Dr. Christina Ghaly from the CEO’s office meets today to review with the SAAC directly the proposed report on Consolidation of Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse departments.
Below for your information and reading is the draft report link.
Monthly Archives: May 2015
What is Mental Health Parity?
After years of NAMI advocates sending letters, making phone calls and visiting their members of Congress mental health parity is law. Now it’s time for you to make sure that the law is implemented and that you or your loved one get the treatment and supports you are entitled to. This infographic breaks down the basics of what mental health parity means, tells you if your plan has to follow this law, what plans have to do if they do have to comply and lets you know what you can do if the plan has to comply and doesn’t.
– See more at: http://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2015/What-Is-Mental-Health-Parity#sthash.wqxtTjvg.dpuf
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Promoting Mental Health Awareness in School — Seeking Help
There is No Shame In Seeking Help
What does it mean to seek help?
Students are more likely to seek help from their friends than adults, if they seek help at all. When all of the students are 
aware of mental health resources available to them, they are also better prepared to help a friend or classmate who may confide in them.
High school students are prone to feeling like they can handle it all on their own, or if help is something that they would consider, they will not get it because of negative beliefs or comments by peers. This is one of the many ways we see evidence of stigma in schools.
Schools must explicitly have a “you can come to me” attitude in order to encourage students to seek help. If your school has a school mental health professional, students need to know who they are, likewise, teachers need to know who to refer their students to. Although it can be difficult to discuss issues with students, following proven strategies such listening non-judgmentally normalizing negative emotions and being compassionate, students can have an opportunity to openly seek help.
Showing Models of Mental Health
Students need to see that there is no shame to seek help by making it an ok thing to do. By showing cultural icons who talk about their challenges and seek help, such as Brandon Marshall, Demi Lovato and Kendrick Lamar, we help young people embrace the idea that it is OK and expected to face mental health challenges. By also having intentional time for mental health awareness, students will see the value being placed on this topic and the attitudes they have about stigma will be addressed.
From: Three Powerful Messages for Promoting Mental Health Awareness in Every School, NAMIBlog, April 10, 2015, by Hakeen Rahim. Hakeem Rahim, EdM, M.A. graduated from Harvard University and from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, start a consulting firm, and become NAMI Queens/Nassau’s Let’s Talk Mental Illness™ (LTMI) presenter, despite his struggles with bipolar disorder. Hakeem has also testified in front of Congress and featured in USA Today. Find out more about him at hakeemrahim.com.
– See more at: http://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2015/Three-Powerful-Messages-for-Promoting-Mental-Healt#sthash.ufdtqj8w.dpuf
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KSOC TV Special Edition: National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day–Strengthening Communities by Integrating Care
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2015
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT
Live Webcast
Join the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) tomorrow as it celebrates the 10th Anniversary of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Since 2005 , Awareness Day has brought national attention to how children, youth, and young adults with behavioral health challenges can demonstrate remarkable resilience when given appropriate services and support.
Each year, more than 1,100 communities and 136 national organizations, including Federal programs, participate in this celebration. You, too, can be part of this nationwide movement to focus attention on the importance of children’s mental health from birth.
Guests:
- Pamela S. Hyde, J.D., Administrator, SAMHSA
- Mary Lambert, Awareness Day 2015 Honorary Chair
- Oliver Coleman, Participant
- Lorrin Gehring, Participant
- Qaiel Peltier, Participant
- Aneja Raiteri, Participant
Promoting Mental Health Awareness in School — Talking
It’s OK to Talk About Mental Illness
To Demystify Mental Health We Must Define It
There are a lot of myths about mental illness. Due to stigma, or negative attitudes about a group, and lack of understanding of what mental illness is, both students and educators are being left in the dark. This lack of clarity can lead students to feel isolated, misunderstood and even destructive.
In order to say it’s OK to talk about mental illness we must first remind ourselves that mental illness can affect anyone, is not the result of character, personal defects, or poor upbringing and are treatable. When we can accurately point out, name and define mental illness we can have a common vocabulary to talk about it. By defining we demystify.
Showing its OK
Students need to actively see that it is OK to talk about mental health. 1 out of 5 adolescents are diagnosed with a mental illness any given year, but only 20% of those that need treatment will receive it. Moreover, children living in disadvantaged neighborhoods are much more vulnerable to mental health issues and less likely to have access to treatment.
School leadership in general can help students see that communicating their challenges is ok and is one of the ways to take care of yourself. Showing it’s OK can range from setting up lunchtime safe spaces, to running awareness programs, to ensuring safety protocols are in place. Regardless of the measure, students need to feel supported by the entire school community.
From: Three Powerful Messages for Promoting Mental Health Awareness in Every School, NAMIBlog, April 10, 2015, by Hakeen Rahim. Hakeem Rahim, EdM, M.A. graduated from Harvard University and from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, start a consulting firm, and become NAMI Queens/Nassau’s Let’s Talk Mental Illness™ (LTMI) presenter, despite his struggles with bipolar disorder. Hakeem has also testified in front of Congress and featured in USA Today. Find out more about him at hakeemrahim.com.
– See more at: http://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2015/Three-Powerful-Messages-for-Promoting-Mental-Healt#sthash.ufdtqj8w.dpuf
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Why Are Teens so Impulsive and Emotional?
Get on Twitter and learn why with the ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor, Dr. RIchard Besser. On May 19, the hashtag #abcDrBchat will be a Twitter conversation hosted by @NICHD_NIH, @NIMHgov and @TeenHealthGov. on May 19.
NAMI South Bay 