News
MHAND Proudly Presents: "Resolana: Voice of the People"
Mental Health America of North Dakota (MHAND) proudly presents the national premier of its documentary Resolana: Voice of the People. This event is free and open to the public.
Called "powerful" and "a real eye opener" by Kate Gaston, Vice President of Mental Health America's National Affiliate Services in Alexandria, Virginia, this 28-minute documentary identifies barriers to access behavioral health services (mental health and substance use) in rural and tribal communites in North Dakota. MHAND is using Resolana: Voice of the People as an educational tool to promote community dialogue and awareness of these barriers that include: a lack of communication and coordination between behavioral health care providers; transportation issues; significant delays between appointments; and an inadequate number of behavioral health care providers and facilities in rural communities.
The documentary features interviews with mental health consumers and rural behavioral health providers who talk candidly about the difficulty they have in obtaining the services they need.
Resolana: Voice of the People is about real people telling real stories. MHAND's staff will facilitate audience feedback through a question and answer period immediately following the screening of Resolana: Voice of the People.
Resolana: Voice of the People was made possible through the generous support of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation.
If you would like to obtain a copy of this documentary, contact Susan Helgeland at srhelgeland@mhand.org.
To run a 7-minute version of Resolana: Voice of the People click on the video below...
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Patrick Kennedy Says Mental Illness Deserves Same Treatment as Other Illnesses
Patrick Kennedy is a former congressman, a behavioral health advocate, a brain research crusader, President John F Kennedy's nephew, and an open utilizer of substance use services.
Mr. Kennedy recently spoke at the National Council for Behavioral Health 2013 conference in Las Vegas.
To find out why he believes mental illness deserves the same treatment as other diseases click on Patrick Kennedy podcast.
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Flood Emergency Preparedness from Family Voices of ND
Greetings!
As we move in the days ahead to flood preparations, here are a few reminders.
If you have a family member who may need assistance, please call and register for the Vulnerable Population registry in the event you will need additional assistance. Changes in conditions can happen quickly. Please be prepared.
In Fargo call: 701-476-4016.
In Grand Forks call: 701-780-8213.
You can also call the FVND toll free number and we will do what we can to help: 888-522-9654.
We also have several publications to assist you in preparing for an emergency.
Emergency Medical Form-
http://www.fvnd.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/EIFblankform.274112623.pdf
Disaster Planning for Children with Special Health Care Needs-
http://www.fvnd.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/DisasterPlanningforCYSHCN.274112508.pdf
Disaster Preparedness for Families-
http://www.fvnd.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/DisasterPreparationforFamiliespdf.274112542.pdf
Disaster Preparedness for Children with Special Health Care Needs-http://www.fvnd.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/DisasterPreparednessforCSHCN.9074345.pdf
Disaster and Emergencies-
http://www.fvnd.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/DisastersEmergencies.274112605.pdf
Emergency Preparedness Brochure-
http://www.fvnd.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/EmergencyPrepbroND.274112642.pdf
Each of you is important to us. We hope this information will be helpful.
Sincerely
Donene Feist
Family Voices of North Dakota
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MHA Mourns Victims of Boston Marathon Explosions
Mental Health America Mourns Victims of Boston Marathon Explosions;
Offers Resources to Help in Responding to Impact of Event
Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net
Statement of Wayne W. Lindstrom, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America:
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 15, 2013)—Mental Health America joins Americans in mourning the loss of those killed in today’s Boston Marathon explosions. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and hope for the full recovery of those who were injured and everyone who is affected by this horrific event.
At this point, we do not know the motivation behind this tragic and senseless act.
We do know that events like this will impact families, the community and the nation. Many may feel at risk and may experience feelings of anxiety and fear. Parents may be groping with how to discuss these and similar events with their children.
The National Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week national service that offers phone- and text-based crisis counseling and support to people in distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster, to help them move forward on the path of recovery. You may reach the Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or by texting "TalkWithUs" or ("Hablanos" for Spanish-speaking) to 66746. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Helpline immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the closest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers. The Helpline staff will provide confidential counseling, referrals and other needed support services. The Helpline complements the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other disaster response capacities, and is available immediately anywhere within the United States. This service is provided under contract with SAMHSA by Mental Health America's New York City affiliate.
Mental Health America has also developed guidelines to help Americans respond and cope with tragic events, which can be found at http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/coping-with-disaster.
Mental Health America’s affiliates can also provide or direct individuals to appropriate resources in the community. To find an affiliate, go to http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/searchMHA.
Mental Health America (www.mentalhealthamerica.net), founded in 1909, is the nation’s leading community-based network dedicated to helping all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives. With our 240 affiliates across the country, we touch the lives of millions—Advocating for changes in mental health and wellness policy; Educating the public & providing critical information; and delivering urgently needed mental health and wellness Programs and Services.
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"What It's Like to Have Schizophrenia"
"What It's Like to Have Schizophrenia" is a very well written, inspiring story which was published recently in the Ladies' Home Journal. Its author is an attractive, well dressed young woman; her article reveals her strong writing skills, self-awareness and awareness of strengths/weaknesses in the mental health system. She has attended Ivy League schools and has a Masters' in Public Policy.
To read her story please click on link.
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