New Resources From Mental Health America

Public Education Materials Available Now

We are pleased to announce three new additions to our collection of public education materials, all of which you can download from our website or purchase from our online store at www.mentalhealthamerica.net. Remember, affiliates and members get great discounts on all online store items.

• Our popular Bullying fact sheet is now translated into Spanish. Titled La Intimidación, the fact sheet can be downloaded free of charge from our website.

• We’ve also just released the Spanish language adaptation of our brochure, What Does Gay Mean? How to Talk with Kids about Sexual Orientation and Prejudice. This new resource, Qué Significa Ser Gay? Enseñando Valores Y Respeto, offers guidance for parents who wish to talk to their children about diversity in a sensitive age-appropriate manner (see related story).

• Our newest online resource on post-traumatic stress disorder includes information on the signs and symptoms of PTSD, how to seek help, and an "Ask the Expert" column featuring an expert on trauma and PTSD.

Advocacy Materials Coming in January

Two new advocacy resources are designed to help promote your positions with local and state policymakers, influence legislation and improve the health of your communities.

• Mental Health America is now developing a 2008 Election Media and Candidate Outreach Toolkitto help you with your efforts to engage in the 2008 presidential election. The toolkit will include editorials, letters to candidates, policy priorities, messages and more. Expect the toolkit right around the start of the New Year. For more information, please contact Heather Cobb at 703-797-25888 or hcobb@mentalhealthamerica. net.

• We’re also working with the affiliate field on Mental Health Caucus Toolkits to help cultivate state mental health caucuses. These caucuses are a positive way to address important mental health policies, build expertise among a cadre of elected officials, and give legislators an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the health of their communities. The toolkit will include materials in print and online for advocates to quickly access and customize. Check http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/action/policy-issues-a-z in early January for more information.