V O L U M E 1 5 , N O . 3 W I N T E R 2 0 1 2

In December, 2011, CommissionerDoug Varney announced that Helen

Ross McNabb, Inc. will serve as the newAdult Mobile Crisis Provider for thecounties of Blount, Knox, Loudon,Monroe, and Sevier, effective February1, 2012.

This change comes as part of thedepartment’s ongoing efforts totransform the mental health deliverysystem for the state of Tennessee. “Ourtransformation efforts are targetedtoward improved coordination of careand streamlined access to a continuumof services,” Varney said. “Theseimprovements will aid individuals toremain in their communities and reducereliance on inpatient services to meettheir needs.”

As a result of this transformation,interested parties were invited to submit

proposals indicating how they plan toensure the needs of individuals served incrisis can be best met within theircommunities. After a review of thesubmissions, TDMH named Helen RossMcNabb, Inc. as the Adult Mobile CrisisProvider, adding to their existing crisiscontinuum which includes crisis walk-intriage capabilities and a crisisstabilization unit. In conjunction withtheir current involvement in the overallcoordination of care and with theirproven history in this region, Helen RossMcNabb will be a perfect partner inmeeting the specific needs of individualsin this area.

TDMH would like to thank ParkwestMedical Center (Peninsula) for theirmany years of dedication andcommitment to serving individuals inthis region in need of crisis services.TDMH will continue partnering withParkwest Medical Center to ensurepsychiatric inpatient services areprovided within the community for theindividuals in need of this level of care.Parkwest Medical Center will beworking with Helen Ross McNabb, Inc.to ensure that the transition forindividuals seeking crisis services is assmooth as possible.

It is anticipated that the local crisisnumber will remain the same but planshave not yet been finalized. If unsure ofwhich number to call, 1-855-CRISIS-1(274-7471) will provide access toservices from anywhere in the state. n

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Departmentof Mental Health (TDMH) invitedcommunity participation on November30, 2011, in Clarksville during a trainingand community planning session entitledEarly Connections Network: Make aConnection in Your Community! This

event, at First Missionary Baptist Church,provided professionals, parents, andcommunity partners in Middle Tennesseethe opportunity to learn how agencies,community members, and families in aSystem of Care can work together toproduce better outcomes for youngchildren and their families in theircommunity. Some of the important earlychildhood development facts theparticipants learned included that “themost significant brain growth occurs inthe first six years of life,” and that thereare websites like “Zero to Three” athttp://www.zerotothree.org/ that exist

solely to improve the lives of infants andtoddlers. In exchange, the EarlyConnections Network team also learned agreat deal from those who came that willassist them as they develop individualsolutions to the mental health needs ofyoung children and their families indifferent communities.

Tennessee’s Early Connections Networkis a six year, early childhood System ofCare initiative in Cheatham, Dickson,Montgomery, Robertson and Sumnercounties funded by the Substance Abuse

An Adult Mobile Provider Is Establishedfor Knoxvil le Area Counties

Community InputAssists Department in

Early Childhood System of Care

cont. next page

____________________________________________________2

Story of Near-SuicideCan Encourage OthersTo Seek Help

“No one called me on the phoneto tell me that I had acute

depression and was gravely ill.Cancer gave me the will to fight

for my life; depression tookaway my will to live.”

By Sandy Jordan

In February, I left work on my lunchhour, drove home, gathered up twobottles of strong medication, left myhusband a note, drove not very far frommy home, and took all the pills with theintention of ending my life.

I was a 59-year-old, white-collar workerthat was straight as an arrow. I was the“rock” that everyone went to for advice.I was fun to be around. My happinessinvolved making everyone else feelgood. By all intentions, I should bedead. I spent many days in critical careand then in a psychiatric hospital.

I am currently at home and have regulartherapy sessions. So what happened?Why at this age? Why at a time when

things were much better than they hadbeen all my life? Please keep in mindthat this is my story. This is whathappened to me. I need to do this,because it may help someone recognizethey need professional help, and it mayhelp the friends and family of thatperson to know what to look for.

In my case, job stress turned intodepression. It was a long time coming,but when it did, I did not recognize thatI needed help. After all, my generationdid not speak about these matters.Mental illness of any form was notdiscussed when I was a child.Depression is all-consuming. Itmentally and physically takes over yourlife and your body.

I am a six-year breast cancer survivor. Imentioned this because I know thatagony. But if I could take the breast

cancer and all other illnesses and pain,combined with every moment ofsadness and despair that I had felt in 59years, and turned it into one combinedevent to go through, it would be theequivalent of dealing with a hangnailcompared to depression.

When I was told that I had breastcancer. I felt in control because I wasable to be proactive with my care.Having breast cancer turned me into afighter for my life. Depression takesaway all control. No one called me onthe phone to tell me that I had acutedepression and was gravely ill. Cancergave me the will to fight for my life;depression took away my will to live.

If you feel there is not hope and you areonly going through the motions, pleaseget professional help. If you knowsomeone that has changed and happensto mention death or suicide, pleaselisten to that person and insist that he orshe gets professional help.

Sandy Jordan is a Middle Tennesseeresident. Her story ran in The Tennesseanlast year. It is her continued hope what sheexperienced will encourage others to seekhelp and avoid thoughts of suicide. Thanksto Bonnie Woodard, Jordan’s friend, for herassistance in bringing this story to ourattention. –The Editor n

C O N S U M E R C O R N E RSandy Jordan

and Mental Health ServicesAdministration and administered byTDMH.

The purpose of the Early ConnectionsNetwork is to build a System of Care foryoung children (ages 0-5) with social,emotional and behavioral needs. ECNwill bring together families, caregivers,teachers, providers, governmentalagencies, and natural supports in thepromotion of healthy development tosubstantially strengthen communitybased, family-driven, and culturally andlinguistically competent efforts to prepare

children for school and for life. TheECN will have a special focus onworking with the children and families ofmilitary service members and veterans.On November 30, nearly 100

representatives from agencies andcommunities across the MiddleTennessee region came together to gatherinformation from local early childhoodspecialists on the latest infant and earlychildhood mental health trends andevidence based practices and to learnhow systems of care can help youngchildren in their community. FrancesDuran, policy associate in the earlychildhood division at GeorgetownUniversity’s Center for Child and Human

Development, shared strategies andsuccesses from her work with variousstates and communities, and she provideda road map for developing systems ofcare for young children and their familiesin Middle Tennessee.

To become involved in the developmentof the Early Connections Network, pleasecontact Susan Steckel, Director of TDMHChildren and Youth Services at (615)253-8377 or at Susan.Steckel@tn.gov. Toreceive ECN’s online newsletter, contactthe ECN Social Marketing Manager,Sonya Beasley, atsonya.beasley@centerstone.org or call(931) 797-8432. n

Community Input…cont.

____________________________________________________3

Superintendent Haney, for the Woodland HillsYouth Development Center in Nashville, tells her

staff to pay close attention to all the details in theShield of Care curriculum so that they can keep theirincarcerated youth safe from suicide. Lygia Williams,Project Director and Dr. Jeffrey Feix, Director ofForensics, who provided training, listen to staffcomments. This event allowed valuableinput from participants to help finalizethe materials before final publication.The logo is trademarked and thecurriculum is copyrighted with the Stateof Tennessee.

The first pilot training on the Shieldof CareTM, a new ground-breakingsuicide prevention training

specifically designed for JuvenileJustice staff, was provided atWoodland Hills YouthDevelopment Center in Nashville.The training was conducted onJanuary 18, 2012, and was theculmination of research in the fieldof suicide prevention and juvenilejustice. The development of thecurriculum was data-driven and

utilized the input of juvenile justice staffthroughout Tennessee about whattraining components would address thespecific system requirements in a

Help with RecoveryIs Just A Click Awaywww.recoverywithinreach.org

A new brochure helps peoplestep-by-step find affordablehousing and a recovery class

TDMH’s newest Mental Health Servicesbrochure, posters and other promotional itemsare available.

By Bob Currie, Director of Housing andHomeless Services, Division of Mental HealthServices

Through the department’s Creating HomesInitiative, the state contracts with

community agencies to hire, house, andsupervise 7 Regional Housing Facilitators (1 in each of the MH planning regions), and 4Consumer Housing Specialists (1 each inRegions 3,4,6, and 7). Once a quarter, wehave a face-to-face meeting to train, plan, andnetwork, and recently they came to TDMH toreceive the Help with Recovery promotionalmaterials for state-wide distribution. TheHelp with Recovery campaign is fundedthrough a federal grant whose purpose is to assure that peopleliving with mental illness are able to access and receive neededservices in community-based settings as soon as they areclinically ready rather than remain hospitalized forunnecessarily long periods.

Through our contract with Park Center, thestate supports the Recovery Within Reachwebsite which the Consumer HousingSpecialists (CHS) and Regional HousingFacilitators (RHF) regularly promote topeople living with mental illness, theirfamilies, and caregivers. The purpose of theHelp with Recovery promotion is to assurethat the greatest possible number ofpotential website users will know about thesite and know how to access the recovery-oriented materials that can be found there.CHS and RHF will be distributing thepromotional materials in Peer Centers,treatment centers, doctors’ offices, healthfairs, and anywhere else the intendedaudience might be reached.

The available information on the website athttp://www.recoverywithinreach.org/housingwithinreach includes a searchable databaseof statewide supportive housing resources,information about many aspects of recoveryfrom mental illness, a resource directory ofrecovery services, and a calendar ofupcoming recovery-oriented events aroundthe state, to name a few.

To learn more about this and other programvisit the TDMH website, where there is also a link to therecovery site mentioned above, athttp://tn.gov/mental/recovery/CHIpage.html or call (615) 532-4651. n

New Training Program Provides “Shield of Care” for

Tennessee Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

By Lygia Williams, Principal Investigator/Project Director for Tennessee Lives CountTM Division of Mental Health Services

cont. page 9TM

____________________________________________________4

Workforce Survey Yields Useful Data Beyond Mental Health Shortage Areas

Workforce development has longbeen an issue of concern for the

Tennessee Department of Mental Health(TDMH). With emphases on preventionand recovery in addition to treatment, itis imperative that the department assist inensuring a quality workforce for personsliving with mental health and substanceuse disorders across the state.

The first step in strengthening theworkforce is determining thewhereabouts of every psychiatricphysician in the state. TDMHconducted its annual survey ofpsychiatric physicians statewide betweenAugust and November 2011. Psychiatricphysicians were defined as psychiatristsand osteopathic physicians with apsychiatry specialty. Survey questionsfocused on types of services, i.e.,outpatient and/or inpatient, provided toindividuals living with mental illness, aswell as estimates of the amount of timedevoted to such services, and low incomeand child service populations.Demographic information for psychiatricphysicians was obtained from theTennessee Department of Health(TDOH) website. Survey data werecollected either via telephone or email.

The results of this survey are used indetermining mental health shortage areas.Shortage area criteria were establishedby the Health Resources and ServicesAdministration (HRSA) of the U.S.Department of Health and HumanServices, and all shortage areas, whethermental health, primary care, or dental,are referred to as HPSAs (healthprofessional shortage areas). AHPSA designation yields substantialbenefits to mental healthprofessionals and providers,leveraging recruitment and retentionof much needed staff by agenciesand other entities. It can open uploan repayment possibilities for awide range of health professionals,including physicians, dentists(pediatric or general), psychiatrists,nurse practitioners (primary care),

physician assistants, certified nurse-midwives, dental hygienists,psychologists (health service), licensedclinical social workers, psychiatric nursespecialists, licensed professionalcounselors, and marriage and familytherapists.

A total of 782 psychiatric physicianswere included in the survey pool duringthe data collection period. Ninety-fivepercent carried the rank “medical doctor”while the remainder were eitherosteopathic physicians or classified asresidents in departments of psychiatry.The survey confirmed that psychiatricphysicians in Tennessee work in a varietyof settings, including community mentalhealth centers (CMHCs), correctionalfacilities, departments of psychiatry,developmental centers, hospitals,managed care organizations, privatepractice, regional mental healthinstitutes, rehabilitation facilities,residential treatment facilities, statedepartments, university counselingcenters, veteran affairs’ facilities, andyouth development centers. Theirresponsibilities range fromadministration, research, teaching, orsupervision only to the provision ofinpatient and/or outpatientservices to individuals livingwith mental illness. Thesurvey further indicated thatapproximately 30 percent ofpsychiatric physicians are nolonger practicing. HPSAdesignations are based ongeneral outpatient servicedelivery, however.

Demographic data show that psychiatricphysicians who provide outpatientservices to the general public in the stateare predominantly white males, 54 yearsof age on average. (See Chart 1.) Theyrange in age from 29 years to 86 years.These physicians spend about 17 hoursper week providing direct, face-to-faceoutpatient services at any one location.Slightly more than one third of servicesare provided to individuals on TennCare,nine percent to persons withoutinsurance, and 22 percent to youth under18 years of age.

As expected, psychiatric physicians atCMHCs and in private practice havesimilar demographic characteristics, butthe former tends to provide moreoutpatient services to the most vulnerableindividuals living with mental illness,persons of low income and children.(See Chart 2.) Those employed atCMHCs provide substantially moreservices to individuals on TennCare, aswell as more services to people who areuninsured and persons younger than 18years of age. Lower total hours ofservice were reported for psychiatricphysicians at CMHCs (17 hours perweek) than physicians in private practice

(26 hours per week), but CMHCphysicians are more likely to work attwo or more locations, 33 percentcompared to seven percentrespectively.

The department would like to thankpsychiatric physicians and/or theirstaff in private practice, regional

By Edwina Chappell, PhD, Research Team, Division of Planning, Research & Forensics

cont. page 7

____________________________________________________5

COMMISSIONER’S CORNER

cont. next page

The

resa

Mon

tgom

ery,

Ten

ness

ee P

hoto

grap

hic

Ser

vice

s

Moved to March and to the Andrew Johnson Tower

As you see from this issue, our staff continues to beinvolved in many projects as we restructure, reinvent and

develop new ways of meeting Tennessean’s needs in the face ofa reduced budget. For more “what’s new,” read our newsreleases at http://www.tn.gov/mental/ from the online NewsRoom. Major developments include the creation of the FirstLady’s Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, which includes a mentalhealth focus, and Governor Haslam’s Public Safety Strategy onprescription drugs and anti-meth laws and programs.

In December, the Cordell Hull staff joined the rest of ourcentral office staff in the Andrew Johnson Tower at 710 JamesRobertson Parkway, Nashville. We now fill the 10th, 11th and12th floors of the building. Our phone numbers remain thesame. The move from Cordell Hull has improved internal dailycommunications and, in the long run, saves time and money aswe work together.

We wanted to put a special spin on Art for Awareness byexposing more people to the 7th Annual Exhibition. This year,on March 6, which coincided with TAMHO’s Mental HealthDay on the Hill, Art for Awareness was held at the AndrewJohnson Tower and was co-sponsored by the department and theHealing Arts Project, Inc. (HAPI). In past years the event washeld at the Legislative Plaza in May.

The artwork that more than 60 consumers brought to the eventwill hang for the month of April at the Legislative Plaza, whilethe 107th General Assembly is still in session. Selected pieceswill be on display for a year at our office conference rooms. ByApril, images of the artwork and a group photo with GovernorHaslam will also be placed on our website in an online gallery.To learn more about this annual event, contact TDMH’s Officeof Communications at (615) 253-4812.

____________________________________________________6

Debbie Shahla Promoted to BHSN DirectorDebbie Shahla is assuming the new role of Director of theBehavioral Health Safety Net as of February 12, 2012.

Shahla has over 30 years of experience in our field and willbring skill, knowledge, and experience to the program. Hereducational background includes a Masters of Arts inEducational Psychology from Tennessee Tech University. Shehas long been involved in the development of the MentalHealth Block Grant, the department’s annual F&A StrategicPlan and the department’s Three-Year Plan. Shahla has servedon the Abuse Registry Committee, represented the Departmenton the State’s Internal Health Council, and on the TennesseeDisability Council. Prior to her work in our PlanningDivision for over ten years, she worked for the Division ofMental Retardation Services (now known as the TennesseeDepartment of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) for20 years. She started her career in the field of intellectualdisability as Director of Staff Development at the BoonevilleHuman Developmental Center in Arkansas. To contact Shahlaemail Debbie.Shahla@tn.gov.

Sejal West Named AssistantCommissioner for Mental HealthServices

Sejal West brings a broadrange of more than 10 yearsvaluable experience in thecommunity mental health field,from case management, crisisassessment, program andpolicy development, and fundraising to staff training anddevelopment, clinical andadministrative supervision,federal grant reporting andvarious clinical duties.

During her service as the director of the Behavioral HealthSafety Net of Tennessee, West effectively managed an annualbudget of $22,000,000, and a staff of four. She developed andstrengthened relationships with community providers anddeveloped and implemented policy and procedures resulting inprogram improvement.

Before coming to state government, West worked forCenterstone of Tennessee as a Crisis Care Consultant. West isa graduate of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville witha BA in Psychology and of Trevecca Nazarene University inNashville with a MA in Counseling Psychology. To contacther, email Sejal.West@tn.gov.

Cecilia Tindell is 2011 Employee of the YearEvery year, our mental healthinstitutes nominate a staffperson for Employee of TheYear. This program seeks torecognize employees on thedaily front lines of mentalhealth care and to encourageall employees to emulate thosewho are considered TDMH’s“Best of the Best.”

Congratulations to CeciliaTindell of Lakeshore MentalHealth Institute who is our 2011 Employee of the Year! Ceciliais a Psychiatric Technician in Chota 5, Acute Care, and hasbeen with TDMH for 30 years. During her time as caregiver topatients with varying levels of function, she is known as theemployee who goes the “extra mile.”

Tindell’s coworkers and patients consistently describe theimportance of her quiet and humble nature as she reactspositively to any event. According to her supervisor, LisaHodgson, Tindell has an attitude and patience that istherapeutic, especially with patients who have severe mentalillnesses or substance abuse issues and are frightened andstruggling in an unfamiliar environment.

Congratulations also go to the other nominees who serve andinspire staff and patients:

Steve Blair, Institutional Services Manager, General Services,Middle Tennessee MHI

Manages three departments at once, improvingoperations; a team player 24/7 while maintaining apositive attitude in the face of any crisis.

Gladys Cheairs, Admission/Psychology Technician, MemphisMHI

A team leader who takes pride in maintaining anoutstanding work performance, gives excellent care, andexpresses positive concern to patients; ensures correctmedical records for all shifts.

Derrick Rhodes, Recreation Therapist 2, Adjunctive TherapyDepartment, Western MHI

Especially good with aggressive patients, listening andresponding to their needs and fears, and goes beyond jobduties to help other departments.

Sheri Stern, Admin. Serv. Assist. 2, Quality ManagementDepart., Moccasin Bend MHI

Takes on last minute projects and assignments, developshelpful databases, a “go-to” person for development ofinstitute forms; contributes to compliance andaccreditation issues. n

Commissioner’s Corner…cont.

Cecilia Tindell

Sejal West

____________________________________________________7

TAMHO celebrates over 50 years ofservice and is a statewide trade

association representing communitymental health centers and other non-profit corporations that providebehavioral health services. To learnmore about the organization, visithttp://www.tamho.org. The completeslate of awards and winners for 2012 are:

Marie Williams, Deputy Commissioner,Tennessee Department of Mental Health,Nashville

President’s Award

Blake Anderson, City Court Judge,Jackson, Tennessee

Frank G. Clement Community Service Award

Pam Womack, CEO Mental HealthCooperative, Nashville

Dorothea Dix Professional Service Award

Jerry Vagnier, Vice President ofOperations, Helen Ross McNabb Center,Knoxville

Distinguished Service Award

Bonnie Kelly, SHINE-Supporting Healthin Everyone, Mental Health Cooperative,Nashville

Personal Courage Award

WKPT AM Tri-Cities, hosted by DaveLight, Kingsport

Media Award

Centerstone – Co-Occurring DisordersTreatment Program, Nashville

Programs of Excellence Award

Frontier Health – HEROES Program(Helping Everyone Reach OptimumExcellence & Success, Johnson City

Programs of Excellence Award

Park Center – Homeless OutreachProgram, Nashville

Programs of Excellence Award

Board-Jim Causey, PhD, ProfessionalCare Services of West Tennessee,Covington

Volunteer Leadership Award

Committee/Section – Richard French,Carey Counseling Center, Paris

Volunteer Leadership Award

Bob Benning, Chairman of the TennesseeCoalition of Mental Health and SubstanceAbuse Services, Chief Executive Officer,Ridgeview, Oak Ridge

Special Recognition, Office of the Governor & Tennessee Department of Mental Health

Ellyn Wilbur NamedExecutive Director of TAMHO

Ellyn Wilbur wasnamed ExecutiveDirector of theTennesseeAssociation ofMental HealthOrganizations(TAMHO) as ofAugust 1st, 2011.Ellyn succeeds DickBlackburn who devoted nearly 30 yearsto TAMHO. We would like to thank Mr.Blackburn for his distinguished servicein addressing the needs of mentally illand chemically dependent citizens ofTennessee.

Ellyn served as Director of Policy andAdvocacy for TAMHO over the pasttwo‐and‐a‐half years. She has brought awealth of management experience inbehavioral health to the organization,obtained primarily in prior roles asExecutive Director of Case Management,Inc. in Memphis and Vice President of

TAMHO Names Marie Williams as Recipient of the President’s Award

The Tennessee Association of MentalHealth Organizations (TAMHO)

honored Marie Williams, DeputyCommissioner of TDMH, with one of itsmost prestigious awards during theannual dinner and recognition ceremonyin December, 2011. Jim Causey,TAMHO President, presented the awardand commented on Williams’ longhistory of service and life-changingefforts on behalf of persons with mentalhealth issues.

“Marie Williams initiated the CreatingHomes Initiate in 2000 and through thiseffort, leveraged more than 350 milliondollars in funding to help support morethan 8,700 housing options for personsdiagnosed with mental illness and co-occurring disorders,” said Causey.

He went on to explain that the impact ofthis program is huge. Over the past 10years, CHI has also become a model forother states and communities to follow.Williams was also instrumental in

developing the Behavioral Health SafetyNet of Tennessee, a program funding thedelivery of core mental health services touninsured adults. Last year, the safety netserved more than 32,000 people.

Williams’ accomplishments have recentlyearned her the position of DeputyCommissioner for the department, andthis award is one of many she has earnedover the last decade. Williams has alsoserved as a teacher for the University ofTennessee, College of Social Work. Shecoauthored the Out of Poverty curriculum,a group-based peer and mentoringprogram designed to help people movefrom dependency to self-sufficiency,which many communities across thenation now use. To contact Williams,email Marie.Williams@tn.gov.

TAMHO President, Jim Causey, PhD, presentsMarie Williams, Deputy Commissioner ofTDMH, with the 2012 President’s Award

cont. page 11

____________________________________________________8

The Healing Arts Project, Inc. – HAPI announced the 2012 Phoenix Awards, presented at

the Phoenix Art Gala on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at theMillennium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville. The Phoenixwas chosen to represent the spirit of recovery and triumph overadversity. The winners, recognized for contributing to theopportunity for artistic creativity among persons in mentalhealth and addiction recovery, are:

2012 Community Friend Award, Candace Gilligan, MiddleTennessee Mental Health Institute CEO: Recognizes aprofessional in the community who has contributedsignificantly to reducing stigma and showing the value of thearts in recovery. Gilligan has supported the importance ofhaving art in mental health recovery and making beautiful artcreated by mental health consumers available for publicenjoyment. MTMHI hosted the exhibit of 27 artist panels fromthe book Challenged Lives and Artistic Vision in the lobbyduring 2010 and 2011, and currently exhibits original consumerartwork in the lobby.

2012 Spirit of Artists Award, John L. Butts, Jr., ConsumerArtist, Clarksville: Recognizes an individual whoseexpressive art is part of their recovery and who shares theircreativity in Healing Arts Project, Inc. – HAPI activities andevents. Butts is a member of ReConnect Clarksville and hasparticipated in classes, exhibits, and events since the projectbegan in 2004. He does not let an opportunity go by to express

the value of art in his life. He encourages others at hisReConnect Center to enjoy art and leads an art group. Hestarted creating art in high school by watching others anddecided to try it himself by drawing and sketching. He has notstopped making art and is dedicated to his craft.

2012 Volunteer Friend Award, Lorene Lambert, TDMHPublications Editor: Recognizes an individual in the mentalhealth community who has helped strengthen the impact of theHealing Arts Project, Inc. Lambert has extended her interest inpromoting people with artistic talent from many culturalbackgrounds to making the Art for Awareness event significantfor both HAPI and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health.Lambert’s life-long background in the arts and understandingthe mind of the artist is a fit for promoting Art for Awareness.Her training in lay ministry means giving service to others in allareas of her life, including her community of Cross Plains, TNand to the Bureau of Land Management Adopt-a-Horse-or-Burro Program, leading to the National Volunteer Award in1986.

2012 Business Friend Award, Tennessee Disability Coalition:Recognizes a business that has contributed to the ability ofHAPI to reduce stigma and provide creative opportunities forthe artists. The Coalition works to organize and unite thedisability community to affect public policy, civil rights, andservice delivery for persons with disabilities. The Coalition haswelcomed the Healing Arts Project, Inc. activities with spacefor meetings and administrative work at the Coalition building.A Tennessee Disability Coalition grant supported the interviewsand research for the book “Challenged Lives, Artistic Vision”featuring 27 outstanding Healing Arts Project, Inc. - HAPIartists. The Coalition hosts a collection of HAPI artwork in thehallways of their building. Carol Westlake is the foundingExecutive Director of the Tennessee Disability Coalition andaccepted the award.

The Healing Arts Project, Inc. (HAPI) provides the opportunityfor persons in mental health and addiction recovery in MiddleTennessee to express creativity through the arts and increaseself-esteem and self-confidence, and combats stigma withincommunities by creating and displaying artwork. HAPIincludes many partner artists, organizations and advocates incommunities who work together to provide this service. TheTennessee Arts Commission and Metro Nashville ArtsCommission are among the Healing Arts Project, Inc. partnerswho support art classes, art exhibits and art access incommunities.

Sponsors of the Phoenix Art Gala on February 16, 2012 includethe Tennessee Department of Mental Health, Mental HealthCooperative, Centerstone, Tennessee Mental Health ConsumersAssociation, United Healthcare Community Plan, Park Center,Benton Counseling and Consulting Services, and Jane andRichard Baxter Family. n

L to R: Gilligan, Lambert, Butts, Jr, and Westlake (representing TDC)are Phoenix Award winners.

Phoenix Art GalaRecognizes Promoters of Recovery Through

Healing Arts

detention facility. Funding for the Shieldof CareTM was a result of a SubstanceAbuse and Mental Health ServiceAdministration (SAMHSA) grant,awarded to the Tennessee Department ofMental Health (TDMH) for theTennessee Lives CountTM.

This ground-breaking model of suicideprevention for youth in the juvenilejustice system is a first-of-its-kind model.The curriculum was reviewed by nationalexperts in the fields of juvenile justiceand youth suicide, the reviews wereexceptionally positive. Even though theShield of CareTM has not been formallyreleased, several states have heard aboutthe product and have expressed aninterest in using the Shield of CareTM toprovide suicide prevention training fortheir juvenile justice staff. SAMHSA andthe newly formed National SuicidePrevention Alliance (NSPA) anticipatethis curriculum will become a modelnationally.

The Tennessee Lives CountTM (TLC)projects are in partnership with theMental Health Association of MiddleTennessee, Centerstone ResearchInstitute, and the Tennessee SuicidePrevention Network (TSPN). Between2008 and 2011, TLC was primarilyfocused on reducing suicide in thejuvenile justice system through theprovision of “Applied SuicideIntervention Skills Training” (ASIST), anationally recognizedprevention curriculum.Training on this two-daycurriculum was provided tothe staff in the state’s fiveyouth development centersresponsible for caring forTennessee’s incarceratedjuvenile justice youth.The initial evaluation and focus groupswith juvenile justice staff led to thedevelopment of a never-before-seenmodel. Juvenile justice staff thatparticipated in the first pilot trainingstated that the Shield of CareTM capturesthe realities of preventing youth suicidein that system. Protecting youth fromsuicide, stems from the necessity of

caring for juveniles who are away fromhome, some for the first time, who mayexhibit behaviors that mask internalturmoil and fears. For the staff of aninstitution, they must recognize there aremany steps in prevention, and these maynot happen in the same order or in thesame way, depending on the facility, butwill become essential in prevention.

In the curriculum, the logo is convertedinto a multi-layered, three-step shield ofprotection. The outer layer represents anagencies policies and procedures. Themiddle layer represents the staffconnection to the youth, the mostimportant protective factor in suicideprevention according to the CDC. Theinner most layer represents the staffnetworking and collaborating together.Key actions for staff in this layer, inorder to save a life, are referred to as the“S-Plan,” which stands for:

• S - Seeing the Increased Risk• P - Protecting Youth from Immediate

Physical and Emotional Damage• L - Listening and Understanding A

Youth’s Concerns and Asking theMost Important Question AboutSuicidal Thoughts

• A - Assessing A Youth’s Current Riskand Need for Help

• N - Networking as A Team to Save ALife

Thecurriculum, unlikeother youth suicideprevention curriculums, addresses thesystem needs by assuring staffunderstand their policies and how criticaladherence to them saves lives.

Additionally, all aspect of the S-Planaddresses the real roles andresponsibilities of juvenile justice staff.

The curriculum development would nothave been possible without theSAMHSA grant and hard work fromwork group members of the TLC TaskForce who planned, researched and wrotethe initial curriculum. TLC’s evaluatorconceptualized the model afterconducting focus groups in juvenilejustice facilities. After that, the writtenmanuscript was given to a professionalcurriculum writer and professionalvideographer to create a final product.

The curriculum workbook is enhancedby a video entitled “Second Glances.”The video is embedded within a powerpoint presentation and includes threevignettes, representing three scenarios ofdifferent youth experiencing suicide fromideation to an attempt. The company thatproduced the video for the Shield ofCareTM is Kap ART/Maple Street, knownfor its video series and numerous EMMYnominations.

Final curriculum is the result of work byTDMH partners and collaborators,including Mental Health Association ofMiddle Tennessee, the Tennessee SuicidePrevention Network, TennesseeAdministration Office of the Courts,

Youth Village, CRI, TennesseeCommission on Children and

Youth, the Jason Foundation,Trevecca Nazarene University,

Nashville Juvenile CourtServices, Tennessee Disability Lawand Advocacy Center, TennesseeDepartment of Children’s Services’Division of Juvenile Justice,Centerstone Institute, and the staffof Tennessee youth developmentcenters across the state. The Shieldof CareTM Project is in consultation

with the Suicide PreventionResource Center, Columbia Care

Services, and Outreach Arts and is thesole property of the State of Tennessee,Department of Mental Health.

For more information contactLygia.Williams@tn.gov or call (615) 253-5078. n

____________________________________________________9

Shield of Care…cont.

The inner shield in thecurriculum reveals

S-Plan layers ofprotection for

incarcerated youth.

___________________________________________________10

CO-OCCU

NGURRI D RDOIS

RSDE C OLLABO

TIVERAO

EHHESTRENGTTHITUNNIMMMMCO

MofonatiiocsAseessenneTO)AMH(TsonatizinOrga

N Te,llishvNa, reettSe edglRut24442)516( - 5)008(|0222 68- inerefllot2462

:ptth // rgo.ohmat.www

eessenneTNAMI alonNati(

LUAINDIVIDG NENIINDEEDUGHHROHHRS TTHIEESTTI

h tall HeatneM

01273 - 3402452)516(:xaF|N T - 1338

altnMenoeclianAl

ssenneToitcAddixEtrporiA

1 rfuM123087)516( - 095

:ptth // t.www

DNNDALIES,FAMIILLS, WANDN AIOTTIUCA

onatiiocsAsees hOt&ugDrl,hoAlcoof)DASAA(TsecirveSon

azaPle vitecux71273N Te,llishvNa, 551e tiuS, Roadoro breesf

087)516(:xaF|10 - 5095rgo.sadaat

D SENESSSRREAARWWA

r he ldiChorffosecoiVeessenneTe,llishvNae,enuvAd radforB107

962)516( - |1577 962)516(:xaF - 4198:ptth // rgo.seicoNVT.www

MoftnemparteDeessenneTDrughol &AlcoofonisivDi

C)VT(nedr40273N T

htlaeHaltnMesecivreSeusAbg

eessenneTNAMI alonNati(N)TssenllI

sNa, 506e tiuSe vriDtKermi1011163)516( - 163)516(:xaF|8066 - 8966

:ptth // rgo.nitman.www

CO- CUOC

EME WDOTHAWesubAectansbuSe thInsimind Asecrvie ShalteH

altnMenoeclianAl

71273N Te,llishvssenneT

antubsSedglRut24

442)516( - 222ilamE : laocnt

U SREDR DISOGINRR

COBY N EA - DNGIRCCUROtalnMe

002 2noatitr. . . i sllsaudviidn

ny imaers rdsoid

d anh taleHaltneMorffoonitioalCeesirveSeAbusec sec

01273N Te,llishvNa, reettSe g - 3402452)516(:xaF|02 - 1338

rgo.ohmat@nioti

MO: SSENNE TGVIN

?ERSSORDDIa howh erdrsoi dlate mennostea ltve a

e((enersoe pny on any illyterenffefffiif dcteratn

Drughol & AlcoofonisivDi11er, owTohnsonJdrewnA th oorFl

710 aywrkson PatRoberames J , N235)516( - 0056

:ptth // latnem/vog.nt.www

AROWWA TEES G INTED

r as soiisdse ugrur doll ohcol anas all welggriy t manoressiepdffe oofdsoip en a.,e.g

secivreSeusAbgr

34273N Te,llishvNa

NTIOARG

ese he tliher. WWhdrolohcol aotnise pa reler ag

o c,ssregn Co tortopeR -o adefinedree wrserdosid

PPEONYAMWHO 1rve that oatedmits es iIt wd an,sce servitneatmert

ata dcenevalerp mits es iti

PMIE HS TITHAWacWe abtoa lwony klalut

gnirruccoas . . .

nicar cose, oubay oltendenepdni

ED?TCFFEAE RAE PL Sdetin U thess acroelpoe pnoil10 milnetf os itneatme tr the,oy d thenwhe

that atedm eessenne Tni atmixorpap

COF OTPAC - DNGIRCCUROcofact opmithetuob - osidgnirrccuo

renhpoziizche stacerby examase e un c syier.hte ohtffof

tupylmpiS ,, a co- drsoi dgnirruccoss coenllitaln medseonagid

co with gnilggur steates artS - irrccuoto nn

y tel 000196, mor fref sufslaudviidni

?DERSSORDIuodanseiliamfsaludviidninosredr

caeffer oofrdsoie dnottsealtt a,ms)),otymp

s torefe rylalcip tyred audividn ianen oth widelpuo , er moro , sonagid

elpoe pes thefy oan. Msredrosi dgnaB

co- . sredrosi dgnirrccuo

ytinummcoru

sedongaie dbne caypttych

al en ogniavh , er moro ,dse tcidad redrsoi devi .

sscce ato nodalnatio nn odeas

acWe abto a lwony klalut

t healurn o opactIm got o htnatiepn i too

welpoe that pwonk

imrihe Ctn opactImssenll ialtnem , e mro

lami furn o opactImsmelborp ae at lhtiw

cseloadiliamf actepmi are se

d anncatioud edan p

cofact opm i thetuob osi dgnirrccuo

metsy searcht . . . ref suf whoelpoePnemf osmotp symsserd ad tosaltipso

coith - hgi have hsredrosi dgnirrccuo

metsySecitus Jnali . . . jacalo leIn th a cod anssenll ialtne - s subgnirrccuo

seil . . . mixorp that apatedmits es iIten otas - esongai dgnie bes thof ofalh

y bed su es uceantsb dan a co- irrccuosesop naitnai mn isegnelalater cherg

u od anseiliam f,saludviidnin osredr

dosip eero mavey hlalus usiht with rnetf oero mnctioid add anssenll ialtn

as suchseasesic dinor chf ose ratre

e mhtiates wmn if o% 76,smet syslairedrosi desu abceant , er pgnor a stsi

y 6atelm vninerdli chf oseiliam ff o0%a co with d - cco ssenll ialtne mgnirru

, verpgni ch whissenll ialtnem aveh a agen

es thoanhtcy neil resiroy rveo recgni

y. tinumm coru

rcy negrem eero mdn aesap relf oseo with gnialed are ohwelpoep thann

atitpe h,seteabi d,HIV ol bhgi hd ansi

cants subdetro repseuss ihtale haltne.msviidi recf orctoide

hmeare systf weldlih ce thn idevlvo. xorp apad heessenneIn 2010, T ami

thats uslleata t dceneval xorpap aminact opm ieativ spihsnatio rel,htaleh

.sisonagi delga sin with e

avey heh. Tstis vimooreno os alWe. easesid

. erusser pdoo

atedertn. Ues uce

es uceants subaveyatel d annerdli000 ch8,ytel 000 to2, 000 4,

y, te saf, tnymeolpme

mmo curn o opactIm

nesssseleHom - eAt lrosi dgnirrccuo

anch c atb at oe

DOEWNCATHAWdate aneCr s

ppiuqe are sredviorpcex e the thanrather

tneatme treasIncresse l,sceruoser anht

um seitni . . .

elemoh are whoelpoe pf 50% otase helpoe pes the,atedertn utfe. Lsredr.gnisuo htneanmrepd ansb jognini

ENGCHACEENNFLUIOTO- easb

tsem co whoreattmo n,ple h todep.noitpe

ar yetas. Lseitinutroppo essenne Tni3 coht wiesthoff o% - rosi dgnirrccuo

coave hss -eltti laveh

ecorkforW - atneMisu bcanAmeri icalysih panht

E? s,achorp aptneatme tratedrgetn ide

. ceantsi assro froo dri thehguthro hT

,ee y 12,000atelmixorpap recelpoepu ohgu throtneatme trdveie recsredr

snair desu abceants subd anssenll ial dtnesab are srekr woero. Msesseni

. tned accir ossenlli

haltne that mso add ansretn cehtale cof oceneser peh - edrosi dgnirrccuo

drosi dectivid adro ftneatme trdveiec. met systneatme trsnctioid adru

i $100 brveo mor fnoilly teix and ansser st toeu

tneatme trsnoctiiddnatiotcepx e thes isr

. sred detimi l toeuD

A arofcate vod tncotropp oelbisso ptseb

anessenne TedviorP.elbissop

coedviorP - gnirrccuom thegnidvior. Ppleh

sredrosi dgnirrccuo

e trf omuuni iducln i,snoitp otneatmy.revo recry fotinut

n theeagan m tosceru resoeht with s

. gninai trredrosi dg vee dcerofkrWop utso meht with m -to- atmrofnate id

.tneatmetr

tnatiepnign tnatieptu odna ucare, s

nai m totrop sup thed anseasesi des

a as heessenne. Tcal critis itnempolti cenedvi en ogninai trd anno - deasb

ree pd an,gnisuo hveitroppu -to- reep

efi lnaitn - nol y.rvecoerg wtneatmerT

clcatedide d,dceneirepx ef ohtalwe as leacel pru oerusn el wilsacticerp

2102, 2yarurbFe )ALNFI(

thesedvior ptropsup

sy irveo recd anskrwo

totanw whosanciini cof odlei f then isredae -

___________________________________________________11

Tennessee Department of Mental Health Volume 15, Number 3,

Winter 2012 IssuePublished quarterly online at:

http://www.tn.gov/mental/

Newsletter StaffGrant Lawrence, Director

Lorene Lambert, Publications Editor

Office of Communications11th Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower

710 James Robertson ParkwayNashville, TN 37243

Please send newsletter queries to: lorene.lambert@tn.gov

Send Website queries to: OC.Tdmh@tn.gov

Or call: (615) 532-6610

Pursuant to the State of Tennesseeʼs policy ofnondiscrimination, the Department of Mental Healthdoes not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion,color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or militaryservice in its policies, or in the admission to, ortreatment or employment in, its programs, services oractivities.

Contact the departmentʼs EEO/AA Coordinator at 615-532-5680, the Title VI Coordinator or the ADACoordinator at 615-532-6700 or 1-800-560-5767 forinquiries, complaints or further information.

Published online at http://www.tennessee.gov/mental/index.htmlby the Tennessee Department of Mental Health. PublicationAuthorization #339454.

mental health institutes, community mental health centers,departments of psychiatry of Tennessee medical schools,hospitals operated by the Veteran’s Administration, and the statedepartments of corrections, intellectual disabilities, andchildren’s services for their assistance in data collection.

Data on service availability in general and for persons of lowincome in particular are reported to TDOH in February as partof the required federal report to identify shortage areas, withfeedback regarding mental health shortage area designationsexpected within the next few months. The department willdistribute an official map, and place online, showing the newHPSAs following processing by HRSA. For more informationcontact Edwina.Chappell@tn.gov or call (615) 741-9476. n

Workforce Survey…cont.

TAMHO 2012 Awards…cont.

Operations‐Children’s Services, Magellan Health Services.Under her leadership, TAMHO will continue to be an importantpartner with State government, its vendors in the healthcarearena, and all behavioral health stakeholder groups as we striveto expand and improve the mental health and addictions servicessystem throughout Tennessee. n