May is Mental Health Month

Communities across the Nation will celebrate Mental Health Month in May--an annual observance designed to increase public awareness about mental health and mental illness.

Mental health problems can affect anyone, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), through its National Mental Health Information Center Web site (http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov) and call center, offers reliable mental health resources to support mental health consumers-including individuals with mental illness, their families, and others in their communities.

Our special online features can be valuable supplements to your own Mental Health Month celebration efforts. You can post them on your Web site or listserv or use them in any way that is convenient for you. Please add a link on your site to SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center Web site as your source.

Some publications may be available for downloading online only. To order printed publications, go to http://store.mentalhealth.org/publications/ordering.aspx, or call
800-789-2647 for bilingual information services (TDD: 866-889-2647), weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time.

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Features for May 2006
* National Observances
* Featured Publications
* CMHS Program Spotlight
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National Observances

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* Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, May 8. Launched by
SAMHSA to coincide with Mental Health Month in May, this designated day is an opportunity for SAMHSA and SAMHSA-funded organizations to promote resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families. The theme for this inaugural celebration is "Thriving in the Community." Learn more at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/may2006/ChildrenHealthMonth/default.asp
* Mental Health Month. This annual observance is sponsored by the
National Mental Health Association (NMHA) and the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (NCCBH). It is designed to increase awareness about mental health and mental illness. The theme for this year's observance, MIND Your Health, emphasizes the mind-body connection. Get related resources at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/may2006/mentalhealth/default.asp.
* Older Americans Month. This observance is sponsored by the U.S.
Administration on Aging, the Federal Government agency that provides
home- and community-based care for older adults and their caregivers.
This year's theme, "Choices for Independence," was chosen to promote consumer-directed and community-based long-term support options that focus on helping older people remain independent. Link to resources related to older Americans' mental health at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/may2006/OlderAmericansMonth/default.asp.
* Schizophrenia Awareness Week, May 21-27, 2006. During this
annual observance, sponsored by the National Schizophrenia Foundation, events and programs will focus on eliminating the fear and ignorance that often surrounds schizophrenia and related disorders. You can find details and resources at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/highlights/may2006/Schizophreniaweek/default.asp

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Featured Publications

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* Free To Choose: Transforming Behavioral Health Care to
Self-Direction (SMA05-3982)
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA05-3982/default.asp

The President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health called for the development of consumer-driven models of care and systemic changes to support community-based services in behavioral health. A subsequent summit meeting, hosted by SAMHSA, convened recipients of mental health and addiction services and their family members, policymakers, providers, and State and Federal representatives. This booklet provides an overview of the many issues raised by the attending working groups.

* Community Integration for Older Adults with Mental Illnesses:
Overcoming Barriers and Seizing Opportunities (SMA05-4018)) http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma05-4018/

This report is designed to help State and local Olmstead coalitions understand the barriers that older adults with mental illnesses face and learn about the innovative solutions being adopted and adapted across the country.

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CMHS Program Spotlight - State Planning/Mental Health Block Grants http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/Stateplanning/about.asp

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The CMHS Mental Health Block Grant program supports comprehensive, community-based systems of care for adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances. Since its establishment in 1981, the program has become the cornerstone of Federal efforts to work in partnership with States to plan and deliver state-of-the-art systems of community-based mental services for adults and children. Find details and related resources at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/Stateplanning/about.asp.

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Thank you for your efforts toward promoting mental health awareness and providing support and services to individuals with the greatest need.

Please send your feedback to:

SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center

info@mentalhealth.org

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SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center's Web site http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov and call center (800-789-2647; 866-889-2647-TDD) offer consumers of mental health services, families, the general public, policymakers, providers, and the media with reliable information and resources to support mental health needs and objectives. These services are administered through SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services division.