Department of Mental Health
E. Douglas Varney, Commissioner

Month of May
Mental Health Awarness Month

From Mental Health America, there are two themes:

Do More for 1 in 4 calls for action to help 1 in 4 American adults who live with a diagnosable, treatale mental health condition so they can live full productive lives. Download an 11 X 17 inch poster, Click Here.

The second theme, Live Well! It's Essential for Your Potential, focuses on the importance of mental wellness and the steps everyone can take to improve their well-being and resiliency in the face of difficult time and challenges. Mental Health America offers a program with ten science-based tools to manage stress and help you relax and flourish. Click here for a 11 X 17 inch poster and visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net to learn more.

May 18, 2012
TSPN’s Grief After Suicide Retreat
Parents of Suicides/Friends & Families of Suicides (POS-FFOS) Support Groups
Columbia, Tennessee

A WEEKEND RETREAT
with others who understand what it is like to have lost someone to suicide. For more information on location and registration, contact Karyl Chastain Beal at karylofcolumbia@cs.com or call (931) 388-9289.

CALL FOR QUILT BLOCK SUBMISSIONS
In addition, the TSPN Quilt Committee is soliciting additional panels for the next “Love Never Dies” Memorial Quilt in time for its anticipated debut at the statewide Suicide Prevention Awareness Day in September. There is no charge for submitting a panel. Please provide one or more photos and some basic information about your loved one. Details are available from Beal at the email and phone number given above. TSPN’s website at http://tspn.org/ showcases a “We Remember Them” page, which lists persons remembered on the quilts. This page is currently under construction and will be added again soon.

May 22, 2012
(Also on June 19 and August 21, 2012)
Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
Cordell Hull State Office Building, Room TBA
425 Fifth Avenue, North
Nashville, TN 37243

10:00 a.m. – Noon

Each year in Tennessee, an estimated 750 men, women and children die by suicide; more than the number killed by homicide, AIDS, or drunk driving. Suicide is the most preventable form of death and a major public health issue. Just as persons trained in CPR or the Heimlich Maneuver save thousands of lives, you can save lives by knowing the signs and symptoms that often lead up to suicide.
This training is Free and there is no registration fee. Contact hours are available. Register that you are coming by contacting TDMH’s Lygia Williams at Lygia.Williams@tn.gov or by calling (615) 253-5078.
Please include the date of the session you will attend.

May 23, 2012
CIT Awards & Recognition Breakfast
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Imperial Ballroom
Chattanooga, Tennessee
8:00 a.m.

The Hamilton County/City of Chattanooga Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Program accomplishments and officers will be honored at this signature event, hosted by NAMI Chattanooga and affiliated sponsors. The program is an innovative, proactive law enforcement-based approach to address the unique needs of mental health residents in the community who become engaged with law enforcement.

Cost for the breakfast for NAMI members is $15.00 per person and sponsors may purchase whole tables (seating for eight). Please contact Monica Middlebrooks at (423) 326-7022 or by email: mmiddlebrooks@hcshriff.gov to learn more or register. Sponsors for tables may also purchase complimentary tables.

Dues to join NAMI Chattanooga are $35 annually for individual or family, but you may join for $3 annually if finances are difficult. Benefits include membership in the national, state and local affiliate NAMI organizations with newsletters from each. All dues and donations are tax deductible. Make checks payable to: NAMI Chattanooga and mail to David Uren, Treasurer, 6407 Camdendown Lane, Hixon, TN 37343.

Visit the NAMI website at www.Namichattanooga.org to learn more about alliance events and links for better living and the latest in research and medical advances.

June 12, 2012
Tennessee Men’s Health Report Card Launch Event
LP Field
1 Titans Way
Nashville, Tennessee

10:00 a.m. Club level Meet-and-Greet
10:30 a.m. LP Field Formal Presentation

The TMH Report Cart is a joint production of Meharry Medical College, the Tennessee Department of Health, and the Vanderbilt Institute for Medicine and Public Health. It highlights statewide data trends regarding causes of death, infectious disease, health behaviors, and obstacles to wellness—including suicide—among adult men in Tennessee. It also grades the state’s progress towards the goals set forth in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’s “Healthy People 2020” Initiative. Register through the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network website at www.tspn.org.
Expect light refreshments. Parking is free.

June 13, 2012
“Spirituality and Mental Health” Seminar
Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee
Trevecca Community Church of the Nazarene
335 Murfreesboro Pike,
Nashville, Tennessee

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: June 1

This event is intended to unite mental health professionals, ministers, social service providers, long-term care providers, and substance abuse counselors to discuss the role of faith communities in addressing mental health issues. Participants will learn about the historical and social context of the current religion and health conversation, the importance and relevance of spirituality in understanding patients, and how best to provide culturally sensitive and informed care for the most vulnerable members of the community.

Considerable time will be devoted to response to suicides and suicide attempts, the relationship between a person's image of God and their mental health, and the faith experiences of mentally disabled or impaired persons.

The conference agenda and a full listing of speakers is available on the event brochure at http://tspn.org/wp-content/uploads/MHAMT-SMH-2012.pdf. Registration starts at $45 and includes lunch. Students can register with ID for $25. CEUs are available for an additional fee. Sponsors include: TSPN, Alive Hospice, Rolling Hills Hospital, and Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital. For more information call (615) 269-5355.

June 19, 2012
(Also on August 21, 2012)
Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
Cordell Hull State Office Building, Room TBA
425 Fifth Avenue, North
Nashville, TN 37243

10:00 a.m. – Noon

Each year in Tennessee, an estimated 750 men, women and children die by suicide; more than the number killed by homicide, AIDS, or drunk driving. Suicide is the most preventable form of death and a major public health issue. Just as persons trained in CPR or the Heimlich Maneuver save thousands of lives, you can save lives by knowing the signs and symptoms that often lead up to suicide.
This training is Free and there is no registration fee. Contact hours are available. Register that you are coming by contacting TDMH’s Lygia Williams at Lygia.Williams@tn.gov or by calling (615) 253-5078.
Please include the date of the session you will attend.

June 25, 2012
The Human Spirit One-Day Conference
The John Templeton Foundation
The University of the South
435 Kentucky Avenue
Sewanee, TN 37375

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
DEADLINE: Pre-register online or by calling (615) 259-4000, Ext. 111 By JUNE 15, 2012, by 5:00 p.m. CDT
The John Templeton Foundation serves as a philanthropic catalyst for discoveries relating to the Big Questions of human purpose and ultimate reality. It supports research on subjects ranging from complexity, evolution and infinity to creativity, forgiveness, love and free will.
During the Human Spirit Conference, our panel of experts will discuss the expanding research on love, happiness, gratitude, forgiveness, perseverance, and health and well-being, particularly in the areas of developmental science and organizational studies. Nationally recognized speakers will include Dr. Stephen G. Post, best-selling author of The Hidden Gifts of Helping, and Dr. Robert A. Emmons, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology. Additional speakers include Dr. Nidhal Guessoum, Dr. Harold Koenig, Dr. Matthew Lee, Dr. David Myers, Dr. George Vaillant and Dr. Charlotte Vanoyen Witvliet.
All attendees must pre-register online at www.acelebrationofspirit.org by June 15. The conference is free and includes a complimentary lunch. Attendees are invited to a reception with the panelists immediately following the conference.
Registration closes on Friday, June 15, 5 p.m. CDT.
Please feel free to share this PDF invitation to the conference with your colleagues.

July 26, 2012
TSPN Montgomery-Houston-Humphreys-Stewart County
Suicide Prevention Task Force Suicide Prevention Training Sessions
Liberty Room (Conference Rooms B & C)
Gateway Medical Center
651 Dunlop Lane,
Clarksville, Tennessee

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Free

The training session includes a two-hour presentation of the evidence-based “Question, Persuade, Refer” prevention curriculum. Participants will learn about the warning signs of suicide, how to engage severely depressed or actively suicidal people and talk them out of immediate drastic action. How to connect them with local mental health and crisis intervention resources will be taught. No clinical background or prior knowledge of suicide prevention techniques is needed ahead of the training.

Two contact hours are available for participants. Only 65 seats are available on a first come-first served basis. Register via Eventbrite at http://july26clarksville.eventbrite.com.

August 1-3, 2012
4th Annual National Rural Substance Abuse Prevention Conference:
“Reaching Out to the Missing Prevention Partners:
Law Enforcement, Parents, and Faith Community”

In Addition: Pre-Conference Grant Writing Survival Camp: July 30-32, 2012

University of South Carolina – Lancaster
476 Hubbard Drive
Lancaster, SC 29720

Prevention of Youth Substance Abuse in Rural Communities is the only national conference that focuses on the unique challenges of prevention from a rural context. The three-day annual conference includes nationally recognized keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and optional evening activities. The theme of this year’s conference will focus on engaging with important, but often missing prevention partners, especially parents, law enforcement, and the faith community.

In addition, a two-day Pre-Conference Grant Writing Survival Camp is available to the first fifty registrants at an additional cost of $175.

Registration Cost: $150 for the three day event, includes breakfasts and working lunches.
Cost of Grant Writing Survival Camp: $175.

Web Site: www.coalitionforhealthyyouth.org
Email Address: coalitionforhealthyyouth@gmail.com
For more information contact: Heather Mueller, Conference Planning Director (803) 283-4995,

 

August 21, 2012
Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
Cordell Hull State Office Building, Room TBA
425 Fifth Avenue, North
Nashville, TN 37243

10:00 a.m. – Noon

Each year in Tennessee, an estimated 750 men, women and children die by suicide; more than the number killed by homicide, AIDS, or drunk driving. Suicide is the most preventable form of death and a major public health issue. Just as persons trained in CPR or the Heimlich Maneuver save thousands of lives, you can save lives by knowing the signs and symptoms that often lead up to suicide.
This training is Free and there is no registration fee. Contact hours are available. Register that you are coming by contacting TDMH’s Lygia Williams at Lygia.Williams@tn.gov or by calling (615) 253-5078.
Please include the date of the session you will attend.

March 5, 2013
Mental Health Day on Capitol Hill
Legislative Plaza and Environs
Nashville, TN

Tuesday, March 5, 2013 is set. Begin planning now for another exciting “day on the hill” as agencies and consumers attend events and share information with members of the General Assembly in Nashville. More information TBA as details become available.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Chattanooga Pendulums
Support group meets each Thursday, 7:30 pm, at
AIM Center
472 W M L King Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Main Number: 423-624-4800
Contact person: Marilou Coats Family and/or friends are also welcome to attend.

American Association of Suicidology (AAS) Training and Accreditation
Course Offered Online July-October

An AAS Webinar 90-minute training program. Registration is open for "Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk in Primary Care" for primary care physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and any staff members who work with potentially at-risk patients. Webinar offers 1.5 CME credits and provided downloadable tools you can put to immediate use. Cost is $40.00. The Webinar is facilitated by Matthew B. Wintersteen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Director of Research in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for Thomas Jefferson University, Medical College.

Dates & Times:
Thurs., July 22, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thurs., Sept. 23, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 6, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 21, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Click Here for more information and link to the AAS Web site.

Year-Round Depression screening
Mental Health Association of East Tennessee
9050 Executive Park Drive, Suite 104-A
Knoxville, Tennessee 37923
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
(865) 584-9125

Mental Health Training for Foreign and Sign Language Interpreters
Various dates. Call for more information and registration.
No charge for training.
Contact: Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee
2416 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
615-269-5355
email: forinfo@mnamt.org

IChope Campaign
Public Information Programs
are available for all ages and are appropriate
for school and community settings.
Visit www.ichope.com
Contact: Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee
2416 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
615-269-5355

Council on Children's Mental Health
Upcoming Meetings

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) of Southeastern Tennessee
Two new support groups to chose from on
Mondays at 7:30 p.m. or Thursdays at Noon
East Ridge United Methodist Church
1601 Prater Road
East Ridge, Tennessee 37412
The Mission:"Improve the lives of those living with mood disorders" because Wellness and Recovery are possible! Confidential, easy-going, no pressure, share-and-care style meetings; tons of resources available FREE. Friends and Family are always welcome. "We've Been There. We Can Help; You're Not Alone" Call or email for more information Dennis Dodson, DBSA Southeastern Tennessee, (423) 653-2177.

SAMHSA's Suicide Prevention Resource Center Adds
At-Risk for High School Educators to Best Practice Registry for suicide prevention programs.

Released March 4, 2011, At-Risk for High School Educators added to SAMHSA's Best Practice Registry for suicide prevention programs. At-Risk is an online interactive training simulation designed to prepare teachers to identify, approach, and refer students exhibiting signs psychological distress including depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. Texas and New York have already adopted this program to train over 70,000 educators in their states. You can read more about this announcement at http://bit.ly/fMROgx. You can also view a demo of this type of simulation at www.kognito.com/atrisk. Contact Jennifer Spiegler at jennifer@kognito.com if you have any questions or would like more information on this new training simulation.

Year-round for 2012

TAMHO Training Opportunities

Online Training for Behavioral Health Professionals

TAMHO's partnership with Essential Learning: The Essential Learning curriculum catalog provides access to 1,000's of training courses to meet your behavioral health (mental health and addictions) training needs. The TAMHO Training Matrix highlights numerous suggested courses from the Essential Learning catalog that have been pre-approved by the Bureau of TennCare and the Managed Care Companies to meet the training requirements reflected in the "TDMH/TennCare Specialized Training Requirements for Behavioral Health Professionals" manual. A link to the TAMHO Training Matrix is provided in the "PDF Downloads" box to the right of this screen.

Visit http://www.essentiallearning.com to learn more about Essential Learning, arrange a free demonstration, or to view their curriculum catalog. Be sure to reference your connection with TAMHO to gain access to any special offers or considerations that may apply.

TDMH, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services and TAADAS Partner with TAMHO and Essential Learning for Online Training Initiative for Addiction Treatment and Prevention Service Contractors

Partnership Strengthens Access to Training for Addictions Services

TAMHO and Essential Learning are excited to announce a unique partnership between the Tennessee Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (DADAS) and the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug and Other Addictions Services (TAADAS) to expand and strengthen access to behavioral health training.

Through the Tennessee Online Training Enterprise, agencies will have access to online courses and training management tools to assist in preparing their staff for mandated training, certification, on-going continuing education requirements, and, implementing and sustaining evidence-based practices.

Powered by Essential Learning's state-of-the-art Learning Management System -- ELEVATE -- staff will be able to take online courses that have been designed to meet regulatory and compliance training for national accreditation organizations such as CARF, Joint Commission, and many others, including state specific requirements.

To take advantage of this partnership, contact: Anita Menon, Training Coordinator, TAADAS, at 615-780-5901 ext. 12.

Interpreter/Provider Training – Year-round
Two-Day Sessions
Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee

To schedule a training, call MHAMT at (615) 269-5355.
Visit http://www.ichope.com for more information on the two-day training for interpreters and those working with interpreters who are working in mental health settings with immigrant and refugee populations in Middle Tennessee.