What's Inside:
NMHA Responds to the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

What Does Systems Transformation Look Like?

"Roadmap" for Transforming the Mental Health System Released

Congress to Act on Bills That Would Undermine Rights, Cut Medicaid

Lessons Learned: Q&A - The Making Of the MHAMT's I.C. Hope Campaign

From the MHA Field

Research Notes

NMHA Responds to the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina changed the lives of millions of people who live along the Gulf Coast. Many residents of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama lost their homes and jobs, were separated from loved ones, and suffered through inhumane conditions for days without food and water while surrounded by death and destruction. Other states are also struggling with the influx of evacuees.

The psychological implications are yet unknown, but are guaranteed to be tremendous, now and in the months and years to come.

NMHA has personally felt the effects of this tragedy, as our affiliates in these regions were severely impacted. To our knowledge, fortunately, no MHA staff members or relatives were physically harmed by the hurricane, though some employees and families did lose their homes. As of September 13th:

• The Mental Health Associations (MHAs) in Louisiana are experiencing the full impact of the hurricane’s aftermath. However, all—except the MHA of New Orleans—are up and running. While the state Mental Health Association of Louisiana in Baton Rouge was initially limited in its ability to respond, having been evacuated from their building due to street violence, it is now providing assistance to evacuee shelters. Other MHAs are also helping out at shelters and connecting mental health consumers with needed services.
• Our affiliate in Mississippi has survived. The Gulfport office is operational and will soon staff case managers/counselors and will begin providing mental health...complete article

What Does Systems Transformation Look Like?

In 2003, the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health called America’s attention to the need to transform our mental health system to one that is consumer-driven and recovery-oriented. As consumers and consumer-run organizations play an increasingly prominent role in revamping the system, innovative approaches to meaningful consumer involvement are emerging nationwide.

With support from NMHA’s National Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Center (NCSTAC), new consumer-run organizations are organizing all over the county, and many existing consumer groups are leading transformation initiatives in their communities. One such consumer-run nonprofit is the Albuquerque Drop- In Center in New Mexico....complete article