Campaign for Mental Health
Recovery State Implementation Projects Award Winners
In May 2008, the SAMHSA ADS Center announced the availability of funds to support and enhance the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery (CMHR) through the development and implementation of consumer-operated State community-based mental health outreach education and social inclusion activities. SAMHSA's CMHR is a national, multi-year effort that seeks to promote social inclusion and recovery from mental health problems. The Campaign uses proven social marketing strategies and public education methods including the dissemination of TV, radio, and print public service advertisements, or PSAs, along with many supporting materials including a Campaign Web site, brochure, community site kit, and Web-based advertising.
Funded CMHR projects include a multicultural target audience of young adults who are 18-25 years of age, particularly focusing on mental health awareness and education among the Hispanic American, African American, Chinese American, and Native American populations. Following a competitive application process, eleven organizations were selected to receive the project awards. Below is a list of the eleven CMHR State Implementation awardees and brief descriptions of their projects.
Advocacy Unlimited, Inc., Wethersfield, CT
The project involves the development of a gaming simulation called Mad Cool. The objectives of the Mad Cool project include creating a recovery game prototype designed for educating 18-25 year olds about recovery and mental illness. The organization will form a design and implementation team of 6 young adults who will be trained on recovery and mental illness, as well as game simulation techniques.
Amistad, Inc., Portland, ME
The organization will develop a speakers bureau consisting of mental health consumers and family members who will speak at local colleges, high schools, and other public venues targeting youth between the ages of 18-25. These speakers will also assist in the development of a 2-hour training curriculum based on the National Alliance on Mental Illness "In Our Own Voice" program. The organization will also develop a DVD to supplement the speakers bureau presentations and for use with other media outlets including local TV channels, partner Websites, and social networking sites.
Consumer Satisfaction Services, Harrisburg, PA
The organization will provide statewide education and awareness to the general public in Pennsylvania regarding mental health and substance abuse. The organization will utilize a tool they have developed, First Aid in Behavioral Health, to educate individuals about mental health and substance abuse. Information will be provided via written materials and verbal presentations.
Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery, Sioux City, IA
The organization will compile written stories of hope and recovery in a book by culturally diverse young adults between 18-25 years old who self-identify as mental health consumers. The books will be distributed to various audiences through book signings, new releases, speaking engagements, classroom presentations, and Web site exposure.
M- Power (Massachusetts People/Patients Organized for Wellness, Empowerment, and Rights), Roxbury, MA
The organization will document attitudes and experiences related to mental health recovery in multiple ethnic communities of transition age youth within Massachusetts in order to promote equality and social connections through the development of a video documentary. The documentary will then be shown in rented halls and other venues where individuals will be invited to public screenings.
Mental Health Consumer Advocates of Rhode Island, Inc., Providence, RI
The organization will recruit target audience youth between the ages of 18-25 and have them produce three to five documentaries depicting their successful journeys of recovery. These will be used as educational tools with various community organizations including but not limited to high schools and colleges.
Oklahoma Mental Health Consumer Council, Oklahoma City, OK
The organization will target all 18 to 25 year old Oklahomans, with a special focus on the Native American population of the State. Specifically, the project will develop PSAs with mental health consumers that are culturally appropriate for Oklahoma's large Native American population, as well as localizing the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery PSAs.
Tova's Nutrition, Education, Sleep Therapy, Inc., Columbus, OH
The project will develop a "campus mental health toolkit" that will be used by faculty, students, parents, and community organizations. Information included in the toolkit will cover a variety of mental health topics including information on reducing negative attitudes and discrimination related to mental illnesses, and it will provide referral resources.
Vermont Psychiatric Survivors, Rutland, VT
The organization will recruit mental health consumers between the ages of 18-25 to be trained in public speaking and to participate in speaking engagements, the development and distribution of materials for a traveling art show, and other media presentations.
West Virginia Mental Health Consumers Associations, Charleston, WV
This organization will begin monitoring and responding to stigmatizing materials presented in the media and will develop and coordinate a speakers bureau consisting of culturally diverse mental health consumers. The organization will collaborate with a current West Virginia Inclusion campaign and develop culturally diverse materials and continue their work with families, providers, and law enforcement. Also, they will develop a media campaign that will feature 3 winning PSAs developed by students at the West Virginia State University.
Wings Across Alabama, Montgomery, AL
The organization will develop and hold five events featuring an entertainment act (band, comedian, or other entertainer) targeted to college age, minority youth between the ages of 18-25. Specifically, the organization will target two historically African-American college campuses, along with one urban university, and a Native American reservation. The events will be interspersed with educational presentations by college age consumers, siblings, and peers.
For more information on the CMHR access the Campaign Web site at www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov or contact the Campaign Liaisons: Ruth Montag. |