Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA

Mental Health Association of Northwestern PA

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Support Our Programs	Purpose Partnership Program Support Support the Journey was born out of inspiration to offer messages of hope and support with people recovering from mental illness and addiction. Along the way, we awakened to the realization that all of humanity benefits from offerings of hope and belief in our human potential to overcome diversity, regardless of whether the challenge is related to the mind, body or spirit as it is a universal human need. Support the Journey provides messages and products that help us to remember our potential for recovering from emotional darkness, as well as, offers an opportunity to show others that they can as well. It is our desire that you either personally benefit from the work of Support the Journey or share it with someone else so that their spark of hope or inspiration can be ignited, whatever the journey. The Partnership Campaign The mission is to create a community of partners who believe in people and the power of hope and are willing to unite around a consistent theme of "I'm The Evidence." The intention is to weave a thread of "evidence" throughout our communities so that others can see what is possible when you believe in and offer support to another along their life's journey. The idea is to demonstrate and showcase what is possible contrary to formally held individual and societal beliefs. The goal is to present so much collective evidence that it tips the scales and creates a cultural transformation. The vision is to live in communities where hope and belief in one another is our tendency and the offering of support becomes an obvious thing to do. Visit the Support The Journey Home Page to view messages and place your order.
Skip Navigation Home About Us Overview Our Future Our Beginning Contact Info Consumer/Family Satisfaction Team Consumer Center Support Groups External Advocates Community Advocates Employment Outreach Svc Housing Support Team Advocates Voice Write a Wellness Action Plan I left them Never Suicide: Don't Ask, Don't Tell Little Green Apples See Complete List Certified Peer Specialist CPS News & Info CPS Employment Opportunities CPS Training Opportunities CSP Erie County CSP Western Region CSP Creations Gallery Creations Gallary Art Night Links Recent Activities Annual Health Fair Arts & Culture Center Employment Fair Erie Community Foundation Grant Give Kids A Smile Day Luncheon Speaker Series Mental Health Plan Survey MHA gets new van National Drug & Alcohol Recovery Month Sue Bennett Room Dedication Treatment Court Graduation Winning T-shirt Design World AIDS Day Memorial Celebration Recovery Programs National Programs Regional Programs Coping Solutions Articles about Recovery Recovery Oriented Web Sites Recovery Publications Resources Mental Health Resources Fact Sheets Articles Erie County Mental Health Agencies General Health Services Emergency Food/Shelter Schedule of Activities Support the MHA Support The Journey Direct Contributions Memorial Designation Bequests United Way Internet Shopping UPenn Special Activities	Highlights Local 2009 Walk for a Healthy Community a Success CEO Bill Grove thanks participants and sponsors, and provides the details of this funraiser in this letter MHA has new building sign. The MHA has just added new signage to our building. Look for the new signs on our south and west walls. Family Support Group Meeting June 13 A meeting of the Family Support Group has been announced for June 13th at 10:00AM. Details are available on this flyer. A wellness action plan helps deal with recurring mental health issues. Brian McLaughlin explains the value of a wellness action plan in dealing with his recurring health issues in this essay National Drug & Alcohol Recovery Month Celebration Announced The annual celebration for National Drug & Alcohol Recovery Month will be held beginning Sep 9, 2009. Time & Date Schedule Our open house is scheduled for May 29 2009 Visit our open house May 29 from 11:00AM to 2:00PM. MHA has a lot to offer the community. Join us to understand the concept of "Know Me As A Person". Additional info available here "Know Me As A Person" Art Display Participating in the MHA celebration of "May Is Mental Health Month 2009", Anoia Rhodes Hobson organized "Know Me As A Person". The energized volunteers used their collective artistic talents to produce this beautiful display. Gallery Display Advice and Encouragement to our College Field Placement Inters Our Gannon U Intern Anoia Rhodes Hobson recently completed her field placement with the MHA. She wrote a letter of advice and encouragement for those university interns who will in the future, work with our members. Thanks to Penn State Behrend Students for Supporting Warming Nights Penn State Students organized events to support Warming Nights at the MHA. Their laudable efforts are recognized and appreciated at stated in this letter. New Certified Peer Specialists Graduate Twenty new Certified Peer Specialist from the Erie area graduated on April 17th, 2009. The celebration was held at the Blasco Library. *Recovery Innovations* from Phoenix, AZ supplied the trainer, Chris Martin. The training was challenging and encouraging with its emphasis on Recovery principles. These Peer Specialists will be added to the 36 previously trained CPSs to bring the total of peers available to offer Peer Support Services up to 56. See keynote address by Kate Bender Board to recognize 'Extraordinary' staff performance The Board of Directors of the MHA will recognize a MHA staff member who performs above and beyond routine duties with a cash gift and an award. Board Letter Attention 12 Step Members The Mental Health Association (MHA) has reserved space for recovering individuals with alcohol or drug related issues on: Mondays 1:00PM to 2:00PM Tuesdays 2:00PM to 3:00PM Thursdays 1:00PM to 2:00PM The Mental Health Association is located at 1101 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16501. Can you offer any support? If so, please contact LuAnn G. at (814)452-4462 ext. 126. Confidentiality is assured. Best wishes on your recovery. Recovery Stories Needed for CATV Production The Mental Health Association is recruiting volunteers to tell their personal Recovery stories. A Community Access TV Video is being produced to provide these stories to interested organizations. This message by Kate Bender gives more detail. 'Advance Directives' to view on CATV A program explaining Mental Health Advance Directives has been produced by the MHA. CATV Schedule for Advance Directives Jasper a certified therapy dog visits MHA Jasper with his trainer Dave Tamilin, visits MHA . Jasper and Dave usually stop at the Association twice per month. This page contains additional information and the video of a recent visit. TTY Service Available At MHA Thanks to the generosity of the Erie Community Foundation the Mental Health Association of NW PA was awarded a grant for the purchase of a TTY machine. In our efforts to be good neighbors and a resource to the larger community, the MHA TTY service availability will be posted at our front entrance so that anyone with a hearing impairment in the downtown Erie area will be welcome to use this device upon request. The Internship Experience at the MHA Several college seniors from universities within the tri state area have spent a semester at the MHA. We have asked our recent interns to express their impression of their experience with us.	Highlights Regional Social Security Admin 2009 Hiring Project The Social Security Administration has recently received funding to hire a significant number of employees throughout the country. This hiring initiative offers a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities who may want to get a job with SSA. These jobs will be at various skill levels including a number of entry-level positions. Detailed criteria and contact information PA State Civil Service Commission announces positions for Certified Peer Specialists The PA State Civil Service Commission created Civil Service positions for Certified Peer Specialists. It should be noted that if you submit a Civil Service application with a Certified Peer Specialist Certificate, no testing will be required to qualify for Civil Service Peer Specialist positions. View This Site for details. Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program for Mental Health(SPBP_MH) The Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program (SPBP) is a program for low and moderate income individuals and families that helps pay for specific drug therapies used for the treatment of persons with a DSM IV diagnosis for schizophrenia. This program is administered by the PA DPW and provides payment for atypical antipsychotic medications for eligible participants. Eligibility criteria: Proof of PA Residence Social Secuity Card Income Pay stubs or Benefit Award Letter Perscription for Schizophrenia including DSM/ICD-9-CM Visit this DPW Web page for additional info and application. How to Behave Around Assistance Dogs Always speak to the person first. Do not make distracting noises to the dog. Always ask before you pet. Do not touch the service dog without first asking for and receiving permission. Never feed or offer food to a working dog. It distracts him and lures him away from his important job as an assistance dog. Do not let your dog initiate contact with a working dog while it is on duty. Do not ask personal questions about the person's disability or otherwise intrude on his or her privacy. Source: Karyl Carmignani, Canine Companions For Independence Coalition of Advocates Meeting Schedule The Western PA Coalition of Education Advocates (COA) has scheduled their next meeting for June 5th, 2009 from 9:30AM till noon. "No Kidding, Me Too!" Using Celebrity to Reverse Stigma A new nonprofit wants to get the message out about the importance of treatment for mental illness--and it's hoping the voice of celebrity will ring loud and true for people feeling helpless and isolated by anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, or any of the host of conditions the group refers to as "brain dis-ease.". MH Advance Directive Mental Health Advance Directive is available online.