MHA National Launches new PAD Support Site

National Mental Health of America has launched a new Psychiatric Advance Directive support page on their website. You can find this new resource HERE. A screen shot is posted below.



http://www.nmha.org/go/information/destination-recovery/after-a-diagnosis/getting-treatment/psychiatric-advance-directives/

NYY Article on Mental Illness

Read this interesting article from the New York Times about Mental Illness or watch the Video.......

Read the Article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/health/23lives.html

See the Video here: http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/06/23/health/100000000877082/the-power-of-rescuing-others.html

Congratulations to Jessica and Ray Burmester!

On April 28, 2011, Governor Bob McDonnell presented Jessica S. and Raymond F. Burmester with the 2011 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award, in the family category, for their many years of exceptional service to Virginians with disabilities in the areas of mental health, intellectual disability, and substance abuse.

Raymond Burmester is a former co-chair of the Coalition for Virginians with Mental Disabilities. Since the early 1980's the Burmesters have been central figures in the advocacy community. Between the two of them, they have contributed nearly 45 years of unpaid advocacy work. Mr. Burmester continues to serve on the Virginia Disability Commission and the ARC of Virginia, where he was president from 1995-1998. Mrs. Burmester currently serves the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, the Long Term Care Coordinating Council, and the ARC of Virginia.

Poverty in Virginia

A decent provision for the poor

is the true test of civilization

- Samuel Johnson

• 1 in 10 Virginians now live in poverty
• Children are 47% more likely to live in poverty than adults
• 17.4% of Virginians with disabilities live in poverty while 9.8% of non-disabled Virginians live in poverty
• A new report released by the Commonwealth Institute details how poverty in Virginia has broadened and deepened during the recession

Read the full Commonwealth Institute Report here:

http://www.thecommonwealthinstitute.org/Portals/16/Labor%20and%20Wage/CI_Poverty2010_brief.pdf

MHAV collaborates with John Oliver and VA Advance Directive Coordinating Committee to launch www.advancedirective.org

A powerful new website focused on Advance Directive education has been launched: www.advancedirective.org

The website itself was designed by MHAV WALTT (Wellness And Leadership Through Technology) staff member Curt White. All content was written by John Oliver Esq. in collaboration with the Virginia Advance Directive Coordinating Committee headed by Dr. Richard Bonnie of the University of Virginia.

View this exciting new Advance Directive resource by clicking HERE.

Statement of Mental Health America on the Tragedy in Arizona

Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (703) 797-2588 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or
svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (January 11, 2011)—Mental Health America joins Americans in mourning the loss of those killed in Saturday’s tragic and senseless attack and expressing our wishes for the full recovery of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and fellow citizens who were injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and everyone who is affected by these horrific events. And we join in applauding the brave actions of individuals who prevented greater harm.

It will likely take many days to understand the reasons and motivations behind this national tragedy. Many have pointed to mental health as an issue.

It must first be emphasized that people with mental health conditions are no more likely to be violent than the rest of the population. And we have science-based methods to successfully treat persons with even the most severe mental illnesses. A very small group of individuals with a specific type of mental health symptoms are at greater risk for violence if their symptoms are untreated.

At the same time, we must recognize that the nation’s mental health system is drastically under-funded and fails to provide Americans living with mental health conditions with the effective community-based mental health services they need. Sadly, in the current environment of strained state budgets, mental health services have been cut drastically just as demand for these critical services has risen dramatically.

It is also important that, as a community, we assist persons with signs and symptoms of mental illnesses to seek treatment. Although rare, when a person becomes so ill that he/she is a danger to themselves or others state laws provide a way to get them help even if they don’t believe that they need it. The best strategy, however, is to have an accessible system of care that is easy to use.

Science has not developed tools to predict reliably individuals at risk for violence. But we can reduce the small risk of violence in those with certain mental health conditions by investing in proven intensive, coordinated community-based mental health services and making certain that they can access these services.

We do not know if the mental health system failed in this situation or if there were missed opportunities or if effective treatment might have averted this tragedy.

We do hope that we can find answers and create solutions that prevent this from ever happening again.

Mental Health America (www.mentalhealthamerica.net) is the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. With our century of service to America and our more than 300 affiliates nationwide, we represent a national movement that promotes mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation— everyday and in times of crisis.

Be AWARE: Regional Budget Hearings

Be aware that the Regional Budget Hearings will be held on January 6 (as listed below). The joint hearings are held each year by the money committees of both the houses of the Virginia General Assembly.

It is especially important this year to have MHAV's voice/ the mental health communities voice heard. We know there are cuts and changes coming (see news articles below).

Roanoke Times Editorial

Staunton News Leader

Regional Budget Hearings usually have many people in attendance. If you want to speak you can register at the hearing one hour prior to the start of the hearing. Speakers are taken in the order of registration and you are allowed to speak for 3 minutes. Arrive early to avoid a line to sign-up to speak. Click here for more details.

Talking points:

Use the attached AWARE flyer points to remind legislators to keep the AWARE criteria in mind as they make decisions.

Emphasize long term good over short term gain.

Emphasize first do no harm. Don't make things worse than the already are.

Emphasize Accountability, Wellness Oriented, Accessibility, Resource Efficient and Evidence supported.

REGIONAL BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE

Thursday, January 6th beginning at 12:00 noon

Norfolk: Norfolk State University, New Student Center, Room #149

Chesterfield County: John Tyler Community College, Chester Campus, Nicholas Auditorium

Lynchburg: Central Virginia Community College

Thursday, January 6th beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Fairfax: Fairfax County Government Center, Board of Supervisors Auditorium

Abingdon: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center