VOCAL'S MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY NEWS FOR 11.13.14
 
In Today's Digest....
New in the Digest This Week
VOCAL News
Conferences, Workshops and Webinars
News Around the Commonwealth
Veteran's Corner
Links to Peer-Run Programs
Other News
Look What Our Members Are Doing!


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A twice-weekly electronic news-digest delivered to your inbox dedicated to keeping you informed of mental health recovery news and opportunities across the Commonwealth and the nation.

 

New in the Digest This Week


 

Northwest Peer Connect to Meet December 10th - Posted 11.13


 

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
On Our Own of Charlottesville, 123 4th Street, NW

434-979-2440

 

FT Position Open:  Peer Recovery Navigator (Magellan Health) - Posted 11.13

 

The position can be found at this link:


Meet and Greet Advocacy Information - Posted 11.13

Tuesday, December 2nd from 6:00 -7:30 p.m.
A Grace Place, 8030 Staples Mill Road, Henrico (corner of Staples Mill and Wistar Roads; Phone: 804-261-0205)
Advocacy information will be discussed and how to participate in the January 2015 Virginia General Assembly Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committee's public hearing.
Staff will be availabe to provide support to your family member while you participate - please call to request this support.
For flyers, more information, and RSVP: Yvonne Russell at 804-727-8514.

Sponsored by A Grace Place, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, Richmond Residential Services and Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services

Why Mental Health Hasn't Gone Mainstream - Posted 11.13

Despite the oft-cited statistic that one in four people experience some kind of mental health issue in their lifetime, the issue hasn't gained the same notoriety that other public health issues have drawn. This article shares some suggestions as to why.

 

Webinar: "Build Your Resume: Strategies for Getting, Keeping and Advancing Employment" - Posted 11.13

 

Friday, November 21 from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

 

Check out this webinar on employment for peer specialists and others with mental health needs.

 

Join Steve Harrington, Director of the International Association of Peer Supporters (iNAPS), as he explores-through an interactive session-ways to build resumes, obtain employment and advance careers. These are important skills for peer supporters and those they support.
 
The session will use the "chat" function during the webinar so participants can share strategies such as how to fill in resume "gaps," enjoy a sense of job security, and advance one's career.

To join the online meeting (also from mobile devices)

1. Go to

2. Follow all prompts to access audio and join the webinar. 

For additional instructions, visit the Free Webinars page on our website: Questions?

 

TED: "How Should We Talk About Mental Health?" - Posted 11.13

 

The popular TED talk format is based on packing a few powerful ideas into a neat package. This article offers a print version of a popular TED talk that makes several strong points on talking, and thinking, about mental health.

 

http://ideas.ted.com/2013/12/18/how-should-we-talk-about-mental-health/

 
VOCAL News

 

VOCAL Whole Health Network (VWHN) Topic #10 - Posted 11.6 

"Can you define 'social wellness/social health'?"

 

SAMHSA, lists social wellness in their Eight Dimensions of Wellness, as "developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system". 

 

And from wiseGEEK (www.wisegeek.org):

 

"Social health often deals with how people relate to each other, and how an individual is able to socialize with other people and form relationships. This can deal with friendships, in terms of how well the person can form and keep friendships, and other types of relationships as well. There are a number of ways in which the different aspects of health are interrelated and have an impact on each other.

There is also evidence to indicate that isolation is not only a potential result of mental or physical illness, but may also cause or aggravate such an illness. This is why

social health has become of increasing importance within the greater overall concept of human health and well-being. Many mental and physical health professionals have begun to recognize the importance of social interaction in a person's ability to overcome illness.

The term can also refer to the health of a society, and is often used to indicate how the people within a given society or culture interact and behave toward each other. In this sense, a country that is rife with conflict and violence may be considered to be suffering from social health issues. Just as a person whose body is suffering from cancerous cells destroying healthy cells has a physical health issue, and the jargon of physical or mental health care may be used in reference to society as well".

 

Check Out VOCAL Workshop Offerings: Twenty-Five Topics on Recovery, Peer Support, Advocacy and Peer Run Programs - Posted 10.20 

VOCAL has been a leader in Virginia's mental health recovery movement since 2002.   Our workshops and professional trainings uniquely blend the experience of individuals who live with conditions commonly referred to as mental health disorders with an up-to-the-minute understanding of state and national mental health systems, and evidence-based recovery tools.

Developed by people who have personally experienced mental health crisis, VOCAL programs value the worth and dignity of each individual, the right to self-determination, and the important contributions of peer support and self-help.

These workshops are designed for peers, peer support specialists, providers, family and supporters of those in recovery.
We can deliver a one-day conference, half-day workshop, or one presentation, all especially designed for the interests of your group.  
Workshops are free to peer-run organizations.
For complete workshop descriptions go to:

 

Link to VOCAL Board Calendar - Posted 10. 13

 

https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=8n1cslha5ohv0sp6ghf2n25mbc%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York
 

How Can the VOCAL Web Site Serve You Best?  - Posted 10.6  

 

Please spend a few minutes taking our survey. 

VOCAL Whole Health Network (VWHN) Topic #9 - Posted 10.2

 

What is emotional wellness?

SAMHSA defines emotional wellness as coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships.

 

For more information about this topic, visit: 

http://www.unh.edu/health-services/ohep/emotional-wellness

 

Join VOCAL's State-Wide W.R.A.P. Facilitator Network - Posted 9.22 

 
If you've trained in facilitating Mental Health Recovery including Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) workshops, the program developed by Dr. Mary Ellen Copeland, Join VOCAL's network today!
 
Email Ann Benner, R.E.A.C.H. Program Director: ann@vocalvirginia.org
 

VOCAL's Whole Health Network (VWHN) Topic #9 - Posted 9.4 

 

What is 'intellectual wellness'? 

SAMHSA defines it as "recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills".


Howard Community College  (MD) makes the following suggestions: 

  • Read for fun: Pick up a newspaper or educational pamphlet.  By choosing to read, you not only increase your intellect, you remain knowledgeable about current issues and past events.
  • Try to learn something new everyday: Keep your eyes and mind open to new ideas and focus on learning something new each day.
  • Challenge yourself to see more than one side of an issue.
  • Watch educational television and enlighten your mind.
  • Learn to appreciate art: Attend exhibits, plays, musicals, and poetry readings.
  • Attend an educational workshop or seminar, not because you are earning credit, but because you want to increase your knowledge.

 

 

Conferences, Trainings, Workshops, and Webinars

 

No Cost Mental Health First Aid Training Provided by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services - Posted 11.10

 

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training helps individuals to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Four trainings are scheduled to take place in Richmond, Virginia on:

November 19th

December 2nd

December 8th

 

SAMHSA to Host Listening Session about the National Technical Assistance Centers - Posted 11.10

 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is holding a 90-minute "Listening Session" on December 4th, at 2:00 p.m.

 

SAMHSA is preparing to issue a new Request for Applications (RFA) based on funding availability for the National Consumer and Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Centers (TACs) and is seeking input and feedback about the best strategies to meet the needs of consumers.

 

The Listening Session will be held via conference call and interested parties can participate by using the following dial-in number: 1-800-857-9830; passcode: 854619


NAMI Virginia to Host Advocacy Training - Posted 11.10

Get ready for the 2015 legislative session, meet advocates from around Virginia, and sharpen your skills with the 2014 Advocacy Training!

Saturday, December 6th from 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. in Richmond

 


"Promoting Family Wellness Using W.R.A.P."with Matthew Federici - Posted 11.6   

 

Tuesday, November 18th from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Through this webinar, Matthew will discuss his recovery experience personally, professionally and as a family member despite challenges in the mental health system care. He will be supported by speakers in his own family from the experiential perspectives of the wellness journey in the family during difficult times and beyond. A key resource in his presentation is how the evidenced based Wellness Recovery Action Plan applies in the context of the individual's and the family's journey of recovery. Through this webinar participants will be able to:

1. Understand the key concepts and action plans of WRAP
2. Describe how WRAP may benefit a families wellness
3. Identify next steps to learning and sharing WRAP with other families  

 

"Bridges Out of Poverty " in Lynchburg - Posted 11.6

 

If you did not grow up in poverty, you may be unaware of the "hidden rules" that govern many aspects of life for the poor. People in poverty are often in survival mode, driven by the tyranny of the moment, where the future holds no promise, and support systems taken for granted in middle class and wealth are non-existent. If your organization works with people from poverty, only a deeper understanding of their challenges - and strengths - will help you partner with them to create opportunities for success.

 

Participants will understand poverty as it applies to language, story, family structure, and cognition. Participants will be given an overview of research and key concepts, and learn about the hidden rules of poverty, middle class, and wealth.

 

December 2nd from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Registration deadline November 15th.

$15, includes boxed lunch

For further information, email: virginia.huntington@lynchburgva.gov 

 

January Certified Peer Support Training in Fairfax - Posted 11.3

National Networking Teleconference Set for November 17 - Posted 11.3

 

The next monthly national networking teleconference of the National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help 

Clearinghouse will be on Monday, November 17, at 1 p.m.

 

The call-in number is 866-906-0123; the pass code is 5037195#. The purpose of the calls is for peer movement activists from around the U.S. to get together, share information, and "network." Join us! If you have a topic or topics you would like to see discussed on this call, please write to Susan Rogers: srogers@mhasp.org  with the word "Agenda" in the subject line. In addition, if you plan to participate, even if you don't want to suggest an agenda item it would be helpful if you would email Susan Rogers at 

 srogers@mhasp.org; this will make it easier to provide the participants with teleconference minutes.

 

Free Third Thursdays Workshop, "The Way Out is the Way In: Practicing Mindfulness in the Midst of Stress" - Posted 11.3

 

Thursday, November 20th, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. 

Orange Hill Wellness Center, 401 Orange Street, Charlottesville 

 

CELT Training in December: Apply by November 24th - Posted 11.3

  

http://mhav.org/conferences/apply-now/

  

 

New W.R.A.P. Group in Richmond - Posted 10.23

November 13-January 15
8 two-hour sessions, time to be determined
VOCAL Office (near Willow Lawn Shopping Center, on bus route)
1904 Byrd Avenue, Suite 217 (23230)
For further information contact Ann Benner at 804.343.1777 or Lois Withers at 804.382.5042
A $10 donation to VOCAL is requested.

New W.R.A.P. Group in Chesterfield - Posted 10.23

Friends 4 Recovery Whole Health Center will begin a WRAP series on November 10th which willl continue every Monday through January 26th,  This is a 12 week course, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Friends 4 Recovery is a peer-run center at 7420 Whitepine Road in North Chesterfield.
 
For inquiries about our WRAP series or anything else about the Center,  can call 804. 308.1366 or email Rye Curtis: rye@friends4recovery.org.
 
News Around the Commonwealth

2015 Mental Health Advocacy Day - Posted 11.10 


 Monday, January 15th, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.


General Assembly Building
Sponsored by: VOCAL, NAMI Virginia, MHAV, Voices for Virginia's Children, Campaign for Children's Mental Health
Come join us and attend a legislative breakfast, meet with your legislators, tell your stories, connect with other advocates and put a face on mental illness!  


 https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ea2vzkxnb21c0448&oseq=&c=&ch=


 

TOMORROW! 21st Anniversary Celebration! at On Our Own of Roanoke Valley - Posted 11.3


November 14th - for more information, call 540-362-0061


Opportunity to Offer Support to the Virginia Family Network - Posted 10.30 

While VOCAL's mission supports adult peers in their mental health recovery, we realize that many of our peers have children that are also on their own mental health recovery journey.   
We would like to help support one of our partner organizations by introducing you to a parent survey for the Virginia Family Network, which is a program of NAMI Virginia.  If you are a parent of a child diagnosed with mental health needs before the age of 18, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/NAMIVAPAS to complete the survey.
 
Veteran's Corner

Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Link - Posted 7.24   

 

http://www.wearevirginiaveterans.org/ 

 

Veterans Peer Support Group at On Our Own of Roanoke - Posted 6.2

 

Every Monday at 1 p.m.

540-362-0061

 

New Tool Connects Vets and Employers - Posted 5.5

 

The Veterans Employment Center, an inter-agency collaboration from the White House's Joining Forces initiative, has announced a new online tool to provide veterans with employment resources. ebenefits.va.govwill connect veterans and service members with public and private sector employers who are looking to hire people with military experience, including individuals with disabilities.

 

For more information and employer resources, visit www.AskEARN.org. 

 

Links to MH Peer-Run Programs in Virginia
Arlington Peers Helping Peers in Recovery 
www.aphpr-rpsva.org

Reston Drop-In Center
 
Consumer Wellness Center (Annandale)
 
Recovery In Motion ( Fredericksburg)  
www.recovery-in-motion.org

Blacksburg Computer Empowerment Services
http://computerempowerment.net/about.htm
  
Friends4Recovery Whole Health Center (Richmond)
Center for Recovery and Wellness (Lynchburg)
http://centerforrecoveryandwellness.org/calendar/

Trillium Drop-In Center (Woodbridge)
http://pwdropincenter.org/calendar.php

On Our Own of Roanoke Valley
http://rvonourown.com/Events.aspx

WeCare, Inc (Martinsville)
http://wecaremhc.org/?page_id=42

On Our Own of Charlottesville
http://wwhttp://www.saara.org/events-calendar.phpw.onourowncville.org/structure.html

84 Main (Warsaw)
804.333.3581

Recovery Resources and Support
http://www.rrs4hope.com/

The Laurie Mitchell Empowerment and Career Center (Alexandria)
www.lmec.org

Our Family  (Winchester)
540.667.8888 or dking@nwcsb.com

Other Program Information:

 

Virginia Peer Support Coalition (Virginia)
  
Mental Health America of Virginia (MHAV)
http://mhav.org

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Falls Church
ANC436@aol.com 

NAMI Virginia (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
http://namivirginia.org/

NAMI Central Virginia (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
http://www.namicentralvirginia.org

SAARA of Virginia (Richmond)
http://www.saara.org/events-calendar.php

Spiritworks Foundation Center for Recovery of the Soul (Williamsburg)
http://www.spiritworksfoundation.org/events-calendar/

Roads to Recovery (Lynchburg)
http://roads2recovery.org/

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.afsp.org/

 

Other News

 

 

Article about MHASP's Self-Directed Care Program - Posted 11.10

"When people first enroll in the program, the first thing we do is come up with a recovery plan based on their hopes and dreams,"....... 


 

World Health Organization Releases Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative - Posted 11.10

 

The World Health Organization's (WHO) first suicide report, Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative, includes information on what is known about suicide across the world, which groups are at particular risk of suicide, and what can be done at the individual and societal levels to reduce the number of deaths from suicide. 

Disaster Distress Helpline Provides Immediate Counseling - Posted 11.1o  

National Overview of Peer Specialist Training and Certification Programs Is Available - Posted 11.3

 

The Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health has compiled a 2014 update of the "Peer Specialist Training and Certification Programs" around the U.S. The 109-page report is available for free download by 

clicking here.

 

New Mobile App Helps People Understand Their Own and Others' Moods - Posted 11.3


 

A new mobile app called "Moodies" helps users understand their own emotions and the emotions of those around them, according to 

Beyond Verbal, the app developer. According to a press release, the app extracts, decodes, and measures a full spectrum of human emotions from someone's raw voice in real time as they speak, with the click of a button and about 20 seconds of speech. The app provides a running screen of results and allows users to share the resulting mood analysis through email or via social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. "Moodies offers everyone a chance to analyze their own emotions by simply clicking a button on their smart phone device," said the company CEO. For more information, click here.


 

New York Restricts Gun Access for 34,500 Due to Mental Health Diagnosis - Posted 10.27
 
New York State has created a database of individuals "deemed too mentally unstable to carry firearms." Read this New York Times article to learn more about the complicated intersection of gun violence, mental health and public policy.    

Look What Our Members Are Doing!
"Walking in Hope, Living in Grace: The Tapestry" - Posted 9.25

Book written by Maryalyce Poole, available at Amazon

"A Rooted Mind: Saying Yes to Beauty, Wellness and Deeply-Rooted Mental Health" - Posted 9.25

Book written by Beth Gager, available at Balboa Press
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DISCLAIMER:

This page is offered strictly for informational and support purposes.  We assume no liability whatsoever for any consequences arising out your use of information or connections provided through any of the above organizations. VOCAL does not necessarily agree with information provided by these organizations, their websites, members or other affiliations.