PROGRAMS AND TRAININGS

Programs

Trainings

PROGRAMS

MHEP Wins SAMHSA Statewide Consumer Network Grant

The Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc. (MHEP) was one of nineteen recipients of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Statewide Consumer Network Grant. MHEP proposes to engage in a consensus building process to create a statewide coalition of existing peer networking groups, peer-run initiatives, and mutual-aid groups to identify and promote the needs of mental health consumers. The coalitions are expected to share skills on a peer-group-to-peer-group level and address consumer concerns that impact the mental health system at local, state and federal level in a way that transforms the paradigm of mental health services into a recovery-oriented one.

To achieve these ambitious goals MHEP is developing a committee to try to help establish a New York City Peer Networking Group (NYC PNG). The first meeting for this group was held on February 17th via teleconference. One of the other projects in the works is the awarding of mini-grants to established peer networking groups. These grants are to be used for the building of networking membership or increasing the skills and knowledge that help improve the operation of the peer networking group and the enhancing of groups networking abilities. MHEP will also be hosting a day long gathering of peer networking groups and peer-run initiatives throughout New York State to start the consensus building to identify and promote the needs and concerns of mental health consumers across the state.

If you live in the New York City area and would like to become involved with the planning of the NYC PNG or for more information about any of the initiatives please feel free to contact us at 518-434-1393 or 800/MHEPINC.

To see the Peer Networking web site go to:  www.nypeernetworking.org.

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Trainings

The Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc. - in conjunction with Empowerment Partners, LLC - has developed a series of training and empowerment modules to offer to consumers in New York State in 2004. Modules range from one hour to two days in length, except for the Developing a Recovery-oriented Agency or Organization, which requires a long term (3-6 months) commitment from the agency or organization. Agencies and groups interested in training can choose from the modules listed below to create the training they feel most appropriate to their situations.

It is also important to mention that in addition to the listed presentations, we have the ability to design workshops for special needs based on facilitating participation. We can also design a presentation or interactive session that will address a specific problem that a person or agency has experienced

Training and empowerment modules

Setting Up Mutual Support Groups - 1-1½ hours - is the 'how to' in relation to location, participants, role of the professionals, etc.

Facilitating Mutual Support Groups - 1-1½ hours - looks at the role of the facilitator, developing operational guidelines, sustaining the group over time, etc. and can be combined with the above module to create an exciting and informative 3-hour training for people interested in setting up and facilitating mutual support groups.

Stress Reduction Techniques - 1-1½ hours - explores the relationship of stress to illness and symptoms and shares a variety of stress reduction techniques in the five areas of mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual.

Relaxation and Developing Inner Peace - 1-1½ hours - exposes participants to the use of meditation, relaxation and breathe work to develop a sense of inner peace and calmness.

Problem Solving with Individuals - 1-1½ hours - introduces participants to a problem-solving process that can be used with individuals.

Overcoming One's Fears - 1-1½ hours - examines the role and power of fears and comfort zones and shares practical ways for moving

Building a Consumer Grass-roots Movement - 1-1½ hours - designed for people who are working with consumers over a large geographical area - region/state - examines the five strategies of Awakenment, Demonstration, Framing, Exploration, and Symbolic.

Combating Negative Self-talk - 1-1½ hours - explores the dynamics and role of negative self-talk and shares ways of effectively combating self-sabotage.

Spirituality and Recovery - 1-1½ hours - examines the relationship between spirituality and recovery by using an interactive exercise and group discussion.

Setting and Achieving Goals - Half-day (3 hours) - looks at the difference between treatment goals and rehabilitation goals, the 10 steps to achieving goals, and variety of ways to help people set a goal when they seem unclear as to what they want.

Facilitating Group Participation - Half-day (3 hours) - deals with the role of facilitator, eliciting dealing with difficult people, the art of asking questions and allows for group participants to practice facilitation in mock group settings.

Staying Out of the Hospital - Half-day (3 hours) - a highly participatory workshop that focuses on the skills, resources and supports needed to live independently in the community. This training will also examine the role of Peer Mentors and Peer Bridgers in both New York and Georgia.

Developing Resilience and Preventing Relapse - Half-day (3 hours) - introduces the first three steps of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) as created by Mary Ellen Copeland and discusses the relationship of Advanced Directives to WRAP. Participants begin the creation of their on WRAP.

Creating Recovery Friendly Program Environments - Half-day (3 hours) - involves participants in a three part workshop that builds off of the group's experience of participating or working in day programs. This highly interactive workshop looks at how program environments works against recovery, the power of negative messages and components of a recovery friendly program environment.

Problem-solving in Group Settings - Half-day (3 hours) - introduces and involves participants in a workshop process that can be used with groups of 6-60 participants to move the group from "we have a problem." to "we have a plan."

Building Effective Work Teams - Half-day (3 hours) - designed for people who work together on a regular basis by examining the some of the basis for interpersonal conflicts and the various gifts members bring to the team.

Overcoming Burnout in the Workplace - One-day (6 hours) - a highly participatory training especially designed for consumers who work in the mental health system that looks at workplace stress, the dynamics of burnout, and methods for maintaining a sense of sanity while working in a very difficult field and often under very difficult circumstances.

An Introduction to Psychosocial Rehabilitation - One-day (6 hours) - introduces the participants to the basic philosophy, principles and practices of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and the concepts of Rehabilitation Readiness, Goal Setting, Functional Assessment and Skills Teaching.

The Dynamics of Recovery - One-day (6 hours) - examines the catastrophic effect t of the onset of mental illness, the definition and dynamics of recovery, what is helpful and what is not helpful in the recovery journey and how recovery can be enhanced by both professionals and peers.

Agency Strategic Planning - Two-days (12 hours) - engages participants in a very intensive, participatory and interactive set of workshops that are designed to include participation from all levels of the agency. The participants leave with the framework for both a short term and long term strategic plan.

Facilitating Recovery Dialogues - Two-days (12 hours) - designed for people who are facilitating consumer groups on a regular basis. This training introduces a particular kind of discussion group called 'Recovery Dialogues' and the Recovery Dialogue method. It focuses on effective listening and the art of asking questions. Participants receive a 50 page training manual which contains an explanation with demonstrations of the method and the procedures for doing 24 Recovery Dialogues.

Developing a Recovery-oriented Agency or Organization - Long term Commitment (3-6 months) - designed for agencies and organizations that are willing to make an extended commitment to change. This training helps agencies and organizations by revisiting the Mission Statement, creating a 3-5 year Strategic Plan, and examining the role of both administration and front line staff in creating partnerships that support client recovery.

Serving on Decision-making Committees with Professionals

Operating Consumer-run Agencies

Advocating for One's Rights

Advocating with Another Consumer

Understanding Basic Entitlements

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