At the 2013 Alternatives conference in Austin, TX, The CAFE TA Center invited people with lived experience to share their thoughts on recovery. Dozens of people chose to participate, and offered their reflections on the recovery process, how the concept of recovery has changed their perspective on mental health, and what public policy makers and […]
The “Recovery Stories” Video Project Read More »
For any organization, recruiting, managing and retaining qualified professional staff is an essential part of doing business. For consumer mental health organizations, taking care of their employees while providing quality services to the community is an even more complex challenge. Not only must organizations ensure that the supports and services their employees provide are of
Managing Peer Support Employees Experiencing Mental Health Crisis Read More »
It’s no secret that student mental health and suicide prevention have become major issues on college campuses across the country. While some institutions have made meaningful efforts to encourage dialogue, counter stigma, and make mental health services readily accessible, concerns about liability, an inability to adequately serve students and other factors have made higher education
Focus: Thirty Schools Recognized for Quality Mental Health Programming Read More »
As last year’s SAMHSA report to Congress on the nation’s substance abuse and mental health workforce noted, the demand for behavioral health services in the US exceeds what is available. With expanded access to care through the Affordable Care Act and new Mental Health Parity rules, that demand will only increase in coming years, and
A Focus on The Mental Health Workforce Crisis Read More »
What is “accreditation” and why does it matter? “Accreditation” is the process whereby a health care provider obtains impartial, outside approval for the manner in which it provides services. Traditionally, the accreditation process has involved outside experts looking closely at health care providers, their staffs, their internal processes, and other measurable factors. Rarely has accreditation
Focus: Behavioral Health Leads the Way in Changing the Accreditation Process Read More »
One of the long-standing debates in the discussion about how to best meet the needs of people with serious mental illness centers around the issue of whether treating people in the community is the best course, or if in-patient treatment is the better choice for society. For people in the recovery community, the value of
A Focus on the Debate Over Community Care and Compulsory Treatment Read More »
From wild fires in the West to hurricanes in the Gulf, disaster can reach people in every corner of the country. People with mental health needs can be particularly challenged by disasters, which can disrupt treatment routines and trigger trauma. Fortunately, there is one reliable way to get through a disaster intact, and that is
Are You Ready for the Next Disaster? Read More »
The word “sequestration” has been in the news a lot lately. There is a lot of argument about the state of the economy, the federal budget, deficit and debt. What does it all mean? And how does it impact the vital services that people with mental health needs rely upon? To help provide some answers
A Focus on Sequestration Read More »
National Prevention Week, which is celebrated each May, provides an occasion to highlight the importance of prevention when it comes to substance abuse and mental health issues. This year, Prevention Week is set for May 12-18. To underscore the importance of prevention and to share some ideas on how mental health consumers and their organizations
Prevention Week, 2013 Read More »
With conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan coming to an end, our country is experiencing an influx of veterans. Sadly, suicide among veterans is an epidemic, and many suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. At the same time, unemployment among veterans is also a pressing issue. In a new Focus newsletter, “Expanding the Role of Veterans
Veterans in the Mental Health Workforce Read More »
