National Alliance Mental Illness
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
To Whom It May Concern:
Hello, my name is Erin. I am a student in my Junior Year at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Recently, I completed a research project on mental illness and its effects on society. I came across your website when I was looking into different treatment options available.
The Peer-to-Peer Program NAMI has established is a wonderful resource for people dealing with a mental illness. With the limited insurance coverage for mental health services, many people would have no access to an educational, supportive environment comparable to Peer-to-Peer.
By providing people with this wealth of knowledge it is likely that the severity, duration, and frequency of relapses will be decreased. This Peer-to-Peer course gives people an increased sense of preparedness, control, and understanding about what they are experiencing.
After hearing about your program, I looked up the Peer-to-Peer course that is offered in my area. I have already recommended it to a good friend of mine who has been battling depression for quite some time. She was very excited about the prospect of taking this course, and will most likely enroll in the next available session.
I would love to learn more about your organization and this program, and if there is any way I am able to contribute. Thank you very much for all you do. Keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
Erin Mahoney
Friday, May 9, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Letter to SAMHSA
April 30, 2008
PATH Program
P.O. Box 42557
Washington, DC 20015
To Whom It May Concern:
Hello, my name is Erin. I am a student in my Junior Year at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Recently, I completed a research project on mental illness and its effects on society. I came across your website when I was looking into the connection between mental illness and homelessness.
Numerous statistics and studies have shown that a substantial percentage of homeless people are suffering from a mental illness and/or a substance abuse disorder. Although these people are often those most in need of mental health care, they are frequently the least likely to receive it.
I am highly impressed with the PATH Program your organization runs. It is remarkable how many grants SAMHSA has distributed to participating organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories, and how many lives you have improved through these grants.
I would like to thank you all the efforts you have put in to caring for homeless people with mental illness and substance use disorders. By providing the care that they are in desperate need of, and that they otherwise would not be able to receive, the PATH program is giving these people a true gift: hope. PATH is giving these people an opportunity for a happy, healthy, productive life, which is something that otherwise may have seemed too far out of reach.
I hope that you continue to receive funding and support to help individuals dealing with mental illness and homelessness. I am interested in learning more about your organization and how I can contribute.
Sincerely,
Erin Mahoney
PATH Program
P.O. Box 42557
Washington, DC 20015
To Whom It May Concern:
Hello, my name is Erin. I am a student in my Junior Year at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Recently, I completed a research project on mental illness and its effects on society. I came across your website when I was looking into the connection between mental illness and homelessness.
Numerous statistics and studies have shown that a substantial percentage of homeless people are suffering from a mental illness and/or a substance abuse disorder. Although these people are often those most in need of mental health care, they are frequently the least likely to receive it.
I am highly impressed with the PATH Program your organization runs. It is remarkable how many grants SAMHSA has distributed to participating organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories, and how many lives you have improved through these grants.
I would like to thank you all the efforts you have put in to caring for homeless people with mental illness and substance use disorders. By providing the care that they are in desperate need of, and that they otherwise would not be able to receive, the PATH program is giving these people a true gift: hope. PATH is giving these people an opportunity for a happy, healthy, productive life, which is something that otherwise may have seemed too far out of reach.
I hope that you continue to receive funding and support to help individuals dealing with mental illness and homelessness. I am interested in learning more about your organization and how I can contribute.
Sincerely,
Erin Mahoney
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Letter to Green Door
Green Door
1221 Taylor Street NW
Washington DC 20011
To Whom It May Concern:
Hello, my name is Erin. I am a student in my Junior Year at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Recently, I completed a research project on mental illness and its effects on society. I came across your website when I was looking into the connection between mental illness and homelessness.
I would like to congratulate and thank you for all the help you give to homeless people suffering from mental illness. You provide each and every individual you help with an enormous gift by helping them feel better and get their life back on track. The opportunities and resources that are given to them at the Green Door are invaluable.
Society, too, owes you a standing ovation for all the successful effort you devote to caring for homeless individuals suffering from mental illness. I would like to commend Green Door for going out into the community
I am particularly impressed with the Clubhouse Program your organization operates. A large percentage of jobs, especially those who pay more than minimum wage, require a person to have applicable experience. An adult with little job experience commonly has a very difficult time finding a job that will pay them enough to sustain him or her. If they aren’t getting paid enough, they often have to work two jobs or put in a lot of overtime. This most certainly adds to stress, which in the case of a person dealing with a mental illness, is likely to cause or contribute to a relapse.
The work a person does should be enjoyable and meaningful to them. By providing the opportunity to gain applicable experience, Green Door is increasing the likelihood that its members will find jobs they are enthusiastic about. Having a job they take pleasure in reduces the likelihood of relapse.
I am very interested in volunteering for the Green Door after hearing about what the organization does. It is wonderful to see how much of a difference the Green Door makes in countless lives of individuals by providing them the care and education that they need to establish a happy, healthy, and meaningful life.
Thank you very much for your dedication to homeless individuals suffering from mental illness and to the entire Washington DC community.
Regards,
Erin Mahoney
1221 Taylor Street NW
Washington DC 20011
To Whom It May Concern:
Hello, my name is Erin. I am a student in my Junior Year at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Recently, I completed a research project on mental illness and its effects on society. I came across your website when I was looking into the connection between mental illness and homelessness.
I would like to congratulate and thank you for all the help you give to homeless people suffering from mental illness. You provide each and every individual you help with an enormous gift by helping them feel better and get their life back on track. The opportunities and resources that are given to them at the Green Door are invaluable.
Society, too, owes you a standing ovation for all the successful effort you devote to caring for homeless individuals suffering from mental illness. I would like to commend Green Door for going out into the community
I am particularly impressed with the Clubhouse Program your organization operates. A large percentage of jobs, especially those who pay more than minimum wage, require a person to have applicable experience. An adult with little job experience commonly has a very difficult time finding a job that will pay them enough to sustain him or her. If they aren’t getting paid enough, they often have to work two jobs or put in a lot of overtime. This most certainly adds to stress, which in the case of a person dealing with a mental illness, is likely to cause or contribute to a relapse.
The work a person does should be enjoyable and meaningful to them. By providing the opportunity to gain applicable experience, Green Door is increasing the likelihood that its members will find jobs they are enthusiastic about. Having a job they take pleasure in reduces the likelihood of relapse.
I am very interested in volunteering for the Green Door after hearing about what the organization does. It is wonderful to see how much of a difference the Green Door makes in countless lives of individuals by providing them the care and education that they need to establish a happy, healthy, and meaningful life.
Thank you very much for your dedication to homeless individuals suffering from mental illness and to the entire Washington DC community.
Regards,
Erin Mahoney
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Annotated Bibliography
http://www.nami.org/
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=Peer-to-Peer
Summary
Nami's Peer-to-Peer program is a nine week experiential education course on the topic of recovery for any person with serious mental illness who is interested in establishing and maintaining wellness" ("Nami's Peer-to-Peer Education Course"). The course is open to anyone suffering with mental illness, and is free of charge. It provides the students with accurate, reliable information, and prepares them to deal with the illness and symptoms they are suffering from. The environment is supportive and non-judgmental, and it provides the group members a chance to relate to others who are going through similar issues.
Reaction
I think that this course is a wonderful idea to help those suffering from mental illness. The program seems very supportive and educational. It provides a reliable resource for people with mental illness to learn about their illness, how to best care for themselves and deal with their symptoms, and how to prevent relapse. I really like that the course provides a plethora of reliable information and good ways for dealing with symptoms. I feel it is extremely important for people to know how to manage their illnesses and symptoms in order to prevent relapse.
Quotations from http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=Peer-to-Peer
~ "Peer-to-Peer is a unique, experiential learning program for people with any serious mental illness who are interested in establishing and maintaining their wellness and recovery" ("Peer-to-Peer: NAMI's Recovery Curriculum").
~ "Participants come away from the course with a binder of hand-out materials, as well as many other tangible resources: an advance directive; a “relapse prevention plan” to help identify tell-tale feelings, thoughts, behavior, or events that may warn of impending relapse and to organize for intervention; mindfulness exercises to help focus and calm thinking; and survival skills for working with providers and the general public" ("Peer-to-Peer: NAMI's Recovery Curriculum").
~ "The NAMI Peer-to-Peer Education Course is a nine week –two hours per week – experiential education course on the topic of recovery for any person with serious mental illness who is interested in establishing and maintaining wellness" ("Nami's Peer-to-Peer Education Course: Learning to live well with what we've got").
~ "The Course is designed to offer an opportunity for growth to any individual who experiences mental illness"
Annotated Bibliography
http://www.greendoor.org/
http://www.greendoor.org/programs/clubhouse.htm
Summary
The Clubhouse Program run at the Green Door in Washington D.C. is a program "to get people with mental illness back to work and living in the community" It is a supportive, encouraging environment focusing on getting individuals back on their feet and helping them to becoming contributing members of society. The Clubhouse trains these individuals in a variety of work skills that will aide them in getting a job. The Clubhouse then helps place them in transitional jobs until they are fully capable of getting a permanent job, which the Clubhouse also aids them in getting. The Clubhouse then continues to serve as a resource and support for the individuals that have completed the program.
Reaction
This program is a very good idea, and a great way to help getting people who are suffering or have suffered from a serious mental illness. By teaching them work skills and then experience using these work skills, they are giving them the tools they need to succeed in the work force. The supportive, empathetic environment is also a great resource. I love that they are actually teaching these people useful work skills and preparing them for the work force instead of just pushing them out that saying "go on, go out there. you have to do this."
Quotes from http://www.greendoor.org/programs/clubhouse.htm
~ "Green Door is the only program in the District of Columbia that utilizes the Clubhouse model to get people with mental illness back to work and living in the community. Working from the individual's strengths, the Clubhouse provides members with the opportunity to learn employable skills through meaningful work and to participate in a supportive community. Green Door promises life-long support as members become self-sufficient and involved in the wider community. Green Door is based on a model that was designed by people with mental illness for people with mental illness"
~ "In a Clubhouse, everyone is equal. It is a place where members can make friends
and join in social activities, get help with recovery from drugs and alcohol, learn
self-advocacy, and improve basic literacy skills"
~ "Green Door's Clubhouse program helps members get skills they need to become employable"
~ "For example, the Café Unit operates like any other café in the city - providing snacks, coffee, and a trendy atmosphere. It also serves as a teaching tool for members to learn how to provide customer service, how to operate a cash register, and how to price a menu"
~ "After working in the Clubhouse, members are placed in six-month transitional jobs in the community. Transitional placements are low-stress jobs in mailrooms, food service, and maintenance, and provide competitive pay by the employer. Once members complete several transitional jobs, and build up their confidence and résumé, Green Door teaches them how to get a permanent job"
~ "Joining Green Door's Clubhouse means:
Working with staff to set individual recovery goals.
Having a place to go and being part of a diverse community.
Being challenged to grow and take responsibility.
Gaining confidence and self-determination.
Gaining work skills and getting a job.
Being a productive citizen in the community"
~ "At the Clubhouse, members can learn to:
Answer a multi-line phone.
File, copy, and fax.
Develop computer and clerical skills.
Work in a commercial kitchen and café environment, operate a cash register,
and prepare and serve food.
Learn how to navigate the Internet"
Annotated Bibliography
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
http://www.pathprogram.samhsa.gov/
Summary
The PATH program is a program that provides mental health care to homeless individuals or those at risk of becoming homeless. Some of the services PATH offers are outreach services, screening and diagnostic services, community mental health services, habilitation and rehabilitation services, case management, alcohol or drug treatment, supervisory services in residential settings, and a limited set of housing services. The goal of the program is to treat homeless people who have serious mental illnesses, and, in the long run, to reduce the number of people who are homeless as a result of their mental illness. PATH is providing homeless individuals much needed services that they would otherwise be unable to obtain. By doing so, they are helping these people get their lives back together and get to a state that they are able to provide for themselves.
Reaction
This program seems like an effective way to help reduce homelessness and to provide mental health services to individuals who are in great need of them, but who otherwise didn't have any access to them. I think that it is especially good that these mental health services are provided, for many homeless people are there as a result of the untreated, devastating effects of their mental illness.
Quotes
~ "Created under the McKinney Act, The PATH Program, is a formula grant program that funds the 50 States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and four U.S. Territories to support service delivery to individuals with serious mental illnesses, as well as individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders, who are homeless or at risk of becoming home-less" ("PATH: Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness").
~ "The program -- known as Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
-- funds community-based outreach, mental health, substance abuse, case management and
other support services, as well as a limited set of housing services"
~ "PATH clients have some of the most disabling mental disorders. Among clients for whom a diagnosis was reported, 27 percent had schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders and 44 percent had affective disorders such as depression"
~ "Local PATH-supported organizations provide a wide range of services to people who are
homeless. Among the services eligible for funding under PATH are:
* outreach services,
* screening and diagnostic services,
* habilitation and rehabilitation services,
* community mental health services,
* alcohol or drug treatment services (for people with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders),
* case management services,
* supervisory services in residential settings and
* a limited set of housing services and services to help clients access housing resources.
http://www.nami.org/
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=Peer-to-Peer
Summary
Nami's Peer-to-Peer program is a nine week experiential education course on the topic of recovery for any person with serious mental illness who is interested in establishing and maintaining wellness" ("Nami's Peer-to-Peer Education Course"). The course is open to anyone suffering with mental illness, and is free of charge. It provides the students with accurate, reliable information, and prepares them to deal with the illness and symptoms they are suffering from. The environment is supportive and non-judgmental, and it provides the group members a chance to relate to others who are going through similar issues.
Reaction
I think that this course is a wonderful idea to help those suffering from mental illness. The program seems very supportive and educational. It provides a reliable resource for people with mental illness to learn about their illness, how to best care for themselves and deal with their symptoms, and how to prevent relapse. I really like that the course provides a plethora of reliable information and good ways for dealing with symptoms. I feel it is extremely important for people to know how to manage their illnesses and symptoms in order to prevent relapse.
Quotations from http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=Peer-to-Peer
~ "Peer-to-Peer is a unique, experiential learning program for people with any serious mental illness who are interested in establishing and maintaining their wellness and recovery" ("Peer-to-Peer: NAMI's Recovery Curriculum").
~ "Participants come away from the course with a binder of hand-out materials, as well as many other tangible resources: an advance directive; a “relapse prevention plan” to help identify tell-tale feelings, thoughts, behavior, or events that may warn of impending relapse and to organize for intervention; mindfulness exercises to help focus and calm thinking; and survival skills for working with providers and the general public" ("Peer-to-Peer: NAMI's Recovery Curriculum").
~ "The NAMI Peer-to-Peer Education Course is a nine week –two hours per week – experiential education course on the topic of recovery for any person with serious mental illness who is interested in establishing and maintaining wellness" ("Nami's Peer-to-Peer Education Course: Learning to live well with what we've got").
~ "The Course is designed to offer an opportunity for growth to any individual who experiences mental illness"
Annotated Bibliography
http://www.greendoor.org/
http://www.greendoor.org/programs/clubhouse.htm
Summary
The Clubhouse Program run at the Green Door in Washington D.C. is a program "to get people with mental illness back to work and living in the community" It is a supportive, encouraging environment focusing on getting individuals back on their feet and helping them to becoming contributing members of society. The Clubhouse trains these individuals in a variety of work skills that will aide them in getting a job. The Clubhouse then helps place them in transitional jobs until they are fully capable of getting a permanent job, which the Clubhouse also aids them in getting. The Clubhouse then continues to serve as a resource and support for the individuals that have completed the program.
Reaction
This program is a very good idea, and a great way to help getting people who are suffering or have suffered from a serious mental illness. By teaching them work skills and then experience using these work skills, they are giving them the tools they need to succeed in the work force. The supportive, empathetic environment is also a great resource. I love that they are actually teaching these people useful work skills and preparing them for the work force instead of just pushing them out that saying "go on, go out there. you have to do this."
Quotes from http://www.greendoor.org/programs/clubhouse.htm
~ "Green Door is the only program in the District of Columbia that utilizes the Clubhouse model to get people with mental illness back to work and living in the community. Working from the individual's strengths, the Clubhouse provides members with the opportunity to learn employable skills through meaningful work and to participate in a supportive community. Green Door promises life-long support as members become self-sufficient and involved in the wider community. Green Door is based on a model that was designed by people with mental illness for people with mental illness"
~ "In a Clubhouse, everyone is equal. It is a place where members can make friends
and join in social activities, get help with recovery from drugs and alcohol, learn
self-advocacy, and improve basic literacy skills"
~ "Green Door's Clubhouse program helps members get skills they need to become employable"
~ "For example, the Café Unit operates like any other café in the city - providing snacks, coffee, and a trendy atmosphere. It also serves as a teaching tool for members to learn how to provide customer service, how to operate a cash register, and how to price a menu"
~ "After working in the Clubhouse, members are placed in six-month transitional jobs in the community. Transitional placements are low-stress jobs in mailrooms, food service, and maintenance, and provide competitive pay by the employer. Once members complete several transitional jobs, and build up their confidence and résumé, Green Door teaches them how to get a permanent job"
~ "Joining Green Door's Clubhouse means:
Working with staff to set individual recovery goals.
Having a place to go and being part of a diverse community.
Being challenged to grow and take responsibility.
Gaining confidence and self-determination.
Gaining work skills and getting a job.
Being a productive citizen in the community"
~ "At the Clubhouse, members can learn to:
Answer a multi-line phone.
File, copy, and fax.
Develop computer and clerical skills.
Work in a commercial kitchen and café environment, operate a cash register,
and prepare and serve food.
Learn how to navigate the Internet"
Annotated Bibliography
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
http://www.pathprogram.samhsa.gov/
Summary
The PATH program is a program that provides mental health care to homeless individuals or those at risk of becoming homeless. Some of the services PATH offers are outreach services, screening and diagnostic services, community mental health services, habilitation and rehabilitation services, case management, alcohol or drug treatment, supervisory services in residential settings, and a limited set of housing services. The goal of the program is to treat homeless people who have serious mental illnesses, and, in the long run, to reduce the number of people who are homeless as a result of their mental illness. PATH is providing homeless individuals much needed services that they would otherwise be unable to obtain. By doing so, they are helping these people get their lives back together and get to a state that they are able to provide for themselves.
Reaction
This program seems like an effective way to help reduce homelessness and to provide mental health services to individuals who are in great need of them, but who otherwise didn't have any access to them. I think that it is especially good that these mental health services are provided, for many homeless people are there as a result of the untreated, devastating effects of their mental illness.
Quotes
~ "Created under the McKinney Act, The PATH Program, is a formula grant program that funds the 50 States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and four U.S. Territories to support service delivery to individuals with serious mental illnesses, as well as individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders, who are homeless or at risk of becoming home-less" ("PATH: Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness").
~ "The program -- known as Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
-- funds community-based outreach, mental health, substance abuse, case management and
other support services, as well as a limited set of housing services"
~ "PATH clients have some of the most disabling mental disorders. Among clients for whom a diagnosis was reported, 27 percent had schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders and 44 percent had affective disorders such as depression"
~ "Local PATH-supported organizations provide a wide range of services to people who are
homeless. Among the services eligible for funding under PATH are:
* outreach services,
* screening and diagnostic services,
* habilitation and rehabilitation services,
* community mental health services,
* alcohol or drug treatment services (for people with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders),
* case management services,
* supervisory services in residential settings and
* a limited set of housing services and services to help clients access housing resources.
Issues For my Three Organizations
Green Door - http://www.greendoor.org/
http://www.greendoor.org/programs/clubhouse.htm
Clubhouse - A model used by Green Door to help people with mental illness that teaches them valuable work skills, gives them an opportunity to practice these work skills in actual work situations, and assists them in getting a job in the community. It also provides a supportive community in which members can receive services to help their recovery and to improve their well-being.
United States Department of Health and Human Services -
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
http://www.pathprogram.samhsa.gov/
PATH - A program that provides mental health care to homeless individuals or those at risk of becoming homeless.
National Alliance on Mental Illness - http://www.nami.org/
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=Peer-to-Peer
Peer-to-Peer - An experiential education course for people with a mental illness that provides them with accurate, reliable information and prepares them to deal with the illness and symptoms that they are experiencing. The environment is supportive and non-judgmental, and it provides the group members a chance to relate to others who are going through similar issues.
http://www.greendoor.org/programs/clubhouse.htm
Clubhouse - A model used by Green Door to help people with mental illness that teaches them valuable work skills, gives them an opportunity to practice these work skills in actual work situations, and assists them in getting a job in the community. It also provides a supportive community in which members can receive services to help their recovery and to improve their well-being.
United States Department of Health and Human Services -
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
http://www.pathprogram.samhsa.gov/
PATH - A program that provides mental health care to homeless individuals or those at risk of becoming homeless.
National Alliance on Mental Illness - http://www.nami.org/
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=Peer-to-Peer
Peer-to-Peer - An experiential education course for people with a mental illness that provides them with accurate, reliable information and prepares them to deal with the illness and symptoms that they are experiencing. The environment is supportive and non-judgmental, and it provides the group members a chance to relate to others who are going through similar issues.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Final Three Organizations
Green Door
http://www.greendoor.org/
United States Department of Health and Human Services -
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
National Alliance on Mental Illness
http://www.nami.org/
http://www.greendoor.org/
United States Department of Health and Human Services -
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
National Alliance on Mental Illness
http://www.nami.org/
Five Organizations
5 Organizations
Green Door
http://www.greendoor.org/
United States Department of Health and Human Services -
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
PsychCentral
http://psychcentral.com/
National Alliance on Mental Illness
http://www.nami.org/Hometemplate.cfm
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml
Green Door
http://www.greendoor.org/
United States Department of Health and Human Services -
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
PsychCentral
http://psychcentral.com/
National Alliance on Mental Illness
http://www.nami.org/Hometemplate.cfm
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)