Help Us To Know How You Feel About Behavioral Health Issues
Please let us know your feelings and opinions regarding significant behavioral health issues in Nebraska including stigma and discrimination against persons living with mental illness, state-wide system reform efforts, and training opportunities you would like to have available. Just click on the link below to access our on-line surveys. Thank you!!
THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF NEBRASKA (MHA-NE) IS A CONSUMER-RUN EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION BRINGING SERVICE RECIPIENTS, FAMILIES, PROFESSIONALS, ADVOCATES, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS TOGETHER TO ADDRESS ALL ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS.
MHA-NE IS DEDICATED TO ENSURING THAT PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH POLICIES ARE JUST, FAIR, AND PROMOTE RECOVERY, EQUALITY AND OPPORTUNITY.
". . . People with mental disorders have a vital role to play in our families, our neighborhoods, our communities, and our country. Their ability to participate fully can no longer be derailed by outdated science, outmoded financing, and unspoken discrimination. They demand better, and they deserve better. Putting children and their parents, adults and older adults with mental disorders at the heart of the health care system must be accomplished now."
"Transforming Mental Health Care in America. Federal Action Agenda: First Steps"
SAMHSA, US Dept. of Health and Human Services 2005
Educational and Conference Scholarships Now Available
The Lilly Reintegration Scholarship program is designed to offer financial assistance for a wide range of educational opportunities in which students work to attain a certificate or degree from an accredited institution. For more information see the Center For Reintegration website at http://www.reintegration.com/resources/scholarships/apply.asp and/or click on the link below for a copy of the application.To be eligible for consideration for the Lilly Reintegration Scholarship, applicants must:
1. Be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder
2. Be currently receiving medical treatment for the disease, including medications and psychiatric follow-up
3. Be actively involved in rehabilitative or reintegration efforts, such as clubhouse membership, part-time work, volunteer efforts, or school enrollment
4. Be a U.S. citizen and plan to attend a school in the United States
5. Be of the age of 18 years or older
CMHS/SAMHSA has sponsored scholarships for consumers in recovery. However, you do not need to be an USPRA member to apply. The scholarship covers registration fees plus travel, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses as needed. As a recipient of this scholarship, you will be required to submit a (2 to 5 page report in a format to be provided) within 2 weeks of the conclusion of the conference.
USPRA is offering scholarships covering conference registration only and you must be an USPRA member to apply. You do not need to be a person in recovery. Click on the link below for a copy of the scholarship application.
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DEMAND MENTAL HEALTH PARITY NOW! It's not too late - It's still alive!!!
Our Congressmen, Senators Nelson and Hagel and Representatives Terry (District 2), Fortenberry (District 1) and Smith (District 3), need know that mental health insurance parity is important and necessary. Even though they spend most of their time in Washington, DC, they have offices and staff in Nebraska.
Below is a link to an equity petition you can print out, and links to all 5 of Nebraska's Congressmen's websites with addresses and phone numbers. Please consider filling out the petition and calling their local office and make an appointment to visit them or send in the petition in order to let them know that they need to help end health insurance discrimination against people with mental illness.
There is still time to let them know how you feel.
NOW IS THE TIME TO END HEALTH INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS AND FAMILIES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS!
Regional Consumer Specialist Hired
With funding provided by the Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health Services, each of the six Behavioral Health Regional Offices have, or in the case of Region 4 are, hiring a Consumer Specialist to help engage, coordinate and collect information from consumers, with the hope that the state will then receive current and accurate information on the concerns, needs and suggestions on behavioral health policy and service development. For more, click on the link below:
New Nebraska HHSS Website Now on Line
Use the link below to learn more.
NEW !! Consumer Employment Employment Opportunities
Our new page, Job Board is now available and will post employment opportunities for consumers statewide and nationally. Look for it under "Resources and Issues" or use the link below.New SAMHSA OAS Report: Service Utilization For Mental Health Problems Among Adults
SAMHSA's Office of Applied Studies (OAS) has just released the following short report on the web, based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH). It presents data for adults age 18 or older on (1) their receipt of treatment for mental health problems, (2) their perceived unmet need for treatment for such problems, and (3) the reasons for not receiving treatment for mental health problems among those with an unmet need for treatment.To find data on other specific topics, go to SAMHSA's Office of Applied Studies' topics website at http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/topics.cfm You can always get to the topics website by clicking on "Topics" on the OAS banner at the top of most OAS web pages. You can also get data on specific drugs by clicking on "Drugs" on the OAS banner. You can get to the treatment topics at the Topics page or by clicking on "Treatment" on the footer of most OAS web pages.
Copeland Center Issues WRAP Training Facilitator Guidelines
In response to questions raised regarding the qualification requirements for individuals providing formal WRAP Basic and Facilitator Workshops, Steve Pocklington, Executive Director of the Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery, recently sent out an "open-letter" stating the Center's official policy regarding the teaching of this important and effective wellness program. The link below provides easy access to Mr. Pocklington's letter.
Free and Low Cost Teleconferences
Occasionally the federal government, universities and other professional organizations provide consumers and their family's access to free and low cost teleconferences on specific issues dealing with mental health. Check out the link below for current opportunities.How Much Profit is Enough?
In a recently received e-mail, Sharon L. Davis, a Budget Analyst with theU.S. Department of Commerce, shares examples of the cost of the key ingredient to many popular prescription drugs compared to the retail cost of a typical prescription. Is a 560,000% profit sufficient to cover the cost of production and provide a reasonable profit? You decide.
Medicare Part D Drug Benefit Program
Links to organizations offering enrollment, plan identification, and general information on this new benefit program. In addition, MHA-NE staff have materials available and can provide information/enrollment presentations to groups in Nebraksa. If you have questions or would like to schedule a presentation in your area, please call our office, (888-902-2822 toll free) for additional information.PLEASE NOTE: All eligible individuals, Medicaid and/or Medicare, need to know about this program, and be prepared to identify and enroll in a program that will meet your medical needs.