Seeing Double? Two Mental Health Commissioners! YMCA Youth Legislature 2019 Mental Health Commissioner Julia Holmes and Commissioner Beshear compare notes.
THE OUTLOOKAlAbAmA DEPARTmENT OF mENTAl hEAlTh NEwslETTER
• AnewAlabamaDepartmentofMentalHealthwebsitewasrecentlyunveiledafternearlyayearofworkbynumerousADMHstaffandthestateOfficeofInformationTechnology
• Thewebsiteoffersanopportunitytoshowcaseservicesandresourcesforthoseweserveinaclearandeasyto access fashion
• ThesitewillbecontinuouslyupdatedandahubforinformationonmentalhealthinAlabama,alongwithinformationandeventsfoundoursocialmediapages
• WeinviteyoutotakeatourthroughthenewsiteandcontacttheADMHOfficeofPublicinformationwithanyquestionsorcomments
MEssagE frOM THE cOMMissiOnEr wATch ThE viDEO
mARch / APRil 2019
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New ADmh website
Employment support
End heroin walk
Autism Awareness Month
AiR conference
media Guide
New Forensic Facility
Capitol Showcase
Did You Know?
in THis issUENOvEmbER / DEcEmbER 2018
Wanttobeincludedinthenextissue?Sendusyourstories,achievements,initiatives,events...etc!
[email protected] | 334-242-3417
EachMarch,theNationalAssociationofCouncilsonDevelopmentalDisabilities(NAcDD) create a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people withandwithoutdisabilitiescometogethertoformstrong,diversecommunities.ADMHis proud to help promote this campaign and showcase Alabama individuals and programs too!
Thecampaignseekstoraiseawarenessabout the inclusion of people with developmentaldisabilitiesinallareasofcommunitylife,aswellasawarenessofthebarriersthatpeoplewithdisabilitiesstillsometimesfaceinconnectingtothecommunitiesinwhichtheylive.DDAwareness Month covers three main areas: education,employmentandcommunityliving.
AProclamationdeclaringthemonthasDevelopmental Disability Month has been offered,honoringthoseweserveandtheworkofpartnersandproviders.
FolloworlikeADMHonsocialmedia @ALMentalHealthonTwitterandAlabama Department of Mental Health on Facebook and use the hashtag #DDawareness18!
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STAKEHOLDER DISCUSSION
HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES
ARE YOU RECEIVING SERVICES?
ARE YOU WAITING FOR SERVICES?
ARE YOU A SERVICE PROVIDER?
JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
What Should the Future Look Like?
What kinds of Home and Community Based services are needed the most? What kinds of supports are needed by caregivers?
How can services be improved? What are ways to provide HCBS more cost effectively, so more people who need services may receive them?
February 27, 2019
Huntsville/ Madison Li-
brary 142 Plaza Blvd.
Madison, AL 35758
Providers
10 AM - Noon
Families & Self-
Advocates 1 PM – 3 PM
March 6, 2019
Region II Office 1305 James I.
Harrison Pkwy, East
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Providers 10 AM - Noon
Families &
Self-Advocates 1 PM – 3 PM
March 13, 2019
Al Dept. of Rehab Services
560 South Lawrence St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
Providers
12:30PM – 2:30PM
Families & Self-Advocates
3PM – 5 PM
March 27, 2019
Goodwill Easter Seals 2440 Gordon Smith Drive
Mobile, AL 36617
Providers 10 AM - Noon
Families &
Self-Advocates 1 PM – 3 PM
April 3, 2019
Region V Office
631 Beacon Pkwy, Suite 211
Birmingham, AL 35029
Providers 10 AM - Noon
Families &
Self-Advocates 1 PM – 3 PM
Celebrating Developmental Disability Awareness Month | March 2019| #DDAWARENESS
Keeping Families Together Promoting Employment and Productivity Reaching Those in Need
We hope you are able to join us for an open discussion relating to the four topic questions above. This is a great opportunity to meet other families, advocates and/or providers who may share similar concerns and opportunities for the future!
If you cannot attend, we still want to hear from you! Check out the Online Survey! https://goo.gl/forms/Xh2Lbrw5pWv5cdc83
Ifyoucannotattend,giveyourinputusingtheOnline survey!1
Commissioner Lynn Beshear announced the new Alabama Department of Mental Health website featuring an improveddesignandnavigationfromanydevice.Thewebsiteoffersquickandeasyaccesstoessentialinformationandfeatures,increasingunderstandingofthedepartment’sprogramsandservices.
Thenewwebsitehasacleandesign,improvedfunctionalityandenhancedrichcontent,focusedonthedepartment’smissiontoServe·Empower·Supportandcanbefoundatthesamewebaddress: www.mh.alabama.gov.
“Weareexcitedaboutournewwebsiteandtherobustinformationitprovidesforthepeopleweserve,forproviders,forADMHpartnersandforthepublicaboutservices,employmentwithourdepartment,mentalhealthresourcesandtools,”saidCommissionerLynnBeshear.“Webelievethenewsitewillallowourvisitorstohaveanenlighteningexperienceandwillhelpeveryonetobetterunderstandtheimportanceofmentalhealth.”
Thewebsitewasdevelopedthroughacollaborative,data-drivenprocessinvolvingmentalhealthstakeholdersacrossthestate,usertestingandanalyticsresearchthatidentifiedtopuserrequestsandthemostimportantinformationtohighlight.Thewebsiteprioritizesinformation,foundintheNavigationmenus,thatisinhighdemandbyAlabamians,andmakesiteasiertofindkeyservicesandprograms.MH.Alabama.gov launches with speciallydesignedpagestolocateprovidersofservicesformentalhealth,substanceabuseanddevelopmentaldisabilities,resourcesforindividualsandfamilies,andaproviderportal.
Thewebsite’soveralldesignhasbeenenhancedtobemoreengagingandusable.Itfeaturesasimplified,streamlinedlookwithbrightercolors,largerimagesandtextsize.Throughtheadoptionofbestpracticesinaccessibility,thenewwebsitemeetsallADArequirements.ItwasdesignedandbuiltinpartnershipwiththeAlabamaOfficeofInformationTechnologyServices(OIT),ADMHOfficeofPublicInformationandADMHBureauofInformationTechnology.Theredesignalsoincludesanewcontentmanagementsystemthatallowsthecommunicationsteamtomorequicklypublishinformation.
ADMH’snewwebsitewillbeupdatedonaregularbasiswithcontentregardinginitiativesandprograms,informationaboutcommunitypartnersandservices,pressreleases,videosandnewsletters.Visitorsareencouragedtoexploreitatwww.mh.alabama.gov.Pleasesendanyquestionstopublicinformation.dmh@mh.alabama.gov.
THE aLaBaMa DEParTMEnT Of MEnTaL HEaLTH LaUncHEs nEW WEBsiTE FiRsT cOmPREhENsivE wEbsiTE REDEsiGN iN 11 YEARs mAKEs iNFORmATiON mOREACCeSSibLe, AnD USer-CentriC
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We are proud to highlight the success story of Mr. Tony Dearmanwhoworkspart-timeatJack’srestaurantinMadison,Alabama.Accordingtoareasupervisor,CrystalSparkmanandmanager,AmberDavis,“Tonyhelpswithkeepingthefrontandbackofthehouseclean.Hehelpswhenweneedhimtotakecareofthelobbyforourguests.”Tonywashesdishes,cleanstrays,andpullsgarbageforthepopularrestaurantaspartofateam.
WhenmanagementatJack’swasaskedaboutthecapabilitiesoftheintellectualanddevelopmentallydisabledworkingatJack’s,theysaid,“theemployeesarecapableofdoinganythingwithpropertraining.”ADMHvaluesemployerswhoworkwithourproviderstoofferpositionsandtrainingforthepeopleweserve.Onthesubjectoftheimportanceofhavingjobcoaches
DD EMPLOyMEnT sUPPOrT + ParTnErsHiPs = sUccEss TONY DEARmAN AND JAcK’s REsTAuRANT
doingfollow-ups,AreaSupervisorSparkmanwrote,“Itiswonderfulbecausethatwayifwehaveanyissueswithemployees,thecoachescanbetterhelpusexplain.”
TonyenjoysplayinggolfandpaintingwhennotworkingatJack’s.Heisquicktotrytomakehisco-workerslaugh.Tonywassidelined with a health scare last year which forcedhimtostopworkingforseveralmonths.Whenaskedwhyhewantedtoreturn,Tonysaid,“ThepeoplelikemeandIlikethem.”TonyattendsactivitiesattheArcof Madison County and competes in Special Olympicsgolfingevents.Heresidesinagroup home. The Arc Career Center assisted himinsuccessfullygainingemployment,servedasaliaisoningettinghimre-employedandcontinuestokeepintouchwithhimathisworkplaceonregularbasis.
AreaSupervisorSparkmansaidwhenaskedwhat advice she would give other employers about hiring people with developmental disabilities,“Makesureyougivetasksthatcanbecompletedwithlittlehelpandtomakethemfeelpartoftheteam.”AmongTony’sfutureplansatJack’sistolearntocookwhennotcleaningorwashing.“Iwouldlovetodothat“,saidTony.
AProclamationsigningforTransitionAwarenessWeekwasheldonFebruary27th.AuburnUniversity’sTransitionLeadershipInstitutespearheadsthisinitiativewiththepartnershipsofADRS,ALSDE,CovingtonCountySchools,MontgomeryPublicSchoolsandADMH,DivisionofDevelopmentalDisabilities.
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24/7 Helpline844-307-1760
Are you, or a family member, struggling with addiction or in need of support?
Do you prefer chat? Live chat is available through our website: www.rosshelpline4u.orgWant to send an email? Send us a message: [email protected]
Every call, live chat and email is answered by a person in recovery at:
Addiction is a disease, not a moral failing.All services are confidential and free, made possible through funding from ADMH and SAMHSA.
R.O.S.S.
Nearlyaquartercenturyago,theAutismSocietylaunchedanationwideefforttopromoteautismawareness,inclusionandself-determinationforall,andassurethateachpersonwithASD is provided the opportunity to achievethehighestpossiblequalityoflife.ThefirstNationalAutismAwareness Month was declared in April1970.
Theaimofthismonthistoeducatethepublicaboutautismanddecreasestigma.Allofusneedtoembraceanewperspectiveandsupportallindividualslivingwithautismwithouractionsandconversations.Abasicgoalfromwhichtobuildistoprovidefactualinformationtopromoteacceptanceandinclusioninschoolsandcommunitiestoresultintrueappreciationoftheuniqueaspectsofallpeople.WewanttogetonestepclosertoasocietywherethosewithASDsaretrulyvaluedfortheiruniquetalentsandgifts.
What can i do?
• Learnmoreaboutwhat’shappeninginAlabamarelatedtoourDepartment
• Sign up for e-newsletter Autism Matterstocontinuesharingideasonhowtomakeabetterworldforautismhere.
• Share your experience/stories with nAAM or autism with us. Use#StandUpForAutismtojointheconversation!
Put on the Puzzle!TheAutismAwarenessPuzzleRibbonisthemostrecognizedsymboloftheautismcommunityintheworld.Autismprevalenceisnowoneinevery59childreninAmerica.ShowyoursupportforpeoplewithautismbywearingtheAutismAwarenessPuzzleRibbon!TolearnmoreabouttheAutismAwarenessRibbon,click here.
Connect with your neighborhood.ManyAutismSocietylocal affiliatesholdspecialeventsintheircommunitiesthroughoutthemonthofApril.Butifyoucan’tfindaneventthatsuitsyoujustright,create your own!
Watch a movie.Didyouknowthatsomethingthatseemsassimpleasgoingtothemoviesisnotanoptionformanyfamiliesaffectedbyautism?TheAutismSocietyisworkingwithAMC theatrestobringspecial-needs families sensory Friendly Films every month.
aUTisM aWarEnEss MOnTH 2019
OnSaturdayFebruary22,hundredsofAlabamiansassembledinBirmingham’sRailroadParkforthe3rdannualEndHeroinBhamwalk.Tohonorlostlovedones,supportsurvivorsandperuseresourcetables,eachwalkerfeltthepower of solidarity and a renewed optimismtoconquerthisepidemic.
ADMHstaff,providersandregionalpartnerswere very proud to be a part of the event! Over3,500folksattended!285participants
receivedNarcantrainingfromDr.MarkWilsonandstaffoftheJeffersonCountyDept.ofHealth.Therewere23resourcetablesforattendeestoreceivethefullarrayofimportant,relevantinformation.Theevent planners are grateful to Catherine Jackson,PreventionSpecialistatEastAlabamaMentalHealth,fordrivingupfromAuburn,tobeavolunteerattheWalk.#endheroin#mentalhealthmatters
EnD HErOin WaLK
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TheannualAIRconferencewill be held at Shocco Springs andisorganizedbytheOfficeofPeerProgramswiththeassistance of Wings Across Alabama. Approximately 800participantsattendeachyear with more than 600 attendeesthatwouldnotbeabletoattendotherwisereceiving scholarships.
The conference is coordinated by peers and features speakersandworkshopsontopics and issues of interest to individuals with mental illness.Activitiesduringtheconference also include the presentationoftheannualRESPECTawards,theannualTalentShow,acandlelightvigil,awatermelonsocial,andadance.
Thisthree-dayconferencenotonlyofferseducationalandinspirationaltracks,butpromotesopportunitiesfor true peer camaraderie and empowerment. Medicalstafffromstatepsychiatricfacilitiesandcommunity mental health centers volunteer every year to be part of the Crisis Response Team. Health screeningsareofferedtoconsumersinattendance.
Formoreinformationontheconference,pleasecontactMikeAutreyat334-242-3492,[email protected].
annUaL aLaBaMa insTiTUTE fOr rEcOvEry APRil 23, 2019
The guide “Journalism with Respect forPeople”wascreatedtoinformandincrease awareness of appropriate languagewhenspeakingorwritingaboutpeoplewithmentalillness,substanceabusedisordersordisabilities.Thisguideisaneducationaldocument,offeringsuggestionsforwording,upholdingthe dignity of all human beings. Topics include:definitions,mentalillness,suicide,disabilities,andmore.
The guide was emailed to all media in the state to share this important information,todecreasestigmaandnegativestereotypessometimesseeninmediaarticlesandvideos.Toviewtheguideorshare,clickhere.
aDMH OfficE Of PUBLic infOrMaTiOn UPDaTEs OUr MEDia gUiDE JOuRNAlism wiTh REsPEcT FOR PEOPlE
Media GuideA L A B A M A D E P A R T M E N T O F M E N T A L H E A L T H
w h o w e a r eThe Alabama Department of Mental Health serves more than 200,000 citizens with mentalillnesses, developmental/intellectual disabilities and/or substance use disorders. This guide isan educational means to supply suggestions for appropriate language that uphold the dignityof all human beings.
o u r m i s s i o nServe · Empower · Support
o u r v i s i o nPromoting the health and well-being of allAlabamians with mental illness, developmentaldisabilities and substance use disorders.
Journalism with Respect for People
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WeareproudtopartnerwithProjectSearch-aprogramdesignedtoeducateandprovidejobskillsandemploymentforpersonswithdisabilities.Theprogramisdesignedtobreakdownstereotypesbyincreasingthepublic’sexpectationsaboutpeoplewithsignificantdisabilities.ProjectSearchMontgomeryprovidesthese young people with the opportunity tocontributetotheircommunities,andsociety,byprovidingsupporttohelpthemworkandearnaliving.Learnmorehere!
Thankstoourpartners-AlabamaDepartmentofRehabilitationServices,BaptistHealth,EastersealsCentralAlabamaandMontgomeryPublicSchools!
OPEn HOUsE fOr PrOjEcT sEarcH in MOnTgOMEry
PrEviEW: 2019 caPiTOL sHOWcasE arT ExHiBiTiOn DUring MEnTaL HEaLTH MOnTH in May JoinusMay1-23attheStateCapitol,OldSupremeCourtLibrarytoview
thefantasticartofthepeopleweserve!Since2005,ADMHhashostedanartshowatAlabama’sstateCapitol.Artistsfromaroundthestatewithmentalillnesses,developmentaldisabilities,substanceusedisordersandco-occurringdisordersareinvitedtohavetheirabilitiesshowcasedthroughoutthemonthofMayintheCapitolinobservanceofNationalMentalHealthMonth.Witheachpieceofart,ashortnarrativeisattached.Theartistsofferheartfeltinformationabouttheirlivesandhowartisanintegralpartoftheirmentalhealth.Don’tmissthisartexperience!
MayisMentalHealthMonth.NationalMentalHealthMonthraisesawareness about mental illness and related issues in the United States.Throughawarenessandacceptance,attitudestowardsmentalhealthissuesappeartobechanging.Negativeattitudesandstigmaassociated with mental health have reduced and there has been growing acceptance towards mental health issues and support for people with them. Learn how to promote this month here.
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DaTEs TO rEMEMBEr mENTAl hEAlTh RElATED EvENTs OF iNTEREsT
ADMHOfficeofPublicInformation:[email protected]|334-242-3417
Serve • Empower • Support
03/1903/2503/2803/2904/0504/12
04/2304/2405/0305/06
Alabama School of Alcohol and Other Drug StudiesBryantConferenceCenter,TuscaloosaMental Health First Aid – taught in ASL with spoken english interpretation ADRSoffice,Montgomeryregion iV Provider trainingVolunteersofAmerica,Montgomery 6th Annual Statewide Peer ConferenceGardendaleCivicCenter,GardendaleASL Coffee nightStarbucks,MontgomeryCaring for CaregiversLakepointResort,EufaulaAnnual Alabama institute for recovery Shocco SpringsCustomized Supported employment training AIDT,MontgomeryASL Coffee nightStarbucks,MontgomeryMental Health First Aid – taught in ASL with spoken english interpretation ADRSoffice,Huntsville
TheOfficeofDeafServices(ODS)nowhastheabilitytooffervideoremoteinterpretingtomentalhealthcentersforlastminutewalk-insandcrisissituations.Thisdoesnotreplaceacenter’splanforliveinterpreters.Toaccessthisservice,thecenterwillcontactaRegionalInterpreterastheywouldforanyotherappointment.
Thisserviceisoffered
monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ADMHasksthatyoucontactODSpriortoanyuseoftheservicetoestablishconnectivityandcapabilityofuse.
DiD yOU KnOW?