Letter from the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

November is a month for giving thanks. There's the ultimate day of gratitude toward the end of the month. And leading up to it, on Veterans Day we show appreciation for veteran and active members of our military. These men and women have faced especially hard times recently. The headlines have been full of devastating reports of an unprecedented number of suicides among military personnel. In this issue of The Newsfeed, we ask you to be aware of the mental health issues affecting military members and their families. Share the resources provided with people you know; urge them to extend a hand to someone who has sacrificed for our freedoms. 

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A Look Back, Part I: Adult Services

As Pennsylvania nears the end of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s administration, MHAPA thought it appropriate to highlight key achievements made over the last eight years for people living with mental illness.

Led by former deputy secretary Joan Erney (2003 to May 2010) and current acting deputy secretary Sherry H. Snyder, the Department of Public Welfare’s (DPW) Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) has worked to realize its vision: "Every individual served by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service system will have the opportunity for growth, recovery and inclusion in their community, have access to culturally competent services and supports of their choice, and enjoy a quality of life that includes family members and friends."

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A Look Back, Part II: Children and Youth Services

As this newsletter hits your inbox, OMHSAS is completing a strategic plan for continuing its work to transform the children’s behavioral health system into one that is youth guided and family driven. Entitled Call for Change: Transformation of the Children’s Behavioral Health System in Pennsylvania, the plan builds on the many achievements OMHSAS and DPW have realized since 2003 in partnership with youth, families, state agencies, counties, behavioral health managed care organizations, children’s advocates, providers, and other key stakeholders.  Below are the achievements — as published in the document — that MHAPA and PA Children’s News wish to call out. Download the full draft of the plan here.

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OpenMindsOpenDoors: The War at Home

On November 11, people across the United States remembered, mourned, and gave thanks for the veterans and active duty military members who make life-altering sacrifices in service to our nation.

Veterans Day commemorations were made all the more poignant this year by recent reports that, despite the dedicated efforts of the Department of Defense and veterans and mental health organizations, suicide rates among active duty military personnel and veterans remain high and show no signs of improving.

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Children's News: Fast Facts on Bullies and Bullying

Being bullied or being the bully is not good for children.

• Bullying was once an accepted, "necessary evil" of childhood. TV shows, movies and books are full of stories about neighborhood bullies or children getting black eyes and learning to defend themselves. But research now tells us that bullying can have immediate and long-term negative effects on children’s physical and mental health.

• Is it teasing or bullying? Teasing to one person is bullying to another. But generally, joking with someone should not be intended to hurt that person. If a person does not want to be teased, then that teasing is bullying.

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Affiliate Updates

The Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA has been selected as the first Warming Center in Erie County. Whenever the overnight low temperature will reach below 20 degrees, Erie County Emergency Management contacts the MHANP to open as a Warming Center from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The center accepts anyone who needs shelter from the cold, provided they abide by basic rules of mutual respect. It provides shelter, safety, food, coffee, activities, conversation, support, and a place to "nap" for those needing to rest. Learn more.

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Announcements and Events

Do you have news or announcements to share about mental health services or events in Pennsylvania? Email us the details at newsfeed@mhapa.org.

Announcements

• SAMHSA announces new blog to discuss its Eight Strategic Initiatives.

• Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association's (PMHCA) publishes INSIGHT 2010, its annual art/poetry book. INSIGHT is a collection of poetry, short literary pieces, photography, and artwork by PMHCA members, providers, and others across the state.

• Pennsylvania Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (PAPSRS) reminds providers to save the date for its Annual Conference, April 5-7, 2011.

• Department of Public Welfare’s new website offers easier access to array of programs and services.

• PA Mental Health Consumers’ Association, Disability Rights Network of PA, and MHAPA sponsor an advocacy summit to develop regional advocacy coalitions to educate, include, and mobilize.

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