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DMH Connections
A publication of the
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
March/April 2016
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March is National Social Work Month
March marks National Social Worker's Month. This year the National Association of Social Workers theme is Social Work: Forging Solutions out of Challenges. Social workers contribute at all levels of society, working with individuals, families, schools, universities, non-profit agencies, corporations, hospitals, and government offices to mediate conflict, foster positive relationships and create hope and opportunity for people in need.
According to the National Association of Social Workers, social workers are the largest group of mental health care providers in the United States, helping people overcome depression, anxiety, substance abuse and other disorders so they can lead more fulfilling lives.
As we observe Social Work Month, we want to thank our social workers and all DMH staff and providers for the talent, skills and compassion that you bring to your work every day!
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DMH Office of Communications and Community Engagement
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Questions or suggestions?
Contact Michelle
617-626-8118
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Click here for the 2016 Editorial Calendar
Submission Deadline is the 15th or the month prior to when you would like your article or event published
Please send all materials to
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Go Social with DMH!
|  DMH is on Instagram!
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Follow us as we celebrate good mental health through photos!  Pleas note: Instagram is only available through the smartphone app._______________________
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View photos from DMH events, follow us and favorite your DMH photos!
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ReachHire offers young adults and anyone seeking a wealth of tools, advice, and resources designed to help you reach your dreams - for building a career, getting an education, and supporting yourself financially.
With a positive attitude and the right support, you can make it a fun and fulfilling experience.
Get Started Today at:
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Connections Correction
We apologize that In the December 2011-January 2012 issue, in the "Recovery, Peers are Key to DMH Inpatient Mission" article we noted
"Kevin Huckshorn, who now serves as director of the National Technical Assistance Center for the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors" Kevin is the Commissioner of
of the DE mental health and substance abuse service system. | |
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Multicultural
Suicide Prevention Among Culturally Varied Populations
By: Tina Sang, DMH Office of Multicultural Affairs and Emily Bhargava, Connection Lab LLC Our cultural beliefs influence our understanding of what causes mental illness, what symptoms are related to mental illness, and where to turn for help. Findings from focus groups conducted by the Greater Boston Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition (GBRSPC) add to the body of knowledge about mental health and culture. In 2014, the GBRSPC conducted focus groups with community members and service providers to better understand the suicide prevention needs of three cultural groups: Asian, Haitian, and Latino. Within each of these cultural groups, there were participants who were born abroad and those born in the U.S. Focus group participants were asked a variety of questions including where they seek help for mental health concerns, what factors make it difficult to access services, warning signs of suicide, and who are at high risk for suicide. Focus group findings that were common across the three cultural groups include: - The need to normalize mental health concerns and create safe spaces to discuss these concerns
- The need for information about mental health treatments and how they work
- The level of respect or understanding that immigrants feel for their children's experiences with depression or suicide can be shaped by their own difficult experiences in their country of origin
- Being marginalized linguistically and culturally can cause significant challenges in accessing quality care
As a result of the focus group findings, GBRSPC is developing a public awareness campaign that highlights the resilience of people from diverse backgrounds who are affected by mental illness or suicide. If you are interested in sharing your experience, please contact GBRSPC's co-chairs Tony Dellovo and Ron White. Reports on the GBRSPC focus group findings are available from the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention website http://www.masspreventssuicide.org/greater-boston/
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Focus on
Employment
Clubhouses Make Progress Towards DMH Employment Goal
By Michael Stepansky DMH Director of Employment
For the first time, DMH has established an employment goal for one of its core community services. Commissioner Mikula announced last summer that DMH has established a goal for clubhouses to have at least 17% of their active membership competitively employed by the close of FY'16. As of February, clubhouses statewide have made significant progress toward this goal, moving from a baseline of 10.5% competitive employment at the start of the fiscal year to a rate of 15.9% in February.
To help clubhouses meet the goal, DMH is providing the following assistance:
- two statewide forums for clubhouse providers to convene with DMH to ask questions and receive updates
- issuing monthly employment reports to both clubhouse providers and DMH offices to provide context and a shared reference point
- concluded an initial series of site visits to all 35 clubhouses, designed to uncover promising practices and provide technical assistance
- convened two work groups of providers and DMH staff to make recommendations related to data, disenrollments, and progress notes.
Our focus on employment goals has been overwhelmingly well received by clubhouses across the state. Margaret Jordan, Director of Mental Health Services at Human Resources Unlimited (HRU), a provider of six clubhouses said: "It's great to have the Department focus on employment. I believe strongly that we are all committed to increasing employment opportunities for folks - it is the primary mission of our clubs."
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Conferences and Events
April 4, 2016
MassPRA Annual Meeting
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
College of the Holy Cross, Worcester
This meeting and program will include lunch and while free to attend, pre-registration is required. Breakout sessions are limited in size and filled on first come, first serve basis.
PROGRAM
Annual Business Meeting
Panel Presentation and Workshops
Robert Whitaker - Issues with current psychopharm prescribing
Sandra Steingard, MD - Informed Consent within the Public MH System: Issues and Ethics
Melinda Randall, MD - Promoting Shared Decisions in Psychopharm Treatment for People Using Public MH Services
Click here to register
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Save the Date
May 14, 2016
NAMIWalks Massachusetts
Check in: 9 a.m., Start time: 10 a.m.
Artesani Park, Brighton
Distance: 5k
Click here to register
Contact: akuriloff@namimass.org
#JoinTheMovement
Click here for a printable flyer
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Upcoming University of PPAL Events
The Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) is a statewide family-run organization dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of children, youth and families through education, advocacy and partnership
March 15, 2016
Mental Health and the IEP
(Boston)
10 a.m. to Noon
Justice Resource Institute (JRI)
3313 Washington St. Suite 3
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
March 23, 2016
Empowering Families: Transition Age Youth
(Central)
10 a.m. to Noon
Medway Public Library
26 High Street Medway, MA 02053
Click here for a printable flyer
RSVP
508-767-9725 Free for all parents and those raising children with mental health needs
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Upcoming Events at The Bridge Training Institute
Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals - See our training calendar at www.thebridgetraininginstitute.org
Our day-long trainings are held at the Courtyard Marriott in Marlborough, MA. If accommodations are needed, please contact Stephen Murphy at stevem@thebridgecm.org or 508-755-0333
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Training Calendar Please click on the link below to register. 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 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 by the 15th of each month for publication in DMH Connections |
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Metro Boston and Southeast Areas Kick Off the 2016 DMH Citizens Legislative Breakfasts Series
The Annual opportunity for members of the mental health community to meet with their legislators, thank them for their support and discuss how DMH helps people with mental illnesses recover and live satisfying lives 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.
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|  | | Left to right: Sen. Brownsberger, Rep. Gloria Fox, Anne Whitman, Commissioner Mikula, Rep. Provost, and Patricia Kenny | |
It was standing room only at the Great Hall as Anne Whitman of the Metro Boston RLC was the emcee for the Metro Boston Breakfast. Metro Boston Area Director Patricia Kenny introduced Commissioner Joan Mikula and legislative sponsors Sen. William Brownsberger and Rep. Denise Provost. "Tell your legislators what DMH services mean to you.Your efforts & your story will make a difference." said Rep. Provost. Rep. Gloria Fox received a special recognition award for her long standing advocacy for mental health in Metro Boston and always welcoming DMH to "the people's house."  Irving Wu, William Wilson and Joletta Singleton shared their personal recovery stories. They are true examples that people can and do recovery from mental illness. William Wilson pictured has been working at Walgreens for the past nine years and has only missed one day of work during that time, to attend his mother's funeral. Watch their stories on our DMH Connections YouTube Channel by clicking the link at the bottom of this article.
"Legislative Breakfasts are important because we know that mental illnesses will affect, in some way, every family, in every walk of life, no matter the race, gender, religion, ethnic or socioeconomic background - mental illness is an equal opportunity illness. It is part of all our lives."
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Despite the long distance and rush hour commute, the Great Hall was also standing room only for the Southeast Area Breakfast. Robert Rousseau and Shaylynn Almeida-Matthews returned as co-hosts. Area Director Howard "Buddy" Baker-Smith introduced Commissioner Mikula. Legislative sponsors Sen. Viriato deMacedo and Rep. Claire Cronin. "People suffering from mental illness deserve health care and not jail time." said Rep. Cronin. Joseph Perry and Jennifer Light told their personal recovery stories. Mary Brahms shared her family's story. "I know in my heart that my daughter and our family would not be where we are today if we hadn't had the privilege of working with DMH and our Family Systems Intervention (FSI) team from Justice Resource Institute (JRI)," said Mrs. Brahms. Join us for our remaining breakfasts on: Friday, March 18, Western Mass Area Citizens Legislative Breakfast (Springfield Technical Community College, Scibelli Hall) Friday, March 25, Central Mass Area Citizens Legislative Breakfast
(Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital, Large Conf. Room, K2-A2) Thursday, March 31, Northeast Area Citizens Legislative Breakfast (Great Hall/State House) The events start with registration and refreshments from 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. The program starts promptly at 10:00 a.m. and runs until approximately 11:00 a.m. Click here to view photos from the breakfasts on our Flickr site.Click here to watch the recovery stories on our DMH Connections YouTube Channel. |
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Four Coordinators Join the Caring Together Clinical Support Team
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Caring Together Coordinators of Family Driven Practice. From left to right: Kristi Glenn, Pamela Ferguson, Malika Arty, and Barbara Worsley
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The Department of Mental Health welcomed four Coordinators of Family Driven Practice to the DMH/DCF consolidated performance improvement management team called the Caring Together Clinical Support (CTCS) team. The Coordinators of Family Driven Practice bring a critical set of skills and experience to DMH, DCF and the Caring Together system of Care. They each have lived experience raising children with mental health challenges as well as experience working professionally in various capacities to support other families and/or supervise and coach other professionals with lived experience.
As part of a Regional Caring Together Clinical Support (CTCS) the Coordinators of Family Driven Practice will assist DCF, DMH and Caring Together providers with training and technical assistance to help shape family driven policy, protocols and practice. They foster a collaborative learning environment within the region to explore how Family Driven practice can work within our joint residential system and problem solve with key system partners when systemic issues around Family Driven Practice arise. Additionally, they play a key lead role in supporting regional implementation and management of the Caring Together Family Partner service.
The Coordinators of Family Driven Practice will also work collaboratively with multiple key stakeholders throughout the Caring Together system of care in order to help support and enhance provider and state agency's capacity to fully engage families in all aspects of a child's care and treatment during residential services and to achieve better and more sustainable positive outcomes for children and families as well as prepare families to support and sustain their child and the family's well-being in the home.
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Grace Church of All Nations Hosts Community Conversation
Recently a DMH Community Conversation event sponsored by the Fuller Bay Cove site office was held at the Grace Church of all Nations in Dorchester. An impressive cadre of DMH staff participated, including Charlene Zuffante, the Metro Boston Director of Child and Adolescent Services, four Fuller Bay Cove case managers: Daniel Abraham, Cynthia Clapp, Christopher Fike, and Marie Teixeira. Also, Tina Sang from the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Terry Harrison the Fuller Bay Cove Site Director. Two mental health clinicians from nearby Codman Square Health Center also took part.
A welcoming and interactive audience of approximately thirty people, primarily from the Grace Church attended. The program was facilitated by one of the church elders and the questions and the responses of the panel flowed beautifully with several of the panelists responding and expanding on the questions asked. Some of the questions and topics included:
By all accounts the evening was a huge success. Helena Joseph, the church member who initiated the planning of the event and collaborated with Theresa Harrison was pleased. as well as the church elders and DMH staff who were present. It was especially evident from the heartwarming thanks received from those who attended. The church has expressed interest in hosting another conversation sometime in the future. "One major take-away for me was how much people are craving information, as well as support and understanding about how mental illness affects their lives in a whole variety of ways. " said Theresa Harrison.
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DMH Case Management Supervisor Meriel Marmanillo Receives Recognition by Mayor Walsh
On International Women's Day, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the winners of the EXTRAordinary Women Campaign, led by the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement. The campaign highlights women that do extraordinary work within the Boston community.
DMH case management supervisor, Meriel Marmanillo was one of the 31 women awarded. Meriel lives in Roslindale and volunteers on local boards that support the advancement of Latino/as people and other community-based groups. Hundreds of women were nominated for this campaign and 31 were selected to be recognized by the Office of Women's Advancement, every day during Women's History Month.
Congratulations Meriel!
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CBH Knowledge Center News
3rd Annual CBH Knowledge Center Symposium and Gailanne Reeh Lecture
Friday May 6, 2016
10 a.m. to 3 pm.
Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital Conference Room
309 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA
The Gailanne Reeh Lecture will be presented by Michael A Hoge, PhD Professor of Psychiatry; Director, Yale Group on Workforce Development; Senior Science and Policy Advisor for the Annapolis Coalition on the Behavioral Health Workforce.
Invitations will be sent out at the end of March
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 YouTube Spotlight
Alicia Anazaldi - Raising Our Voices: Supporting Transition Age Youth
This month we spotlight Alicia Anzaldi who
shared her story and presented at the 2015 CBH Knowledge Center Symposium and Gailanne Reeh Lecture.
Alicia is a peer mentor at The Home for Little Wanderers Community Service Agency - Park Street, where she mentors youth ages 16 - 21 who are dealing with a serious emotional disturbance. As a co-facilitator of Boston's Youth Advisory Group under the Success for Transition Age Youth Grant, she advocates for the young adult voice for urban systematic change. Through her lived experience with a mental health diagnosis, Alicia strives to encourage transitional age youth to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. She is also a peer mentor at the Suffolk County Family Resource Center. Alicia obtained her Bachelor of Liberal Arts with an English concentration in 2012. She received her Certified Peer Specialist certificate through a DMH funded program in November of 2013 and has since began her commitment to the peer support community.
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| | Click the play button or here to View Alicia's presentation |
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WellMASS News 
WellMASS is a program provided by StayWell and offered to all EOHHS employees who receive their health insurance benefits through the GIC
WellMASS Newsletter March 2016
Click here for the 2016 March WellMASS Newsletter
This month's topic is SLEEP. Take the March challenge: Improve your sleep habits. Also try the delicious recipe for Herbed Shrimp and White Bean Salad.
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Boston Sports Clubs Discount
Boston Sports Clubs is offering a new discount for MA State Employees:
−Enroll in an All-Access Passport Membership, good at all Boston, New York, Washington, and Philadelphia Sports Clubs, for $49.95/month
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 The Express Yourself staff and performers are hard at work creating the 2016 show - Illuminate! It's sure to be another remarkable performance, featuring 150 Express Yourself youth and many special guests, soon to be revealed. You don't want to miss this truly inspiring evening, so mark your calendar!
Illuminate
Thursday, May 26, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Citi Performing Arts Center - Wang Theatre
As always, show admission is free
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DMH Connections Celebrates
Thank You for your readership as DMH Connections proudly celebrates 7 years of continuous publication!
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DMH Connections is posted on the DMH's archives page of the DMH Internet. View issues from 2008 to the Present at
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