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February 2023
E-News
401.726.2285
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In This Issue:
- What Makes Love Last -- a podcast.
- How Allies Can Help LGBQT Rhode Islanders
- MHARI In Action
- Register Today for Advocacy101
- Like What We're Doing! Join our Team
- Now Accepting Scholarship Applications
- May is Mental Health Month Kicks of April 27th
- From the Desk Of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Project Manager
- Public Meetings, Webinars and Events
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Relationships can be challenging, and that’s what makes them perfect opportunities for emotional growth. In honor of Valentine’s Day check out this podcast episode with Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Gottman. They have been studying relationships for over 40 years and have scientifically identified characteristics that make a relationship work or fail. It’s worth a listen -- click here.
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How Allies Can Help LGBQT
Rhode Islanders
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In this video, Laurie chats with Quinten Foster, Director of Transgender Whole Healthcare at East Bay Community Action Program. The conversation covers outdated terminology, barriers to care, resources and how allies can support LGBQT Rhode Islanders. Click to view.
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Thanks to your support, MHARI has been busier than ever. We are always ready to collaborate with others to improve Rhode Island’s system of behavioral healthcare and protect patients’ rights. Below is a sample of what we’ve been working on over the past few months. We have:
- Met with RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), RI ACLU, Megan Clingham of the RI Office of the Mental Health Advocate, and other stakeholders to negotiate revisions to legislation that will make it easier for hospitals to make direct contact with community clinics when referring patients to them for outpatient care. We proposed revisions to hopefully reduce the potential for patients’ confidential health information to be viewed by non-treating mental health professionals.
- Participated on EOHHS’s Workdforce Development Committee. We are one of several stakeholders trying to address staffing shortages in health and human services. We have had robust discussions on improved data collection and tracking the number of practicing mental health professionals; developing educational resources for students considering mental health fields; and financially supporting students in these fields.
- Led bi-weekly advocacy coalition of stakeholders to pass legislation raising commercial insurance reimbursement rates
- Led a community May Is Mental Health Month planning committee
- Participated on the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC)’s Health and Human Services Rate Review Advisory Council
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Work With Us
Join the Board
We are seeking new Board Members, particularly individuals who have experience or expertise in: finance and fundraising; organizational development and HR; diversity, equity and inclusion; prevention; and youth/adolescent mental health. Interviews begin in the spring. Board terms begin on July 1, 2023. Send your inquiries and résumés to MHARIboard@mhari.org .
Volunteer
Intern With Us
Internships offer the opportunity to gain experience and a deeper understanding of the barriers to treatment. Earn academic credit while making a positive impact in the mental health community. We always need interns to help with non-clinical research projects, patient surveys,policy, and program development. Sometimes we have grant funding to pay interns. Contact riparity@mhari.org if you are interested.
Share Your Story
Voters’ stories are powerful and can move elected officials to make positive change. If advocacy is new to you, we can show you the ropes! We partner with other organizations to offer free Advocacy 101 training. Contact riparity@mhari.org if interested.
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Did someone forward you this newsletter?
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The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) aims to increase the availability of culturally and linguistically competent mental health providers in Rhode Island. We are delighted to accept scholarship applications from graduate-level students from diverse backgrounds studying in behavioral health programs.
Award: $10,000 paid to your college/university
We are accepting applications from:
- People who come from minority racial or ethnic groups (for example: Black, Indigenous, People of Color)
- Speakers of English as a Second Language,
- LGBTQ+ Individuals
- A person with a disability
Eligible Areas of Study: Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychiatry, Ph.D. in Psychology
Deadline to apply for academic year 2023-2024: March 31, 2023
Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of the United Way of Rhode Island and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
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May Is Mental Health Month Kicks Off April 27!
Join the Rally: 2pm at the State House!
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Barbara Morse will speak again. All are welcome. Please wear BLUE to show your solidarity with the mental health community, and feel free to bring a sign.
After the speaking program, providers, patients and family members will have an opportunity to share their stories with legislators. RIPIN's Family Voices, NAMI RI, and MHARI are co-hosting Advocacy 101 workshops to teach folks what to expect at the State House and how to tell our stories in a compelling way. Click to register.
MHARI is compiling a community calendar of events in honor of May Is Mental Health Month. The calendar will be on MHARI's MIMHM webpage in early April through May. If your organization would like to post an event in the calendar, please complete this form by March 8.
If you like what MHARI is doing, please consider supporting our work with a MIMHM sponsorship. Learn more here. Please contact michelle.miller@mhari.org with any questions.
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FROM THE DESK OF:
Eunice David
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Project Manager
A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HIGHLIGHT
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This past Fall, Bridget Kelly and her classmates Nolan Whitlock, Thomas Hughes, Andrew Guippone, and Coleman Foley, seniors from Providence College, reached out to MHARI because they were tasked with organizing a fundraising event with a local charity foundation to create awareness for a cause that is important to them. They were intrigued by MHARI’s values and mission.
Through their kind spirit and hard work they hosted a holiday party for fellow students, raising $2,376 from the sale of raffles, items, and food sold at the event. But, the students' goal for the event was more than about raising money, it was also about breaking the stigma and raising awareness about mental health and to help fellow students who might be struggling with mental health problems not feel alone at the Holidays.
Seeing these students work together to break the stigma and accomplish a goal makes me think that, as a community, we must all contribute to building and maintaining meaningful connections, services, and support. The pandemic has affected everyone's lives, and we are still finding ways to cope with many changes.
If you have an idea to help break the stigma and to support our communities by building mental health awareness, reach out to me at eunice.david@mhari.org.
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Upcoming meetings, webinars, special invitations, and events!
Behavioral Health & Homelessness Prevention Training Group (BHHP)
BHHP offers trainings to support those working in the field and has a whole calendar of valuable trainings both virtual and in-person. Thanks to RI’s Consolidated Homeless Funds, SAMHSA and BHDDH all trainings are free of charge. Registration is required however. Click here for the calendar and to register. Any training questions or suggestions for future trainings can be directed to housingfirsttraininggroup@gmail.com.
Ongoing trainings for mental health professionals
The Substance Use Mental Health Leadership Council (SUMHLC) offers a number of useful trainings for providers. Click here for a listing of training opportunities available, and check back periodically as new classes are added.
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The Mission of the
Mental Health Association of RI (MHARI) is to promote and nourish mental health through advocacy, education, and policy development.
Our website is filled with resources to help those living with mental health challenges. Please feel free to visit the site as often as you need. Your shares of relevant pages on your social media could offer just the help that someone needs. Thank You!
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Laurie-Marie Pisciotta
Executive Director
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Karen Malcolm
Project Manager, RI Mental Health Parity Initiative
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Eunice David
Bridging the Divide: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Mental Healthcare
Program Coordinator
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The Mental Health Association of RI (MHARI) is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is 100% funded by grants and donations.
Won't you consider supporting MHARI today?
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