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Behavioral Health Day at the Capitol Thursday, February 16, 2012

27. January 2012 by admin.

SAVE THE DATE

 Behavioral Health Day at the Capitol

Thursday, February 16, 2012

 

HOSTED BY: Disability Rights Florida, Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, Florida

Council for Community Mental Health, Florida Partners in Crisis, Florida Psychiatric Society,

Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition, NAMI Florida

 

Speaking with one voice to meet the critical needs of people
with mental illness and substance abuse

Join fellow consumers, family members, providers and advocates for a chance to become better informed about mental health and substance abuse policy issues in the Florida legislature and to educate your legislators about the issues of the day.

 

Please make appointments now with your Representative and Senator to meet with them when you come to Tallahassee.

 

They need to hear your perspective and concerns about mental health and substance abuse budgets and policy issues.

 Talking points will be provided

     Come and tell your story     

 Behavioral Health Day Invite

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY AGENDA

 

Wednesday February 15, 2012

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Lighting the Darkness/An Evening to Remember Lives Lost

to Suicide - Sponsored by the Suicide Prevention Coalition

Early Learning Coalition Office

1940 N. Monroe St. Suite 70

Tallahassee, FL 32303

6:30 pm Remembrance Ceremony

7:30 - 8:00 pm Refreshments & Fellowship

 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

10:00 am -10:45 am - Walk for Behavioral Health Care (Starting at the corner of

Park and Adams, ending at the Capitol Courtyard) Sponsored by NAMI Florida. 

 Registration at 9:30 am

Refreshments will be available at the Courtyard

 

 

11:00 am - 11:45 am - Rally - Capitol Courtyard

1:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Visit with Your Legislators

 

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Legislative Reception - 22

nd Floor Capitol

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Vote for my friends drawing

6. December 2011 by admin.

Vote for my friends drawing -

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Moody Teens Wrongly Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder, Psychiatrist Claims

11. November 2011 by admin.

Moody Teens Wrongly Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder, Psychiatrist Claims Psychiatrists are increasingly misdiagnosing relatively harmless mood swings in the mistaken belief they are nipping a more serious problem in the bud, Philip Hazell, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of Sydney Medical School.

“Effectively, I think quite a few young people now with benign moodiness have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and are being treated for that condition unnecessarily,” Hazell said.

what struck me most about this article is not what Dr. Hazell was saying was not shocking news.  But how many of his opposes rationalized their rebuttal essentially confirmed Dr. Hazel’s believe that young people are being over diagnosed with bipolar disorder. For example they quote Gordon Parker, executive director of black dog Institute whose response to Dr. Hazel’s believe was, “while over-diagnosing appears to be rampant in the U.S.,he cannot accept that is widespread and Australia“.

 

I you kidding me, he essentially is saying yeah Americans over diagnosed, but that could never happen in Australia as we’re too good and have a superior mental health system. Well, Gordon Parker just like your Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s says you need to give a“fair shake of the sauce bottle, mate”, or another idiom us Americans like to say, “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander“.  There is no way that your society is free from misdiagnosing and/or over diagnosing teens with mood disorders.  here in America we may be a little more sensitive to children moods but as my personal understanding that what happens here eventually happens everywhere. I call this the McDonald’s effect… Sooner or later there’ll be one day you.

 

For what it’s worth I do agree that children are being overdiagnosed, then overmedicated for mental disorders symptoms that are mild and just barely fit the criteria of say bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. And I’m not wrong in this feeling the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-V has even change the criteria for children’s bipolar disorder and mood disorders by adding a milder form of the mood disorder.

Children diagnosed with bipolar disorder
A new category that indirectly impacts the diagnosis of mood disorders is the proposed new disorder for children called “temper dysregulation with dysphoria” for “persistent negative mood with bursts of rage.” This new behavior disorder is expected to apply to many of the growing numbers of children currently being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Recent studies have shown that many of these children, who may be aggressive and irritable, do not have bipolar disorder. Rather than powerful antipsychotic drugs, the primary treatment may be behavioral.

References:

http://moodletter.com/DSM_V.html

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/11/moody-teens-wrongly-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-psychiatrist-claims/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#ixzz1dPTihy5T

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U.S Department of Health and Human Services Job Fair online -Virtual Hiring Event

30. October 2011 by admin.

U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) & The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Broadcast Live on Web from FDA’s White Oak Campus

Video link: http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/ucm275549.htm

PDF file:

flyer for HHS - FDA Virtual Hiring Event

Event flyer (PDF - 550KB)HHS & FDA invite all Veterans and People with Disabilities, who are
interested in the many Federal positions we have available at any of our 12

Operating Divisions here at HHS, these positions are located throughout
the country. To register and participate in our LIVE Virtual Hiring Event on

Thursday November 3, 2011 Please see the attached link for additional event information including how to register.

All participants in the Virtual Hiring Event will have an opportunity to not only apply to the open positions at FDA & HHS, but have their resume forwarded to all 9000+ selecting managers throughout HHS and its 12 Operating Divisions.

We are holding 3 LIVE presentations at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm
EST. We will be discussing working at HHS & FDA, Training on the updated version of USAJOBS, Determining job qualifications, How to apply using USAJOBS and Application Manager, and Detailed Information on the federal positions we are looking to fill and much more.

Please distribute this information to Veterans and/or People with Disabilities looking for employment.

The Virtual Hiring Event is 508 compliant and CC. We look forward to your participation.

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Annual “Have a Heart” luncheon to thank Charlotte County

22. October 2011 by admin.

Annual “Have a Heart” luncheon to thank Charlotte County United Way on November 14th from 12 Noon -1:30 pm at CBHC.

 

The luncheon will feature Grill Master Gina Wynn cooking up BBQ chicken, hamburgers, baked beans and macaroni salad!

 

The United Way gives so much to everyone in our community and are very supportive of our agency, so this is our way to say “Thank You” for everything that they do for us throughout the continued year and give back to them! The donation minimum is $10.00, but if you could please give more, that would be great. This is OUR time to thank them for all of their support.

 

 Background from The United Way of Charlotte County : The United Way has been serving the Charlotte County community since 1966.  For all these years, the generosity of donors has made possible programs that nurture children, help youth succeed, promote health and wellness, strengthen adults and families, and provide basic assistance to Charlotte County neighbors. The United Way draws on the resources of the entire community, both human and financial, to support programs in our area.  Each of our member agencies relies on volunteers to help provide these critically needed services.

 

 

Jessica K. Boles

Director, Community Relations & Development

Charlotte Behavioral Health Care

1700 Education Ave

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

(941) 639-8300 ext. 275

www.cbhcfl.org

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Congrats:World Mental Health Day Blog Party, October 10, 2011

11. October 2011 by admin.


I blog for World Mental Health DayI wanted to say congratulation to Psych Centrals first Plag Party for World Mental health day.

Blogs That Have Contributed to World Mental Health Day, 2011

Most recent entries are listed first. This list will be continuously updated throughout the day on October 10, 2011, so check back often!

kids-digest.jpg

kids-digest.jpg

**

 


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Attention all Florida Artists Card Contest

5. October 2011 by admin.

Attention all Florida Artists… NAMI in connection with Assist The Able Trust is holding a contest… See info below.

Holiday Card Contest

Assist The Able Trust in celebrating the December holidays and New Year by creating a greeting card front piece.

Open Call to Florida Artists!

1st Prize, $150

2nd Prize, $75

3rd Prize, $50

Contest Opens: Friday September 30, 2011

Entry Deadline: Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 5 PM

Format: Original Artwork on paper no larger than 8 ½ X 11 OR on a JPEG file between 750KB-1MB on disk. Artwork should be sent along with an “About The Artist” statement of 50 words or less. The Statement should provide a personal statement about the artist, the submitted piece of art, the holiday season, and disabilities. Both submitted Artwork and Statement should be labeled with the Contact name, complete address, phone number and email of Artist.

Attention: Original Artwork will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Not responsible for lost or damaged pieces. One Artwork Submission per Artist. Artists must currently maintain a Florida address. Artists with disabilities encouraged to apply. Artwork submitted in formats other than outlined above will not be considered.

Selected Artwork: Images of the top 3 Selected pieces will be retained for any use by The Able Trust for up to 2 years from the date of selection. Winners will be notified after November 14, 2011 of their selection.

Send To: The Able Trust; Holiday Card Contest; 3320 Thomasville Rd, Suite 200; Tallahassee, FL 32308. Arriving no later than 5 PM November 3, 2011.

Questions:

850-224-4493 or info@abletrust.org

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Media Opportunity: Women Living with Mental Illness

26. September 2011 by admin.

Media Opportunity : Women, Ages 30 to 50

 

Media Opportunity : Women, Ages 30 to 50

 

A national magazine is developing “as told to” profiles of women, ages 30 to 50, who are living with mental illness.

 

Aside from the age requirement, candidates for interviews can have any diagnosis such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or borderline personality disorder. They need to be willing to have their name and city or town published and possibly a photograph along with their personal story.

 

Interviews will cover the onset of illness, treatment, struggles, hopes and various levels of recovery.

 

If you are interested, please send a short summary up to 400 words of your personal story by Thurs., Sept.  29 to Bob Carolla at NAMI Media Relations: bobc(at)nami.org.

 

Please include your name, email address, phone number and geographic location. Submissions will be forwarded to the magazine writer. Only some candidates will end up being interviewed, but all submissions will be considered.

 

Please also forward this notice to anyone who might be interested.

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Demystifying Trauma: Sharing Pathways to Healing and Wellness

19. September 2011 by admin.

I just received this e-mail today about a free webinar from SAMHSA. When a copy and pasted to the post I hope it all comes out okay.  It’s a very powerful webinar about trauma and I think if anyone can take some time to go you’ll really enjoy it I know I’ve enjoyed the ones in the past.

FREE WEBINAR

Demystifying Trauma:
Sharing Pathways to Healing and Wellness

Register Today!
http://www.promoteacceptance.
samhsa.gov/teleconferences/archive/
training/teleconference09262011.aspx

Registration will close at 5 p.m. eastern time, on
Sunday, September 25, 2011.
Please share with others
who may be interested.

When:
Monday, September 26, 2011
3 p.m.–4:30 p.m. eastern time

Presenters:
Richard Mollica, M.D., M.A.R., Director of the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Beth Filson, M.F.A., CPS, Trainer and Curriculum Developer in Trauma-informed Peer Support and Peer Workforce

Elizabeth Hudson, M.S.W., LCSW, Trauma Services Coordinator, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Relevant for:

  • people and families who have experienced trauma
  • people in recovery from mental health, substance use, and trauma-related challenges
  • peer-run organizations
  • behavioral health providers
  • primary care providers
  • staff of State and county mental health or behavioral health departments
  • staff and volunteers of faith-based and community-based organizations that support individuals and families recovering from trauma
  • community members interested in supporting others after a traumatic event

You will learn how to:

  1. understand the value of sharing one’s story following a traumatic experience or event from an “evidence-based” perspective
  2. explain how relationships strengthen and transform trauma survivors, and describe specific ways to build peer relationships based on mutual needs
  3. apply new techniques in the role of a listener that support the notion of “person as teacher”
  4. describe the values of trauma-informed care and how to  put them into practice across many systems and social services

Description:

During this 90-minute webinar, you will learn how traumatic experiences and their impact are a nearly universal experience and how broad the impact can be on mind, body, spirit, and relationships. However, healing from these experiences is very unique to the individual. You will learn the power of a personal story in the recovery from trauma, recognize the value of the “person as teacher,” and recognize the value of being an active listener. Relationships, especially peer support, can be a source of strength and transformation after trauma. Learn how to build peer relationships based on mutual needs. Gain strategies and techniques for listening in a way that is supportive and compassionate, but also allows listeners to cope with the emotional responses that may be triggered by painful stories.

Communities across the country are infusing the values of trauma-informed care into mental health and substance abuse services, peer-run organizations and communities, child welfare settings, schools, homeless shelters, and correctional facilities. Learn how Wisconsin has embraced these values statewide, engaging consumer leadership and diverse stakeholders across many social systems and services. Through this example, you will see that trauma-informed care is neither a prescriptive nor a dogmatic approach, but an ongoing process of continuous innovation that best meets and responds to the needs evolving from the culture of a community. You will gain strategies that can help you begin implementing a similar trauma-informed approach in your community.

The speakers will share their visions for the many healing pathways toward wellness and recovery.

Training Sponsor:

This teleconference is sponsored by the SAMHSA ADS Center, a project of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). CMHS is a center within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Please explore the SAMHSA ADS Center Web site for more information: http://www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov

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Can Equine Therapy Be Used For Weight Loss?

5. August 2011 by admin.

Contextual Links
HostGator promotion code

Can Equine Therapy Be Used For Weight Loss?

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/humor/files/2011/08/2011-Mental-Health-humor-Equine-Therapy-For-Weight-Loss.jpg

What’s equine therapy or horse therapy all about? Equine Therapy is a therapy that uses the horse as a therapeutic tool. Equine Therapy works on three different levels:

Hypotherapy: Works with people who have neuromotor disorders and going out to get study neurological, traumatic, degenerative or genetic origins
Therapeutic riding: This is the area that brings in psychiatry, psychology and pedagogy, as well as the promotion kinesis. Therapeutic riding treats psycho dysfunction, sensomotor and sociomotor problems that have psychological, psychiatric or educational bases.
Riding as a sport: People, who are gaining mastery of their body and can control the horse, can start working in this area.

Currently there still may be some negative projections on the success and validity of equine therapy. Skeptics may feel “riding a horse is not therapy” or “all animals do is eat, then don’t give therapy”. Projections like these may sound to be based and some more than stigmatic beliefs, but the truth is that not. We have come to a point in our society that accepts many different types of therapy, from art therapy to cloud therapy and everything in between. Studies have proven them to work to different degrees for the individual. Yes there is hope in recent studies and research supporting the use of horses as a therapeutic modality. But it’s a new therapy and no doubt the fact not everyone has access to a majestic stallion or jackass can limit the conceptual process but accepted as a therapy.
What is unique about equine therapy is that horses, besides the fact that you are dealing with the horse as the main tool, is that the horse in equine therapy only plays the part of a horse not a therapist. There is no need to “break the spirit” or being a involved in “natural horsemanship”. Horse doesn’t receive amy other training other than being love and well taken care.

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/humor/files/2011/02/2011-Mental-Health-humor-Tell-me-about-your-Dam-Mare.jpg

The power of equine therapy is the bond we humans can develop with such a majestic creatures. Being around them can center our lives to focus in on their needs. Yes there will still be a need for a Treatment Plan in Equine Therapy especially in dealing with the physicality of the therapy. So yes using equine therapy can be beneficial with weight loss, eating disorders, drug addiction, and psychological disorders.Equine therapy may be a horse of a different color, but it’s worth saddling up and trotting around for a while to receive the full benefit.

I viested each website below to give you a list of Equine Therapy in Florida /Equine - Assisted  Therapy Programs ()

FL, Archer
HOPE - Horses Helping People 9722 SW 153 Ave. Archer, FL 32618 (352) 495-0533
9814 SW 153 Ave., Archer, FL
www.horseshelpingpeople.org

FL, Bradenton
Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy NARHA Premier Accredited Center
P O Box 9566 Bradenton, FL 34206-9566 (941) 746-1493
4800 CR 675, Bradenton, FL
www.smartriders.org

FL, Brooksville
The ARC Nature Coast 5283 Neff Lake Road Brooksville, FL 34601 (352) 544-2322
www.thearc-naturecoast.org

FL, Brooksville
Legacy Oaks Riding Stable 16047 Psenka Brooksville, FL 34604 (352) 796-9702
http://www.agsfarm.com/

FL, Coconut Creek
Horses & Handicapped of South Florida, Inc. NARHA Premier Accredited Center
P.O. Box 273542 Boca Raton, FL 33427 (954)974-2007
3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek, FL
www.handhmagic.org

FL, Coconut Creek
Bit by Bit, Inc. 11555 Heron Bay Blvd.. Suite 200 Coral Springs, FL 33076 (954) 234-8808
4201 Vinkemulder Rd., Coconut Creek, FL
www.BitbyBitTherapy.com

FL, Dania
Kiwanis Horses & Handicapped, Inc. PO Box 551 Dania, FL 33004 (561) 753-9700
http://www.ege.com/kiwanis/

FL, Davie
Healing Hooves Psychotherapy, Inc. 3500 Peacefull Ridge Rd Davie, FL 33330 (954) 547-9928
www.healinghoovesinc.com

FL, Kissimmee
Heavenly Hooves, Inc. 417 Celebration Ave. Celebration, FL 34747 (407) 301-1085
1731 Boggy Creek Rd., Kissimmee, FL
www.heavenlyhoofs.com/

FL, Loxahatchee
Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center NARHA Premier Accredited Center
13300 6th Court North Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561)792-9900
www.vinceremos.com

FL, Miami
Good Hope Equestrian Training Center, Inc. NARHA Premier Accredited Center
PO Box 700016 Miami, FL 33170-0016 (305) 258-2838
22155 SW 147th Avenue, Miami, FL
www.goodhopeequestriancenter.com

FL, Middleburg
Hope Therapy NARHA Premier Accredited Center
1591 Big Branch Rd Middleburg, FL 32068 (904) 291-6784
www.hopetherapy.org

FL, N. Ft. Myers
Special Equestrians, Inc NARHA Premier Accredited Center
P.O. Box 61528 Fort Myers, FL 33906 (239) 731-1212
17840 Palm Creek Dr., N. Ft. Myers, FL
www.specialequestrians.net

FL, Naples
Naples Equestrian Challenge, Inc. 206 Ridge Dr Naples, FL 34108-3418 (239) 596-2988
www.naplesequestrianchallenge.org

FL, Ocala
Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, Inc. NARHA Premier Accredited Center
P O Box 6832 Ocala, FL 34478 (352) 624-4240
3143 SW 17th St., Ocala, FL
www.mtraocala.org

FL, Ocala
Story Book Meadows
13049 NW 97th Place, Ocala, Florida, USA 34482 (352) 351–4746
http://storybookmeadows.org

FL, Orlando
Freedom Ride, Inc. NARHA Premier Accredited Center
1905 Lee Road Orlando, FL 32810 (407) 293-0411
www.freedomride.com

FL, Rockledge
Harmony Farms, Inc. “Horses for the Handicapped” 5300 Stadium Parkway Rockledge, FL 32955-5112 (321) 631-9433
www.harmonyfarmsinc.com

FL, Sanford
A Stable Life Counseling
114 W. 1st St. Suite 246 Sanford, FL 32771-1273 (321)377-2243
http://www.astablelife.com/index.html

FL, S.W. Ranches
Project Stable Foundation 5790 S.W. 130 Ave. S.W. Ranches, FL 33330 (954) 680-8069
www.projectstable.org

FL, Tampa
Bakas Equestrian Center “Horses for Handicapped” NARHA Premier Accredited Center
11510 Whisper Lake Trail Tampa, FL 33626 (813) 264-3890
www.bakasridingcenter.com

FL, Thonotosassa
Traverse, Inc. NARHA Premier Accredited Center
10730 N. 56th St. Oak Plaza - Suite #210 Temple Terrace, FL 33617 (813) 960-3488
11408 Walker Rd., Thonotosassa, Fl
www.traversekids.org

FL, Vero Beach
Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast NARHA Premier Accredited Center
Special Equestrians of the Tre P. O. Box 651312 Vero Beach, FL 32961 (772) 562-7603
8000 8th Street, Vero Beach, FL
http://www.special-equestrians.org/

Mental Health Humor cartoons by Chato B Stewart.  Thanks Cuz!

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