MHEP NEWSLETTER
Contents
2003 CONSUMER CONFERENCE Priority Survey Findings
The following information was obtained from conference attendees of the MHEP Annual Regional Conferences in the following cities:
City |
# of Attendees |
Buffalo |
151 |
Watertown |
93 |
Albany |
86 |
Binghamton |
98 |
New York City |
475 |
Long Island |
206 |
The following responses were recorded from the participants when asked, "Out of the ten service priorities listed below select the three that are most important to you and rank them in order of importance"
Ranking 2003 |
Ranking 2002 |
Service Priority |
1 |
8 |
Providing more opportunities for getting into adequate housing. |
2 |
4 |
Improving medication and the willingness of the doctors to work with consumers to get the right medication. |
3 |
1 |
Increasing the opportunities and skills training programs necessary to getting and keeping a job. |
4 |
3 |
Providing more support and guidance to people being discharged from the hospital. |
5 |
2 |
Providing more support and training for setting up and operating peer run programs. |
6 |
6 |
Expanding existing services at the local level to provide more choices for consumer. |
7 |
5 |
Educating consumers about entitlements such as SSI, DDS, Food Stamps, Housing, etc. |
8 |
7 |
Providing training in self-help skills and the skills needed to set up and facilitate mutual support groups. |
9 |
9 |
Increasing and improving advocacy training programs. |
10 |
10 |
Increasing the effectiveness and availability of Case Management services. |
The listed information is based upon the completed MHEP 2003 Annual Conferences.
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MHEP proudly announces the arrival of our new Coordinator of Support Services, David Gonzalez
David comes to MHEP from New York Works where he was an employment coordinator. Additionally, David has worked at Howie the Harp Center, Kings County Hospital, and other mental health agencies. His focus has always been to assure that the rights of people who use services are being upheld. David has done cutting edge work in the area of addressing the stigma associated with receiving a mental health diagnosis.
In his capacity as Coordinator of Support Services, David will offer advocacy support, mutual support group development, identify mental health systems change and offer various skill building trainings that will assist people to lead the independent life style that they are seeking. David is proficient in both English and Spanish and looks forward to being a resource to the Spanish speaking community.
The Board and Staff welcome David and look forward to a long and productive business relationship.
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Medicaid Buy-In Program
- Are you currently working or would you like to work without losing your Medicaid benefits?
- Would you like to save more money and keep your benefits?
- Are you presently paying a spend-down and would rather pay a premium for healthcare coverage?
If you answered yes, the Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities may be the choice for you!
If you are interested in having a Medicaid Buy-In Program presentation at your agency, please contact:
Susan Nathan, MICA Peer Specialist 
Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc.
116 Everett Rd., Suite 7
Albany, NY 12205
518-434-1393
800-643-7462
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SAVE THIS DATE
Sunday, May 2, 2004 - 1 pm
PROTEST FOR FREEDOM, EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
In front of the annual meeting of:
The American Psychiatric Association
Jacob Javits Convention Center
655 West 34th Street, New York City
Sponsored by:
- Mental Patient's Liberation Alliance
- MindFreedom Support Coalition International (Link to website )
More information as plans develop.
To receive further updates, join the mailing list for these
periodic announcements:
Link
for mailing list
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The Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma (ADS Center)
The ADS Center helps people design, implement and operate programs that reduce discrimination and stigma associated with mental illnesses. With the most up-to-date research and information, the Center helps individuals, organizations and governments counter such discrimination and stigma in the community, in the workplace, and in the media.
This Web site offers a wealth of useful information related to stigma and discrimination associated with mental illnesses that describes what they are, what works to counter them, and what resources are available. Descriptions of innovative international, national and local anti-stigma/anti-discrimination initiatives and programs can assist you in identifying and implementing specific activities to build understanding and knowledge related to people with mental illnesses and to counter discrimination and stigma in communities, schools, and workplaces. Information on resources such as articles, fact sheets, brochures, books and research are provided on issue areas such as employment, housing, healthcare, the media and many more. Numerous resource organizations are listed to help landlords, employers, insurers, healthcare providers, educators, and others better understand mental illnesses, the people who have them, and their rights.
The ADS Center also provides hands-on assistance, helping to tailor campaigns and programs to the needs of states, local communities, healthcare providers, managed care organizations, advocates, family members, and mental health consumers. The Center also provides literature, speakers, and information on programs to address discrimination and stigma against people with mental illnesses.
The ADS Center is a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, and operated by a contract with The Gallup Organization and the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
ADS Center
1211 Chestnut Street, 11th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107-4103
Voice: 1-800-540-0320 (English/Spanish)
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DUAL-RECOVERY MUTUTAL SUPPORT GROUP
12-Step Support for Dual-Recovery
RESPECT- DIGNITY - CONFIDENTIALITY
Every Monday night 6:30-7:30pm
1218 Central Avenue-ACCAB offices
On the #1 or #55 Bus Line
Questions??? 434-1393 *JOIN US!
Independent group NOT affiliated with any program or agency
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Job Opportunity
CHOICE of New Rochelle, Inc. is a not-for-profit agency providing advocacy, case management and homeless outreach to adult recipients of mental health services living in Westchester County.
Work one-on-one with clients to assist them in finding, accessing and utilizing community resources. Advocates see clients in our offices, but may accompany clients to other agencies. Extensive use of word processing and computerized databases.
- Advocate on behalf of clients with social services agencies, the criminal justice system, creditors, etc.
- Provide clients with information on community resources
- Provide referrals and establish linkages between treatment, education, and vocational services
- Advise clients of benefit eligibility and assist in applications and recertification for DSS, SSA, food stamps, etc.
- Keep and submit statistical records and case notes
- Crisis intervention
- Teach daily living skills, including budgeting, use of public transportation
Self -starter with ability to work well with individuals in crisis. Must be well organized and able to meet deadlines. Must be able to establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients. Must have personal experience with mental health disability. Clean driver's license preferred.
Low to mid $20K, depending on experience, plus excellent medical, dental and long term disability benefits.
Fax résumé to Linda White, Program Director 914.576.0178.
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Job Opportunity
Full-time assistant to publisher of award-winning quarterly mental health newspaper in pleasant White Plains office. Serious inquires only.
- Administrative assistant skills
- Desktop publishing skills
- Fully proficient in PC/Windows XP, MS Publisher and MS Office applications, Photoshop, and Internet
- Excellent writing, organizational, phone and interpersonal skills
Car required
Hours 9-5 M-F
Commensurate with experience.
Call Mr. Minot at (914) 948-6699. Serious inquires only.
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New Position
The Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc. would like to take this opportunity to welcome Michael Smith to the position of Executive Director of the Resource Center.
Congratulations and Much Good Luck!
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COMPLEMENTUM
Com . ple . men . tum, v.t., Lat.: to make whole
A RECOVERY STORY
By Tayler Whitehead
I am reminded of the biblical quote around giving a man a fishing rod to catch his own fish, rather than feeding him a daily diet. Mental health issues are no different in this sense, than any other of the elements of life we must face. If we wish to have a chocolate bar we must do a number of things to achieve that goal; such as walk to the shop, ensure we have enough money etc. Too often in my work I meet people who have never taken responsibility for their lives, let alone their illness. Too often behavioral factors are blamed on mental health, as an excuse for not moving forward and making the most of life's abundance. We can liken this to many of the societal problems we see in our poorer areas. Lack of hope, self determination, living a preconceived idea of what is expected, rather than breaking free of the bounds that have taken us to this stage in life.
Mental illness is not a reason to roll over and rely on others who have no vested interest in our recovery. It is a valid reason to take charge and make the most of what we have. Our strengths in being able to survive are phenomenal, and give us a greater advantage, I feel, over the general population. How can you gain insight and strength if you have never been challenged in the ways that we have in our personal development? In this I can only look to my own personal development over the years; and the steps I have had to take to achieve a level of wellness that has allowed me to participate fully in life.
For me hope was an issue that had to be addressed in order to consider moving on to the other steps of recovery. I had to accept my life was not over, that I was not baggage that could be disposed of in a corner and forgotten by society. I spent my life till 35 years with no label and no understanding that I had a mental illness (even though as a teenager I had been institutionalized for a period). I had lived my whole life with feelings of depression and suicidation. In not understanding what was wrong I battled on and continued to suffer, striving constantly to be able to achieve the goals I knew I should be able to. When I hit a particularly bad low and was told I was suffering depression I felt like I had been released. The knowledge that there was a legitimate reason for my feelings I was able to actually begin to grow. For me a label was a positive experience in that it allowed me to make sense of my life.
Slowly I began to find out as much as I could about my illness and the rapid cycling nature of it. This knowledge was the basis that I could then re-build my self-esteem and life around. The more knowledge I gained, the more knowledge I realized I needed to know. I questioned my doctor, my community psychiatric nurse, other service users my friends I searched the Internet. It was from these varied sources I began to understand more about what was normal to feel and what was illness. I looked at the behavioral triggers and undertook counseling to remove as many as I could. If I realized I was reacting due to a past event from my childhood I acknowledged it and re-evaluated from my adult. I maintained a mood chart, studied the medications I was on, the side effects, combinations and expected outcomes. It took ten years to get my medication right, and I was the one in the end who suggested the combination that has proved to work. Luckily I had a very good doctor who treated me as a peer and respected my input. This is not to say I always had such professional input. I have seen many doctors with varying results, some good some bad. But the knowledge and the will to live a full life made me question the opinions of the professionals. If I was not satisfied with the treatment or their response to me I took another. I had to be strong in advocating for my needs to be met. I could not sit back and allow others to decide what was in my best interest. This of course did not happen overnight. It has taken many years to reach the level I am at now. Especially learning to question the medical professions choices and rational.
I am well now and working full time because I have done the hard yards. Have taken responsibility for my life and my recovery (ability to live well in the presence or absence of mental illness). Created a supportive network of friends I can call if I need to. Though I must admit I still tend to isolate more than I should. Where hope was once an impossible dream, a term I never really believed in or accepted for my life. I am now living my life the way I want to. Achieving the goals I set for myself, participating in the way I wish to in life. Hope is now a term belonging to the past; I no longer need to hope as I have achieved that goal. I have the self-esteem I once lacked. I no longer try to hide my illness from others in fear of rejection, or feel that I am inferior to others. I control my life with the support of professionals and friends. I like all who recover (be it mental illness or alcoholism etc) have learnt that the only thing that will make a difference is self-determination, the willingness to take full responsibility for my life.
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SAVE THE DATES
Mental Health Empowerment Project's 2004 Annual Regional Conferences
9am-4pm
Keynote: Your Choices Within the Mental Health System
Presented by: Josh Koerner
General Session: An explanation of Personal Recovery Oriented Services
FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE
LUNCH INCLUDED
Seating is limited. Please call to reserve your space as soon as possible
To register call 518-434-1393 or 1-800-643-7462 with your name, agency name, if applicable, and number of people expected to attend.
April 13, 2004 - Watertown; Best Western Carriage House Inn
April 15, 2004 - Binghamton; Best Western Regency
May 25, 2004 - Staten Island; South Beach Psychiatric Center
May 27, 2004 - Long Island; Pilgrim Psychiatric Center
June 16, 2004 - Western NY Region-Location TBA
June 18, 2004 - Albany; Quality Inn
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Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc
116 Everett Rd, Suite 7
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518-434-1393 or 1-800-MHEP-INC
Fax: 518-434-3823
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