Across the MHA Network

Kate Gaston (pictured at left), Mental Health America vice president of Affiliate Services, recently received the Winfred Van Bramer Leadership Award from Mental Health America of Dutchess County, New York for the work she has done in promoting the mission of Mental Health America and for strengthening and building MHAs throughout the country. Her efforts have not only helped support the mission but have given greater visibility and a stronger voice to the entire movement.

California: MHA San Diego County’s May is Mental Health Month luncheon raised over $100,000 with the help of marvelous board members, energetic volunteers and many partners. Congratulations to all!

California: The voice for Proposition 1E opponents just got a little louder with the help of the San Diego Union-Tribune’s editorial page. Mental Health America of San Diego County and MHA in California had the opportunity to meet with the paper’s editorial board regarding Proposition 1E, and are very pleased with the piece in a recent edition, “Desperation bid. Ballot props are product of sham budget deal,” found here. For those who may not know about the May 19 special election and what it means for mental health services in California: Voters approved Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act, in November 2004. It creates and expands new and innovative mental health programs for children, young adults, adults and seniors. Services are paid for with a new tax surcharge of 1% on all personal income above $1 million. Prop. 1E takes almost a half billion dollars out of the revenues generated by Prop. 63’s tax surcharge. These cuts will halt the build-out of Prop. 63 programs, which reach out to new children and adults in need of mental health services every day, and services to current clients will inevitably be cut. Learn more about the No on Prop 1E Campaign by visiting www.NoProp1E.com.

District of Columbia: Mary Gardiner Jones was awarded the 2009 Legacy honor at the first annual MHA of D.C.’s dinner-cruise event held on the Potomac River last week. Dr. Shern, CEO/President of MHA, spoke, and the MHA DC also handed out their 2009 Champion Awards. Kate Gaston, along with Dr. Shern, attended what was a glittering, spirited and good will event that is anticipated to provide on-going warmth and support for the MHA of D.C.

Montana: Free MHA Warm-line Call-in Sessions: Starting in July, Mental Health America of Montana will be offering free hour-long call-in FYI sessions on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Upcoming dates and topics are as follows: July 7 - Domestic Violence 101; August 4 - Creating and Maintaining Financial Security in Tough Economic Times, presented by the Consumer Credit Counseling Service; and September 8 - NAMI: Family Support and Education. For more information and to sign up (and receive the conference call number), contact jana@montanamentalhealth.org.

New Jersey: Consumer Connections, a program of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, has designed a training curriculum to provide persons in recovery with the opportunity to earn up to four professional certifications. In partnership with The Certification Board, an independent, nonprofit, professional human services-certifying board based in NJ,Consumer Connections established the Certified Health Assistant (CMHA) and the Peer Specialist (PEER) certifications. The certifications require completion of a curriculum, supervised work experience, a supervised practicum, a required basic level of education (minimum of a GED) and life experience requirements, all of which are independently evaluated and approved by the certifying organization. In addition, there are two-year re-certification requirements of additional training (24 hours of related course work). For more information on these certifications, visit http://www.mhanj.org/pdf/PeerConnectionsArticle3_18_09.pdf.

New Jersey: The Reverend Sharon Fry, President of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Morris County, announced the selection of Andrew Germak to succeed Deborah Taggart as agency Executive Director. Taggart will step down from her position in June after nearly 29 years of service. "We had a daunting task in finding a replacement for our esteemed long-time executive director, Debbie Taggart, but feel very excited to have found an individual with the right combination of compassion, education, and skill to guide our organization through the challenging times ahead." Mr. Germak, who has a Masters Degree in Social Work Administration and who will complete his M.B.A. at NYU this fall, comes to the Mental Health Association from Fedcap Rehabilitation Services, Inc., a $70 million vocational rehabilitation agency.

New York: Jenny Laney, Director of Child and Family Support Programs at the Mental Health Association of Erie County, was recognized by Compeer as the recipient of the Googie Butler Award for Advocacy on April 29, 2009 at the Creekside Banquet Hall. Family members and MHA staff were on hand to honor Jenny’s tireless dedication to the countless number of families she helps every single day. The past several months have seen a dramatic increase in the number of families seeking help and respite support. Jenny Laney is always there to help—often sacrificing beyond any reasonable expectation. Jenny reaches out to those in need of guidance, comfort and treatment advocacy. Please join everyone at the MHA in congratulating Jenny Laney!

New York: The Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC) announced a new program to promote mental wellness during the current economic crisis. Staying In Balance: Promoting Emotional Resilience in a Crisis Economy will help eight New York organizations that provide basic human services to New Yorkers most hurt by the current economic crisis deal with their clients’ emotional distress. Supported by a $175,000 grant from The New York Community Trust, MHA-NYC will produce a Staying in Balance toolkit and offer expert training to the agencies’ staffs. The grant will also help the staffs to manage the stresses that come with helping individuals and families in crisis.

North Carolina: Josh's Hope, a new program of the Mental Health Association in Orange County, held its first annual "Walk with Purpose" on April 26, 2009. The turn-out was impressive for a first year event with almost150 participants and volunteers who raised nearly $5,000! It serves as a testimony to the community's empathy and recognition of the needs for improved mental heath services and supports for its young adult population. It was also a genuine tribute to Joshua McCabe Bailey who struggled with mental illness and was a beloved son, a supportive big brother, and a remembered friend to many people in the Orange County community.

North Carolina, Greensboro: Congratulations to the Blair Benson and her team at MHA in Greensboro for the successful completion of their 13th annual MH Conference this May!  In addition, Greensboro maintains an on-line bulletin on all the MisMHM happenings around their community, and has launched an annual giving campaign that focuses on tribute gifts given in recognition or memory of someone.

Ohio: Laura Moskow Sigal and her team are to be congratulated on their partnering with their local WBNS 10TV station on a PSA campaign to fight stigma and support mental health. 

Ohio: Two Licking County Organizations Hold Fundraisers for MHA: Two events showcased the willingness of one business and one local sports team to give back to the community that supports them by supporting Mental Health America of Licking County (Ohio). On Saturday, June 20, Bake-n-Brew, off hosted another in their series of “Music with a Mission” programs where Shawna Corder and L.C. Cass performed. The $3 cover charge will benefit Mental Health America of Licking County. The following week, on Thursday, June 25, the Licking County Settlers, a Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League baseball team, played a home game against Southern Ohio at Don Edwards Park in Newark. Sponsored by State Farm, Mental Health America was featured throughout the night.

Rhode Island: Vivian Wiseman and her MHA have published an impressive May is Mental Health Month calendar, listing activities throughout the month, as well as for rest of 2009.  Highlighted is their May 21st Mental Health Bell Award dinner honoring George A. Vecchione, for his lifetime of leadership and gracious advocacy.  Many of George’s friends around the country can attest to his work and spirit.

Tennessee: The Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee had 1,575 fans attend the 11th Annual Jammin’ To Beat The Blues concert to see Vince Gill, Jenny Gill, Amy Grant, Rodney Crowell, Joe Don Rooney, and several other artists on Monday, April 27. The concert lasted about three hours at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and a guitar signed by all the artists was auctioned for $2,500 after the concert. A local television station covered some of the concert and had interviews from Ryman during their 10:00 p.m. news.

Texas: Mental Health America of Greater Dallas announces a resounding success of “In the Know”, an event in May, national mental health month.  Perceived as primarily a marketing tool to expand the base of Dallas support for MHA of Greater Dallas, the auction was held at the Dallas Contemporary on the evening of Friday, May 8. Over 250 arts patrons bid on some 60 artworks raising in excess of $7,500.  Designed for the current economic conditions, tickets were only $25 and bidding for artworks began at a low $100. Dr. Edmond P. Pillsbury and Patricia B. Meadows were art consultants including designing the installation.  A very special addition to the evening was an exhibition and sale of works by members of Achievement Through the Arts (ATTA).  ATTA, a service of MHA of Greater Dallas, educates, motivates and empowers artists with mental illness.

Texas: Mental Health America of Greater Houston has received a $259,092 grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health to help accelerate and expand integrated health care in Texas by forming a statewide network of healthcare providers. The MHA will work with the foundation during the next 18 months to design, launch and coordinate the statewide learning community. The learning community’s members will be selected by the foundation through a request for proposals that will be issued later this year. Selected members will receive a grant from the foundation to help cover the cost of participation. The learning community is the latest component of an integrated health care initiative launched by the foundation in 2006.