Get Registered for VOCAL's Annual Recovery Conference, "Charting the Journey" - Posted 3.23

VOCAL is pleased to announce Sharon Wise as our keynote speaker for our Annual Mental Health Recovery Conference, "Charting the Journey"! Sharon calls herself a "Surviving Spirit"; she is a trauma expert, consultant, whole health and peer specialist, a certified WRAP© facilitator and a visual and performing artist. In addition to the keynote, Ms. Wise will also present a workshop. 

The Conference will be held from Monday, May 18th until Wednesday, May 20th on the beautiful James Madison University campus in Harrisonburg.  

You can download the Conference registration form here. We are excited about the opportunity to offer help with writing your Advance Directive at our Conference, but you MUST preregister when you fill out our registration form. Please review that section at the bottom of the form. Remember, there are a limited number of scholarships available and those are on a first-come, first served, basis. Please observe all registration deadlines. 

If you are interested in presenting a workshop at the Conference, please visit: 

http://vocalvirginia.org/#/vocal-conference/4534274248

Webinar: "Integration of Women's Health" - Posted 3.23

Thursday, March 26th

2:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.  

In honor of Women's History month this webinar is focusing on women's health and specifically the discussion on the integration/non-integration of women's health and mental health. The webinar will explore research and policy implications of integrating all of women's health, speakers will also discuss their personal experiences with a range of health issues and then dream big on what a truly integrated system for women's health would look like.

Presenters: Teena Brooks, LMSW, Assistant Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA)- NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Nanette V. Larson, BA, CRSS, Director of Recovery Support Services for the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health; Amy Pierce CPS, Williamson County Peer Led Transitional Living Project Manager for Bluebonnet Trails Community Services and Certified Peer Specialist Trainer for Via Hope in Texas and Resiliency Uncovered Consulting; Celia Brown.

Register here

Webinar: "What Interventions Prevent Suicidal Behavior?" - Posted 3.23

Thursday, April 2nd from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Research shows that intervention strategies such as psychotherapies targeting suicidal thoughts, "caring letters" and a limited number of medications with specific suicide mitigation effects are beneficial in preventing suicide in health care settings.

Join this webinar to hear from the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention's Prioritized Research Task Force about advances in the most effective psychotherapies, medication interventions and adjunct interventions, and research challenges in refining and expanding interventions that remain.

Presenters:  Jane Pearson, Ph.D., Chair, National Institute of Mental Health's (NIMH) Suicide Research Consortium

Register at: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1057031 

Webinar: "Building Effective and Sustainable Peer-Run Organizations" - Posted 3.23

Friday, April 3^rd

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

First Fridays with BRSS TACS is a free monthly opportunity to meet with nationally recognized leaders to discuss recovery related topics in an open and informal setting.

Join the webinar on Friday April 3rd in a virtual meeting room to hear about sustainability for peer-run organizations and to submit your questions for Dr. Edye Schwartz. Dr. Schwartz is Director of Systems Transformation Initiatives, New York Association for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services.

Register at center4si.adobeconnect.com/firstfridays

The Annual Conference on Trauma in Washington, D.C. - Posted 3.23

The Annual Conference on Trauma 2015 is the premiere event for bringing together persons with lived experience in a single forum, to collectively address issues of critical importance in creating a trauma-informed system of care. This event provides an opportunity to network while featuring the most current and vital information on emerging topics relevant to trauma, health, wellness, and alternatives to traditional care systems.

Attend May 12^th and 13^th at the University of the District of Columbia, for a truly informative and innovative conference. 

http://www.thecampbellcenter.org/annual-trauma-conference.php

Webinar: "Developing Integrated Care Through Brief Interventions" - Posted 3.23

Wednesday, April 1st from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. 

Brief interventions are evidence-based practices designed to motivate individuals to make health behavior changes. Effective brief interventions incorporate patient values and beliefs, focus on problems and solutions and enhance self-efficacy. Join us for this webinar to learn why the use of brief interventions has become an increasingly important part of the continuum of care and how you can begin training your staff on how to be successful in the transition to this model of service delivery.

Presenter: Nick Szubiak, Director of Behavioral Health at West Hawaii Community Health Center; Pam Pietruszewksi, Integrated Health Consultant

Register at:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7119830735256942850

Please note: may be triggering to some.  

Read it here.

Call: 1-800-273-8255  

Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Link 

http://www.wearevirginiaveterans.org/ 

Veterans Peer Support Group at On Our Own of Roanoke 

New Tool Connects Vets and Employers 

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.