I first heard about the Hennepin County Mental Health Advisory Council in an announcement in our local newspaper. My mom happened by it and clipped it out to give to me. She knew that I was trying to find meaning in my decades long struggle with mental illness. She thought it would be a perfect opportunity for me to use my experiences to help others by sharing my experiences and advocating for individuals living with a mental illness. I decided to go for it.

Each county in the state of Minnesota has the opportunity to form a mental health advisory council, sometimes referred to as a Local Advisory Council, or LAC. The purpose of a local advisory council is to advise county commissioners on issues of concern regarding the way mental health services are delivered in the county. The Hennepin County advisory council, which meets in the lower level of the Hosmer Library in Minneapolis, is composed of: six individuals receiving mental health services, six mental health care providers, six family members of individuals receiving services, two community advocates, and three representatives of underserved communities. Each member of the council brings his or her unique perspectives on issues discussed at meetings.

Members of the council are appointed by the county commissioners. I found the process intimidating, but rewarding. The first step was to complete an application. Once the application was reviewed, I got a call from the commissioner’s office to set up an appointment to go before the commissioners to be interviewed. This was the scary part. I had purchased a suit from a thrift shop, and arrived, looking like a professional. When my name was called, I had to stand at a podium and testify before the full council, the reasons why I would be a valuable member of the mental health advisory council- in three minutes.

One of the symptoms related to my mental illness is severe anxiety, which sometimes leads to full-blown panic. Needless to say, my anxiety went sky high. But, my desire to become a member of the council took over, and I was able to stand at the podium and tell the commissioners that I lived with a mental illness, I had used a lot of services provided by the county and that my experiences would make me an asset to the council. That was all I needed to say. My voice quivered the whole time, and sweat was dripping down on my power suit, but I did it!

When I was finished with my testimony, I took the elevator to the first floor. I needed to walk across the courtyard to get to my car. As I was walking, I looked up at the glass windows twenty-four stories above me, and remembered the last time I had taken this walk. It was the day, six years earlier, when I was going through the civil commitment process. I remember wearing an oversized sweatshirt, and jeans I had to hold up because I had lost a lot of weight and they kept slipping down. But, six years later, I stood in the courtyard in a power suit, having just testified before the Hennepin County commissioners, asking to be appointed to the Hennepin County Mental Health Advisory Council.

A couple of weeks after I went through the application process, I received a letter from the commissioner’s office saying that they had appointed me to a three year term on the council.

Goal setting can be done anytime in the year, but its important to prepare. When setting a new goal, there are a few helpful tips to remember:

> Be realistic about your goals. Is this goal achievable? It’s important to challenge yourself, but setting a goal that is too complex can lead to frustration and be impossible to carry out. Goals should be simple and clear.

> Start with short-term goals rather than long-term goals. Achieving short-term goals can provide much needed confidence before setting a long-term goal.

> Track your goals. Write down your goal and keep track of how that goal is progressing. Ask yourself: What is working and what needs to be done differently?

> Don’t feel discouraged if you are unable to carry out a goal. Issues come up and things happen that you may have no control of. Revisit that goal when things become better.

Below are some resources on goal setting:

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance – Setting goals for recovery

Mayo Clinic – Stress blog

Brought to you by MSW@USC: Masters in Social Work

The programs began operating as the new People Incorporated Children’s Services division on January 1. Services include individual and family counseling, early childhood mental health, school-linked counseling, day treatment for children, domestic abuse prevention, anger management, and parent support services.

For more information about the merger, please visit www.PeopleIncorporated.org.

One member yesterday talked about how she had educated a physician on resources in the community, including the Resource Center where we met. I think that’s just such a testimony to the capability we all have to make improvements to the system, and why it’s so vital that the person stay at the center of all we do. And the refrain is common: the connections and networks of caring that are formed at resource centers, drop-ins, and community groups are a big factor for people. Breaking isolation and finding a place to belong is something we all strive for, and despite all the budget cuts we have faced, I am heartened to see how much effort is put into keeping those places alive.

Day on the Hill Bus Routes

We have a few more routes from last week, so please check and see if there is one near your community. If you are driving, please consider offering space to others in the community who could use some help getting there.

All buses are expected to arrive at Christ Lutheran Church by 9:45 am and will depart St. Paul around 3:00 pm.  Registration is required since space is limited.

The routes are:

• Baxter/Little Falls/St. Cloud (Matt Burdick at 651-645-2948 x107)
• Duluth/Cloquet/Pine City/North Branch/Wyoming (Matt Burdick at 651-645-2948 x107)
• Winona/Rochester (Matt Burdick at 651-645-2948 x107)
• Kerkhoven/Willmar/Atwater/Litchfield/Cokato.  Contact Teresa Emmen at (320) 894-7336
• Marshall/Redwood Falls/Fairfax/Gaylord.  Contact Teri Herder-Blahnik at 877-537-0831 for this route.  A 1$ donation is requested for this bus.
• Moorhead/Fergus Falls/Alexandria. Contact Maureen King at 218-385-3689.

If you can’t make it, please consider sending a mental health valentine to arrive that day. Our friends at NAMI spent some time coming up with some very witty ones to hand out, so we’d love to hear your contributions as well.  You have all felt some impact from the budget cuts already: let them know what it has meant for you and ask what they plan to do.

Rep. Greiling Set to Retire

Rep. Mindy Greiling has just announced that she will not seek re-election.  She has been an amazing advocate for Minnesotans with mental illnesses at the Capitol and will be sorely missed. She has served her district and state since 1993, and we recognized her many contributions with the Gloria Segal Award in 2009.

She has been a critical part of the push to make community mental health a priority and was the chief author of the 2007 mental health funding/reform bill.  This legislation set the high water mark of our state’s commitment to mental health care, and promised progress towards more care in the community and support for meaningful recovery.

We hear that she plans to stay involved with the mental health community, and I’m grateful that her voice will still be on our side.  Please consider sending a note of thanks to her office, and let her know how much her advocacy is appreciated.  Her contact information can be found here.

SOS Redesign

Last week, the Mental Health Legislative Network heard from Assistant Commissioner Maureen O’Connell on a variety of issues, including SOS redesign.  She stressed her continued involvement in and attention to the SOS system, including St. Peter.  The group sincerely thanked her for her candor and efforts to reach out to advocates, even if we still have some concerns about the redesign process.

“Redesign” has been a recurring headline, and I am anxious to see more details about how DHS proposes to change SOS.  Bottlenecks at intake and discharge are still major issues, and we need to make sure the resources dedicated to the CBHH facilities are being wisely used.  The state needs to ensure access to regional options for clients who require secure hospitalization, but that does not necessarily mean that the state must directly provide those beds.  I am encouraged by their solicitation of feedback from regional stakeholders, and hope we will have better answers this time around.

Hospitals Report Community Contributions

The MN Hospital Association has put out their data on community contributions they have made in the past year.  These numbers will likely see hot debate, as the squeeze on the health care system continues.  Including under-compensated care, notably the difference between the payment given by MA and the cost of the treatment, the hospitals recorded $2.28 Billion in contributions to the community.

More reliance on emergency care and uncompensated care is certainly an expensive way to deliver health care, but it does not appear to be directly affecting the health of the hospitals.  With hospitals in the Twin Cities seeing record profits, it appears that they have found ways to pass those costs on.  It is ultimately the public that pays, in longer wait times and higher insurance/medical costs.  Lawrence Massa, CEO of the Minnesota Hospital Association, is quoted as saying that Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and payment for outcome, not procedure, will continue to change this equation.

As a state, we will need to decide whether ACOs and the like will simply be tools of cost containment, or if they will be leverage to get better health care to more people. Perhaps part of the question ought to be about what a health care outcome is, and if our needs will be reflected in this new math.  It might be easy to see if a diabetic patient has had better control over their blood sugar, but we will need to make the idea of recovery more visible so our outcomes can be counted too.

A recent national study conducted by the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) reported that 31 percent of college students reported feeling “so depressed that it was difficult to function” at some time in the past year. In 2009, 8 percent of 18-25 year olds had a major depressive episode, but less than half received treatment according to a national survey.

Everyone feels sad or down from one time to another, but for individuals affected by depression, the symptoms are serious and long lasting. A person with depression may feel: sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, guilty, worthless, helpless, irritable, and/or restless. They may also experience one or more of the following:

• Loss of interest in activities
• Lack of energy
• Problems concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions
• Problems falling sleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much
• Loss of appetite or eating too much
• Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
• Aches, pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not go away

Depression is common and for most people, depression can be treated successfully. If you feel that you may have depression, try to be seen by a health professional as soon as possible. If you are a friend or relative encourage your loved one to seek help. It may be necessary to make an appointment and to go with them. If you have no insurance, having trouble finding a health professional, or need additional resources accessing treatment, please contact MHAM at 651-493-6634 or 800-862-1799 to talk with an advocate.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, get help quickly.
• Call your doctor.
• Call 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

For more information and resources on depression, visit the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website or click on the selected NIMH publications below:

Depression
Depression in Women
Men and Depression
Depression and College Students: Answers to college students’ frequently asked questions about depression

We apologize for the confusion, we based our report on information provided by the Department of Human Services. Please note that that “Guide to Special Needs BasicCare Enrollment” found on the SNBC main page of the DHS site describes benefits/regulations as they are now, but does not apply to the new expansion.

For more information, visit the “Expansion Outline” found here.  The Disability Linkage Line is a great resources for asking questions about this transition: 866-333-2466.

Last year, more than 42,000 donors logged on to GiveMN.org and gave over $10 million to Minnesota charities in 24 hours during Give to the Max Day. This year, GiveMN’s annual Give to the Max Day amplifies your giving impact in a number of ways:

> The MHAM Board of Directors is providing a $10,000 matching grant. (Please note that this match applies only to funds raised for MHAM through GiveMN.org on November 16.)

> A $1,000 “Golden Ticket” will be given to a random donor’s charity every hour. Are you a night owl? Early bird? Donate anytime during the 24 hours on November 16 and you could be that donor!

> $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 prize grants will be awarded to the top three small nonprofit organizations – with budgets under $750,000 – which receive the most dollars on Give to the Max Day. Help MHAM get “on the board!”

Please show your support for MHAM by making a donation on Wednesday, November 16th through MHAM’s GiveMN webpage.

Partner with community mental health agencies and existing benefit providers: These agencies often provide training and educational materials to community members, including area businesses.

•  Training can include formal presentations on common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress in the workplace. If you have an employee assistance program (EAP), training or educational seminars may be part of your contracted service or may be available for an additional fee.
•  Educational materials can include brochures, booklets, and training and resource manuals that can approach a variety of topics relating to mental health. These services are often provided at a low cost or, in some cases, free of charge.
•  Incorporate mental health into your company’s health or wellness fair. EAPs and community agencies often provide information for employees at these events.

Add mental health information to your existing communications: Newsletters, payroll stuffers, post cards, e-mail blasts, and other communications can all help initiate your organization’s commitment to mental health.

•  An internal newsletter can provide a great opportunity to talk about health issues. Your EAP, health care provider, or local community mental health agency may be able to provide material or assist you with the article.
•  Payroll stuffers and post cards provide another option for reaching out to employees and their family members.
•  Placing literature in inconspicuous areas of the workplace is also important. Instead of placing brochures in a break room or busy hallway, provide these materials in a subtle and inconspicuous place for employees, such as restrooms.
•  Make sure that toll-free numbers and websites for the company’s EAP and health care provider, and/or the community mental health agency, are included in all mental health educational materials. Also, be sure that information about mental health benefits available from your EAP and health insurer is easily accessible on your company’s website. Promoting your benefits will create awareness and utilization.

*This information was adapted from “Mental Health at Work: A Resource Manual for Minnesota Employers.” To obtain a copy of this manual and other MHAM workplace publications, please visit the Workplace Publications Page.

To gain a better understanding of the effectiveness and safety of CAM, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health, sponsors and conducts research using scientific methods and advanced technologies to study CAM practices. On the NCCAM website, there are several health topics and studies that address CAM practices, including mental health. This information can help guide informed decision-making among individuals and healthcare professionals.

It’s important to talk to your doctor if you decide to use CAM practices, especially if you have existing health conditions, using prescription medications, or over-the-counter medications. The following tips, provided by NCCAM, can help you talk to your health care providers about CAM.

> When completing patient history forms, be sure to include all therapies and treatments you use. Make a list in advance.
> Tell your health care providers about all therapies or treatments—including over-the-counter and prescription medicines, as well as dietary and herbal supplements.
> Don’t wait for your providers to ask about your CAM use. Be proactive.
> If you are considering a new CAM therapy, ask your health care providers about its safety, effectiveness, and possible interactions with medications, both prescription and nonprescription. (Download the Steps to Wellness Medication Form to keep track of your medications, including dietary and herbal supplements)

For more information, please visit the NCCAM website at www.nccam.nih.gov