treated as citizens and that rights attach not as a result of diagnosis but as an affirmation of decency in an evolving global society.

The Children's Behavioral Health Knowledge Center:  Helping Families Talk about a Parent's Mental Illness 

This is the first article in a series about the Children's Behavioral Health (CBH) Knowledge Center and the issues addressed through its work.

Helping families identify the effects of a parents' mental illness and develop strategies to promote resilience in parents and children is critical work for both Department of Mental Health adult services and child & adolescent services. The CBH Knowledge Center is supporting a partnership between Dr. William Beardslee, pictured left, and his team at Children's Hospital and South Shore Mental Health to do this by integrating Family Talk with an In-Home Therapy (IHT) Program. This partnership will produce new Family Talk training materials tailored for use in IHT programs statewide. 

In-Home Therapy is a MassHealth Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) service that provides a family therapy team in the home. In 2013, more than 17,000 children received IHT services statewide. The experience of IHT clinicians is consistent with research data: children with serious emotional disturbance receiving mental health services are likely to have parents with mental health and substance abuse issues. Yet, it can be challenging to engage a parent in their child's care and to help them understand how their own behavior might be affecting their child's behavior and well being. 

The Family Talk Preventive Intervention, known as Family Talk, is a strength-based, psycho-educational program with a strong evidence base. A summary of the relevant studies can be found at www.FAMpod.org. Unlike many intervention strategies that focus only on alleviating individual symptoms, Family Talk focuses on the effects of parental mental illness on all family members. Intervention sessions involve meetings with parents and children separately and culminate with a family meeting facilitated by a clinician in which parents talk about the effects of their mental illness. Integrating family members into the intervention helps all family members build coping skills and promotes mental health in children and families.  

Dr. Beardslee discussed the development and evolution of Family Talk as well as the importance of evidence based programs and practices in general at the CBH Knowledge Center's Symposium this past spring. A video of his talk is available on DMH's YouTube channel. Also available are DMH Child and Adolescent Services Deputy Commissioner Joan Mikula's welcoming remarks and vision for the Knowledge Center. These links and more are listed here: 

• The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry's Facts for Families provides some helpful guidance
   
• DMH's Center of Excellence at UMass: Systems and Psychosocial Advances Research Center (SPARC):
  Families Living with Mental IllnessMotherhood, Mental Illness, and Recovery 
   
• Family Talk training materials and related information
   
• Dr. Beardslee's Lecture at the May 7, 2014 Symposium
  Part 1 of 3
  Part 2 of 3
   Part 3 of 3 

• Joan Mikula's Welcome Remarks at the May 7, 2014 Symposium

DMH YouTube  Spotlight:

Prevention and Early Intervention:

The Power of Conversation 

Dr. Beardslee presents at CBH Knowledge Center Symposium (Part 1 of 3)

DMH Commissioner Marcia Fowler presented citations to this year's group of DMH Performance Recognition Program (PRP) award winners, recognizing the hard work and commitment to public service that DMH employees show every day on behalf of adults, children, youth and families living with mental illness. The Commonwealth's PRP program is one of the ways we honor exceptional performance.

PRP citations are given to employees statewide who make meaningful contributions in public service which distinguish them from their peers. The PRP puts focus on consistent, positive achievements by both individuals and teams of state employees who demonstrate innovation and dedication to their work. This is a distinction certainly that speaks to the quality of their performance in public service as well as to our agency. 

"I never have any doubt that our entire DMH workforce is second to none," Commissioner Fowler said. "And it means a great deal to me to personally congratulate this year's PRP award winners. Their work is so important to our mission, which is helping people with serious mental illness find their strengths and abilities, recover and live independently and successfully in their communities. And as their outstanding efforts make a difference in the lives of the people we serve, they also are a tremendous example for all of us to follow by setting high standards and encouraging us to reach our highest potential."

Join us in congratulating our colleagues, the 2014 PRP citation winners:

TEAM RECIPIENTS:

DMH Licensing Team

Lizbeth Kinkead, Director of Licensing; Barbara Evangelista, Healthcare Facility Inspector; Sheila Lee, Healthcare Facility Inspector; and Teresa Reynolds, Project Support Manager

Liz and her team ensure that the 64 licensed inpatient psychiatric units in the Commonwealth meet DMH's rigorous licensing standards and strict national standards.  The team's work is a critical component of DMH's statutory inpatient licensing authority and is one of the most visible aspects of the Department. The DMH Licensing Team embraces strong collaboration skills, which inspires hospital leadership to forward the goals of protecting human rights and reducing restraint and seclusion. 

Northeast-Suburban Area Diversity Committee

Susanna Chan, South Suburban Site Director, chairperson; Luis Amadeo, Director of Quality Improvement; Richard Brodbeck, Peer Specialist; Gina Tillotson-Cordy, Human Services Coordinator; Ed Manzano, Human Services Coordinator; Jacqueline Marte, Human Services Coordinator; Dr. Kenneth Mitchell, Area Medical Director, Northeast-Suburban Area; Linda Nicolar, Administrative Assistant; Ana Rodriguez Human Services Coordinator; and Eileen Weber Performance Improvement Manager

The Northeast-Suburban Area Diversity Committee recognizes and celebrates diversity throughout the offices in the Area, an important standard of the Department and the Administration. Led by Susanna Chan, the Northeast-Suburban Area Diversity Committee members volunteer their time for this project, and despite juggling both their job and this commitment, they have met the challenge head on and are making great strides. For example, one achievement is the team's successful Area-wide diversity activity at every annual Staff Appreciation Day. This event highlights the diversity found not just among the staff, but also consumers. The committee has ambitious plans for the future and continues to involve staff, consumers, and the community in celebrating our diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) Mental Health Workers

Nancy Daniels, Mental Health Worker; Teresa Orawsky, Mental Health Worker; Vincent Sasso, Mental Health Worker

These 2^nd shift staff members at WRCH are unique, resourceful and dedicated staff who have shown a deep commitment to the patients there by their ongoing and active involvement in treatment and care. Vincent is an excellent organizer and took ownership of the Downtown area to create a respectful space and helped establish a basketball group in the evenings. In her own gentle way, Teresa impacts patient-staff relationships and environments in a positive way, actively collaborating with nursing staff about patient care. Nancy communicates in Spanish with patients of Hispanic descent and is greatly regarded and respected by staff and patients for her contributions. WithNancy's involvement, everything with the clients moves smoothly. The contributions of this trio of mental health workers together embody the essence of recovery at WRCH. 

Statewide Census Management Committee

Susan Fortin, Director of Program Management Central-West Area, Western Division

Joel Skolnick, Chief Operating Officer, Metro Boston Mental Health Units at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital

Susan Fortin and Joel Skolnick have made tremendous progress as co-chairs of a Statewide Census Management Committee. Members are: Buddy Baker-Smith, Southeast Area Director; Tara Callahan-Ambrogi, Director of Program Management; James Cooney, Director of Social Work, Fuller; Jacqueline Ducharme, Director of Social Work, Worcester; Jennifer Evans, Director of Program Management, Southeast Area; Marilyn Feitelberg, Chief Operating Officer, Tewksbury Hospital; Barbara Fenby, former Northeast-Suburban Director of Community Services; Heidi Kreuger, Director of Utilization Management, Metro Boston; Jackie LaChapelle, Clinical Social Worker; Noreen Melanson, Director of Community Services, Northeast-Suburban Area; Dr. Kenneth Mitchell, Area Medical Director, Northeast-Suburban; Phyllis Stone, Director of Social Work, Tewksbury. Members represent each facility in each DMH Area and were tasked with producing recommendations to improve the connection between DMH inpatient and community systems. Led by Susan's and Joel's expertise, the workgroup diligently accomplished their goal in three meetings. The recommendations were so well received and resulted in a comprehensive set of statewide practices that ensure individuals receiving DMH services are afforded the best practices for their recovery.

INDIVIDUALS

Kim Baker

Peer Support Specialist

CBFS Team

Kim is a positive presence and an asset to the CBFS Team. She is the embodiment of a true leader, possessing an abundance of knowledge and skills. Always willing to pass her knowledge on to others and assist those in need, Kim's trainings get high marks from many. She recently completed training for peers on Wellness Recovery Action Plan and many who participated describe her as a terrific role model for all. In her quiet way, Kim continues to have a positive and enduring impact on others. 

Amy Barrett

Administrative Assistant

Central-West Area, Worcester Site Office

Amy Barrett has worked in public service for nearly 20 years. Always willing to share her knowledge and expertise with staff, she recently developed an internal process that streamlines client referrals to provider agencies for CBFS, PACT and respite programs, reducing time and increasing a smooth and uninterrupted flow of communication. Amy gladly meets challenges and is passionate about her work. She eagerly helps others with their work so that they can focus on other critical tasks. Amy Barrett is a true representative of the Department of Mental Health's values.

Joel Beason

Director of Safety and Security

Metro Boston Area Office

Joel Beason often works behind the scenes to ensure the three facilities he manages run effortlessly and safely for clients and staff. Joel makes it a point to be reachable at all times, no matter what time of the day it is, he is always just a call away. And seldom does Joel wait for a problem to emerge. He is proactive and because of this prevents many issues from happening.  Joel is a true team player and is always supportive of staff and consumers. His work exemplifies the mission of the Department.

Mark Bilton

Area Housing Coordinator

Southeast Area Office

As Area Housing Coordinator, Mark plans and distributes to consumers available housing resources in the DMH Southeast Area. But he always takes it a step further by troubleshooting any issues that may arise, helping consumers navigate a smooth and easy transition. He brings everyone together in order to better serve clients. His quick thinking has resulted in locating suitable properties for state programs and his positive attitude has allowed him to work with service providers to make sure all parts of development are well considered. Mark shows great compassion and care for his job. He has an admirable work ethic and is always willing to step in and make a difference.

Annette Labute

Clerk

Cape Cod & Islands CMHC at Pocasset

Over the past year Annette has been providing support to both the Hyannis Site Office as well as the Emergency Services Department in Pocasset, both busy, high volume offices. Annette manages to complete all assignments diligently and effectively. She is described as the "glue" that holds together the offices by ensuring that supplies and office equipment are maintained and that visitors are greeted with a friendly smile. Annette also staffs the Cape Cod & the Islands Citizens Advisory Board and often provides homemade refreshments. She adds positive energy to her workplaces and has created a pleasant work environment for all the staff.  

Gary Rose

Human Services Coordinator / Community Integration Specialist / Clubhouse Contract Monitor

New Bedford Site Office

As the Community Integration Specialist with a focus on high quality performance and improving collaboration of the site office and acute and continuing care units in the Area and beyond, Gary has developed an exceptional rapport with hospital staff and clients.  As a Clubhouse Contract Monitor, he has demonstrated strong leadership skills with innovative ideas to enhance both programming and attendance. Under his leadership, he has coached the clubhouse employment specialist to develop a consortium of employment specialists among three DMH funded programs, the Career Center, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and other workforce development agencies in New Bedford. Gary responds to every new assignment with enthusiasm, commitment, creativity, energy and excellent clinical skill. 

Virginia "Ginnie" Stevens

Assistant Director of Nursing/Director of Quality Systems

Metro Boston Mental Health Units at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital

For many years, Ginnie has embraced the Six Core Strategies goals and objectives for the Department by being an active, committed participant in the MBMHU Leadership group, championing change and transformation. Ginnie has helped to redefine the roles of mental health workers at the Shattuck by establishing a workgroup to review which unit-based recovery strategies work best. This information is shared throughout the workgroup and hospital staff. Ginnie's work has helped to empower mental health workers by reinforcing the essential role they play in the care of consumers.

Former DMH employee Janina Bukowski, who served as a physician assistant at the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) was presented the Eugene H. Rooney, Jr., Public Service Award, which recognizes an employee who contributes a measurable accomplishment that impacts individual employees and/or the organization as a whole.  

Secretary John Polanowicz, Governor Deval Patrick and Chief Human Resources Officer Paul Dietl are pictured with Dr. Thomas Hicks as he accepts the Eugene H. Rooney Award on behalf of Janina Bukowski.

Janina excelled as a physician's assistant for years with DMH, most recently working at WRCH. This past winter, Ms. Bukowski saw an opportunity to meet the needs of terminally ill patients by developing hospice and end of life care for them.  This program allows the patient, caregivers, guardians and others to discuss, choose and implement end-of-life decisions in a non-pressured manner, in a facility familiar to and comfortable for the patient. This required educating the WRCH staff about hospice and end of life care. All of this was accomplished because of Ms. Bukowski's sheer determination to provide outstanding care to all the patients at the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital.

Click here to view the photos from the 2014 PRP Ceremonies in Boston and WRCH.

PREVENTION 

Prevention starts with an annual physical exam. This yearly visit to your doctor's office is a great way to "check in" with your health care provider to address any concerns you may have, as well as to make sure you are up-to-date on screenings and immunizations. A typical doctor's office visit lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. That gives your health care provider little time to talk to you about your health, examine you, make diagnoses, and suggest follow-up actions. To avoid wasting valuable time, be prepared for your visit by using the following pointers: 

Before the appointment: 

Before your visit, review any symptoms you may be experiencing and put them in chronological order. Writing them down may help you give a more thorough description of your condition. 

Gather relevant medical records if you're changing health care providers or if you have been seeing a specialist. 

Prepare a list of the drugs you take and note your dosages. Note any allergies or bad reactions that you have had to any medicines in the past. Include both prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbs and supplements. 

At the appointment: 

Get to the point. Relay your present symptoms and concerns in a logical fashion. Relate any relevant past medical history and provide copies of lab reports, X-rays, or other tests if you have them. 

Ask questions. Your health care provider should fully explain any conditions he or she diagnoses and discuss the pros and cons of any treatments, medications, or tests he/she orders in simple terms. Make sure you understand your conditions and your treatment options before you leave the office. Don't be timid or embarrassed: Keep asking questions until you understand. 

After the appointment: 

Follow your health care provider's instructions. If you find you are confused about what you should do when you get home, call the doctor's office and ask for clarification. Take any medications you are prescribed exactly as directed. 

Make any lifestyle changes your health care provider recommends, such as quitting smoking, improving your diet, and exercising regularly. Doing so may help improve your overall health and keep you out of the doctor's office until next year's physical! 

Click here for a printable version, take the July Practicing Prevention challenge and try a delicious recipe for Homemade Applesauce.

The 2014 Online Health Assessment Begins on September 15!

All DMH Staff who receive their health insurance through the GIC are eligible to take the Online Health Assessment for an opportunity to receive free health coaching. Prizes will also be offered just for completing the assessment. Check your home mailbox as you will be receiving more information from the GIC soon.

Photo of the Month

 Commissioner Fowler recently taped a segment with Rep. Patricia Haddad (D-Somerset) on the Representative's public affairs program "The Haddad Report" which will air on Somerset local cable television in November. Commissioner Fowler discussed the Department's services and priorities and talked about our new public awareness campaign, Good Mental Health -- It starts with a conversation.

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. 

  DMH Connections