The National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse is affiliated with the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion.
TO CONTACT: THE CLEARINGHOUSE: SELFHELPCLEARINGHOUSE@GMAIL.COM … SUSAN ROGERS: SUSAN.ROGERS.ADVOCACY@GMAIL.COM … JOSEPH ROGERS: JROGERS08034@GMAIL.COM
THE KEY UPDATE IS COMPILED, WRITTEN, AND EDITED BY SUSAN ROGERS, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMERS’ SELF-HELP CLEARINGHOUSE.
NOTE: THE "FROM PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE KEY UPDATE BUT STILL FRESH!" DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS DIRECTLY BELOW THE MONTHLY CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM DIGEST, INCLUDES ITEMS THAT HAD BEEN POSTED "ABOVE THE FOLD" IN EARLIER EDITIONS BUT ARE STILL RELEVANT. THESE INCLUDE ONGOING RESEARCH STUDIES THAT ARE STILL SEEKING PARTICIPANTS, AS WELL AS UPCOMING WEBINARS AND CONFERENCES, AND OTHER ITEMS OF CONTINUED INTEREST. DON'T MISS IT!
DEADLINE ALERT: There are three webinars scheduled for today (January 26) and a fourth for tomorrow (January 27)! See the first three items under “Webinars, Trainings, and Conferences” for details.
NEWS
“NIH Advances Landmark Recommendations on Disability Inclusion and Anti-ableism”
“In 2021, within its Working Group on Diversity, the NIH [National Institutes of Health] established a subgroup on individuals with disabilities…to explore ways to increase disability equity and inclusion. The committee that advises the NIH’s director endorsed the subgroup’s landmark set of recommendations, which were finally published on Dec. 30." To read the STAT article, click here.
“ ‘Out Of Control’: Dozens of Telehealth Startups Sent Sensitive Health Information to Big Tech Companies”
“An investigation by The Markup and STAT found 49 out of 50 telehealth websites sharing health data via Big Tech’s tracking tools,” according to a recent article. For the article, click here.
“What Is the Frequency and Nature of Visual Hallucinations in Non-clinical Participants?”
According to a study published in November 2022, visual hallucinations (VH) “are seemingly common in non-clinical populations and are similar in a number of ways to those of people with psychosis. Awareness that VH occur on a continuum could normalize people's experiences and reduce their negative appraisals and related distress.” For the study, © British Psychological Society, click here.
“Talking about...PPI” [Patient and Public Involvement] in Mental Health Research
“'Talking about...PPI' [Patient and Public Involvement] is a new video series in which experienced public contributors in mental health research talk to researchers about their role. The conversations offer lots of useful insight, experience and guidance for researchers.” For more information, click here.
Yale’s New Policies Will Help Students with Mental Health Conditions; NASMHPD Manuals May Help Students, Families, and Campus Staff and Administrators
Yale University has made major changes to its medical leave policy that will allow students struggling with mental health problems to take time off—rather than withdraw—and to return to campus when they’re ready, without reapplying. In addition, for the “Student and Family” Version of “Back to School: Toolkits to Support the Full Inclusion of Students with Early Psychosis in Higher Education,” a 94-page manual–one of a two-part series available from the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD)--click here. For the 57-page “Campus Staff and Administrator Version,” click here.
Your Consent Is Not Required: The Rise in Psychiatric Detentions, Forced Treatment, and Abusive Guardianships
Your Consent Is Not Required: The Rise in Psychiatric Detentions, Forced Treatment and Abusive Guardianships “investigates people's experiences of civil psychiatric detentions, and the science, economics, and cultural politics of forced treatment,” says its author, Rob Wipond. Author and psychologist Bruce Levine described the book as "a hugely important investigation of psychiatry's ‘extra-legal’ policing of people who have done nothing illegal but who create tension for their families or society… A vivid picture of an injustice ignored by the mainstream media.” And Scientific American columnist John Horgan wrote: "Rob Wipond's exposé is passionate, thoroughly reported and rigorously reasoned. This book grabbed my attention from the start and never let go.” For more information and to order the book, click here or visit your local bookstore.
WEBINARS, TRAININGS, AND CONFERENCES
MHTTC Publishes Calendar of Events from Now Until September 19, 2023
The Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) has published a calendar of its events from now through September 19. The calendar covers the 10 U.S.-based regional MHTTCs as well as the two national MHTTCs. The MHTTC is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. For the calendar, click here. (Courtesy of NYAPRS E-News)
NAADAC Hosts Free “Peer Recovery Support” Webinar Series, Issues Call for Proposals for Its Annual Conference, and Will Present Third Annual Virtual Summit on “Engagement in the Black Community”
First, the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)—now known as the Association for Addiction Professionals—will launch its free, 10-part “Peer Recovery Support” webinar series on January 26, 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. ET. For details, click here. Second, NAADAC members and non-members are invited to submit presentation proposals for 1.5-hour breakout sessions at its 2023 Annual Conference, to be held in Denver October 6-11. Submission deadline: January 31. For details and to submit a proposal, click here. Third, NADAAC will present its third annual virtual summit on “Engagement in the Black Community” on February 9-10, 2023, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. ET. For details and to register, click here. (Courtesy of Jessi Davis)
“Psychosis, Sociopolitical Trauma and the Asian Diaspora”
On January 27, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. ET, the International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis-U.S. Chapter (ISPS-US) will present a “conversation about the impact of trauma born of war on those who are deemed ‘other’ within the communities in which they seek refuge.” For more information about this 90-minute webinar, click here.
Café TA Center to Present “Master Your Personal Narrative: Storytelling as a Leadership Tool”
This free six-part series—beginning on January 31, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. ET and continuing every Tuesday at the same time through March 7—will explore how to “broaden the idea of the personal recovery narrative and discuss how you can use your story as a leadership tool in different contexts, including advocacy, executive/organizational leadership, and agency-level systems change.” For details and to register, click here.
“Finding Your Rhythm: Infusing Music into Crisis Settings”
On January 31, 2023, at 2 p.m. ET, the National Empowerment Center (NEC) will present a free, 90-minute webinar on “Finding Your Rhythm: Infusing Music into Crisis Settings.” NEC writes: “In this webinar, learn about meaningful and creative ways to bring music into crisis treatment settings, from songwriting and singalongs to intimate performances.” For details and to register, click here.
“Expanding Access to and Use of Behavioral Health Services for People Experiencing Homelessness”
On February 2, at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT), “join the MHTTC Network, SAMHSA and Abt Associates for an upcoming webinar highlighting findings from SAMHSA's new guide, “Expanding Access to and Use of Behavioral Health Services for People Experiencing Homelessness.” “This webinar will provide an overview of the SAMHSA guide and include presentations from four organizations that are currently using the evidence-based practices featured in this guide to support mental health and substance use needs among individuals experiencing homelessness.” For details and to register, click here.
Free Intentional Peer Support Training on February 5
On February 5, 2023, at 12 p.m. ET, a free Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training will be sponsored by the 2022 International Peer Respite/Soteria Summit. It is a follow-up to the Summit, but new participants are welcome. The sponsors write: “In this three-hour online overview, participants will learn about the history of IPS as well as the tasks and principles of this transformational framework. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and have interactive discussions with the facilitators and other participants.” The Summit website has a list of resources; and some short videos from the Summit are available here. For more information and to register, click here; registrants will be emailed the link to participate before February 5.
Online Conference on “Withdrawal from Psychiatric Drugs 2,” February 10-11, 2023
The International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal (IIPDW) is holding its second online conference–"Withdrawal from Psychiatric Drugs 2”–February 10-11, 2023. “...The conference will look at the latest developments in research and the world of online peer support…Anyone with a personal or professional interest is welcome.” For more information and to register, click here.
ADAA to Offer Two Free Webinars in February; Others Can Be Viewed on Demand
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) will offer two free 60-minute webinars in February: on February 9, 2023, at 1 p.m. ET: “Perfectly Imperfect Love: Tips to Recognize & Move Past Relationship OCD” (click here); and “Athletes and Mental Health,” on February 13 at 12 p.m. ET (click here). All webinars are recorded and are available to watch on-demand. For more information, click here.
APS Learning Community Offers a Free, Three-Part Webinar Series on “Trauma in the Workplace” and Hosts a Weekly Networking Meeting. Check Out Its Website for Upcoming Events.
The Academy of Peer Services (APS) Virtual Learning Community will continue its free, three-part “Trauma in the Workplace” webinar series on February 16, 2023, at 10 a.m. ET, with the second webinar in the series. For details and to register, click here. The third of the 90-minute webinars will take place on March 16 at 10 a.m. ET; for details and to register, click here. The first webinar in the series, presented on January 19, is available for free viewing, along with other archived APS Learning Community webinars (click here). In addition, the APS Networking Meeting for Peer Specialists is every Tuesday from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. Its purpose is to share ideas, experiences, and opportunities with others in the field of peer support, as well as to give and receive support to each other. To register, click here. For the Virtual Learning Community website, which includes a calendar of upcoming events, resources, and more, click here.
Doors to Wellbeing to Host the Next Webinar in Its Monthly Series on February 28
Stay tuned to the Doors to Wellbeing website for details of its February webinar!
MHTTC Offers Free Online Behavioral Health Courses
The Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) “currently offers 20 online courses available through Healtheknowledge.org. HealtheKnowledge.org offers high-quality, on-demand, and instructor-led courses that are open to the public. Courses are free for a certificate of completion, and yearly membership options are available for purchase to gain access to other HealtheKnowledge resources and earn unlimited CE credits. View our course listings here. View our how-to guide to set up your HealtheKnowledge account.” MHTTC is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
ISSTD to Host 40th Annual Conference in Louisville April 13-17, 2023
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) will host its 40th annual conference in Louisville; the pre-conference will be held April 13-14 and the conference April 15-17. The theme is “Shifting the Societal Denial of Dissociation.” A virtual option (details of which are explained at the conference link, here) will also be available. Early Bird registration is available through February 15.
OPPORTUNITIES
“Want to Help Transform Campus Mental Health Policy and Supports in the United States?”
Leaders of the disability rights movement who have received a PCORI “convening” grant “are recruiting potential members for workgroups to develop research priorities in each of three areas leading up to the convening, or who are interested in participating in the final all-day virtual summit in Fall 2023.” The three areas are “campus crisis response and integration of campus support in the context of hospitalization; medical leaves and/or psychiatric disabilities requiring cross-division coordination; and psychiatric disability accommodations and ADA-related policy and practice…To facilitate diverse involvement, we are asking interested individuals to fill out an expression of interest form.” For details and the application, click here. Deadline: February 3, 2023.
New TU Collaborative Study on Bringing Activity into (or Back into) Your Life
“The Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion, in collaboration with the Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery, is conducting research on a new online peer group workshop called REACH (Resilience, Education, Action, Community, Health). Participation (for adults 18-65 who have “significant mental health concerns”) involves a 12-session (on Mondays) “peer-delivered online intervention by the Copeland Center to explore meaningful activities.” For more information or to volunteer to participate, contact TUCollab@temple.edu.
Nominations Are Open for Six Mental Health America Awards
“Nominations are now open for six MHA awards that recognize peers, individuals, journalists, advocates, and MHA affiliates making a difference in mental health,” Mental Health America writes. “These awards will be given out during formal ceremonies at the 2023 Mental Health America Conference, held June 8-10, 2023 in Washington, D.C.” The deadline to nominate yourself or others is March 1, 2023, at 5 p.m. ET. For information about the six awards, and to submit one or more nominations, click here.
RESOURCES
“The Need for a New Generation of Digital Mental Health Tools to Support More Accessible, Effective and Equitable Care”
An editorial in the February 2023 edition of World Psychiatry highlights “the need for a new generation of digital mental health tools to support more accessible, effective and equitable care.” The authors conclude: “Achieving optimal health, including mental health, means that we must address social/political determinants of health. Technology literacy now is considered a social determinant of health…Thus, supporting digital self-determination should be the first priority…” Scroll down for the editorial at this link.
Mental Health Advocate Pat Deegan’s Website Offers 2 Articles and 24 Posters for Free
“We are making a change to our website so that everyone can access my FREE posters and papers more easily,” Pat Deegan writes. The two articles currently available are “Recovery, Rehabilitation, and the Conspiracy of Hope” and “Prescribing Hope for Recovery.” The website also includes 24 free posters, with messages such as “Recovery happens for ordinary people like me and you who, upon awakening, swing our feet over the edge of the bed, stand up and face the day." For the articles and posters, click here. (Courtesy of Elizabeth R. Stone)
The February 2023 Digest of Articles Offering Healthy Lifestyle Advice
For “How a Bit of Awe Can Improve Your Health,” click here. For “The 7-Day Happiness Challenge: If you take this seven-day challenge and if you commit yourself to doing all of these things without cheating, not only you will know what makes happy people happy, but at the end of the challenge, you might also experience that happiness for yourself,” click here. For “How to Become a Morning Exercise Person,” click here. For “You Can Do This 10-Minute Workout at Home with No Equipment,” click here.
The February 2023 Digest of Articles about the Criminal Legal System, in Which Many Individuals with Mental Health Conditions Are Incarcerated (and the Key Update continues after this Digest)
For “Drive Change is a New York City nonprofit that ‘provides opportunities for young people to further their social and professional development through the power of work…At Drive Change our mission is to support formerly incarcerated young people, and create quality employment pathways to ensure their economic and emotional wellbeing,’” click here. For “W.Va. journalist let go after reporting on abuse allegations: A West Virginia journalist lost her job last month after she reported about alleged abuse of people with disabilities within the state agency that runs West Virginia’s foster care and psychiatric facilities,” click here. For “Reflections on Long Prison Sentences: A Conversation with Crime Survivors, Formerly Incarcerated People, and Family Members: If we want to improve conditions in prisons and protect public safety we need to think differently about long prison sentences. That starts with listening more often to incarcerated people and their families,” click here. For “Brady ’s Failure: The rule was supposed to prevent prosecutors from hiding evidence. It hasn’t worked—but there’s a better way,” click here. For “Federal Inmates Suffering From Unconstitutional Medical Neglect Could Get Relief Under Rule Change: The U.S. Sentencing Commission might make medical neglect a qualifying condition for compassionate release,” click here. For “The Brutal Reality of Life in America’s Most Notorious Jail: I’ve been locked up in maximum-security prisons for two decades. My time on Rikers Island was worse,” click here. For “'This Place Is Crazy': Our mental-health-care system is broken. Ten of every eleven psychiatric patients housed by the government are incarcerated. Here’s what this crisis looks like from the inside—a series of lost lives and a few rare victories—as reported by a prisoner-journalist,” click here. For “‘Riotsville, USA’ Shows the Birth of Police Militarization: Everything Looks Like a Nail–A new documentary uses archive footage to show how the government started thinking of protesters as enemies, and police as soldiers,” click here. For “How an Illicit Cell Phone Helped Me Take College Courses from Prison: ‘I didn’t want to give any type of indication that I am in prison, because I didn’t want to be kicked out,’” click here. For “The Many Ingenious Ways People in Prison Use (Forbidden) Cell Phones: Despite the security concerns of administrators, incarcerated people use phones to hustle, make TikToks or publicize prison conditions,” click here. For “EXPLAINER: Biden inaction, mixed signals on death penalty,” click here. For “How Biden Can Reverse Trump’s Death Penalty Expansion: Biden vowed to end the death penalty. A recent court filing suggests where he might start,” click here. For “Proposed BOP Rule Will Hurt Struggling Families,” click here. For “To avoid false confessions, Pennsylvania needs to mandate taped interrogations | Opinion,” click here. For “Is Bail Reform Causing an Increase in Crime? Bail reform isn’t increasing crime. At least not in Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia and New Jersey. ‘Neither violent nor nonviolent crimes or charges increased markedly immediately after jurisdictions implemented bail reform,’” click here. For “Data-Driven Decarceration: A close analysis of prison data can help us think strategically about the tradeoffs of different approaches to ending mass incarceration,” click here. For “Editorial: Three police killings in one week expose L.A.'s deadly response to mental health crisis,” click here. For “California says it will dismantle death row. The move brings cheers and anger,” click here. For “Police Killed 1,183 People in 2022. Despite a Viral Claim, That's Not a 'Record High.' Any unjustified killing by the government demands public attention. But fatal shootings by police used to be much more common,” click here. For “District attorney determines 'no basis' for criminal liability in Brieon Green jail death,” click here. For “Why So Many Jails Are in a ‘State of Complete Meltdown’: Overcrowding, violence and abuse proliferate at jails across the country, as staffing problems make long-simmering problems worse,” click here. For “The Graying of America’s Prisons: In a first-of-its-kind project, PJP contributors chronicle the now ubiquitous experience of growing old behind bars,” click here. For “Is Death by Incarceration the New Normal for Aging Prisoners? Thousands of older people occupy bed space in maximum security prisons, even though the recidivism rate for people older than 65 is close to zero,” click here. For “A New Beginning for Formerly Incarcerated Women,” click here. For “For the exonerated, compensation is a battle for stability and dignity,” click here. For “ ‘It’s Crushing’: The Lasting Trauma of the Exonerated: Proving your innocence is only part of the battle to put your life back together,” click here. For “Maine’s Prisons Taught Washington a Crucial Lesson in Fighting Opioids: Using drugs to treat addicts inside prison might just be the best way to stem the crisis of overdose deaths,” click here. For “Federal Prisons Were Told to Provide Addiction Medications. Instead, They Punish People Who Use Them. Congress directed the Bureau of Prisons to make Suboxone and other medications widely available, but only a small fraction of those who need the help have received it,” click here. For “Biden signs bill to ease costs for prisoner calls to family,” click here. For “Txas Cities Prioritize Police Over People: Fort Worth spends six times more on criminal justice than community services,” click here. For “Man died in Maricopa County jail after law enforcement used excessive force, family alleges,” click here. For “Notable ruling on meth sentencing guidelines by a notable federal sentencing judge,” click here. For “US, Massachusetts prison officials strike mental health deal,” click here. For “Bill forcing feds to fix prison cameras is signed into law,” click here.
FROM PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE KEY UPDATE BUT STILL FRESH!
CONFERENCES, WEBINARS, AND TRAININGS
BHN/OMH to Host a Free, Four-Part (Virtual) Series on Understanding and Reducing Stigma This Winter
“Mental Health Stigma: What Is It? Who Does It Impact? How Do We Reduce It?” Behavioral Health News and the New York State Office of Mental Health will offer a four-part (virtual) roundtable series to discuss these questions, featuring people with lived experience, advocates, policy makers, mental health providers, community leaders, researchers, and media figures. The four 90-minute roundtables, each of which will begin at 2 p.m. ET, are “Understanding the Experience of Mental Health Stigma” (January 12); “The Experience of Mental Health Stigma among Diverse Groups” (January 26); “The Role of the Media in Reducing Stigma” (February 9); and “Paths to Reduce Stigma and Promote Positive Attitudes” (March 2). For details and to register for any or all of the free roundtables, click here.
“So You’re Ready to Work; Now What?”
Rebel Leadership Group LLC and CAFE TAC has launched a new, 12-part interactive employment training series! “This series will be recovery-centered and strengths-based, examining the process of finding, applying for, and succeeding in a job through the lens of recovery, helping attendees to identify strengths and skills, align the job-seeking and employment experience with their personal recovery path, and providing opportunity for discussion in a peer-centered space…Registering for any of the 12 sessions will automatically register you for all future sessions.” For details and to register, click here.
“The Role of Peer Specialists in Promoting Health Equity”: A 5-Part Series
On January 19, 2023, at 1 p.m. ET, PENTAC will present the first 90-minute webinar in a five-part series; the topic will be “Understanding the Drivers of Health Inequities.” The rest of the series is scheduled for January 26 (“Racial Justice and the Mental Health Recovery Movement”), February 9 (“Helpers, Healers, and Jailers–Understanding the Difference”), February 16 (“Implementing a Framework for Culturally Relevant Peer Support Services”), and March 2 (“Putting All the Pieces Together: An Action Plan for Promoting Health Equity”). All of the 90-minute sessions will begin at 1 p.m. ET. To register for the first webinar (which will enroll you in all of the sessions), click here.
OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH
Young Adults with Psychiatric Diagnoses Are Sought for Study on Community Participation
The Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion is recruiting young adults (ages 18-30) with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression to take part in ConnectionsRx, designed to support engagement in meaningful community activities. Participants will be enrolled in the peer-led study for six months, and receive support to help meet community participation goals. Interviews (approximately 60 minutes each) will take place on Zoom. Participants will receive a $15 Amazon gift card (to a maximum of $45) for each survey completed. For the website, click here. Questions? Write to ConnectionsRx@temple.edu.
South Southwest MHTTC Launches Youth and Young Adult Peer Supporters Survey
“Are you a peer specialist who provides peer support to other people under the age of 30? We want to hear from you! Please fill out the survey to assist the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (South Southwest MHTTC) in learning more about youth peer support across the country! The intent is to be able to include these peer supporters in research, training, and technical assistance activities surrounding youth peer support. The form should take 5-10 minutes to fill out, and can be done from a phone or a computer browser. To take the survey, click here.” Questions? Write to southsouthwest@mhttcnetwork.org.
Are You Interested in Pursuing Graduate School and/or a Research Career? Read Below.
Stephania Hayes (UC Davis), Shannon Pagdon (Columbia/NYS Psychiatric Institute/University of Pittsburgh), and Nev Jones (University of Pittsburgh) write: “We are gathering information from people with lived experience in the Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) or early psychosis space (including peer specialists, current/former CSC participants, and CSC youth coordinators) who are potentially interested in pursuing graduate school and/or a research career. All of us identify as having lived experience, work in CSC, and are invested in supporting the next generation of scholars who also have lived experience. We would like to create a discussion group and/or other supports for people interested in this career path. The link below leads to a very brief survey that will help us understand the level of interest in such supports, as well as areas of career interest. (Please note that this is not a research study.)” To participate in the anonymous survey, click here.
“Help Us Map the Landscape of Lived Experience and Family Involvement in 988 Policy and Related Crisis Response System Planning!”
“As 988 implementation rolls out alongside additional efforts to strengthen crisis response systems throughout the U.S., it's important to gauge the extent to which direct stakeholders (i.e., individuals who use or have used mental health crisis services and their families) have been involved in related policy, implementation and evaluation at the local, regional, state or federal levels. To map out involvement nationally, Mental Health America (lead: Kelly Davis), Nev Jones (University of Pittsburgh) and Keris Myrick (National Association of Peer Supporters) have developed a survey aimed at documenting the extent of stakeholder involvement, the forms this involvement has taken, and, where available, what concerns stakeholders have raised. Any individual with knowledge of lived experience and family involvement is eligible to participate; individuals completing the survey do not have to have lived experience themselves.” For more information and to access the survey, click here.
Survey Seeks Respondents Who Have Taken Mental Health Courses Involving Their Own Diagnoses
Have you taken a mental health course that covers a diagnosis you have? If so, you are invited to participate in a brief, anonymous, online survey--designed by a University of Pittsburgh MSW student--about what it's like for students with lived experience to study their own diagnoses in a classroom. The survey covers students' experiences of studying such subjects as "abnormal psychology," "psychopathology," and diagnosis and assessment when their own diagnoses are covered. "The goal of the project is to better understand what it feels like to take courses in which someone’s diagnosis is being taught/defined/discussed. There is currently no literature or reporting on the experiences of students in the above circumstances, or the associated impact." Interested? Please click here. Questions? Please email the project lead, Charlie Clement, at cjc204@pitt.edu
Peer Support in Higher Education Survey Seeks Respondents
“Peer support programs are growing on college campuses across the U.S. Mental Health America, Doors to Wellbeing, and the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion want to better understand the availability of peer support in higher education as well as the experiences and needs of students accessing peer support programs…We hope to use this research to support the expansion of peer support in higher education, including developing a national database of peer support programs in higher education and documenting pressing issues in campus programs…You may also indicate if you are interested in having your school’s peer support program listed in a national database of peer support programs in higher education.” For more information and to complete the survey, click here.
BU Seeks Peer Support Specialists for a Research Study
The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University is developing and testing the effectiveness of a coaching service called Coaching and Advancement for Peer Providers (CAPP) “to increase organizational commitment and job satisfaction and decrease turnover among mental health peer providers.” BU CPR writes: “We need Peer Support Specialists (PSS) to participate in our study. Who can participate? People who are in a paid job as a Peer Support Specialist providing support to other people with mental health challenges, who are employed at least 10 hours per week, who have worked for the past six months in a mental health program, and who are experiencing stress because of challenges in the workplace. The study involves 16 one-hour sessions of coaching over a four-month period designed to help you with your job, meeting online (through Zoom, for example) with your coach, and filling out surveys one time before coaching starts and three additional times. You will have a 50/50 chance of getting a coach or having a one-time meeting to give you information about challenges at work. Benefits? You may learn strategies to help make work less stressful.” For more information, click here. For questions, contact Principal Investigator E. Sally Rogers, Sc.D., at erogers@bu.edu or 617-353-3549.
Supported Education Survey Needs Your Help
Do you operate a program that provides dedicated supported education services for individuals with psychiatric disabilities/mental health conditions? If so, you are invited to complete the survey at the link below. The primary goal of the survey is to help create a National Supported Education Database (NSEdD) that will be "a searchable listing of diverse supported education programs and services for individuals experiencing psychiatric disabilities and/or mental health challenges...across the US and its territories." The NSEdD project is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and co-administered by the five SAMHSA-funded national consumer and consumer-supporter technical assistance centers, in collaboration with research partners Drs. Nev Jones (University of Pittsburgh) and Mark Salzer (Temple University). For a link to the survey, which includes a definition of supported education, click here. For a flyer with information about the survey, click here.
National Survey on Student Rights, Discrimination, and Accommodations in Higher Education Seeks Respondents
"Have you experienced psychiatric disability-based discrimination or the denial of an accommodation in a postsecondary institution in the United States? Interested in informing national advocacy focus on psych disability rights in higher ed? Mental Health America (lead: Kelly Davis) and collaborators Dr. Nev Jones (University of Pittsburgh), Stefanie Kaufman-Mthimkhulu (Project LETS) and Brit Vanneman Esq. (Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law) have developed "a survey aimed at providing a more comprehensive understanding of student experiences of campus-based discrimination, mandated leaves of absence, and/or denial of academic, administrative and/or student-work accommodations in the U.S. Data will be used to inform national advocacy efforts and future projects, and in reports, presentations and publications." For eligibility and to access the survey, click here.
If You've Had, or Been Labeled with, "Negative Symptoms" in the Context of Psychosis...
"If you have experienced or been labeled with 'negative symptoms' in the context of psychosis, please consider contributing an anonymous account of your views and experiences," Dr. Nev Jones writes. "Currently, there is nowhere one can go to find lived experience perspectives/accounts on this topic—even though 'negative symptoms' regularly feature in research and clinical trials. Help us change this!" This survey is a companion to Psychosis Outside the Box; for that survey, click here. For more information and/or to share your story about "negative symptoms," click here.
“Are You Between the Ages of 21 and 60 and Drink Alcohol?”
"Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are seeking adults--[both smokers and non-smokers]--to study whether a gene and smoking may affect drinking alcohol. Volunteers should be healthy and drug-free, and not seeking treatment for alcohol-related problems. Research participation includes three outpatient visits at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD; alcohol consumption; brain scans (MRI), blood draws, and filling out questionnaires. There is no cost to participate and compensation may be provided." For more information, click here. (Courtesy of Fran Hazam)
TU Collaborative Seeks Participants for Its Parenting Through Leisure Project; See Also the TU Collaborative's Parenting Resources, Including Information on Custody Issues
The Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion is seeking parents with lived experience of a mental health condition to participate in a paid research study. The TU Collaborative writes: "Our program, Parenting Through Leisure, focuses on helping parents with a serious mental illness participate in leisure activities with their child. We are looking for individuals who are 18 and older; are an adult parent with a diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression; have a child who is 7 to 15 years old and is interested in participating in family leisure with you; have legal visitation rights, joint custody or full custody of the child, with at least weekly contact; and have a desire to engage in more leisure activities with their child." For details about the study and the remuneration as well as other benefits to eligible participants, and a link to sign up, click here. Questions? Please contact TUCollab@temple.edu. And for the TU Collaborative's Parenting web page--which includes links to many resources for parents with lived experience, including information about custody laws and a model family reunification statute--click here.
Survey Seeks Respondents Who Are in Administrative/Leadership Positions in the Mental Health Field
If you are in an administrative/leadership position in the mental health arena, “the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP) Committee on Psychiatric Administration and Leadership invites you to participate in the International Survey on Administrative Psychiatry. The survey has two purposes: 1. To identify the concerns and needs of mental health professionals/psychiatrists in administrative and leadership positions. 2. To determine training needs in administrative psychiatry. We ask you to complete this brief, [15- to 20-minute] questionnaire to help us in developing recommendations for action. We also want to let you know that, if you fill out this questionnaire, you permit the committee to use your anonymous data for scientific work.” Peer providers are included. For the survey, click here. (Courtesy of Oryx Cohen)
International Survey on Antipsychotic Medication Withdrawal Seeks Respondents
“Have you taken antipsychotic medication (such as Zyprexa, Seroquel, Abilify, Risperdal, Haldol, Geodon, Stelazine, and others), for any condition or diagnosis, with or without other medications? And did you ever stop taking antipsychotics, or try to stop taking them? Are you 18 years or older? If yes, you can take this survey about antipsychotic withdrawal and attempts to withdraw, including if you stopped taking them completely or if you tried to come off and still take them. The survey aims to improve mental health services by better understanding medication withdrawal. Lead researcher is Will Hall, a therapist and Ph.D. student who has himself taken antipsychotics. Service users/survivors/consumers from around the world also gave input. The study is sponsored by Maastricht University in the Netherlands; co-sponsors include the International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal. Questions? Please contact will.hall@maastrichtuniversity.nl.” For more information or to take the survey, click on www.antipsychoticwithdrawalsurvey.com
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES
TU Collaborative Wants to Hear Your Story!
“We are working on a project to better understand social connections among adults with significant mental health challenges,” the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion writes. “We are seeking your stories on your social connections generally” and “what those connections mean to you.” The TU Collaborative will compile these stories based on a series of brief surveys. For details and to share your story, click here.
Call for Papers: “Recovery at 30: Emancipation, cooptation, or the end of an era?”
“The year 2023 marks exactly three decades since the publication of Bill Anthony’s seminal “Recovery from mental illness: the guiding vision of the mental health service system in the 1990s" (click here)...”In this special issue of Community Mental Health Journal,” the editors write, “we are soliciting both concept pieces (commentaries, critical reviews) and empirical work (qualitative, quantitative, ethnographic or mixed methods) that explore the question of whether recovery policy remains relevant and emancipatory today or whether the psy-fields are instead in need of fresh thinking and new, more diverse values-based frameworks.” The submission deadline is September 1, 2023. For more information, click here.
Common Threads: Stories of Survival & Recovery from Mental Illness
Common Threads: Stories of Survival & Recovery from Mental Illness, a 108-page compendium, includes “tales of survival and recovery” by a number of Floridians. To quote from the Introduction, “Many of the people in these stories have lived significant portions of their lives in psychiatric institutions, and only through their strengths have they found their way back to the community…In these tales, we hear about the importance of education and peer support…” To download the free document, click here.
“Crisis Now” Offers a “Roadmap to Safe, Effective Crisis Care”
The goal of Crisis Now: Transforming Crisis Services—led by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and developed with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and RI International—is “to provide all communities a roadmap to safe, effective crisis care that diverts people in distress from the emergency department and jail by developing a continuum of crisis care services that match people’s clinical needs.” Among the resources offered on the website are SAMHSA’s 80-page “National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care Best Practice Toolkit” (2020), an “Overview of Crisis Funding Sources Available to States and Localities” (last updated March 2, 2022), and assessment tools, such as “How Does Your Crisis System Rate?” The Crisis Now partners write: “Are you interested in adding your organization to the list supporting Crisis Now, or do you have questions? Reach out to us at info@crisisnow.com. For the website, click here. (Courtesy of Kevin Fitts)
“What Is the Meaning of Life?” This Free Online Collection Offers Answers
Excellence Reporter offers more than “1,200 articles-interviews on ‘What Is the Meaning of Life?’ written by renowned spiritual leaders, mindfulness experts, great thinkers and authors, elders, artists, musicians, CEOs, etc.” The contributors include such renowned figures as Bertrand Russell; Carl Jung; the Dalai Lama; Eleanor Roosevelt; Epicurus; Erich Fromm; Kahlil Gibran; Buckminster Fuller; Robert Louis Stevenson; and Ron Bassman, executive director of MindFreedom International. To browse the free compendium, click here.
The UIC Center’s Solutions Suite for Health & Recovery Offers Free Tools
"The UIC Center offers tools, curricula, and implementation manuals for free use in community-based programs, peer-run programs, or one's own life. You can introduce the entire complement of products to foster improved health, wellness, and mental health recovery. Or, you can choose the ones that will work best for your program or your life. The Suite was developed in collaboration with Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey. The UIC Center is funded by NIDILRR (National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research). For the UIC Solutions Suite for Health & Recovery, click here. (Courtesy of Peggy Swarbrick via Jacek Haciak)
U.S. Surgeon General Creates Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation
"The U.S. Surgeon General’s Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation, developed in collaboration with the HHS Office of Evaluation Sciences (OES), provides specific guidance and resources for health care providers, educators, librarians, faith leaders, and trusted community members to understand, identify, and stop the spread of health misinformation in their communities." For information about the toolkit (a 22-page overview of health misinformation, and resources to stop it), and links to a “Talk to Your Community About Health Misinformation” Infographic, a “Health Misinformation Checklist” Infographic, and the Surgeon General's press release, click here.
"Psychiatrist with Philosophical Interests" leads "Conversations in Critical Psychiatry," a Psychiatric Times Series
Awais Aftab, who describes himself as a "psychiatrist with philosophical interests" in his Twitter bio, leads "Conversations in Critical Psychiatry," which, he says, "explores critical and philosophical perspectives in psychiatry and engages with prominent commentators within and outside the profession who have made meaningful criticisms of the status quo." Among those interviewed are Allen Frances, M.D., author of Saving Normal; Sandra Steingard, M.D., and G. Scott Waterman, M.D., on "Integrating Academic Inquiry and Reformist Activism in Psychiatry"; Susannah Cahalan, author of Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness, on "50 Shades of Misdiagnosis"; Kathy Flaherty, J.D., executive director of the Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc., on "Reconsidering Care and Coercion in Psychiatry"; Nev Jones, Ph.D., on "Phenomenology, Power, Polarization, and the Discourse on Psychosis"; Dainius Puras, M.D., on "Global Psychiatry's Crisis of Values"; and many others. For the archived interviews, click here.
CNN Offers “A Guide to Helping and Getting Help During the Coronavirus Crisis”
CNN writes: “The coronavirus pandemic is overwhelming, and one of the most excruciating parts for many people is the feeling of utter helplessness in the face of widespread suffering and hardship. CNN’s Impact Your World has compiled a list of donation opportunities and tips to help those affected by the crisis. Click on a category or scroll down to browse a list of organizations, resources and ideas. Need help? Most categories also include resources for financial, emotional or social support.” For the free guide, click here.
U.S. DOL Releases Guidance on FMLA Leave and Mental Health
The U.S. Department of Labor’s newly issued Fact Sheet #280 about the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) explains when eligible employees may take FMLA leave to address mental health conditions, and new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) offers additional information. (Although the FMLA covers public and private employers nationwide, only those private employers who have 50 or more employees for at least 20 workweeks in a year are required to provide their eligible employees with FMLA leave.) For details, click here.
Hearing Voices Network Is Now Hosting Online Groups
“There are now ONLINE opportunities to connect, share experiences, and find mutual support,” the Hearing Voices Network (HVN) writes. “These groups are accessible via web-based platforms and by phone…Online groups are specifically for those with personal lived experience with hearing voices, seeing visions, and/or negotiating alternative realities. They are voice-hearer facilitated. With further questions and for details on how to access the group[s], please email info@hearingvoicesusa.org.” To read this announcement online and for more information, click here.
Virtual Group Works to Advance Peer Research Capacity, Leadership, and Involvement
Nev Jones, PhD—a strong advocate for building research capacity, leadership, and involvement among peers, survivors, and service users—leads a virtual group dedicated to this effort. Dr. Jones—assistant professor, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh—was part of the team that developed “User/Survivor Leadership & Capacity Building in Research: White Paper on Promoting Engagement Practices in Peer Evaluation/Research (PEPPER),” published by the Lived Experience Research Network. For the white paper, click here. Anyone interested in joining the virtual group can email Nev at nev.inbox@gmail.com.
Mad In America Invites You to Submit Your Personal Story (Within Certain Guidelines)
Mad In America writes: “A ‘personal story’ is defined as your story of being in relationship to psychiatry and/or the mental health system, whatever that means to you. It might involve your opinions and analysis of what happened to you, as well. It can be about a specific event, or about your overall journey, provided it fits the length requirements (1,500 to 3,000 words) and has a narrative arc. The piece should be about your personal experiences, not psychiatry or the mental health system in general. Submissions should fall under the theme of rethinking psychiatry and the mental health system, and should be original works not previously published elsewhere. For examples of the types of stories we publish, view our personal stories archive here.” For more information and/or to submit a personal story, click here.
Seven Ways to Keep a Digital Copy of Your Vaccination Card on Your Smartphone
“You'll need proof of vaccination to go back to work or enter many restaurants, gyms and event venues, so keep your COVID-19 card handy.” This is the advice of CNET.com, a tech support website. Besides the obvious—taking a photo of the card to store on your phone—there are six other suggestions. For details, click here. (Courtesy of Yvonne Smith)
ISPS-US Offers an Array of Archived Webinars—Free but Donations Are Welcomed
The ISPS-US (The International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis-US Chapter) is offering a whole raft of archived webinars, which are free (although donations are welcomed). Among the webinars are "Cognitive Behavioral & Related Therapies for Psychosis: Diverse Approaches to Supporting Recovery," "How Can the Uncontainable Be Contained? Paradoxes of Madness & Philosophy," "Robert Whitaker: The Rising Non-Pharmaceutical Paradigm for 'Psychosis,'" "Life with Voices: A Guide for Harmony," "COPE Project: Non-Pharmaceutical Research on Influencing Voices and Visions," "What Hurts and What Helps In Treatment For 'Psychosis': Insider Perspectives," and many others. For more information and to access the webinars, click here.
“Where DNA and Medications Meet”
Not all drugs are effective for all people; therapeutic response rates for many drugs are only 50%-75%. “OneOme, co-founded by [the] Mayo Clinic, provides evidence-based pharmacogenomic solutions that help improve patient outcomes and reduce costs through more personalized medication decisions.” OneOme’s RightMed Test is “a doctor-ordered pharmacogenomic (PGx) test that analyzes your DNA and provides your doctors with genetic information to help them determine how you may respond to certain medications. The results may help your doctors reduce medication trial and error, minimize risk of side effects, save you time and money, and make more informed prescribing decisions. Because your DNA doesn’t change over time, your doctors can use your test results to make more personalized medication decisions for you over the course of your lifetime.” For more information, click here. (Courtesy of Robin Osborne)
Doors to Wellbeing Offers “State Selfies: A Picture of Peer Services Reported by Peers”
Doors to Wellbeing’s “Peer Album” is a directory of nearly 600 peer-run organizations throughout the U.S. They invite updates and offer instructions for providing them and add, “If your entry has not made this first draft, we encourage you to re-submit.” For the 158-page directory, click here.
Disclaimer: The Clearinghouse does not necessarily endorse the opinions and opportunities included in the Key Update.
About the Key Update
The National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse is affiliated with the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion. The Key Update is the free monthly e-newsletter of the National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse. Volume 19, No. 8, February 2023. For content, reproduction or publication information, please contact Susan Rogers at selfhelpclearinghouse@gmail.com. Follow Susan on Twitter at @SusanRogersMH