September is Recovery Month
“Join the Voices for Recovery: Recovery Benefits Everyone,”

Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of treatment for substance use and mental disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

It's not too late to spread the word!  A Recovery Month Toolkit created by has tips for writing a letter to the editor or op-ed piece, logos and banners for your blog or web site, and resources, information and statistics you can share.  The Targeted Audience section has information geared toward healthcare professionals, policy makers, and those in the workplace.

Visit the WUMH Recovery page or Recoverymonth.gov to learn more.


Suicide Prevention Week - September 4-10

MHA Wisconsin recently announced the recipients of six mini-grants, some of whose funds will go to activities this week. Read about it at: MHA Suicide Prevention.

HOPES will display Memory Quilts at the Capitol in Madison from September 11-17

Listen for suicide prevention PSAs  running on Madison-area radio stations this week.

The HOPES calendars has more information on upcoming events and trainings.


Suicide Prevention Day - September 10

Visit: International Association of Suicide Prevention to see how you can promote the day.  If you are on Facebook, you can "attend" the virtual event by visiting: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=216451091704034

Don't forget, WUMH is also on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wisconsin-United-for-Mental-Health/154630084550894.  Please "Like" us if you haven't done so and ask a friend or colleague to do the same!

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Upcoming Events

11th Annual Recovery Rally
September 17, 2011
Marshal Park, Middleton, WI
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Theme: “Join the Voices for Recovery: Recovery Benefits Everyone!" emphasizing the Affordable Care Act and Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act and how they advance access to behavioral health services and that public education about the effectiveness of behavioral health services can reduce stereotyping and prejudice associated with mental and substance use disorders.

Alliance for Recovery Advocates (AFRA) along with Wisconsin Association on Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse (WAAODA) is holding the rally. There will be activities for the kids, free food, good music and speakers telling their stories of recovery. We have invited Senator Tammy Baldwin to open up the celebration with main speaker, Thuy Smith, Founder/President of Thuy Smith International Outreach.


2011 Suicide Prevention Summit
September 14, 2011
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
La Crosse Center | South Hall | 300 Harborview Plaza | La Crosse Wis.

Summit Purpose and Audience: To increase our understanding of suicide, its prevalence and the risk factors for specific populations, and acquire tools for prevention, assessment, and intervention. The QPR prevention tools will be taught throughout the Summit.

Psychologists, social workers and counselors, teachers, clergy and pastoral care, law enforcement officials, school guidance counselors, nurses, paramedics, medical assistants, youth leaders, and student service personnel will especially benefit from the workshops and sessions.

Find out more at: http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/suicideprevention/index.html


Well Aware Webinar Series on Youth Suicide Prevention
3:00-4:30 Eastern Time
Sept. 27, Oct. 18 and Nov. 2
More information at: http://www.wellawaresp.org/webinars.php


As always, don't forget to visit our calendar to view more activities related to these awareness events.

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With the 10th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 coming up next week, here are some resources:

• PTSD - WUMH
• Trauma - WUMH
• Talking with Kids About News - PBS Parents