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Wisconsin United for Mental Health E-NewsletterMay 2010May is Mental Health Month!
Mental Health & Physical Health Linked to Overall Health Wisconsin United for Mental Health is promoting a greater understanding that mental health and physical health are essential to our overall health and wellness. A growing body of research shows a strong link between mental health conditions and chronic physical diseases, functional impairment, and overall quality of life. If left unaddressed or unrecognized co-occurring mental health and physical health disorders may affect a person’s ability to adequately meet the demands of daily living. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is leading efforts to integrate mental and physical health care, and is encouraging staff and its partners to promote health integration and wellness. A Joint Statement has been created between the Division of Public Health and the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and endorsed by the DHS and many partners. With this endorsement the DHS has worked to move forward an initiative entitled, “The Health Integration.” Information about the Initiative and the Joint Statement can be found at: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/mentalhealth/jointstatement/index.htm WI United for Mental Health supports the benefits of integrated care and the promotion of wellness and screening in preventing or decreasing health conditions and chronic diseases from developing. Targeted audiences include businesses, employees, and health providers. Prevention, early detection, treatment, recovery, and wellness are important to everyone’s physical and mental health- most importantly their overall health. Mental health is a foundation for well-being and living a fulfilling life for an individual and community. Like “physical wellness” mental wellness is a proactive process where people need to be aware that daily lifestyle choices affect them physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Linking physical health and mental health toward overall health and wellness benefits everyone! Additional Resources:
 Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day - Thursday, May 6, 2010 On Thursday, May 6, 2010, National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day will mark its 5th anniversary, as well as a first-time focus on the topic of early childhood. Communities across the country will observe the day with events, youth demonstrations, and social networking campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and increase understanding of the mental health needs of children and their families. Two components of the campaign this year are: Early Childhood Resources:
Wisconsin Perinatal/Postpartum Depression Directory now available online The Directory, compiled by the Maternal Child Health Hotline at Gundersen Lutheran, is a 1 MG .pdf and can be downloaded from: http://www.wimentalhealth.org/userimages/PerinatalDepressionDirectory2010.pdf. Visit our Perinatal (Post Partum) Disorders page to read more about Depression and to access the County, Subject, and Provider Indexes. Web Site Launched for the Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist Program The new Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist Employment Initiative website is up and running at: http://www.wicps.org. You will find information on gaining certification and resources for employers. Spotlight: Promoting Accurate and Dignified Media Coverage (from the ADS Center) Guide for Reporting on Mental Health The University of Washington and Harris & Smith Public Affairs developed this guide with funding from a SAMHSA Mental Health Transformation Incentive Grant. The guide offers journalists practical tips for reporting on mental health problems, background information about the relationship between mental health problems and violence, and summaries of the best current studies regarding recovery and prevention. The purpose of this guide is to improve reporting on mental health. To access this guide, please visit http://depts. washington.edu/mhreport/docs/GuideforReportingMentalHealth.pdf How to Use the Media to Fight Discrimination and Stigma This toolkit, developed by the National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse, helps individuals counteract negative attitudes by working with the media and becoming involved in various social inclusion initiatives. This toolkit is available at http://www.mhselfhelp.org/techasst/view.php?techasst_id=20. The Power of the Media and Its Impact on Mental Health Recovery Teleconference An Archive of the teleconference is now available at: http://promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/teleconferences/archive/training/teleconference03262010.aspx This training teleconference reviews some of the media's positive messages related to mental health, as well as reports on the media’s negative messaging, which often repeats and perpetuates inaccurate stereotypes of people with mental health problems. Education and awareness strategies are provided that individuals and organizations may use to encourage the media to promote valid, accurate, and respectful depictions of people with mental health problems. Upcoming Conferences and Events
Wisconsin Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Conference June 14-16, 2010 Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin This conference is intended for all professionals working with children ages 0 to 5 and will provide a forum for sharing new information on promoting social and emotional development in your everyday activities with infants, young children and their families. Early intervention and treatment strategies will also be presented. Learn about programs, policies, resources and community activities supporting healthy social-emotional development within the context of care giving relationships, community and culture. More information available at: http://www.wiimh.org/education/conference_2010.htm 2010 Wisconsin State Prevention Conference - Weaving a Tapestry of Health June 22-24, 2010 Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI Watch for program updates & registration information online at http://wch.uhs.wisc.edu/ SAVE THE DATE -- Wisconsin DMHSAS Annual Mental Health and Substance Abuse Conference October 26 (all day) & October 27 (morning only) “Journey to Wholeness in Body, Mind and Spirit” with tracks on:
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