The National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse is affiliated with the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion!
TO CONTACT THE CLEARINGHOUSE: SELFHELPCLEARINGHOUSE@GMAIL.COM
TO CONTACT SUSAN ROGERS: SUSAN.ROGERS.ADVOCACY@GMAIL.COM
TO CONTACT JOSEPH ROGERS: JROGERS08034@GMAIL.COM
For Your Safety in the COVID-19 Era, Register to Vote by Mail!
In these uncertain times, with predictions of a “second wave” of COVID-19 this fall, it makes sense to vote by mail! Even if your state has already held its primary, you still have time to register before the presidential election, on November 3! For a Brennan Center for Justice article about the importance of voting by mail, click here. For the U.S. government website providing voter registration deadlines in every state and territory, click here. Have you registered yet?
New Research Shows “No Evidence That ECT Works for Depression”
“In a new review of the research…we suggest that there is no robust evidence that ECT works as a treatment for depression and the negative impact on patients set against any potential benefits is so appalling that ECT cannot be scientifically or ethically justified (emphasis added),” writes John Read, professor of clinical psychology, University of East London, in an article published by Yahoo! News on June 3, 2020. “Firstly, we can reasonably conclude that there is no rigorous evidence whatsoever that ECT has any benefit for the three conditions for which it is primarily recommended today: (a) severely depressed people, (b) acutely suicidal people, and (c) people for whom antidepressants and/or psychological therapies do not work,” Dr. Read and his co-authors write in Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry. For the Yahoo! News story, click here. For the journal article, click here. For information about “Doctors of Deception: What They Don’t Want You to Know About Shock Treatment,” by Linda Andre, click here.
TU Collaborative to Host Next Story Slam on June 18 at 3 p.m. ET
The Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion will host its next virtual Story Slam on June 18 at 3 p.m. ET. The theme is “Small World.” The TU Collaborative writes: “Our virtual StorySlams are focused on how we are finding ways to connect with each other and participate in our communities while taking care of each other by practicing physical distancing…” Questions? Contact kyra.baker@temple.edu. For more information and/or to register as a listener or Storyteller, and to read the rest of the newsletter, click here.
It’s Not Too Late to Register for Virtual Peerpocalypse!
Peerpocalypse is going virtual for the first time ever! The conference will be held July 20-23, 2020. Virtual registration is $200 and includes a mailed T-shirt—registration must be received no later than June 19 to receive a T-shirt!—a program, and a badge as well as CEU credits for workshops. (The workshop schedule is at a link below!) Virtual registration will also include access to keynote speeches and evening events. “If you have already paid for an in-person registration, we will refund the difference,” they write. “Please email peerpocalypse@mhaoforegon.org to request a partial or full refund; attendees do have the option of donating the difference if they would like.” For the Peerpocalypse website, click here. For the workshop schedule, click here. To register for virtual participation, click here.
Free Webinar on “Peer-run Approaches to Suicide Prevention” on June 18 at 2 p.m.
On June 18 at 2 p.m., the National Empowerment Center will host a 90-minute webinar on “Peer-run Approaches to Suicide Prevention” as part of its “Compassionate Approaches to Crisis” webinar series. The presenter, Sarah Felman— a certified peer specialist and facilitator of Hearing Voices and Alternatives to Suicide Peer-to-Peer Support Groups—will recount her experience as a suicide attempt survivor and explore the implications of experiences like hers in regard to suicide prevention. The webinar will feature a discussion of “logotherapy,” a philosophy developed by psychiatrist and neurologist Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, which is focused on helping people find meaning in their lives. For more information and to register, click here.
Free Bazelon Center Webinar on “Developing and Implementing State Olmstead Plans”
On June 22, 2020, at 2 p.m. ET, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law will host a free, 90-minute, SAMHSA-sponsored webinar on “Developing and Implementing State Olmstead Plans to Increase Access to Community-based services for Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses or Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances.” The presenters will be “Kevin Martone, who has helped states with Olmstead planning and implementation and, as New Jersey's mental health commissioner, developed an Olmstead plan and resolved statewide Olmstead litigation,” and Harvey Rosenthal, executive director of NYAPRS, “who has been an active participant in New York's Olmstead planning processes.” For more information and to register, click here.
A Service-User-Led Survey of “Experiences of the Intersections of Psychosis, Difficult Events, and Trauma” Seeks Participants with Firsthand Experience
A study developed by researchers at the University of South Florida “aims to better understand the relationships between prior experiences of trauma or adversity and experiences such as hearing voices, unusual beliefs and paranoia, as well as the ways in which these experiences themselves can contribute to trauma or distress.” The researchers, who themselves have lived experience, are seeking respondents “who self-identify as having current or prior experiences that would conventionally be labeled psychosis.” The anonymous survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete; every 10th respondent will be compensated with a $50 gift card, up to five gift cards. Questions? Contact Dr. Nev Jones at genevra@usf.edu. For more information and/or to participate, click here.
“We Can No Longer Ignore the Potential of Psychedelic Drugs to Treat Depression,” Researcher Says
“In London, we have spearheaded work showing how psilocybin (or ‘magic mushrooms’) can be used to assist psychotherapy for difficult-to-treat depression, making a significant difference when conventional antidepressants and talking therapy have not,” writes Robin Carhart-Harris, who heads the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, in The Guardian. “Right now, we are crunching data from a much larger depression trial that compares psilocybin-assisted therapy with a six-week course of a conventional antidepressant drug, a ‘Prozac-like’ selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Preliminary analyses indicate game-changing results.” For the article, click here (Courtesy of Elizabeth Stone). See also “My Adventures with the Trip Doctors,” by Michael Pollan, in The New York Times (click here).
BU Study of COVID-19 Impact Invites Peer Specialists to Participate
The Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University, in collaboration with the International Association of Peer Supporters, has launched a study “to better understand how the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic has impacted the work and volunteer lives of peer specialists in the U.S.” The anonymous survey will take approximately 15-30 minutes. There will be a second survey, about three months later, but participation in the first survey does not require participation in the second survey. Those who provide an email address can enter a random drawing where 10 people will win a $50 Amazon gift certificate. To participate, click here. Questions? weadams@bu.edu.
“Online Self-Help Tied to Less Suicidal Ideation,” Study Suggests
“Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) seemed effective for preventing suicidal thoughts, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis,” MedPage Today reports. “What was surprising was that the majority of the web-based therapies were self-guided, but still effective.” This was surprising because, a key researcher said, "Although self-guided interventions offer the highest degree of anonymity and scalability…many clinicians consider unguided interventions as unsafe and not an appropriate treatment for high-risk groups like suicidal patients." She noted that “interpersonal connection” is often considered a critical element of psychotherapy, and that it has also been shown to increase the effectiveness of “internet-based interventions.” However, she added that the analysis had limitations. For the article, click here.
Do You Want to Help Boost Stakeholder Involvement in Mental Health Services Research? Here’s Your Chance!
University of South Florida (USF) researchers, with funding from PCORI, are developing “a multi-stakeholder survey aimed at mapping out barriers and facilitators to stakeholder involvement in mental health services research across the U.S.,” Dr. Nev Jones writes. The goal is to increase diverse stakeholder participation in such research. The researchers are seeking a broadly diverse group of participants/collaborators for a series of design workshops, likely 1.5 hours each. Compensation is $60/hour. “And if a workshop is not your thing but you might be interested in the survey we conduct or associated interviews, let us know and we will add you to a list for future emails,” Dr. Jones writes, adding that all participants in any aspect of the project will be financially compensated. If you are interested or have questions, write to Dr. Jones at genevra@usf.edu.
“‘Free Our People!’ Ex-Psychiatric Patients Demand COVID-19 Accountability in State-Run Facilities”
“A multi-generational coalition of ex-psychiatric patients and allies ranging in age from 27 to 72 launched a campaign last month to hold the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health [DMH] accountable for its mismanagement of COVID-19 response in publicly funded psychiatric institutions and other settings.” So begins the third in a series of compelling articles about life inside psychiatric institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, written by Leah Harris and published by Mad in America. “Mobilizing as Massachusetts Advocating for Change Together (Mass ACT), advocates say DMH is not being transparent about measures it is taking to mitigate the transmission of the novel coronavirus in its congregate facilities, a familiar refrain echoed across the U.S. since the start of the pandemic.” For the article, click here. (The first and second articles in the series were included in the May 2020 Key Update. For the first article, click here. For the second article, click here.) And for “COVID-19 spreading quickly through psychiatric hospitals: Reduction of population a must,” by Ira Burnim, legal director at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, click here.
New Literature Review Adds to Body of Evidence Confirming Value of Peer Support; Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Offers Additional Information
A new literature review of mental health peer support, published by JMIR Publications, adds to the growing body of literature that supports the value of peer support. “There is an internationally growing trend to adopt PSSs within addiction and mental health services,” the review concludes, “and despite the ongoing challenges, large sections of the current literature support the inclusion of peer support workers in the mental health care workforce.” For the literature review, click here (Courtesy of Kevin Fitts). For “Systematic Review of Peer Delivered Services Literature 1989-2009,” by the Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Disability Research Right to Know, click here.
Free Recovery LIVE! Event on “Supporting the Resilience of Black Men” on June 25
“BRSS TACS is holding our next monthly one-hour Recovery LIVE! event on June 25 at 2 p.m. ET on ‘Supporting the Resilience of Black Men: Culturally Affirming and Responsive Approaches to Engagement, Treatment, and Recovery.’ The experiences of Black men with mental [health conditions], substance use disorder, and recovery are unique in ways that have crucial implications for service delivery. Presenters will highlight current research and describe best practices and promising strategies for supporting the recovery of Black men.” For more information and to register, click here.
“Study Finds that Working as a Peer-Support Specialist is Beneficial to Individuals with Criminal and Psychiatric Histories”
“Serving as a trained peer support specialist in a mental health treatment setting can be beneficial to individuals who have lived experience with psychiatric and criminal histories, helping them with their own recovery and leading more empowered, meaningful, and productive lives,” according to a recent study by New York University researchers. The study, “Mental Health Recovery: Peer Specialists with Mental Health and Incarceration Experiences,” published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, is based on 45 in-depth interviews with 15 peer specialists. “With their psychiatric and criminal histories, many participants anticipated limited opportunities for work, but becoming a peer support specialist offered a possibility for employment despite their past histories and offered a new identity different from their current identities as patients or criminals,” they write. The study participants reported becoming “more hopeful about their futures, their capacity to change, and ability to remain in the community.” For the NYU press release, click here.
Free Webinar on “Physical Wellness for Work” on June 30
The next free one-hour webinar in Doors to Wellbeing’s series, on June 30, 2020, at 2 p.m. ET, will cover “Physical Wellness for Work: A Guide for Peer Specialists.” Doors to Wellbeing writes: “Physical Wellness for Work is a manual of activities and information for increasing workplace health and well-being; it was developed for people in recovery who are living with a mental health condition. Peer specialists can use this as a self-guided tool or as a tool to help others think about how their wellness affects their ability to get and keep a job. Join Dr. Judith Cook and Dr. Peggy Swarbrick for this webinar to learn more about this free resource along with how to access training and technical assistance for using it.” For more information and to register, click here.
Recognize & Rise, a Campaign to Counter Trauma, Is Launched in Tarrant County, TX
“The Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County [Texas] is launching a campaign designed to increase awareness about trauma, toxic stress and adversity and examine the benefits of building community resilience,” according to an article in the Fort Worth Business Press. “Recognize & Rise is a multi-year community awareness initiative supported by the broad coalition of more than 100 local mental health agencies, education and health systems, government, and individuals working to address the mental health and substance use needs of the community.” “With resilience-based support and resources, we can prevail when we face adversity and tragedy,” Virginia Hoft, executive director of the Mental Health Connection, told the Fort Worth newspaper. “Our goal is to increase awareness about trauma and resilience and provide hope that healing is possible to those who are struggling.” For more information, go to www.RecognizeandRise.org. For the article, click here.
Doors to Wellbeing Offers “State Selfies: A Picture of Peer Services Reported by Peers”
Doors to Wellbeing’s “Peer Album” is a directory of nearly 600 peer-run organizations throughout the U.S. They invite updates and offer instructions for providing them and add, “If your entry has not made this first draft, we encourage you to re-submit.” For the 158-page directory, click here.
“10 Comics That Told Inspiring Mental Health Stories”
“Comics are a wonderful medium for mental health positivity,” according to whatculture.com. “They show readers that even the mightiest of superheroes like Thor and Captain Marvel can be vulnerable. It’s humbling to see such powerful characters be brought down to earth and made to deal with the same problems that humans face on a regular basis. Seeing a superhero overcome their mental health struggles is inspiring. Readers witness their own journey reflected back at them and it might encourage them to make a positive change in their life.” For more, click here.
“ ‘CAHOOTS': How Social Workers And Police Share Responsibilities In Eugene, Oregon”
CAHOOTS—Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets—is a collaboration between local police and a community service in Eugene, Oregon, that, for 30 years, has been a successful alternative to police intervention in situations involving someone with a mental health condition, according to a recent NPR podcast. “The calls that come in to the police non-emergency number and/or through the 911 system, if they have a strong behavioral health component, if there are calls that do not seem to require law enforcement because they don't involve a legal issue or some kind of extreme threat of violence or risk to the person…then they will route those to our team—comprised of a medic and a crisis worker—that can go out and respond to the call, assess the situation, assist the individual if possible, and then help get that individual to a higher level of care or necessary service if that's what's really needed,” the White Bird Clinic coordinator told NPR. For the brief podcast and transcript, click here. (Note: For more about law enforcement and criminal justice, see the digest directly below.)
The June 2020 Digest of Articles about the Criminal Justice System, in Which Many Individuals with Mental Health Conditions Are Incarcerated (and the Key Update continues after this Digest)
Here is the June 2020 wrap-up of stories about the criminal justice system. (Note: Some of the titles and other language are not politically correct but are reproduced as written.)
For “How to Support the Fight for Justice, Against Police Violence: From protesting to donating to reading, there are many ways to show your support,” click here. For “Blueprint for Police Accountability and Reform: A New Vision for Policing and the Justice System,” click here. For “Defunding the Police Isn’t Radical. It’s Logical,” click here. For “How to turn filming the police into the end of police brutality: It isn’t the first time bystander videos have galvanized a movement. But this time they can be used to change policing for good,” click here. For “COVID-19 Is Delaying Reforms To Colorado’s Mental Health System,” click here. For “Texas to require all police officers receive implicit bias training, in first George Floyd-inspired reform,” click here. For “This Philly group is giving people free smartphones when they get out of jail: With no strings attached, advocates say the devices are a lifeline,” click here. For “Prison by Any Other Name: A report on South Florida detention facilities,” click here. For “Decarceration Nation (with Josh and Joel): A podcast asking the radical question ‘How Can We Decarcerate America?’" click here. For “Joint Statement from Elected Prosecutors on the Murder of George Floyd and Police Violence,” click here. For “The Police Are Rioting. We Need to Talk About It,” click here. For “Court denounces use of deadly force by police and says, ‘This has to stop,’” click here. For “Failure to protect: How an Oklahoma child abuse law treats women differently than men: An Oklahoma law stipulates that any parent or guardian who knows a child is being abused and does nothing to stop it can be charged with a felony. But a 60 Minutes investigation found that 15 women who were never found to have abused their children have received harsher punishments than the man who did,” click here. For “What Does It Mean to Be a ‘Good Cop’? Reforms that target ‘bad apples’ are missing the point,” click here. For “Prosecutorial Discretion: The Prosecutor’s Role in Curbing Infections in Prisons,” click here. For “Measures for Justice—Incarceration Weakens a Community’s Immune System: Mass Incarceration and COVID-19 Cases in Milwaukee (Preliminary Results),” click here. For “Not just George Floyd: Police departments have a 400-year history of racism,” click here. For “The First Step Is Figuring Out What Police Are For: For reform to succeed, American communities need to have a conversation about what the purpose of police is, and think hard about what jobs could be better handled by other institutions,” click here. For “Defund the police? Here’s what that really means,” click here. For “In violent protest incidents, a theme emerges: Videos contradict police accounts,” click here. For “Bail Reformers Aren’t Waiting for Bail Reform: They’re using charity to set poor defendants free,” click here. For “Measuring What Matters: Addressing Police Reform Must Start with Accurate Data—The absence of accessible government data stymies candid discussion about how to drive and measure change,” click here. (Courtesy of Marie Verna) [Note: Underlining this point is the fact that the 2018 figures in the preceding article—614—do not agree with the figures in some other articles, such as “Here’s How Many People Police Killed in 2018” (1,165) (click here) and “Fatal Force” (991) (click here). Fact-checking website Snopes.com cites www.FatalEncounters.org—whose tagline is “a step toward creating an impartial, comprehensive, and searchable national database of people killed during interactions with law enforcement"—as a reliable source.]
FROM PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THE KEY UPDATE BUT STILL FRESH!
“How to Stay Mentally Healthy During the Coronavirus Pandemic”
“There’s a lot of advice being offered right now about how to keep yourself physically healthy during the coronavirus pandemic, such as washing your hands and practicing social distancing. But managing mental health during this time is just as vital to your overall well-being…Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve your mental health right now even if you’re social distancing,” writes VeryWellMind.com. “Despite [the] ongoing uncertainty of the situation, take small steps every day to address your emotional needs.” For the article, published on March 20, 2020, which includes many links to additional information, click here. And for a related article, “10 Ways to Ease Your Coronavirus Anxiety,” click here.
CDC and BBC Offer Advice on Stress and Coping During the Coronavirus Pandemic
“Coronavirus has plunged the world into uncertainty and the constant news about the pandemic can feel relentless,” the BBC writes. “All of this is taking its toll on people's mental health, particularly those already living with conditions like anxiety and OCD. So how can we protect our mental health?” To read more, click here. The CDC writes: “The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.” For the CDC advice on managing stress and anxiety during this difficult time, click here.
How Are You Doing During the Pandemic? Researchers Want to Know.
“We”—fellow peers at the Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ)—“want to know how you are doing in these difficult times. For example, what has happened to your life and what kinds of help do you need? How have you helped others and how have they helped you? Thank you for answering these questions to help us understand your life right now!” The survey was designed by Peggy Swarbrick, PhD, OT, CPRP, who coordinates activities for the CSPNJ Wellness Institute. For more about Dr. Swarbrick, click here. To take the survey, click here.
“Mapping the Disability Experience: Share Your Stories”
“We invite you to draw a map of your neighborhood or environment to capture how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted (or not) your use and understanding of space,” researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago write. “This can include drawings/images of your home, your neighborhood, your city or beyond. Maps can come in many forms, styles, perspectives, and mediums. We are interested in collecting these maps to capture and better understand the experiences of disability and the environment during the coronavirus pandemic.” Submissions will be accepted through June 30, 2020. For more information or to participate, click here. Questions? Contact Yochai Eisenberg, PhD, yeisen2@uic.edu (Courtesy of Elizabeth Stone)
Hearing Voices Network Is Now Hosting Online Groups
“There are now ONLINE opportunities to connect, share experiences, and find mutual support,” the Hearing Voices Network (HVN) writes. “These groups are accessible via web-based platforms and by phone…Online groups are specifically for those with personal lived experience with hearing voices, seeing visions, and/or negotiating alternative realities. They are voice-hearer facilitated. With further questions and for details on how to access the group[s], please email info@hearingvoicesusa.org.” To read this announcement online and for more information, click here. For the HVN’s recorded discussion on how to bring groups online, click here. (Courtesy of Jacek Haciak)
Have You Ever Smoked, Drunk, Vaped, or Used Other Drugs? Or Do You Now? New Zealand COVID-19 Study Is Now Open to US Residents
“We want to find out how people are coping [during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown],” writes the New Zealand-based Centre of Research Excellence: Indigenous Sovereignty & Smoking. “We are especially interested in adults aged 18 and over who, before lockdown, regularly drank alcohol, smoked or used other tobacco products, or other drugs. We also want to hear from people who have taken up smoking or drinking or other drugs during this frightening time.” The study has been approved by the US-based independent review board SolutionsIRB and is now open to US residents. “The study website includes helpful Coping in Lockdown tips, tips on Dealing with Cravings, and information on alternatives to smoking tobacco.” To participate or for more information, click here.
Survey Seeks Respondents Who Are in Administrative/Leadership Positions in the Mental Health Field
If you are in an administrative/leadership position in the mental health arena, “the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP) Committee on Psychiatric Administration and Leadership invites you to participate in the International Survey on Administrative Psychiatry. The survey has two purposes: 1. To identify the concerns and needs of mental health professionals/psychiatrists in administrative and leadership positions. 2. To determine training needs in administrative psychiatry. We ask you to complete this brief, [15- to 20-minute] questionnaire to help us in developing recommendations for action. We also want to let you know that, if you fill out this questionnaire, you permit the committee to use your anonymous data for scientific work.” Peer providers are included. For the survey, click here. (Courtesy of Oryx Cohen)
TU Collaborative Hosts Free Storytelling Workshops
The Temple University (TU) Collaborative on Community Inclusion is hosting free storytelling workshops every Tuesday (2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET) and Thursday (2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET). For workshop information, email Kyra at kyra.baker@temple.edu. In a related initiative, the TU Collaborative wants to hear your story! For the link, click here.
Free Resources for Peer Worker Supervisors Are Posted on the iNAPS Website
The International Association of Peer Supporters (iNAPS) has posted an array of resources for supervisors of peer support staff. The sources of the 18 disparate resources include the Transformation Center, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), the Café TA Center, the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), the Carter Center, the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, SAMHSA-HRSA and the Center for Integrated Health Solutions, and other organizations and individual experts. For the peer support supervision resources, click here.
If You Have Experienced Psychosis, “Psychosis Beyond the Box” Wants to Hear From You.
“Psychosis Beyond the Box” seeks to gather anonymous descriptions of “aspects of psychosis that are often neglected, such as felt presences, visual or quasi-visual experiences, and alterations of space, time or distance,” as well as strategies to help with any distressing or challenging aspects of the experiences. The narratives will be compiled and shared in early psychosis programs and other service settings across the U.S. A major aim of the project—which is not a research project—is “to validate the diverse range of things people with psychosis experience, and help people, especially young adults experiencing psychosis for the first time, feel less alone and isolated (in these experiences).” For more information about the project, based at the University of South Florida, or to share your story, click here. Questions? Write to Nev Jones (genevra@usf.edu) or ShannonPagdon@gmail.com.
“Experiences with Hospitalization” Survey Seeks Participants
“The purpose of this survey is to help us understand people's lived experience with voluntary and involuntary treatment because of suicidal thoughts. It was created by people with lived experience…We are planning to use this information to facilitate discussions with suicidologists and the suicide prevention community about the impact of the use of these interventions, particularly within marginalized populations. We feel the voice of people with lived experience with these interventions has not had adequate opportunity to be heard, and hope that by completing this survey anonymously, people who have been most impacted can find a safe way to share their experiences. Please note that this is not a research project.” For more information and/or to participate, click here. (Courtesy of Leah Harris)
International Survey on Antipsychotic Medication Withdrawal Seeks Respondents
“Have you taken antipsychotic medication (such as Zyprexa, Seroquel, Abilify, Risperdal, Haldol, Geodon, Stelazine, and others), for any condition or diagnosis, with or without other medications? And did you ever stop taking antipsychotics, or try to stop taking them? Are you 18 years or older? If yes, you can take this survey about antipsychotic withdrawal and attempts to withdraw, including if you stopped taking them completely or if you tried to come off and still take them. The survey aims to improve mental health services by better understanding medication withdrawal. Lead researcher is Will Hall, a therapist and Ph.D. student who has himself taken antipsychotics. Service users/survivors/consumers from around the world also gave input. The study is sponsored by Maastricht University in the Netherlands; co-sponsors include the International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal. Questions? Please contact will.hall@maastrichtuniversity.nl.” For more information or to take the survey, click on www.antipsychoticwithdrawalsurvey.com
NIMH Launches Study of How COVID-19 Stressors Affect Mental Health Over Time
“Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) are conducting an online research study to learn about how stressors related to the COVID-19 virus affect mental health over time,” NIMH writes. “We hope to better understand the experiences of participants during this difficult time. Participation involves completing online questionnaires every two weeks, for six months. The questionnaires take about 20 minutes to complete. You must be at least 18 years old to participate. Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time. Compensation is not provided.” Questions? Call 240.665.0697 or email NIMHResearchVolunteer@nihg.gov. For more information and/or to begin participating, click here. (Courtesy of Jacek Haciak)
Virtual Group Is Launched to Advance Peer Research Capacity, Leadership, and Involvement
Nev Jones, Ph.D., and Emily Cutler, a doctoral candidate, have launched a new listserv dedicated to building research capacity, leadership, and involvement among peers, survivors, and service users. Dr. Jones, assistant professor, Department of Mental Health Law & Policy, University of South Florida, was part of the team that developed “User/Survivor Leadership & Capacity Building in Research: White Paper on Promoting Engagement Practices in Peer Evaluation/Research (PEPPER),” published by the Lived Experience Research Network. For the white paper, click here. Anyone interested in joining the virtual group can email Nev at nev.inbox@gmail.com.
Do You Supervise Peer Support Workers? Then Researchers Have Some Questions for You
Researchers in the University of South Florida’s Department of Psychiatry and at Magellan Health are investigating the backgrounds, training, and experiences of individuals who currently supervise at least one peer support worker in a behavioral health setting or agency. “To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first comprehensive research study of the landscape of peer support supervision practices in the United States,” writes Dr. Nev Jones, the primary investigator of the study (Protocol Number 00040223). Participants must be at least 18 years old and work in the United States or U.S. territories. An online survey lasting approximately 10 minutes will ask about respondents’ backgrounds, training and preparation for supervision, perspectives and practices, and views on barriers and facilitators to high-quality supervision. There is no monetary compensation. Questions? Contact Dr. Nev Jones (genevra@health.usf.edu) or the co-primary investigator, Dana Foglesong (dfoglesong@magellanhealth.com). To access the survey, click here.
What Happens to People after Discharge from First Episode Psychosis/Early Intervention Programs? New Study Seeks Answers—and Participants
A study led by Dr. Nev Jones at the University of South Florida seeks current and former clients as well as family members of clients previously enrolled in early intervention in psychosis (EIP)/coordinated specialty care (CSC) services. The study aims to better understand what happens after discharge from EIP/CSC programs, including in the areas of school or work and access to/use of other mental health services. Eligible participants must be at least 18 years old and must be “current clients within one month of discharge from an EIP/CSC program, former clients discharged at least six months (at the time of the scheduled interview), and the family members of former clients.” In exchange for a phone interview of approximately 1.5 hours, each participant in the study (Protocol Number 00035193) will receive a $75 money order. Questions? Contact Dr. Jones at 813.415.5532 or by email at genevra@health.usf.edu. (Note: This study will stop accepting participants after June 30, 2020.)
Mad In America Invites You to Submit Your Personal Story (Within Certain Guidelines)
Mad In America writes: “A ‘personal story’ is defined as your story of being in relationship to psychiatry and/or the mental health system, whatever that means to you. It might involve your opinions and analysis of what happened to you, as well. It can be about a specific event, or about your overall journey, provided it fits the length requirements (1,500 to 3,000 words) and has a narrative arc. The piece should be about your personal experiences, not psychiatry or the mental health system in general. Submissions should fall under the theme of rethinking psychiatry and the mental health system, and should be original works not previously published elsewhere. For examples of the types of stories we publish, view our personal stories archive here.” For more information and/or to submit a personal story, click here.
Disclaimer: The Clearinghouse does not necessarily endorse the opinions and opportunities included in the Key Update.
About The Key Update
The National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse is now affiliated with the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion!
The Key Update is the free monthly e-newsletter of the National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse. Volume 16, No. 12, June 2020. For content, reproduction or publication information, please contact Susan Rogers at selfhelpclearinghouse@gmail.com. Follow Susan on Twitter at @SusanRogersMH