VOCAL'S MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY NEWS FOR 3.26.2015

In Today's Digest....

New in the Digest This Week

VOCAL News

News Around the Commonwealth

Veteran's Corner

Conferences, Trainings, Workshops and Webinars

Links to Peer-Run Programs

Other News

Look What Our Members Are Doing!

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

Get Registered for VOCAL's Annual Recovery Conference, "Charting the Journey" - Posted 3.26

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 WRAPŠ 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

VOCAL to Offer WRAPŠ Facilitator Training in July - Posted 3.26

VOCAL will offer the Copeland Center approved WRAPŠ Facilitator Training July 20-24 at Shalom House Retreat Center in Montpelier.

The Facilitators/ Trainers will be Beth Gager and Bonnie Neighbour.

The cost for 40 hours of training, 5 days room and board, and facilitator

manual is $1500. Some full scholarships are available for peers with

financial need, who have plans to hold WRAPŠ groups.

Please contact Ann Benner at ann@vocalvirginia.org, or 804. 343-1777.

Huffington Post Article: "Combating the Stigma of Mental Illness" - Posted 3.26

Read it here

Mad in America Article: "Peer Respites Hold Promise for Reducing the System's Reliance on Institutional Treatment" - Posted 3.26

http://www.madinamerica.com/2015/03/peer-respites-hold-promise-reducing-systems-reliance-institutional-treatment/

Webinar: "Improving Engagement (and Finances) and Consumer Response With The Untapped Potential of Families" - Posted 3.26

Tuesday, April 7 at 1:00 p.m.

Many organizations overlook the potential benefits which even the least likely families can offer in helping consumers recover from behavioral health problems. The URMC's Family Institute has developed novel ways to bridge the gap to families, and help forge partnerships between families, people with a mental illness, and practitioners - to help all parties be an important part of the recovery process. With over a decade of experience, the Family Institute has demonstrated leadership, and developed practical approaches in this important area.

The webinar is free but registration is required.

Article: "When Mentally Ill Students Feel Alone" - Posted 3.26

Read it here

DBSA Chesterfield County Peer Support Group - Posted 3.26

Next meeting, April 7th and every other week thereafter.

7:00 p.m. at Ironbridge Baptist Church

VOCAL News

VOCAL Proposed Bylaws Changes Document - Posted 3.16

The link below will take you to the bylaw changes document, in draft, the final of which will be presented to the membership for a vote at our next annual meeting in May at our Annual Conference in Harrisonburg. We welcome your comments to: network@vocalvirginia.org

http://vocalvirginia.org/#/key-documents/4534481121

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

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:

http://www.vocalvirginia.org/#/vocal-events/4533123864

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

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

Link to VOCAL Board Calendar

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

News Around the Commonwealth

"Rise Phoenix Rise" Benefit Concert in Ashland - Posted 3.19

Ashland Coffee and Tea, 100 North Railroad Avenue, Ashland

Sunday, March 29th from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Tickets are $10 at the door, raffles will be held during the concert

All proceeds to benefit "Rise Phoenix Rise" a non profit animal assisted mental health center.

W.R.A.P.Š Class at Center for Recovery and Wellness, Lynchburg - Posted 3.9

Tuesdays, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. for eight weeks beginning March 24th

For more information, call 434.947.2662

"Liberty and Justice for ALL" Annual Gala - Posted 3.12

disAbility Law Center of Virginia Foundation

Friday, April 24th from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen

2880 Mountain Road in Glen Allen (23060)

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.dLCV.org

For additional details

Veteran's Corner

Veterans Crisis Line

Call: 1-800-273-8255

http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Link

http://www.wearevirginiaveterans.org/

Veterans Peer Support Group at On Our Own of Roanoke

Every Monday at 1 p.m.

540-362-0061

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.

Conferences, Trainings, Workshops and Webinars

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

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.

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: "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: "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: "Motivational Interviewing for Peer Support Providers" - Posted 3.16

April 9th from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Mental Health of America (MHA) Annual Conference - Posted 3.16

June 3-5, Hilton Mark Center, Alexandria

To register

VACSB Development and Training Conference in Williamsburg - Posted 3.16

Registration is open for the VACSB 2015 Development and Training Conference to be held May 6- 8 at the Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center in Williamsburg.

For more information and to register

Mental Health America of Virginia's Workforce Re-entry Conference - Posted 2.26

April 13-15 in Lynchburg

For more information and to apply, go to http://mhav.org/event/workforce-re-entry-conference/

Links to MH Peer-Run Programs in Virginia

Arlington Peers Helping Peers in Recovery
www.aphpr-rpsva.org

Reston Drop-In Center

restondropincenter.org

Consumer Wellness Center (Annandale)

http://consumerwellnesscenter.org/services.html

Recovery In Motion ( Fredericksburg)
www.recovery-in-motion.org

Blacksburg Computer Empowerment Services

http://computerempowerment.net/about.htm

Friends4Recovery Whole Health Center (Richmond)

http://www.friends4recovery.org

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
www.onourowncville.org

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)

http://vpsc.groupsite.com/main/summary

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

N.Y. Times Article: "In College and Hiding from Scary Ideas" - Posted 3.23

Please note: may be triggering to some.

Read it here.

Lifeline Website for Persons with Lived Experience - Posted 3.9

With Help Comes Hope

is a new website from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that provides support for suicide attempt survivors and persons living with suicidal thoughts, as well as information for friends and family and clinicians. Among the resources available on this site are a therapist and support group finder and a video gallery with stories of hope and recovery.

Grant Opportunity: National Consumer and Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Centers - Posted 3.2

Application due date April 27th

http://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sm-15-011

Social Security Expanding Field Offices Nationwide - Posted 2.2

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/news/#!/post/1-2015-1

Look What Our Members Are Doing!

"UNHOLY HELL: A Preacher's Journey Through Depression and Recovery"

Book written by Terry Dow

Available on March 6 on Amazon in print and on Kindle

"Walking in Hope, Living in Grace: The Tapestry"

Book written by Maryalyce Poole, available at Amazon

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

Book written by Beth Gager, available at Balboa Press

Dear Reader,

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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.