New Report by Suicide Attempt Survivors - Posted 7.10

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention's Suicide Attempt Survivors Task Force has released The Way Forward, a report which gives voice to suicide attempt survivors and bridges the gap between suicide attempt survivors, clinicians, hospital policy makers, and suicide prevention leaders. The Way Forward summarizes eight core values and offers a lens through which suicide prevention can be envisioned to embrace safety and bring hope and meaning to those in suicidal despair. Read The Way Forward and the press release about this pivotal path for change and a roadmap to save lives. Please join the Action Alliance and other organizations in a Twitter chat this Thursday, July 10 at 12:30 p.m. using the hash tag #wayforward.

Advance Directives Implementation Coordinator Job Description - Posted 7.10

The University of Virginia, Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), is seeking applicants for an Advance Directives Implementation Coordinator position. The Coordinator will organize and facilitate efforts to implement the use of advance directives by Community Service Boards, state and private hospitals, peer and advocacy groups, and other relevant health care organizations. The Coordinator serves as a liaison between project leadership and local organizations, and is integrally involved in the development of resources, inter-agency partnerships, and an infrastructure that supports the wide use of Advance Directives in Virginia.

The Advance Directives Implementation Coordinator position is part-time (approximately 28 hours per week) without benefits. The Coordinator will work at the DBHDS offices in Richmond. The Coordinator also will travel throughout the Commonwealth, as needed, for presentations, meetings, and trainings (travel costs for statewide trips will be reimbursed). Experience in relevant areas such as mental health care, social work, public health, health policy, and the like, is desirable. A master's-level degree in a relevant field or equivalent training is preferred but not required.

To be considered for the position an application must be completed -- go to:

http://www.hr.virginia.edu/

1. From the banner at the top right, click on "Jobs@UVA"

2. From the list on the left side of the screen, click "Create Application"

3. Under "Create New Application" click on "Temp Application" and click "Go"

4. Complete and submit application information

5. After completing/submitting your application please send an email to Kyle Massie (kkm4m@virginia.edu) and Janet Turner-Giles (jmt4q@virginia.edu) to let them know you have submitted a Temp Position application and you are interested in being considered for the Advance Directives Implementation Coordinator position.

Northwest Peer Connect Meeting August 13 - Posted 7.10

Augusta County Library

1759 Jefferson Highway, Fishersville (22939) 

Phone: 540.885.3961

August 14th, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

For many veterans, adjustment to civilian life after military service is complicated by behavioral health issues that impact their social, vocational, financial, and physical wellbeing. Although a variety of support options exist, within and outside of the Veterans Services Administration system (VA), tens of thousands of veterans remain disconnected or underserved, as evidenced by elevated rates of homelessness, suicide, substance abuse and addiction, and untreated PTSD.

 The purpose of this webinar is to increase participants' understanding of the challenges experienced by veterans returning home, and of the variety of community-based direct services that can effectively complement or replace VA services and supports.

To register

"How Journalists Report Behavioral Health Issues" - Posted 7.10

Watch the interactive webcast that SAMHSA, in partnership with EIC, held on Tuesday, June 24. Panelists shared important information regarding the importance of using fair, correct, and respectful terminology to depict behavioral health issues and individuals affected by them. Panelists shed light on their experiences, both firsthand and professional, focusing on the power of journalism to reduce discrimination against people seeking treatment or in recovery from behavioral health issues. Specific issues included prescription drug abuse, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders.

http://www.eicnetwork.tv/Events/SAMHSA_June2014.aspx

VOCAL Seeks Assistance in Updating Records - Posted 3.17

July 15-16, 2014 in Kansas City, MO

This summit will provide an overview of existing technologies that have worked well in behavioral health care and community settings, provide examples of how programs have successfully integrated health technologies to advance recovery-oriented are, and offer information about how current and future federal policy will influence health technology in behavioral health care settings. The two-day format for the Summit will provide opportunities for different stakeholder groups to learn from one other and to develop a set of clear, region-specific outcome objectives.

July 22nd

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Patricia E. Deegan, Ph.D., Presenter 

People vote with their feet and often walk away from services that do not meet their needs. In this webinar, Pat Deegan will draw on her experience in building services that engage and empower people to live their lives, not their diagnosis. Pat will use examples from her work with OnTrackNY first episode psychosis teams, shared decision making and recovery learning collaboratives, to illustrate principles of successful engagement strategies.

Register Now!

Webinar: "Organizational Considerations for Successful Implementation of Peer Support Services" - Posted 6.30 

Friday, July 11, 3:00 p.m. 

In May, 2013, CMS/SAMHSA released a joint informational bulletin that clarified the definition of "Peer" to include adults, families, and youth. As a result of this clarification many organizations are working closely with their states to expand current peer services to include the full spectrum of service possibilities. Currently, 32 states have included Peer Support in their Medicaid State Plan, many through the Rehab Option. Many of these states currently offer only Adult Peer Support services and are in the process of expanding services to be inclusive of family and youth models. Many states that do not currently offer Peer Support as a Medicaid reimbursable service are considering this option but until this becomes a reality, provider organizations must rely upon alternate types of funding.

Please join the webinar as we explore the evolution of this emerging workforce.

Instructions for joining the July 11 webinar:

Go to -http://nasmhpd.adobeconnect.com/ocpps/

(Please either right click on the link or copy and paste the link into a new tab.)    When the Adobe Connect Log-in screen appears, select "Enter as a Guest," enter the name and state of the participant in the "Name" field (Ex. Jane Doe-AK) and click on "Enter Room."     Once prompted to join the Audio portion of the meeting, please select:  "Dialing-in to the Audio Conference Via Phone." Then dial 1-888-727-2247 and enter the conference ID number 5433540#.  

First Fridays with BRSS TACS: Tribal Communities and Recovery - Posted 6.23

Friday, July 11th from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

http://center4si.adobeconnect.com/firstfridays

888-407-5039 (PIN 556 82 342)

First Fridays with BRSS TACS is an opportunity for participants to meet with nationally recognized leaders to discuss specific topics each month.  Participants join by calling the phone number provided and entering the "Adobe Connect Room" online by clicking the link provided. 

Questions and comments will be moderated by a BRSS TACS team member.

Registration is Open for Alternatives 2014!  - Posted 6.23

To register for the conference, and/or to book a hotel room, go to the Alternatives 2014 website and see the links on the navigation bar at the left. Click on the URL below to go to the Alternatives 2014 website:   

Mind Freedom International Presents the Creative Revolution Conference: "Developing and Expanding Alternatives" - Posted 6.19

July 27-27 at Wisdom House in Connecticut

The Choice in Mental Health committee of MindFreedom International recognizes the need for alternatives and to build intentional communities. The conference invites people who are interested and have developed alternatives to the mental health system. The goal of the conference is to inspire and encourage more people to develop alternatives to the mental health system. The conference will focus on four themed groups: Drug-withdrawal programs, Peer-run respite programs, Open- Dialogue Based programs, and Soteria- like programs.

Learn more and register at: 

Every Monday at 1 p.m.