WICHE Mental Health Program

INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

The mission of the WICHE Mental Health program is twofold: 1) to assist states in improving systems of care for mental health consumers and their families; and 2) to advance the preparation of a qualified mental health workforce in the West. The program collaborates with states to meet the challenges of changing environments through regional research and evaluation, policy analysis, program development, technical assistance, and information sharing.

WICHE Mental Health Program Background & Experience

The WICHE Mental Health Program has focused on supporting public mental health system improvement and the training needs of the mental health workforce in the West as a major part of its agenda for a half-century. The role of higher education in the development of effective mental health professionals has been a natural fit for the mental health program within the WICHE family of programs. The values for the western states to develop, recruit and retain a workforce educated to serve the mental health needs of western states citizens with culturally effective approaches has been the primary mission of the program since its inception. Because of the Interstate Compact, contracting with WICHE is on an inter-governmental basis, and WICHE performs all technical assistance and other activities for member states at cost.

The WICHE mental health program is a recognized leader in rural and frontier mental health, cultural competence, and telemedicine/web-based health. (...read more)

The WICHE Mental Health Program is pleased to announce Mental Health First Aid training opportunities in the Western states. Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour training course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The growing evidence behind the program demonstrates that it does build mental health literacy — helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness (see http://www.mhfa.com.au/evaluation.shtml for supporting evidence).

Mental Health First Aiders learn a single strategy that includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, and identifying and contacting appropriate professional help. Trainees are taught how to apply this strategy in a variety of situations, such as helping someone through a panic attack or with an acute stress reaction, engaging with someone who may be suicidal, supporting a person experiencing psychosis and helping an individual who has overdosed. Trainees are also introduced to the risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses such as anxiety, depression, psychosis and addiction; engage in experiential activities that build understanding of the impact of illness; and learn information about evidence-supported treatment programs.

Please contact Nicole Speer to schedule a training in your community, or with any questions you may have about Mental Health First Aid: 303-541-0257 , or nspeer@wiche.edu.

Upcoming Events:	The Inspire USA Foundation is pleased to announce the 2009 Real to Reel National Film Competition for filmmakers who are teens and young adults aged 16 – 24. Films will need to address the types of “emotionally tough times” that teens and young adults face and be no more than 3 minutes in length. Our focus is not as much on the story of the tough time as it is on how someone navigated that tough time. The competition is now open. Films may be submitted until midnight Pacific Time on June 30, 2009. The competition website www.inspireusafoundation.com/realtoreel/ contains entry information, all forms, sample films, and a training video that demonstrates examples of what we mean by “positive mental health message”. All eligible films will be used as part of Inspire’s www.reachout.com website when it launches in the US in August, 2009.
Follow the links below to find information on:
Rural and Frontier	- Evidence Based and Promising Practices - WICHE Center for Rural Mental Health Research - Upcoming and Archived Webinars - Frontier Mental Health Services Resource Network

Workforce	- Upcoming and Archived Webinars - Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Annapolis Coalition Action Plan for Behavioral Health Workforce Development

Children & Older Adults	- Children's System of Care - Older Adults

Culture	- Cultural Competency Standards

Western States Decision Support Group

Departmental Resources	- Monthly Webletter - Departmental Brochure - Departmental Annual Report

Publications