DBSA Tennessee Past President, S.L. Brannon
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DBSA TENNESSEE State Chapter meeting

10/22/2013

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I am excited about the upcoming meeting for many reasons. As you will see by our agenda, Pam Binkley, with United Healthcare, is our guest presenter, coming with a wealth of experience and knowledge to widen our understanding of the resources available to consumers. Also, we are honoring a wonderful person, Marilou Coats, for her decades of service to consumers in Chattanooga and Tennessee. Other reports from chapters and individuals will fill the day with awesome, rarely do I use that word in letters to you, undertakings and successful events from Memphis to Chattanooga!
At our meeting, I am experimenting with some changes to the format of the state meetings. Such as, concerning the chapter reports - I ask that you bring a copy of your chapters report, and/or email it in file form to Daisy, for this meeting and all subsequent meetings. Your chapter report during Saturday's meeting is to be a report of highlights in order to conserve time since our agenda is a full one.
 
Please note, there are two attachments: Attached is a copy of the agenda,print it to bring with you. And I attached a copy of Pam Binkley's personal introduction for your reading before our meeting.
 
I expect to send you a copy of the Meeting Minutes of the last state meeting soon. You will need to print those and bring a copy with you if you wish to have them with you for the meeting. 
 
Please call me with any questions and/or comments.



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VETERANS AND THE NEW HEALTHCARE LAW

10/22/2013

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Veterans and the New Health Care Law
Week of October 21, 2013 Military.Com

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sent out a letter a few weeks ago to veterans explaining their options under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The new law will not change VA benefits. If a veteran is enrolled in VA healthcare, that coverage meets the standards for the ACA's insurance requirement. Most uninsured veterans are eligible for VA health care. However, not everyone who has served in uniform qualifies for VA health care such as Reserve or National Guard vets who served on active duty for training purposes only. Veterans who are not eligible for VA, and their families, could go to the Health Insurance Exchange. Another option, gaining Medicaid coverage, is limited in states that are not expanding the program. Here are some ways to enroll in VA care or determine your eligibility: (1) visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll; (2) call (8387); and (3) visit your local VA health care facility. For more information, visit VA, the Affordable Care Act and You webpage at www.va.gov/health/aca/.

For more updates on VA benefits programs, visit the Military Advantage blog.

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Annie Lauri

10/21/2013

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Annie, President of DBSA Madison, was interviewed on a local Nashville radio station about her work with consumers. I believe she did a wonderful job. Click on the link below to hear the full interview. 

http://youtu.be/9VCjPcOZdiU
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Embraced Compliance

10/21/2013

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                                                      Embraced Compliance

                The perception of compliance deserves a more far-reaching value for the benefits of those who embrace it. Compliance represents an essential step needed to be taken in order to properly manage a mental condition especially in the case of bipolar patients. To embrace compliance serves as a lifestyle bridge to stabilization and recovery. The “on and off” effect of not following the medication treatment plan of your doctor’s orders is the catalyst for producing self-induced, “rollercoaster pikes” in the arrival of your symptoms. The management of symptoms can only be accomplished by total compliance. There is an unfortunate, growing trend with consumers to discontinue their medication when they arrive at “feeling better”, which often leads to detrimental relapse consequences. Meaning, it is truly risky to stop your prescribed medications that help maintain your functional stability due to the unpredictable episodes that are likely to occur. I am a living witness that non-compliance can rob you of time to live a fulfilled life in the overtaking way of how the condition can consume your quality of life.

My past personal encounter with concluding that I could resolve my symptoms by means of my own efforts only yielded me frustration and disappointment. Non-compliance can result in the continuous cycle of being readmitted into psychiatric hospitals, known as my dad’s coined phrase, “the revolving door”. I have experienced how not complying with your treatment plan leaves you continuously swirling down away from the wholeness of recovery and remission. With carelessness, I have experienced repercussions for these actions that were sometimes very severe in my failure to adhere to mental health advice and plans. During my season of non-compliance, I often “played doctor” by taking myself off my medication by my own will as denial continued to deepen. Now, as a recovered, highly-productive individual in society through many lessons from the error of my inadequate application of compliance, I realized that stability is only possible by addressing the potential hindrances that hold you back. Hence, I have concluded that there are 3 steps to help consumers defeat non-compliance.
1.       
Acceptance- Dismiss denial by facing your diagnosis head-on

 Attentiveness- Devotion towards self-care and learning more about your personal symptoms

 Activation- Discipline to adhere to your treatment plan and build a relationship with your doctor


By:
Ericka Nicole Gillard, B.S.

Excerpts from her upcoming book,
“The Blessing Lessons: From Battles to Blessings”k here to edit.
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Knowledge is power.

10/21/2013

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Knowledge is power. 

Women, people of color, LGBT brother and sisters know the bite of being pushed to the side. And no less do individuals suffering with mental health challenges know the feel of that bite, and stigma. 

I say that one day they too will "stand tall at the front of the congregation" as do women, people of color, our LGBT brothers and sisters - without shame and fear or desires to leave life behind. For their day will have come. 

So, won't you be one of the first to hug such a one you see pushed to the side, walk with them to their rightful place among others. If you can do this simple act, well my brother my sister, you possess knowledge and power.


Steve Brannon
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Depression Screening: How it works, why it's necessary

10/5/2013

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How Can Mental Health Screening Help?

Screening for Mental Health

Do you think mental health screening can help address deficiencies in our nation’s approach to diagnosing the treating mood disorders? Policymakers certainly think so: mental health screening is an essential component of several pieces of legislation, incorporating the finding that early detection of mental health conditions increases the likelihood of successful treatment.

Mental health screening is private and anonymous, cost-effective, quick, and accessible, and it provides information and encouragement for people to seek help early. This Thursday is National Depression Screening Day, so there’s still time to rally your network to participate! Here, the nonprofit organizationScreening for Mental Health tells why screening is important and how it supports workplace mental health.

Why mental health matters in the workplace

It is estimated that about one-third of those with a mental illness are employed. And according to the National Institute on Mental Illness, nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce (28 million workers ages 18-54) will experience a mental or substance abuse disorder. Despite these significant statistics, 71 percent of workers with mental illnesses have never sought help from a medical or mental health specialist for their symptoms.


When left untreated, mental illness can be costly both to the individual and the workforce, even more so if an employee’s depression is linked to substance abuse.

•
A RAND Corporation study found that patients with depressive symptoms spend more days in bed than those with diabetes, arthritis, back problems, lung problems, or gastrointestinal disorders
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Depression accounts for close to $12 billion in lost workdays each year
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More than $11 billion in other costs accrue from decreased productivity due to symptoms thatcause problems with energy levels, concentration, memory, and decision making.

As we know, the good news for employers and employees is thatdepression is treatable. According to the World Health Organization, the vast majority (60-80 percent) of people withdepression will improve with proper diagnosis and treatment.


How screening helps workplace mental health

Early intervention and prevention programs can be integral inmanaging symptoms of mental illness and improving treatment outcomes. Anonymous online screenings are an effective way to reach employees who need help the most. A screening program can also work well for small organizations that lack official EAP services. Quality mental health programs for employees can reduce stigma, raise awareness, teach managers how to recognize symptoms and help organizations effectively assist depressed employees.

It is important to assess work environments for effective mental health policies and programs. From employee morale to the company’s bottom line, mental health can affect all areas of the workplace. When the mental health of one employee is prioritized, the entire organization will benefit.


“Help Yourself, Help Others” to Get Screened on October 10


The nonprofit Screening for Mental Health offers National Depression Screening Day programs for the military, colleges and universities, community-based organizations, and businesses. Held annually during Mental Illness Awareness Week in October, National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) raises awareness and screens people for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. This year, NDSD is on Thursday, October 10.

NDSD is the nation’s oldest voluntary, community-based screening program that provides referral information for treatment. Through the program, more than half a million people each year have been screened for depression since 1991.Anonymous online depression screenings are available for the public at www.HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org.

Your turn

When you had a concern about your (or a loved one’s) mental health, have you used an online screening? How did it help?

Does your employer offer mental health screenings or other programs for a mentally healthy workplace?

For more information on participating in National Depression Screening Day please contact Michelle Holmberg at  or . Information is also available at the Screening for Mental Health website and www.helpyourselfhelpothers.org.

Care for Your Mind has several posts about workplace mental health! Click on the “workplace” tag in the right-hand column.

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