March/April 2024 Issue

Our Role in the Roadmap

Introducing the new Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) Treatment Connection search tool. People can use Treatment Connection to find mental health, substance use, and support services. Results can also be filtered based on individual needs. All searches are confidential. This is a standalone tool being used and updated by BHHL staff. It is also available at https://masshelpline.com.

Hair Products for All Textures

Until recently, patients at DMH inpatient facilities did not have many culturally appropriate hair care options available to them. As an REI/Human Rights initiative, Office of Human Rights Director Star Sims sought out options for hair care products designed for textured hair, particularly black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC). These products would help individuals served at DMH inpatient facilities feel respected, seen and understood and feel better overall. She started by looking at the racial demographics data of the clients at the DMH inpatient facilities. She discovered that about 30% had textured hair and would benefit the most from these particular products. She then took inventory of what was currently being offered at the facilities and learned that there was only one vendor selling these types of products. She worked closely with DMH leadership at all levels to plan and contract for these products.. 



After several years of effort, DMH now has two contracted vendors to meet the needs of all hair types. The Bob Barker Company, and now local BIPOC vendor Safo Hair. Safo Hair offers a range of natural, plant-based products crafted with a unique blend of herbal ingredients. Safo founder Dr. Eliana Stinson (pictured) is also a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Boston Medical Center, with over 15 years of healthcare experience and a background in chemistry and finance. Her brand is a reflection of this commitment to wellness, recognizing that it's not just about hair; it's a profound expression of ourselves and mirrors our overall health.



Thank you to Star, Crystal Collier, OIM leadership, Inpatient Facilities and Contracts staff for your hard work and dedication to bringing products that improve human rights and REI into the daily lives of the individuals we serve!

March Trivia Contest

March is Women’s History and Social Workers month. April is Celebrate Diversity Month. Women are well represented in the Department of Mental Health. Of DMH’s 3,535 employees, 2,145 are women and 113 are in management positions. We continue our Celebration Trivia and invite you to test your knowledge of these observances. Ten winners will be randomly chosen from those with the correct answers. Prizes include DMH T shirts, sweatshirts and other swag.  (And yes, it’s OK to look up the answers as we are all trying to broaden our knowledge of these important occasions)

This month the contest is multiple choice.

• What was the first state to allow women to vote?
• In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to:
• This women’s rights and anti-lynching advocate played a key role in shaping the social work profession.
• These social workers played a critical role in the modern Civil Rights Movement.
• Social work was one of the first mental health professions to come out against this psychologically damaging and ineffective practice to change the sexuality and gender expression of people who are LGBTQIA+. What is this practice called?
• Since 1963, social workers have followed a set of standards that guide their professional conduct. These standards are called:
• What’s the most linguistically diverse COUNTRY in the world?
• According to the CDC, what percentage of adults in the United States have some type of disability?

Please submit your answers by April 12. Winners will be contacted and announced in the May newsletter.

Black History Celebration Trivia Results

Kudos to the 19 staff entered the trivia contest posted in our February edition. Congratulations to Melanie Sanchez on answering all of the questions correctly, and winning a DMH prize pack! Below are all of the answers to the contest.

Celebrating Black History Month in the Areas 

Northeast Area

On Feb. 29, the Northeast Area (NEA) held a tremendous event to celebrate and honor Black History Month with an impressive lineup of speakers including Lynn City Counselor Nicole McClain; photographer and videographer David Massillon; entrepreneur Jon Pierre Smith Sr., and expressive art therapist Adonna Ferrell. Gerard Frater, Lowell site director, was honored at the event for his outstanding character, courage, and leadership in the Race, Equity and inclusion initiatives in the Northeast Area, and as the first African American DMH Site Director in the Northeast Area. Franzie Kebreau and Fijy Vasques were recognized as the exceptional coordinators of this event. 

Additionally, the Northeast is proud to recognize Dr. Amelia Peebles, Acton Site Director, who spoke on Feb. 15 at Oberlin School in North Carolina as one of the Original Trailblazers to challenge segregated public schools in North Carolina and pave the way for so many others behind her. The NEA is extraordinarily proud of her.

Metro Boston Area

Metro Boston case managers from Mass Mental Health Center, Eric Lindemann Mental Health Center, the Homeless Outreach team, and the Metro Boston Children Youth and Families and area office attended a Mental Health While Black Summit hosted by DeeDee’s Cry during February. It was a powerful event with amazing speakers touching upon their own lived experience with suicide. There was also a debriefing meeting to help staff in continuing to reflect and digest the important issues that were covered and the overlap in the work we do. They had a great time and reported continued interest in supporting related work in the future. The staff took to heart the call for action and were impacted by the statistics on the increasing number of suicide in the Boston Area BIPOC communities for adults and youth. 

Metro Boston Area Director Sara Anidi said, "I appreciate how thoughtful the team members were about the event and interest in having more diversity in the attendance for next year’s event as well as support from leaders on this work. As we continue our work supporting professional development, zero suicide and community outreach with an REI lens, I hope we can continue building on the expertise, experiences and interest that exists in our workforce and partner with them on events like these and follow-up activities."

Central Mass Area

The Central Mass Area Diversity Committee hosted a Black History Month Event on Feb. 8. This marked their first in-person Black History Event, held at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester, MA. The theme of the event, "Mental Health and The Prison System," intentionally catered to participants from varying racial and gender groups and was accessible to individuals from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. Irving Henry, the primary host, passionately and gracefully led us through a compelling journey.

The main presenter, Rev. Dr. George Walters-Sleyon did an incredible job providing a historical context of the African American journey, describing the development of the prison system in America, discussing its current impact on varying groups (especially minority groups), and analyzing its intersection with mental health. Furthermore, the event included performances from Amanda Shea, a two-time Boston Music Award-winning Spoken Word Artist, and Kirosha Sildeca, a recording artist and founder of Kingdom Voice and Music.

The day ended with a panel discussion. Panelists openly and passionately shared their varying experiences working in the criminal justice system, being incarcerated, accessing mental health treatment, and being the CEO of a black-owned entity. Additionally, various providers were present from Behavioral Health Community Partner (BHCP) and Seasoned Home Care with resource tables for participants to check out and make connections. Participants expressed how captivating, inspiring, and educational the event was while stating an interest in attending a future event.

A special thank you to Jerry Juliano, Area Director and CMA Leadership Team, CMA Diversity Committee and Co-Chairs – Annah Undenge, and Samantha Poutas, and the Black History Month planning committee, Nicole Palmer, Whitney Marshall, Nina Cherilus, Shakeerah McLeod, Cynthia Martinez, Dana Palit, Jennifer Dante, Irving Henry, and Rayon Case.

Southeast Area Case Management Conference

The Southeast Area held its first annual Case Management Conference on March 1.  The focus of this year’s conference was the unveiling of the Case Management Orientation and Resource Binder that was developed by a workgroup comprised of Adult and CYF case managers and supervisors and supported by the SEA Learning & Development staff.  The members of the workgroup are: Alyson Baxter (co-chair), Ashley MacPherson (co-chair), Colleen DeGowin, Tom McDonald, Rosemary Biegaj,  Donna Wallace, And Christine Crawford. The event was attended by more than 80 staff and was filled with fun, great information, and a wonderful opportunity to meet people in person across the Southeast Area.

In Case You Missed It

Tax reporting for Commonwealth employees

It’s tax season. Filing your taxes can feel complicated. The Comptroller's office has posted helpful tips on their website. Download the W-2 Instructions.

Congratulations Steve Cidlevich!

After 45 years of distinguished service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Stephen Cidlevich, DMH Director of Constituent and Legislative Affairs, has decided to retire. Stephen has been a dedicated member of the Commissioner's Office for 28 years. We wish him all the best in his retirement!

Communications Tip

Did you know that you can find all your important files in one place on Microsoft Teams?

If you spend your day working in Microsoft Teams, chatting, meeting, and collaborating with colleagues, you can save time and stay in the context of your work by accessing your OneDrive files directly through the OneDrive app in Teams.

Try it-> In Teams, select Files or OneDrive on the left sidebar. This opens your OneDrive, giving you easy access to your files. Learn more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March Observances

• Women’s History Month (3/8- International Women’s Day)
• Social Workers Month
• 31st - International Transgender Day of Visibility
• National Employee Appreciation Day (1st Friday in March)

April Observances

• Celebrate Diversity Month 
• National Administrative Professionals' Day (Wednesday of the last full week in April)

Mental Health Matters Student Expression Contest

The Massachusetts Association for Mental Health and the Massachusetts Health Council are co-sponsoring the 5th Annual Mental Health Matters: Student Expression Contest. Open to all middle school and high school students in Massachusetts, the contest offers cash prizes for submissions that reflect on why caring for your mental health is important, how to support your own mental health, and tips and tricks to help others. Submissions are open until Wednesday, April 24, with winners announced during May is Mental Health Month. View contest guidelines here. Questions and submissions can be sent to Maddy Brogan at maddybrogan@mamh.org.

Email Michelle Cormier to get your upcoming event added on the events list.

Our next issue will be in May to Celebrate May is Mental Health Month. Please send your May is Mental Health Month Events and content to Michelle Cormier by April 12 to be included in the May issue.

What would you like to know more about? Email us!