Mental Health America Blog

How to Know if You’re Doing Too Much: Recognizing Overfunctioning and Avoiding Burnout

MHA Admin — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 16:32:35 +0000

How to Know if You’re Doing Too Much: Recognizing Overfunctioning and Avoiding Burnout

MHA Admin Wed, 11/20/2024 - 11:32

November 20, 2024

by Israa Nasir, therapist and author of “Toxic Productivity: Reclaim Your Time and Emotional Energy in a World That Always Demands More”

We live in a culture that prioritizes productivity over taking care of yourself. So, it becomes easy to overdo it—without even realizing it. This can lead to overfunctioning—when you take on responsibilities and tasks that are (1) not necessarily yours to complete or take on, and (2) are beyond your time and energetic capacity.

Recognizing when you're doing too much is essential for preserving your mental well-being, physical health, and overall happiness.

What Exactly is Overfunctioning?

Overfunctioning is a common but often overlooked response to stress, where we step in to manage, control, or take responsibility for things that may not truly be ours to handle. When faced with challenges, people who overfunction often feel compelled to “do more” as a way of coping. You might take on more responsibilities at work, constantly offer help to others, or overextend yourself in your personal life as a way to keep everything running smoothly. Over time, this pattern not only leads to burnout but can also damage relationships by enabling others to underfunction or become overly reliant.

Red Flags for Overfunctioning

You are never not tired. Consistent feeling of exhaustion (outside of any physical health issues) even after a full night's sleep or a day off.
You feel overwhelmed by small tasks. If you’re finding it hard to concentrate, easily frustrated, or feeling mentally or physically cluttered, you may be spreading yourself too thin.
You want to feel in control of the situation or avoid disappointment. This mindset prevents you from trusting others to help or take over, so you end up doing everything yourself.
When you’re the one constantly doing more, you might start to feel resentful or frustrated with others—you might feel they are not contributing equally. This can strain relationships and create an unhealthy dynamic where others rely on you too much.

How to Prevent Overfunctioning

Boundaries: Start by identifying your needs and reflecting on your time and energy capacity. Boundaries might look like saying no to an extra project at work or limiting your availability.
Release Perfectionism: Embrace a more flexible approach to success. Recognize that perfection isn’t realistic or necessary, and that “good enough” often gets the job done just as well.
Actively Rest: Make a habit of taking regular breaks throughout the day, and carve out time each week for activities that truly relax and rejuvenate you.
Delegate Mindfully: Start small by asking for help with minor tasks, and gradually build your comfort with delegating larger responsibilities.
Improve Self-Awareness: Reflect on why you started taking on so much in the first place. Are you driven by a fear of failure or desire to prove yourself? Do you worry about disappointing others or what other people might think of you? Understanding your motivations can help you redefine your approach to productivity, letting go of unnecessary pressure.

Overfunctioning is a One-Way Street to Burnout

You might feel like you are more in control, highly competent, or a valued member of your team or family if you are constantly the one responsible for getting things done. However, if you don’t catch these signs early on, overfunctioning can lead you to burnout.

If you recognize yourself in these patterns, it might be time to take a step back and reevaluate. Learning to recognize when you’re doing too much and taking steps to manage your workload and expectations can be transformative. Remember: You don’t need to do it all to be valuable.

West Fraser grant powers rural mental health outreach in South Carolina

MHA Admin — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:10:51 +0000

West Fraser grant powers rural mental health outreach in South Carolina

MHA Admin Wed, 11/20/2024 - 12:10

November 20, 2024

by Eileen Schell, Community Resource Coordinator

Mental Health America of South Carolina (MHASC) is taking big steps to support rural communities in the state, and it's all thanks to a partnership with Mental Health America National and West Fraser, a global wood products company. Through this partnership, MHASC received funding to extend its mental health services to rural South Carolina, and reach smaller towns that may not have access to mental health resources otherwise.

The team started by sending letters and resource packets to local faith leaders. Since September was Suicide Prevention Month, the materials included helpful bulletin announcements, resources in both English and Spanish, and information about their Mental Health 101 sessions, offered both in person and online. They also highlighted the free mental health screenings available through the Mental Health America website.

One special program MHASC introduced to faith communities is "I.C. Hope/Don’t Duck Mental Health." It features a duck mascot and is designed to teach both children and adults that mental illness is real and treatable. The materials are engaging, with a curriculum for teachers and adults, and even fun items like coloring pages, stickers, and craft supplies for a paper sack puppet. This initiative makes learning about mental health interactive and accessible for all ages.

MHASC also worked with MHA National to get a unique QR code for MHA’s National Prevention and Screening Program so they can learn more about how people in South Carolina use the mental health screenings. Over the next few months, MHASC will continue to expand its efforts in rural communities, thanks to the West Fraser grant. This includes offering more training in Mental Health First Aid, hosting suicide awareness programs, and setting up booths at events to spread the word about mental health resources.

MHASC has been busy with other projects, too. In the past year, the organization gave their website a makeover and organized two major conferences—one focusing on suicide prevention and another for peer supporters. Both were funded by a grant from the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, and they’re already planning conferences for 2025.

In addition to rural outreach, MHASC has also maintained a presence at Soda City Market, a weekly market in downtown Columbia. There, staffers set up a table with Mental Health America materials, along with resources from other organizations like the local chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Alliance on Mental Illness to reach even more people.

Finally, MHASC celebrated its 70th anniversary with a 70s-themed party! Despite the rain brought by Hurricane Helene, which later hit parts of South Carolina and continued to affect North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, they still marked this important milestone. Their hearts go out to everyone impacted by the storm.

Add new comment

Care for the caregiver

MHA Admin — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:30:43 +0000

Care for the caregiver

MHA Admin Wed, 11/20/2024 - 12:30

November 20, 2024

by Lisell Pacheco, Senior Director, Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation

There are 91.3 million caregivers across the U.S., and of those, 14.3 million are caring for a wounded, ill, or injured service member or veteran. These military and veteran caregivers are the spouses, partners, parents, family members, friends, neighbors, and loved ones who provide countless hours of often unseen and unpaid care to their care recipient. Many have sacrificed their careers, education, and health to prioritize the needs of their loved ones.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, but we know caregivers give so much to support the well-being of their loved ones all year. We know from our newest research on military and veteran caregivers that caregiving places significant strain on caregivers’ mental health. Caregivers often place their own needs behind those of their care recipient, which can lead to burnout, stress, and other mental well-being consequences. Below are some tips to support caregivers in nourishing their own mental wellness, today, this month, and along their entire caregiving journey.

Nurture and develop the parts of your identity that make you feel like you.

Who were you before you became a caregiver? Caregiving can be all-consuming, leaving little room for personal goals, interests, and self-expression. Take time to reflect on your values and identify the components of your pre-caregiving identity that brought you fulfillment, passion, and joy.

Embrace the full spectrum of big emotions.

Caregiving is emotional. Offer yourself compassion as you experience powerful, complex, and seemingly conflicting emotions at the same time. Explore tools and outlets for processing these feelings – from journaling, meditating, and simply unplugging to talking with a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.

Build peer connection with someone who just gets it.

The experience of caring for a loved one can be isolating. It can be helpful to connect with caregiving peers who have similar lived experiences – both in person and virtually. Building peer connection creates a sense of inclusion and the opportunity for someone to reach out and check in on you.

Find time to intentionally nourish yourself.

It often feels like there are not enough hours in the day to care for your loved one and attend to all other daily responsibilities. Intentionally nourishing yourself will enable you to maintain your care and commitment to those around you. Consider building self-care into your everyday routine, such as listening to an audio book or your favorite music while walking the dog or completing household tasks. Give yourself permission to delegate tasks or intentionally do nothing.

Connect to trusted military and veteran caregiving resources.

There are a number of resources nationwide to support caregivers, but sometimes this wealth of information can be overwhelming to navigate. If you’re not sure where to start, check out the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Family Resource Hub, which offers vetted resources for military and veteran caregiving families, or connect with our Resource Navigation team for 1:1 guidance.

Building in time to care for yourself takes practice. For more ideas on how to care for yourself as you care for those around you, check out the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Caregiver Mental Wellness Framework. If you’re looking to connect with military and veteran caregiver peers in a safe and structured virtual space to build greater understanding of your mental wellness, consider joining a virtual Caregiver Mental Wellness Workshop or Care Group.

Healing the Mind with Technology and Music

MHA Admin — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 14:36:21 +0000

Healing the Mind with Technology and Music

MHA Admin Tue, 11/19/2024 - 09:36

November 19, 2024

by James Tsaggaris, student at Archbishop Mitty High School

My journey with mental health advocacy began in my sophomore year of high school. I watched as my friends and classmates were overwhelmed by endless assignments, such as chemistry lab reports or history presentations, regularly staying up past 2 a.m. Anxiety took over many of our lives. We were losing our peace of mind, our sense of who we were, and the simple joy of learning.

I wanted to help my generation manage our hectic lives and improve our well-being. I started coding a time-management tool with psychology-based algorithms that helped students manage their busy schedules, presenting and distributing it to over 100 high schools.

However, I felt more needed to be done. Many parents were not aware of signs of mental health issues and regarded them just as “normal stress.” Students likewise were not armed with tools to assess their mental health and how to cope with challenges.

I researched online and found Mental Health America and its strategic focus on next-generation prevention (Next Gen). How would I let people know about MHA's screening tools and coping toolbox?

So I turned to the one thing that had always been my outlet for stress: music. I decided to host a charity recital to reach out to the community to advocate for and empower teens with these tools.

As a classical pianist, I often played pieces from composers like Debussy and Chopin, whose works are calming and meditative. On days before difficult exams, I would sit down and play a relaxing song or learn a new soothing piece. Working with my piano teacher, I organized a program not only to calm the mind but also to tell a deeper story.

In my second fundraising concert for MHA, our program started with Schumann’s famous quintet to honor this great composer, who suffered from bipolar disorder, and closed with Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto. After the failed debut of his first symphony, Rachmaninoff fell into a deep depression and lost his drive to compose for three years. He recovered from depression with Dr. Nicholai Dahl’s treatment. Rachmaninoff composed Piano Concerto No. 2 and dedicated it to Dr. Dahl for helping him regain confidence in composition. Now it is one of classical music’s most beloved pieces. I chose this piece to convey hope for those struggling with mental health issues: Recovery and renewed creativity are possible.

As I continue this journey, I am inspired to find new ways to merge my passion for music with advocacy. Whether it's through organizing events, playing relaxing music for patients, or simply being a supportive friend, I am dedicated to championing teen mental health. Together with MHA, I look forward to fostering a community where mental well-being is openly discussed and nurtured.

A note from Mental Health America:

James has raised over $10,000 for Mental Health America to date, using his incredible talent and passion to make a real difference for thousands. His story reminds us of our power to turn Hope into Help for those struggling with mental health challenges.

This giving season, we invite you to join James in making an impact. By contributing to our year-end giving campaign, MHA can continue providing essential public education toolkits, research & screening, advocacy, and public policy initiatives that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Turn Hope into Help: Donate Here

The big menopause secret

MHA Admin — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 15:08:09 +0000

The big menopause secret

MHA Admin Fri, 10/18/2024 - 11:08

October 18, 2024

by Kristen Abell

In the past couple of years, I’ve begun to notice an increase in the mentions of menopause and perimenopause in my social feeds. It makes sense - I am a woman of a certain age. But the thing that bugs me most about all these articles and posts is just how little I actually know about menopause - even after reading them.

Growing up, all the things associated with womanly hormones were pretty much off the table as discussion topics. My guy friends complained whenever a commercial for period products played on the TV (back when we still had commercials and didn’t just stream everything). And my mom told me little to nothing about what to expect when it came to getting my period. I learned most of what I needed to know from Seventeen magazine and Judy Blume’s book “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” So I guess it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that, while talking about periods has become more commonplace, we haven’t quite caught up when talking about menopause.

It was only just a few years ago that I learned perimenopause was even a thing - let alone something I might be experiencing soon. After talking to a friend about some of the issues I’ve been having with my ADHD lately and how I’d learned low estrogen can impact it, she mentioned that she had recently started using an estrogen patch. I had a doctor’s appointment coming up, so I figured I could talk to my doctor about it then.

When I mentioned to my doctor that I wondered if I might be in the beginning stages of perimenopause, she informed me that I was too young to be worried about that yet. When I had a follow up appointment three months later, she asked me if I was experiencing any perimenopause symptoms since I was about the right age for it. Even my doctor doesn’t seem to have a solid handle on all of this. And while we can easily dismiss the ignorance/poor practice of one doctor, I find that conversations like these are far more the norm when I talk with my friends than they are the exception.

This is one of the main reasons I so appreciate the new perimenopause/menopause resource Mental Health America has created. Not only does it have some great basic facts, but it also has information about how menopause impacts mood disorders and hormones. And this resource isn’t just for those of us whose birth sex and gender identity are female/woman, but for anyone who may experience menopause - which we know is a broader population.

One of the other reasons I appreciate that MHA has put this resource out is that it’s time we start learning and talking more about menopause. It affects 2 million people in the U.S. each year. We need to stop being ashamed and afraid of the bodily changes of people with ovaries and instead make sure they have the information they need to go through those changes in as healthy a way as possible.

Kristen Abell is director of website and digital projects, writer, and advocate for mental health and neurodivergence.

Guest blog: 5 things I wish I knew before being diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia

MHA Admin — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:46:49 +0000

Guest blog: 5 things I wish I knew before being diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia

MHA Admin Fri, 10/11/2024 - 09:46

October 14, 2024

by Jeff, Tardive Dyskinesia Patient Ambassador for Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Nearly 60 million adults in the United States are living with a mental health condition. Some people living with a mental health condition may also develop or already have tardive dyskinesia (TD), a persistent, involuntary movement disorder associated with the use of antipsychotic medication (APs) and characterized by uncontrollable, abnormal and repetitive body movements.

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was 17 years old, after I had a nervous breakdown and was hospitalized for a few weeks. My psychiatrist prescribed APs for my schizophrenia, which helped, but after several years, I was diagnosed with TD.

I wanted to share with the MHA community five things I wish I knew before being diagnosed with TD.

1. Understand TD symptoms

TD is associated with the use of APs that may be necessary to treat individuals living with mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The condition impacts about 600,000 or more people in the U.S. TD movements can affect the face, torso, limbs and fingers or toes.

I wasn’t surprised I was diagnosed with TD because my psychiatrist had informed me about the possibility of TD due to my AP treatment, but I was not prepared for some of the physical symptoms I started to experience.

I woke up one morning and my cheeks were puffing in and out uncontrollably. Then, the movements turned into grimacing. TD affects my walking, and I have difficulty buttoning my shirt and putting a belt on.

2. Know the impact TD has on your daily life

I wasn’t prepared for the reaction of others to my uncontrollable movements, how TD would make me feel and the impact it would have on my routine. Children would stare at me on the bus due to my facial movements. In restaurants, I feel I am often seated away from other patrons because I believe people often conclude that something is wrong with me. I do my best not to take these reactions too seriously, but it can be difficult.

That’s why it’s important to raise awareness for TD, as it’s not only important to family members and those living with the condition, but also to the general public so they have a better understanding and feel more comfortable when they experience someone with TD.

3. Find support and build your community

After receiving my TD diagnosis, my psychiatrist suggested I join a movement disorder support group. Shortly after I started going, I began to learn to accept my condition. It helped me realize I wasn’t alone because others in the group were experiencing similar symptoms.

4. Keep your mind busy

I find comfort in music and listening to records and watching movies. I'm also very grateful to be a patient ambassador for TD and be able to share my story. By sharing my story, I am able to educate and prepare others and have a major impact on people all over the world which shows me that I have a purpose.

5. Have a conversation with your doctor

I see my neurologist once a year in person, because I think he gets a better assessment of my movements. It’s important for providers to address the symptoms of TD, but also the social and emotional aspects of living with TD. If you think you have TD, even mild symptoms, consult with a provider you trust and tell them about your uncontrollable movements. Learn more about TD, living with TD and how to treat TD by visiting TalkAboutTD.com.

This post was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Jeff was compensated by Neurocrine Bioscience, Inc. to share his story.

Day 3 recap of the 2024 Mental Health America Conference

MHA Admin — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 14:56:56 +0000

Day 3 recap of the 2024 Mental Health America Conference

MHA Admin Sun, 09/22/2024 - 10:56

September 22, 2024

Day 3 Recap of the 2024 Mental Health America Conference Mental Health America wrapped up the third and final day of its annual conference with powerful programming that explored themes of novel approaches to substance use disorder, research informed by lived experience, student-led approaches to improving mental health on college campuses, and the vital role of spirituality in one’s well-being. It started with a keynote from Dr. Nzinga Harrison, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at Eleanor Health.

Dr. Harrison, a psychiatrist, addiction medicine expert, author, speaker, and activist, emphasized a “culturopolitical” approach to mental health in addition to the traditional biopsychosocial model. Specifically, she discussed the importance of racism-informed care, which acknowledges the role that race-based trauma plays in an individual’s life.

Dr. Harrison noted that healing may involve uncomfortable conversations.

“The same way we want to point compassion to people who are seeking to start their journey to recover from addiction, we want to point compassion to people who are seeking to start their recovery from racism,” she said.

Following the morning keynote, three breakout sessions looked at cutting-edge approaches to youth mental health, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health research.

During a discussion titled, “Lift the Mask Club: A Student-Led Approach to Normalizing and Improving Mental Health on College Campuses,” three young mental health leaders, Emily A. Abbott, Ashley Panzino and Allie Rosenberg, discussed how mental health resources need to change along with young peoples’ brains when they leave high school for college. Sponsored by the Quell Foundation, the Lift the Mask Club initiative is a program created by college students for college students, helping them navigate difficult conversations and support each other.

In a session called, “Breaking Barriers: Treating Dual Diagnosis with Ketamine and Novel Treatment Approaches,” Dr. Abid Nazeer, founder and Chief Medical Officer at Hopemark Health, outlined the promise of ketamine in helping address both psychiatric symptoms as well as underlying substance use.

“When we talk about dual diagnosis, one principle matters most: Address both,” Dr. Nazeer said. “You tackle one only, and the outcomes go down. If you tackle both, you’ll have the best chance at success.”

The MHA research team held a session titled, “Your Voice Matters: Integrating Lived Experience in MHA Research,” that explored how lived experience is integrated into both research as well as development of new technologies, such as the digital peer bridger tool for substance use.

“With folks where I used to be, thinking what I was thinking: ‘There’s no way out,’” said Patricia Franklin, an MHA Board member and peer support specialist. “To tell someone my story, to see what I’ve come from and what I’ve been through, it could help somebody else and that’s what gets me excited.”

The final keynote featured a highly anticipated conversation with Dr. Lisa Miller, a New York Times best-selling author and professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Miller is also the founder and director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, the first Ivy League graduate program and research institute in spirituality and psychology, and has held over a decade of joint appointments in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical School.

Dr. Miller shared highlights of her groundbreaking work, which has shown the protective effects of spirituality on the brain’s well-being.

“Depression and spiritual life are inextricably linked,” she said. “Despair is a gateway to awakening. Every one of us has this opportunity.”

“That is your birthright. No one can ever take that away from you,” she added.

Closing out the conference, MHA President and CEO Schroeder Stribling expressed gratitude to all who attended, including speakers, Board members and staff, for making it such a moving conference.

“At Mental Health America, we together envision a future where everybody has an equitable opportunity for whole-person health, healing, and flourishing,” Stribling said. “And that is what you are doing.”

Day 2 recap of Mental Health America 2024 Conference

MHA Admin — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 16:25:54 +0000

Day 2 recap of Mental Health America 2024 Conference

MHA Admin Sat, 09/21/2024 - 12:25

September 21, 2024

Mental Health America held the second day of main events at its 2024 Mental Health America Conference on Friday, beginning with music and conversation with the Me2/ Orchestra, the world's only classical music organization created for individuals with mental illnesses and the people who support them. The presentation was sponsored by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Following the performance and panel discussion, four of Mental Health America’s young mental health leaders Makaila Davis, Anastasia Erley, Jonathan Jean Charles, and Kaisar Perry took the main stage, along with Vice President of Youth and Peer Advocacy, Kelly Davis. The group discussed what is lacking in current approaches to mental health and the importance of intergenerational collaboration that provides bidirectional mentorship and authentic relationships.

“To me, intergenerational collaboration means combining the wisdom of older generations with the fresh ideas of younger ones to create more sustainable solutions in the mental health space,” said Makaila Davis.

Jonathan Jean Charles encouraged attendees to “leverage the past, to inform the present, to make a brighter future.”

At the conclusion of the panel, MHA’s mPower Award, which celebrates the life and work of a teen or young adult who has spoken out about mental health issues to educate peers and fight stigma, was presented to Ernesto Isaac Lara.

In his acceptance, he emphasized the importance of representation and how meaningful it is to receive the award as a young, queer, grandchild of immigrants. He reminded attendees that his expertise is not dependent on his accolades or the institution he’s affiliated with, but on his own personal journey.

"I am not an expert because of the institutions I work for, I am an expert because of my lived experience, and I'm gonna always stand on that,” Lara said.

The mid-morning featured breakout sessions across the various conference themes of youth and young adult mental health; policy and advocacy; and community responses to disaster and humanitarian crises. One standout session was presented by 12-year-old Anisha Marrapu, Founder of BhavnaFoundation. Marrapu discussed her work using a machine learning model and resting-state EEG data to detect and treat psychiatric disorders early.

“It is tremendous to learn that Anisha is twelve years old and is already working to help her peers in addressing their mental health,” said MHA’s Chief Social Impact Officer Dr. America Paredes, “Her efforts in developing diagnostic tools like the EEG to respond to early intervention and identification needs is remarkable and commendable. She is leading the way and reminds us to be hopeful for the future.”

In the afternoon, actor Teddy Sears presented the 2024 MHA Media Awards. Winners included: Hawaii News Now: Hope for Hawaii Island, “I Need to Ask You Something,” “In Her Shoes,” The Awakenings Review, and MindSite News.

The afternoon breakout sessions that followed featured topics like cannabis and psychosis, peer respite care, and supporting the mental health of marginalized LGBTQ+ youth.

“When working with LGBTQ youth, replace judgment with wonder and meet people where they are,” said Phii Regis of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation during his presentation.

Attendees gathered back at the main stage in the evening for a keynote address from Dr. Brian Anderson, CEO of Coalition for Health AI. Anderson addressed measuring reliability in AI, emphasizing the need for consensus on definitions and standards, including fairness, transparency, and robustness. He discussed the mental health field as a unique space for AI, with potential benefits in providing non-judgmental support and assisting people with patient advocacy.

“I think certainly within the next two years, we're all going to have something on our phone that is AI-driven and potentially has the ability to ingest our health data if we wanted to,” Anderson said, “If the tools are trained appropriately right, and they're innate, able to align themselves to the kinds of values and priorities that you as an individual have, right, and it knows your health data, there's a real interesting space where each of us can have an advocate that never tires, that is always looking out for us, that perhaps is advocating for what we need or what we want, or helping us to advocate for what we need and what we want with our clinicians, particularly in the mental health space.”

Following the keynote, three awards were presented. The Betty Humphrey Equity Champion Award, which recognizes those who advance the intersectionality of mental health as it relates to discrimination, poverty, stigma, racism, and overall social and economic determinants of health, was given to the Montgomery County Public Schools International Admissions & Enrollment Office's EML Therapeutic Counseling Team for the services they provide to emergent multilingual learners.

The Joseph de Raismes III Policy Award, which honors an individual who – like de Raismes – makes outstanding contributions to furthering mental health policy, was presented to Barbara Johnston for her impactful advocacy work in mental health, deinstitutionalization, addiction, and crisis management.

The George Goodman Brudney and Ruth P. Brudney Social Work Award, which recognizes significant contributions made to the care and treatment of people with mental illness by practicing professionals in social work, was presented to Dr. Joey Pagano for his profound empathy, compassion, and unwavering commitment to harm reduction.

“I just believe in principles like self determination and…principles like meeting someone where they're at and just loving someone until they're ready to make that change and get the help they need,” said Pagano in his acceptance speech.

The 2024 Mental Health America Conference continues through Saturday, Sept. 21.

Day 1 Recap of the 2024 Mental Health America Conference

MHA Admin — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:20:44 +0000

Day 1 Recap of the 2024 Mental Health America Conference

MHA Admin Fri, 09/20/2024 - 09:20

September 20, 2024

Mental Health America held the first day of main events at its 2024 Mental Health America Conference on Thursday with over 900 clinicians, advocates, and industry leaders attending in person and thousands across the country and globe virtually. The programming kicked off with remarks from MHA President and CEO Schroeder Stribling and Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Carole Johnson at an opening luncheon.

The afternoon featured breakout sessions across the various conference themes of mental health innovation; local solutions to equity needs; youth and young adult mental health; policy and advocacy; and community responses to disaster and humanitarian crises.

When attendees gathered back at the main stage in the early evening, Mental Health America’s young mental health leaders joined Stribling and MHA Board Chair Pierluigi Mancini in an annual conference tradition: the ringing of the Mental Health Bell.

During the early days of mental health treatment, asylums often restrained people who had mental illnesses with iron chains and shackles around their ankles and wrists. With better understanding and treatments, this practice stopped, and in the early 1950s, Mental Health America issued a call to asylums across the country for their discarded chains and shackles.

In April 1953, at the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, Mental Health America melted down these inhumane bindings and recast them into a sign of hope: the Mental Health Bell. Today, the Mental Health Bell rings out hope for improving mental health and achieving victory over mental illnesses.

Following the bell ringing, Mancini presented Mental Health America’s highest award – the Clifford W. Beers Award. Created in honor of MHA’s founder, the award is presented annually to a consumer of mental health or substance use services who best reflects the example set by Beers in his efforts to improve conditions for and attitudes toward people with mental illnesses. Mancini presented this year’s award to Renee Jones, a dedicated mental health professional, speaker, and survivor advocate who overcame addiction and sex trafficking.

“I fought and fought and fought and I will not stop fighting. I am here today to let you know that Mental Health America, you and I will continue to fight in the open and be there for the ones that cannot fight for themselves,” said Jones in her acceptance speech, invoking one of Beers’ most famous quotes, “I must fight in the open.”

In the final event of the evening former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy and Philomena Kebec sat down with MHA Board Member Madhuri Jha to discuss mental health advocacy and Kennedy’s latest book, “Profiles in Mental Health Courage,” which features Kebec’s story.

Kebec, who belongs to the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, discussed how healing for her is not just about medication or therapy, but about making structural changes, including elevating people in her community who are experiencing injustice.

“That is as much a part of my therapy as when I go and talk to my therapist every week,” she said.

Kennedy echoed the need for systemic change and addressing social determinants of mental health saying, “We don’t treat the main factors in helping people have stability…housing, employment — these are things that aren’t covered by insurance.”

He also called for political leaders and future presidential administrations to focus on mental health as a bipartisan issue.

“We’ve got a much bigger fight, it’s not a republican or democratic fight, it’s about getting this issue front and center,” he said.

The 2024 Mental Health America Conference continues through Saturday, Sept. 21.

Recap of the 2024 Mental Health America Affiliate Day

MHA Admin — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 13:46:57 +0000

Recap of the 2024 Mental Health America Affiliate Day

MHA Admin Thu, 09/19/2024 - 09:46

September 19, 2024

On Sept. 18, Mental Health America conducted its 2024 Affiliate Day, an event held in advance of the 2024 Mental Health America Main Conference. The event spotlighted a handful of the most successful programs built by some of MHA’s 140 affiliates around the country, and featured presentations from affiliate leadership.

The highlighted programs included: Mental Health America of Southeast Florida’s Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team program; Mental Health America of Lancaster County’s wellness program for older adults; Mental Health Association in New York State’s CarePath program; Mental Health America - Wabash Valley Region’s Let's Talk Service; Mental Health Association of East Tennessee’s Treatment Access Bank program; and Mental Health Association of Fauquier County’s Spiritual First Aid course.

During the event’s luncheon, the 2024 Richard Van Horn Innovation in Programming Award, an award recognizing excellence in mission-centered affiliate programming, was given to the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee for their Treatment Access Bank program.

Treatment Access Bank director Rose Patterson shared, “Our approach is unique in the way we focus on ALICE (asset limited income constrained employed) population. We really wanted to make this something that everyone has a stake in.”

In addition to recognizing impactful affiliate programming, the event also featured sessions from MHA National staff and other industry experts aimed at providing helpful insight for affiliate leaders in attendance. Topics included state and federal advocacy, workplace wellness, grant writing, software integration, and building communities of practice.

In the keynote session, Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Labor Department, Lisa Gomez, along with other panelists, updated affiliate leaders on how federal regulation, litigation, and health plans are evolving to improve access to mental health care.

While Affiliate Day is a full-day event geared toward MHA’s affiliate network and leadership, MHA affiliates and their programming will continue to be on display throughout the 2024 Mental Health America Main Conference, from September 19-21.