WUMH Updates

Upcoming *** 2011 WUMH Quarterly Meeting Dates***
The WUMH Advisory Board and the Steering Committee (all partners) meet from 9-11:00 am at the WI Women’s Health Foundation in Madison. All dates are the second Friday of the month.

• August 12, 2011
• November 11, 2011

We would like to extend a warm welcome to the DBSA Brown County as our newest WUMH member! “The Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Brown County, WI provides, with the utmost compassion; hope, help, and support to individuals, through peer-based, recovery oriented, services and resources." We are always excited to add partners to the coalition and our efforts to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illnesses and to promote recovery.


Check out our home page for some last minute education and advocacy opportunities this week.

• Wisconsin Worksite Wellness Resource Kit Training Session
• Free Webinar: Stress & Resiliency: Applying Research of Employer Best Practices @ Your Workplace
• Disability Rights Wisconsin Appleton Listening Session

June Monthly Feature: Men's Health Month

Men's Health Network
P.O. Box 75972
Washington, DC 20013
(202) 543-6461 x101
(202) 543-2727 Fax
info @ menshealthweek.org
www.menshealthmonth.org

Depression and Suicide (Source: National Center for Health Statistcs, 2009)
Depression in men is undiagnosed contributing to the fact that men are 4 x as likely to commit suicide.

• Among 15- to 19-year-olds, boys were 4 x as likely as girls to commit suicide.
• Among 20- to 24-year-olds, males were 6 x as likely to commit suicide as females
• The suicide rate for persons age 65 and above: men...28.5 – women...3.9.

Your Head: An Owner's Manual  Understanding and Overcoming Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
"Mental Health: It's a Guy Thing" - from the Men's Health Netowrk

Men's Mental Health (WUMH)

PTSD Linked to Heart Disease
Individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may be at a higher risk for heart disease, according to new research. A study of 637 veterans found that those with PTSD were more likely to have buildup in the arteries leading to the heart. Heart disease also progressed more in vets with PTSD and they were more likely to die of any cause over the next three-and-a-half years than their peers. The findings highlight the importance of integrating medical and psychological care in vets, the researchers write in The American Journal of Cardiology. (Reuters, 5/27/11)


Other News/Partner Announcements

There is a Steering Committee working to develop a strategic plan to address the Mental Health needs for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing (HH), deaf-blind and their families. This work is supported through funding from the Mental Health Block grant. This is a combined effort on the part of staff from the DHS, Division of Long Term Care (DLTC), Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS), Bureau of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery. DHS DMHSAS and DLTC are working together to identify how to build and sustain an infrastructure which will enhance statewide education, improve the delivery of mental health services, and increase outreach for individuals who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing across the lifespan. A strategic plan is currently being drafted with input of 18 members who represent the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and their DPI /DHH workgroup, DHS, interpreters, schools, advocates, business, community, and health care staff with facilitation by Kris Freundlich from the DHS, Division of Enterprise Services. This Strategic Planning Initiative with Steering Committee guidance is leading to a one day Summit in November 2011 or March 2012.

This group is seeking the names of passionate persons who might be “influencers and instigators” to attend this Summit. They might be individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing (HH), deaf-blind and/or their families including deaf parents who may have a hearing child/youth, who may have accessed or had difficulty receiving mental health services (and SA services). Additionally they are seeking to engage mental health/AODA providers and other community-based staff, health systems county and/or private health care staff, educators including early childhood educators and staff, educational administrators/leaders, interpreters, older persons, employers/businesses/employment specialists, faith communities, advocates, law enforcement, legislators, policy/decision-makers, and emergency medical staff. We are looking broadly across ages, geographic areas, gender, race/ethnicity and multiple systems/sectors.

If you are interested in participating, or would like to suggest someone, please send contact information, (and if applicable your associated agency or school district or health system) and include your email or phone number to Linda Huffer at Linda.huffer @ wisconsin.gov or 608/ 266-5641. Each person selected will have a personal invitation extended.

Thank you for assistance in getting the word out and promotion of efforts to improve health, educational, and quality of life outcomes for persons who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing and their families.