WUMH Personnel Changes

As some of you may know, Rebecca Cohen has taken a new position with the Department of Public Health and will no longer serve as Co-Chair for WUMH.  We wish her luck and thank her for the years of service and dedication she gave to Wisconsin United for Mental Health! 

WUMH is proud to announce that Peggy Helm-Quest has joined Patty Branton as WUMH Co-Chair. 

Peggy Helm-Quest, MSEd., MHSA,CHES
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program Consultant
Division of Public Health
Bureau of Community Health Promotion

Peggy just completed 15 years of service with the state; 2 years for Medicaid and the last 13 years for the MCH/CYSHCN program. Peggy serves on the Children’s Committee of the State Mental Health Council, and quad-chair of the Integration of Mental Health, Public Health, and Substance Use initiative.

Cara Hansen, Information and Assistance Coordinator for Mental Health America of Wisconsin, is now WUMH Coordinator.  Cara served as WUMH Co-Chair several years ago and has worked for MHA WI since 2001.  Welcome back, Cara!

Danielle Lennie, Communications Coordinator for Mental Health America of Wisconsin, will write the monthly WUMH E-Newsletter.  She has been with MHA since 2002, and previously worked for Aurora Health Care.


2012 WUMH Joint Advisory Board /Steering Committee Meetings

 The meeting dates (all dates are Fridays) for 2012 have been finalized.  They are as follows:

• February 17
• May 11
• August 17
• November 9

Time: 9:00 - 11:00 am
Location: Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation in Madison (WISLine teleconferencing available)

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Workplace Resource

Disabilities at Work  "Disabilities At Work provides opportunities for businesses to acquire and display a visible symbol of their support for people with disabilities and as a result, the potential for increased customer patronage."

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Recovery News and Opportunities

SAMHSA Announces a Working Definition of "Recovery"

SAMHSA recently announced a new working definition of recovery from mental disorders and substance use disorders. The definition is the product of a year-long effort by SAMHSA and a wide range of partners in the behavioral health care community and other fields to develop a working definition of recovery that captures the essential, common experiences of those recovering from mental disorders and substance use disorders. Major guiding principles support the recovery definition. SAMHSA led this effort as part of its Recovery Support Strategic Initiative.

The new working definition of Recovery From Mental Disorders and Substance Use Disorders is as follows:
A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self- directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

Through the Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, SAMHSA also has delineated four major dimensions that support a life in recovery:

• Health: Overcoming or managing one's disease(s) as well as living in a physically and emotionally healthy way.
• Home: A stable and safe place to live.
• Purpose: Meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income, and resources to participate in society.
• Community: Relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.

Read the Full Press Release | Learn More About SAMHSA's Recovery Support Initiative


SAMHSA ADS Center Invites People to share their Recovery Story
If you or someone you know has a story to share, visit http://promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov/publications/mystory/mystoryguidelines.aspx to find ideas to get started.

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