Recovery Peer Specialists CRPS http://recoverypeerspecialists.com Mental Health Recovery Peer Specialist Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:22:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 en Florida Plan for $2B in Medicaid cuts concerns hospitals http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2012/01/30/florida-plan-for-2b-in-medicaid-cuts-concerns-hospitals/ http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2012/01/30/florida-plan-for-2b-in-medicaid-cuts-concerns-hospitals/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:21:39 +0000 admin http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2012/01/30/florida-plan-for-2b-in-medicaid-cuts-concerns-hospitals/  

 

http://www.charlotte-sun.com/csp/cms/sites/SunNews/assets/images/headerBackgrounds/PortCharlotte.jpg

In the Sunday, January 29, 2010 Charlotte Sun newspaper that ran an article by Sun Correspondent NEIL HUGHES entitled: “Plan for $2B ($2,000,000,000.00) in Medicaid cuts concerns hospitals“.

 

“Gov. Rick Scott’s plan to slash about $2 billion from the state’s Medicaid funding has caused concern among some health care officials in Southwest Florida, who fear it will greatly reduce hospitals’ abilities to help the poor. The proposed cuts from Scott amount to about 10 percent of Florida’s Medicaid fund, which provides health care to low-income people, and would take effect in the 2013 budget.“

Reading over the article I couldn’t help but think how this $2 billion cut is going to affect my peers and I living with mental disorders like bipolar disorder, depression, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia. I’m all for getting rid of Medicaid fraud but these cuts seen like they’re going to just make it harder to get well needed services.

I agree that there are many that abuse the system and just go to the ER when they get the sniffles or for any little small ailment… That runs up the Medicaid bill substantially in that is where a lot of education needs to be focused on. The article said that the governor will allocate “a portion of that money toward education“. It seems to me that the education should have been done all along. Still in the last few years we have seen in the state of Florida hundreds of thousands of dollars trimmed from services for mentally ill individuals. I wonder what are crime rate is? Did you know Florida or his 49th in the state for spending for mental illness programs and mental health services? Yet, it will surprise you that Florida ranks 12th in the penal system for spending for mental health services and penitentiaries in jails. Then scenario is if you want good mental health services you need to rob a bank. No do not rob a bank! That is a figurative term, do not rob a bank just to get medical services, do not do anything that would be considered fraudulent to get Medicaid to pay for.

now not quite sure what nail was saying in the article and when he said “the proposed cuts from Scott amount to about 10% of slaughters Medicaid fraud”. Does that mean that each year there is $20 billion in Medicaid fraud each year? Since, 10% of 20 billion would equal 2 billion then the article would make a lot more sense. Heck if I could cut down on fraud then I would do what I could I would think any American would.

But who gets hurt in the end here? The ECO Gwen McKenzie of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital estimates that they treat 90% of Sarasota’s Medicaid cases… I.e. 90% of the poor. She says “we are deeply concerned that these devastating cuts will jeopardize our ability to care for the region’s most vulnerable patients“.

In the end the cuts will be done and the poor will stay poor and the rich will get rich, it has been this way since the beginning why would it change now?

This is why it is so important for managed care, self-care, recovery support groups of recovery and resiliency programs for mental health issues.  Support groups when well attended will help not only maintain compliancy but at the same time improve your recovery.  Although I hate the word compliancy I need to use it to indicate improvement. We are living in a time of dire Straits high stress with serious mentally ill people not getting the services they need. We are in fact being left out to the wolves, but fear not if we work together share our experiences and build our one voice we can be heard one day but until then when I have to look out for each other.

 

]]> http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2012/01/30/florida-plan-for-2b-in-medicaid-cuts-concerns-hospitals/feed/ Behavioral Health Day at the Capitol Thursday, February 16, 2012 http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2012/01/27/behavioral-health-day-at-the-capitol-thursday-february-16-2012/ http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2012/01/27/behavioral-health-day-at-the-capitol-thursday-february-16-2012/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:12:47 +0000 admin http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2012/01/27/behavioral-health-day-at-the-capitol-thursday-february-16-2012/ 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
]]> http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2012/01/27/behavioral-health-day-at-the-capitol-thursday-february-16-2012/feed/ Vote for my friends drawing http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/12/06/vote-for-my-friends-drawing/ http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/12/06/vote-for-my-friends-drawing/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:20:57 +0000 admin http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/12/06/vote-for-my-friends-drawing/ Vote for my friends drawing -

]]> http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/12/06/vote-for-my-friends-drawing/feed/ Moody Teens Wrongly Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder, Psychiatrist Claims http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/11/11/moody-teens-wrongly-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-psychiatrist-claims/ http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/11/11/moody-teens-wrongly-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-psychiatrist-claims/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:42:54 +0000 admin http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/11/11/moody-teens-wrongly-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-psychiatrist-claims/ 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

]]> http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/11/11/moody-teens-wrongly-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-psychiatrist-claims/feed/ U.S Department of Health and Human Services Job Fair online -Virtual Hiring Event http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/30/us-department-of-health-and-human-services-job-fair-online-virtual-hiring-event/ http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/30/us-department-of-health-and-human-services-job-fair-online-virtual-hiring-event/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:22:39 +0000 admin http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/30/us-department-of-health-and-human-services-job-fair-online-virtual-hiring-event/ 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.

]]> http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/30/us-department-of-health-and-human-services-job-fair-online-virtual-hiring-event/feed/ Annual “Have a Heart” luncheon to thank Charlotte County http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/22/annual-%e2%80%9chave-a-heart%e2%80%9d-luncheon-to-thank-charlotte-county/ http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/22/annual-%e2%80%9chave-a-heart%e2%80%9d-luncheon-to-thank-charlotte-county/#comments Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:47:51 +0000 admin http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/22/annual-%e2%80%9chave-a-heart%e2%80%9d-luncheon-to-thank-charlotte-county/ 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

]]> http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/22/annual-%e2%80%9chave-a-heart%e2%80%9d-luncheon-to-thank-charlotte-county/feed/ Congrats:World Mental Health Day Blog Party, October 10, 2011 http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/11/congratsworld-mental-health-day-blog-party-october-10-2011/ http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/11/congratsworld-mental-health-day-blog-party-october-10-2011/#comments Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:18:05 +0000 admin http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/11/congratsworld-mental-health-day-blog-party-october-10-2011/
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

**

 


]]> http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/11/congratsworld-mental-health-day-blog-party-october-10-2011/feed/ Attention all Florida Artists Card Contest http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/05/attention-all-florida-artistscard-contest/ http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/05/attention-all-florida-artistscard-contest/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:57:14 +0000 admin http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/05/attention-all-florida-artistscard-contest/ 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

]]> http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/10/05/attention-all-florida-artistscard-contest/feed/ Media Opportunity: Women Living with Mental Illness http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/09/26/media-opportunity-women-living-with-mental-illness/ http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/09/26/media-opportunity-women-living-with-mental-illness/#comments Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:08:48 +0000 admin http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/09/26/media-opportunity-women-living-with-mental-illness/

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.

]]> http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/09/26/media-opportunity-women-living-with-mental-illness/feed/ Demystifying Trauma: Sharing Pathways to Healing and Wellness http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/09/19/demystifying-trauma-sharing-pathways-to-healing-and-wellness/ http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/09/19/demystifying-trauma-sharing-pathways-to-healing-and-wellness/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:49:21 +0000 admin http://recoverypeerspecialists.com/2011/09/19/demystifying-trauma-sharing-pathways-to-healing-and-wellness/

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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