Community Education
Through speaking engagements, the department offers educational programs designed to increase knowledge about mental illness/mental health issues to community groups, churches, colleges, senior citizens and schools. Additionally, a series of classes, appropriate for the general public is offered.
The Mental Health Association is pleased to partner with Mental Health America in increasing awareness that mental illnesses are common, real, and treatable and to ensure timely and effective treatment.Services Provided:
- Screenings for depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and eating disorders
- Community presentations about mental illness and mental health
- Availability of educational literature about mental health/illness
- Advocacy
Mental Health America Campaign for America’s Mental Health
www.nmha.org/go/campaign
MHASCK actively participates with the MHA Campaign for America’s Mental Health in promoting comprehensive and effective mental health education effort. The MHA Campaign operates through the collective efforts of Mental Health America and numerous dedicated affiliates from around the country to:1) Improve understanding of mental health and mental illnesses
2) Encourage people to take steps to protect and improve their mental wellness, or that of someone close to them.
3) Promote early recognition and treatment of mental health conditions
4) Advance individual empowerment and recovery from mental illness
5) Enhance the ability of schools, businesses, the health care system, faith communities, and other settings to address the mental health needs of their constituencies.
In 2008, Mental Health America and MHASCK will embark on a new focus for the Campaign centered on wellness and resilience. The MHA Campaign will work to change attitudes and norms around help-seeking people at risk for a mental health problem, and promote the message that mental health is fundamental to overall health and wellness.
MHASCK and its partners have actively participated in the Campaign for America’s Mental Health for over 15 years screening over 10,000 individuals for depression in the last five years. MHASCK embraces with its Live Well programs the importance of mental health to overall health and wellness.
National Institute of Mental Health Constituency Outreach Program
The Association acts as the outreach partner with NIMH in the State of Kansas. The purpose of the initiative is to deliver science based mental health information to the public and health care professionals in an effort to promote effective practice among providers and give mental health consumers information to assist them in seeking research-based, effective treatments.
For more information on mental health:
National Institute of Mental Health web page
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/outreach/partners/
National Institute of Mental Health Clinical Trials
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/studies/index.cfm
National Institute of Drug Abuse
http://www.nida.nih.gov/ctn/research.html
http://www.drugabuse.gov
National Institute of Health
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
Services Provided:
- Provision of researched scientific based literature to individuals and the media
- Targeted outreach to "at risk" populations for educational and screening activities
Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention Did you know over 30,000 individuals kill themselves every year? Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death in the U.S. Know the danger signs. - Click here for more information
Aging Services
Aging Services As the sponsoring organization of the TRIAD Council of South Central KS, the MHASCK strives to decrease the vulnerability of elderly to abuse, neglect, and exploitation through its adult abuse prevention program and support services for caregivers.
Services Provided:
- Educational programs for senior groups, civic clubs, community agencies, professionals
- Dissemination of literature regarding aging issues
- Presentation to caregivers of seniors to offer strategies for coping with caregiving and ensuring a healthy lifestyle
The TRIAD Council is:
A community collaboration of community, law enforcement, and seniors to successfully resolve elder abuse. Advocating, educating, and protecting our seniors.
SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM:
Who are Senior Companions? Senior Companions are healthy older adults who help other adults live independently. Senior Companions provide support to family caregivers. They assist with grocery shopping and other daily tasks necessary to maintaining independence. Without the help of Senior Companions, many older adults would not be able continue living at home and would need more expensive, less personal care.
Serving with Compassion, Caring as Friends
Become a Companion
- Make A Difference
- Be A Friend
- Assist Your Neighbors &
- Help Seniors Remain Independent
YOU BENEFIT. As a Senior Companion, you'll receive:
- Pre-service and on-going training;
- An annual physical examination;
- Supplemental insurance;
- Help with meal and transportation costs;
- Potential to earn extra income; and
- The joy of helping others live on their own.
THOSE YOU HELP BENEFIT. The individuals helped by Senior Companions receive:
- Assistance with important daily tasks;
- Encouragement to remain active;
- A helping hand to make sure they take their medicine;
- A watchful eye to notice when they need extra care; and
- A friendship that can last a lifetime.
You don't need medical or technical skills to be a Senior Companion. All you need to know is how to be a friend.
Senior Companions offer adults contact with the world outside of their homes and make their lives less lonely. Along the way, Senior Companions find out that few things feel as good as knowing you're needed.
For more information about being a Senior Companion visit the national web site at www.seniorcorps.org or call Kathy Hannemann at 316-685-1821, ext. 521 or e-mail khannemann@mhasck.org.
Depression Checklist
What is Depression?
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. It effects more than 17 million Americans each year, yet only one third of those suffering from depression seek treatment. Women experience depression at roughly twice the rate of men, at some point in their lives. Although depression is a medical illness that is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, many people still believe that depression is a weakness.