“A Day in the Life …….” Contest

Posted by admin on Aug 30, 2007 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Dear National Council Member:

As part of the 2007 World Mental Health Day observation, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals is organizing a contest for individuals living with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia and their relatives or caregivers. The National Council encourages members to invite the individuals you serve and their families to participate in this contest. Entries must be in the form of original 800 – 1,000 word essays, poems, short stories, videos, paintings, or songs on what an average day is like living with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Click here for details.

Read More

Ross Szabo gets people talking about the realities of mental illness

Posted by admin on Aug 30, 2007 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Szabo’s personal story is both powerful and educational. His candid conversation frames mental health in real life language and examples and leaves participants with a genuine understanding of a day in the life of a person living with a mental disorder. The program is a valuable tool for students looking to better understand their friends who are facing depression or mental health issues. Szabo covers warning signs that can be seen in friends or family members as well as options and resources to turn to when a friend needs help.  His program is valuable for the millions that will face some type of change, loss, and transition in their young lives.

On Monday, September 10th at 8:00pm in Student Center Dinning Room, Szabo will present "What Happy Faces are Hiding" to Students and Faculty of Regis University. For more information, contact Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas (303.458.4323, sspencer@regis.edu).

Read More

Brian Butler on the Jim Lehrer Show

Posted by admin on Aug 23, 2007 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

PPBHG’s, Brian Butler did an interview for the Jim Lehrer News Hour yesterday.  He did a panel interview along side a LTC from the Marines.  They reviewed news footage from Iraq and commented on the war zone situations and how they can manifest in PTSD.  He also brought back some historical aspects into the interview on treatment for PTSD in the Army.  Brian was able to bring in his time in war theater and experiences with working with soldiers in the LAC together and do some audience education on the physiological aspects of combat stressors. He worked hard to maintain a balanced interview and stay neutral on Ft.Carson and the Army.
 
The piece will be broadcast on Friday Aug. 24 at 6 PM.  He will be on the Denver PBS station KRMH (I believe channel 6). He will then be taking part in an online chat session and field questions from the national audience.
 
One caveat, the interviewer chose to generalize Brian’s title to a regional provider since the organization for the other panelist was not used.  Brian was introduced as a Colorado Spring health group provider.  This cannot be amended, but PPBHG will be affiliate with his on line chat session.
 
All in all, this is a fantastic success.  Anytime we can educate on mental illness we erode the barriers of stigma and increase awareness.  Together, we help change lives one person at a time.
 
On another note, we are still awaiting a specific date on the 20/20 airing in late Sept or Oct.
Read More

National Council Obtains Advance Copy of CMS Rehab Option Regs

Posted by admin on Aug 9, 2007 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Last night, the National Council received advance notice that CMS will issue proposed regulations regarding the Medicaid Rehabilitation Option on Monday, August 13. To view an advance copy of the proposed regulations, go to:

 

www.nccbh.org/TemporaryFiles/RehabReg.pdf

 

Based on our initial review of the proposed regulations, the National Council believes our advocacy has minimized some of the damage that could have been done to the Rehabilitation Option. However, we still have some serious concerns about the proposed regulations, and questions regarding how certain sections could be interpreted.

 

We will be sending out a more thorough analysis of the proposed regulations on Monday. Because these are “proposed” regulations, we have 60 days from publication on August 13 to submit comments to CMS. We will be working to develop comments and to help you do the same. Our ultimate goal is to protect the ability of our members to provide rehabilitation services to people with serious mental illness—services our members are uniquely positioned to provide.

Please contact Chuck Ingoglia, Vice President, Public Policy, with any questions on the rehab regulations at 301.984.6200, ext. 249 or chucki@nccbh.org.

 

Read More

First Lady with a cause

Posted by admin on Aug 6, 2007 in News Articles | 0 comments

Shortly after Jeannie Ritter became Colorado’s first lady in January, her predecessor shared a bit of hard-earned perspective.
"It won’t last forever," former first lady Frances Owens told her. "Every day you’re closer to being the ex-first lady of Colorado."
Ritter, 51, took it to heart. "At that point I knew I had this short window of opportunity," she said in a recent interview in the sunroom of the Governor’s Mansion.
It perhaps explains her fast start out of the blocks on the issue of mental health awareness.
Driven in part by her experiences with a bipolar sister, Ritter said she wants to use her position to make talking about the topic as normal as talking about food and drink.
"We have an extensive language about coffee, but at the same time we don’t know what bipolar is, and people don’t know the difference between anxiety and severe anxiety."
Ritter is committed to changing that, she said as she curled in a chair in her khaki shorts and flip-flops and talked about the wild, inspiring ride she has been on since assuming her first role in public life seven months ago.
Click here to read the full Rocky Mountain News article.
Read More