Transformation Matters

A new video, "I Want To Be," explores the importance of having a job for those with a serious mental illness. The video will be aired seven times this month on the University of Washington Television Network and underscores Washington's commitment for supported employment. The video can also be watched anytime by downloading the video from UWTV website.

Partnering organizations are providing financial support to consumers of mental health services to participate in the 2008 Alternatives Conference which takes place Oct. 29 - Nov. 2. A completed application and letter of recommendation must be received by U.S. Mail, postmarked on or before the deadline of May 28, 2008.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says U.S. troops no longer must disclose receiving treatment for mental health problems, a question previously asked when applying for jobs with security clearances. Gates called the mental illness caused by war as an "unseen wound" and said troops no longer need to fear getting help for post traumatic stress disorder. Read Pentagon news article and watch video.

Experts from the Department of Psychology at Texas Tech have recently dipped their toes into the world of podcasting with a new educational series covering a broad range or subjects including eating disorders, life stress, phobias, and suicide. The podcasts are one of three university-based ones featured in the higher education section of iTunes.

Those concerned with trauma-informed care can find colleagues and information about their work at Dare to Transform, the National Center for Trauma Informed Care's foray into social networking on the public network, Ning.com.

The Children, Youth & Families Subcommittee of the Mental Health Planning and Advisory Committee is seeking nominations for two awards. The Ann Russel-Yeh award is presented to a parent, and the Meghan Marie Doggett award to a youth. Nominations must be received by June 16. Download criteria and nominations form for Russell-Yeh award and Meghan Dogget award.

Released April 29 by the Canadian Institute of Health Information, Improving the Health of Canadians: Mental Health, Delinquency and Criminal Activity, provides an overview of the latest research, analyses and policy initiatives related to mental health, delinquency and criminal activity. It also presents data on the characteristics of and issues facing individuals with a mental illness who were or are involved with the criminal justice system.

The theme of this year's Washington Alliance for Healthy Aging (WAHA) Summit is Lifting the Clouds: Addressing Depression in Older Adults. At the Summit, participants from aging services, mental health, community-based organizations, and public health will increase their knowledge of depression in older adults, learn strategies for community-based screening and treatment, and plan to advance policy and practice.

Americans relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and its drugs - particularly antidepressants - is the subject of Charles Barber's new book, Comfortably Numb. A veteran of mental health programs in homeless shelters and a lecturer in psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine, Barber trains his eye to the confluence of science and culture that have led to the widespread prescribing of medications once reserved for the most serious cases. Hear interview with Barber on NPR.

The National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors released a landmark report entitled "Paving New Ground - Peers Working In In-Patient Settings" which details the development of peer roles in mental health settings. The guidebook is based on the stories of many individuals who are working in state and other community hospital settings, both as peer providers and non-consumer providers and administrators. Read the full report.

Effective June 1, the Highline West Seattle Mental Health and West Seattle Psychiatric Hospital – a very long name – will now be known as Navos. The Greek word for "temple," the new name also comes from the Latin word, "navis," which means ship, boat, and vessel. The announcement says in part that "the foundation for the name is in our mission to help people navigate through great challenges, transforming lives and spirits into the realms of wellness and wholeness."

A large World Health Organization study published in the February 2008 issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry indicates that the risk factors for suicide are the same in 17 nations but the likelihood of suicidal behavior varies from country to country. The study looked at suicidal ideation, planning, and actual attempts in more than 80,000 people.

A new 20-minute documentary video produced by Mental Health America tells the story of four people with serious mental illness who are in recovery. It is designed for use in outreach to consumers, family, friends and the public. The DVD is available while supplies last.

A survey released by Mental Health America reveals that those with severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, die at least 25 years earlier, on average, than the general population, mostly from preventable conditions.

The children's mental health coalition has created a Bill of Rights for Children with Mental Health Disorders and their Families. The Bill is said to represent what families living with mental illness should expect from treatment.

"I Want to Be," a video produced by the Washington State's Mental Health Division (MHD), is now posted on the MHD home page under the "Information" heading. The video, spearheaded by MHD staff member Frank Jose, features examples of mental health consumers, including Randy Revelle, speaking about how they successfully found employment and why it was important to their recovery. The video is introduced by Governor Christine Gregoire.

Eleven issue briefs were released by the MacArthur Research Network on Mental Health Policy Research at an April 7 conference whose subject was mental health public policy.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has completed the launch of special Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) teams in nine regions of the state, bringing a new dimension to mental health services for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring disorders like alcoholism or substance abuse. Read press release.

The recently-released 2007 State Snapshots, drawn from the 2007 National Healthcare Quality Report, now includes mental illness as a "state contextual factor" in its annual analysis to help health leaders identify areas that need quality improvement.