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May is Mental Health Month – RI Kickoff, events, awards
Mental Health America’s 2021 report identifies that 50,000 Rhode Islanders, 27.9% of adults experiencing mental illness, reported they were not able to get treatment.
The Kickoff event for Rhode Island’s recognition of May as Mental Health Month will be held at the RI State House on Thursday, April 28th at 2:00. Barbara Morse from NBC 10 News will speak. The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) will present awards to the ‘Mental Health Hero of the Year’ and two ‘Legislators of the Year.’
Patients and caregivers will speak and present awards to the following awardees:
- Legislators of the Year: Representative Teresa Tanzi and Senator Alana DiMario
- Mental Health Hero of the Year: Kasim Yarn, Director of Rhode Island Veterans Affairs, for promoting the importance of behavioral healthcare in his work, courageously sharing his family’s story, and inspiring and supporting others in recovery.
Invocation – Pastor Sunmin Cho
Welcome – Laurie-Marie Pisciotta, Executive Director of Mental Health Association of Rhode Island
Opening Remarks – Barbara Morse, NBC 10 News
Richard Charest, MBA – Director of the Dept. of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals
Sharing Our Stories – H. Reed Cosper, President, Mental Health Association of Rhode Island
Mental Health Legislator of the Year Award
Presented to: Representative Teresa Tanzi by The Honorable Stephen Erickson
Sharing our Stories
Peter Chung, Member of the Board of Directors, Mental Health Association of Rhode Island
Mental Health Legislator of the Year Award
Presented to: Senator Alana Dimario, by Len Ramos, Member of MHARI’s DEI Advisory Council
2022 Mental Health Hero Award
Presented to: Lt. Commander Kasim J. Yarn, Director of Rhode Island Office of Veterans Services, by Sandra Victorino, LMHC, Member of the Board of Directors Mental Health Association of Rhode Island
The 2022 MIMHM Theme Is: : Mental Health is for Everyone – ‘Invest in Rhode Islanders’
The MHARI noted their priorities:
We are calling on our leaders to fund our behavioral healthcare system, from raising Medicaid reimbursement rates to increasing line items in the state budget for staff salaries, behavioral healthcare infrastructure, community services, housing, and education. Chronic under-investment has caused staffing shortages and waitlists for lifesaving treatment, hospital beds, and supportive housing.
There are many events being held in Rhode Island to recognize the month – some are listed below –
Upcoming Events
APRIL 26TH
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
NAMI Smarts for Advocacy Training
Presented by: NAMI RI
Grassroots advocacy is about using your voice to influence policy makers and make a difference. Turn your passion and your lived experience into a positive voice for mental health with the NAMI Smarts for Advocacy training. NAMI Smarts for Advocacy will enhance your advocacy skills and help you shape a powerful and personal story that will move policy makers. NAMI Smarts for Advocacy gives you step-by-step tools and the hands-on practice you need to feel clear, confident and ready to make a difference. Taking place on Zoom, pre-registration required (Email: [email protected])
APRIL 26TH
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
NAMI Smarts for Advocacy Training
Presented by: NAMI RI
Grassroots advocacy is about using your voice to influence policy makers and make a difference. Turn your passion and your lived experience into a positive voice for mental health with the NAMI Smarts for Advocacy training. NAMI Smarts for Advocacy will enhance your advocacy skills and help you shape a powerful and personal story that will move policy makers. NAMI Smarts for Advocacy gives you step-by-step tools and the hands-on practice you need to feel clear, confident and ready to make a difference. Taking place on Zoom, pre-registration required (Email: [email protected])
APRIL 27TH
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
2022 Mental Health Policy Briefing (MHARI & NAMI RI)
Presented by: Mental Health Association of Rhode Island
Join MHARI and NAMI Rhode Island for this lively discussion about our most important mental health legislation in 2022. This information will empower voters and legislators alike. The mental health community is counting on us to improve the system of care. Let’s make it happen in 2022!
MAY 5TH
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Ending the Silence for Families
Presented by: Mental Health Association of Rhode Island
NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition. NAMI Ending the Silence presentations include two leaders: one who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. For Families: A 1-hour presentation for adults with middle or high school aged youth that includes warning signs, facts and statistics, how to talk with your child and how to work with school staff. Taking place on Zoom, registration required (Contact [email protected] to register)
MAY 9TH
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mental Health Monday: Neurodiversity and Mental Health
Presented by: Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association
Clients and counselors are invited to join RIMHCA Board Members for an open discussion about mental health in RI. Please email [email protected] to register for the event and to receive location/joining information.
MAY 10TH
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
“Talk Saves Lives”
Presented by: Butler Hospital and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Talk Saves Lives is AFSP’s standardized, 45-60 minute education program that provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their communities to save lives.
MAY 11TH
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Seed To Recovery- Gardening Workshop
Presented by: Thrive Behavioral Health
Join Thrive’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialists, Kimberly Quinn with our IHH Team and Paul Bachard with our ACT Team, to do some planting and feel the benefits that gardening can have on the soul. Gardening has been proven to be able to reduce stress and improve mood, thus reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants will decorate a pot, play with soil, plant some seeds, and take their new plant home! “If you can keep a plant alive for a year, you are on the road to recovery”.
Thrive Behavioral Health Back Parking Lot
2756 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Register with Kimberly Quinn at [email protected] or 691-6000, x351
MAY 11TH
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Can We Talk…Community Conversations on trauma and healing
Presented by: The Interfaith Counseling Center
Can We Talk is a community space to support healing. Program components include meal sharing; childcare services if needed; artistic expression that engages mind, body, and soul; and the opportunity to anonymously share and listen to other community members’ stories of trauma, loss, healing, and hope. Through the program, individuals have access to a licensed mental health clinician and community companions who can serve as important navigators for the integration of multiple services. Clinicians and community companions help with referrals for medical, mental health, legal, housing, food, and other needs and may provide one-on-one support to participants, upon request.
Bethel AME Church
30 Rochambeau Ave.
Providence RI
MAY 12TH
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Ending the Silence for School Staff
Presented by: NAMI Rhode Island
NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition. NAMI Ending the Silence presentations include two leaders: one who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. For School Staff: A 1-hour presentation for school staff members that includes information about warning signs, facts and statistics, how to approach students and how to work with families. Taking place on Zoom, registration required (contact [email protected] to register)
MAY 14TH
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Mental Health Monday (on a Saturday): PeaceLove Workshop
Presented by: Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association
Clients and counselors are invited to join RIMHCA Board Member Vanessa Cubellis a PeaceLove creative workshop. (Limit to 20 attendees).
Please email [email protected] to register for the event.
MAY 18TH
Anytime
ShelterWalk 2.0
Presented by: Community Care Alliance
Join us as we help our neighbors who are struggling to stay in their homes during this extraordinarily difficult year. For this virtual event you decide how you want to participate—walk, run, bike or swim.
https://secure.frontstream.com/shelterwalk-2022
Any location, any time during the week from May 18-May 25th.
MAY 19TH
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Job Fair – 200+ Open Positions Statewide in Mental Health
Presented by: Horizon Healthcare Partners
Are you new to the field of mental health? Or, maybe you have decades of experience and looking for new challenges. Opportunities abound for anyone looking for work in mental health. HR departments from across the state will be in attendance, and looking to fill over 200 positions from entry level to executive level. Location: TBD
MAY 23RD
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mental Health Monday: Disparities for Culturally Diverse Communities in RI
Presented by: Rhode Island Mental Health Counselors Association
Clients and counselors are invited to join RIMHCA Board Members for an open discussion about mental health in RI. Please email [email protected] to register for the event and to receive joining/location information.
MAY 24TH
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The Relationship Between Exercise & Wellbeing
Presented by: Community Care Alliance
A Facebook Live event: The Harbour Youth Center staff discuss their personal experiences and how exercise helped get them through emotionally difficult times in their lives. Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/CommunityCareAlliance
MAY 25TH
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Bridging the Gaps – NAMI RI Annual Conference
Presented by: NAMI Rhode Island
An annual event in May that brings together heroes and allies in the mental health community. This important event will feature presentations and discussions in the most current mental health topics, for and by people who are passionate about mental health education, administration, and advocacy. The conference will include sessions for individuals living with mental health conditions, family/loved ones, clinicians, students, supporters in the community. Location TBD, See https://namirhodeisland.org/btg/ for more information
MAY 25TH
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Bloom, Grow and Blossom – Drama Therapy Workshop
Presented by: Thrive Behavioral Health
Join this fun, interactive, drama therapy workshop to help grow and nourish your strengths. This one-time one-hour workshop provides a safe and creative environment for kids and their parents or guardians to explore and use their imaginations. Hosted by Thrive Behavioral Health’s Drama therapist, Susie Schutt, and Laura Scussel, Program Manager of Youth and Family Services.
The GAMM Theatre
1245 Jefferson Blvd
Warwick, RI 02886
MAY 25TH
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Can We Talk…Community Conversations on Trauma and Healing
Presented by: The Interfaith Counseling Center
Can We Talk is a community space to support healing. Program components include meal sharing; childcare services if needed; artistic expression that engages mind, body, and soul; and the opportunity to anonymously share and listen to other community members’ stories of trauma, loss, healing, and hope. Through the program, individuals have access to a licensed mental health clinician and community companions who can serve as important navigators for the integration of multiple services. Clinicians and community companions help with referrals for medical, mental health, legal, housing, food, and other needs and may provide one-on-one support to participants, upon request.
Project Outreach
1520 Broad St.
Providence RI
MAY 26TH
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Open Mic Night at Hillsgrove Clubhouse
Presented by: Thrive Behavioral Health
Hillsgrove Clubhouse welcomes the return of our Annual Open Mic Night. This wonderful evening will feature music, singing, poetry, spoken word, comedy, and other performing talents of members and staff of Hillsgrove Clubhouse and Thrive Behavioral Health. Participation is open to anyone in attendance. Light refreshments will be served. Please contact Dawn Anderson at 401-732-0970 to RSVP and/or if you are interested in performing. Free event. Donations welcome.
Hillsgrove Clubhouse
70 Minnesota Ave.
Warwick RI 02888
JUNE 13TH
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Drive for Mental Health: Newport Mental Health’s 8th Annual Golf Tournament
Presented by: Newport Mental Health
Our 8th Annual Golf Tournament is sure to be the best one yet. With stunning views of Narragansett Bay, the 18-hole Scottish Links course at the Aquidneck Club will be one to remember, and the best part: you’ll be ensuring mental health is for everyone.
The Aquidneck Club
125 Cory’s Ln.
Portsmouth, RI
MHARI State Policy Recommendations
COVID-19 has exacerbated our nation and state’s mental health crisis, demonstrating that now more than ever we must and can do better to support access to quality mental health and substance use disorder services. The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island recommends the following policy actions to help move mental health parity in Rhode Island from aspiration to reality. Enact state legislation to achieve parity in reimbursement rates paid for mental health and substance use disorders.
Why is this important? Low rates mean too few providers. Too few providers mean that children and adults needing behavioral health services languish on wait-lists for weeks and even months; hospitalized children and adults, desperate to be at home, are delayed in hospital because of a lack of available outpatient services for safe discharge. And, while those ready to go home are forced to remain, those in desperate need of acute hospital care can’t get an available bed, putting their lives at risk. Our inadequate network has created this vicious cycle. Yet still, insurers — and our state’s Medicaid program — continue to pay mental health professionals less than Medicare allowable rates and providers have gone years without rate increases despite steep rises in the cost of delivering care. We must act!
• _Require the lowest-paying health insurers in both commercial and Medicaid to increase what they pay to behavioral health professionals (S2471/H7861) by raising their rates to the median rates paid across all insurers.
• _Increase overall reimbursement rates paid for behavioral health services by requiring commercial health insurers to increase rates for services to match inflation (H8157).
• _Reform Medicaid rate setting for payment of social services and medical/clinical services. (S2311/H7180 and S2200/H7489) Increase state investment in behavioral health care, including:
• _Implement a state plan to structure funding and guidelines for Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers based on the Federal SAMHSA model (H7858/S2469).
• _Increasing funding for school-based mental health services (H7473).
To view the full calendar of events for Mental Health Month in Rhode Island, go to:
https://mhari.org/may-is-mental-health-month2022/
