Tag: mental health

Idaho honors its first Champion and Advocates for Recovery

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral HealthLeave a comment

Recovery efforts in Idaho would not be successful without the important leadership, passion, and hard work of some tireless people in communities around the state. Those individuals were honored and recognized today at a celebration of recovery awareness in the Lincoln Auditorium at the State Capitol.

Idaho named its first Champion of Recovery as well as Advocates for Recovery from around the state. They all were nominated by their communities.

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Darrell Keim

Champion Darrell Keim was chosen for his work in the “development, formation and realization of the Latah Recovery Center in Moscow.” His nomination called him “the face of the recovery community in our rural college community.”

“I’m deeply honored by the recognition,” Keim said. “Our whole committee has worked hard on this project.”

The Latah Recovery Center opened in September 2015.  Continue reading “Idaho honors its first Champion and Advocates for Recovery” →

It’s National Recovery Month. Will you help reduce stigma?

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral HealthLeave a comment

September is National Recovery Month, and it’s a good time to talk about mental illness and substance use disorders so we can help fight the stigma associated with them. The more comfortable people are about talking about those conditions, the more likely they will seek treatment. You can support recovery publicly by attending a celebration of recovery at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the Lincoln Auditorium at the Idaho Statehouse. Lt. Gov. Brad Little will present a proclamation and Idaho’s first Champion of Recovery will be presented with an award.

How do we know if someone is in recovery?

Recovery is an ongoing process that includes a person’s entire mental well-being, and how well they can function on a daily basis. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight and it’s not guaranteed that someone will stay in recovery once they’ve achieved it. It is a life-long process that depends on many things, including robust recovery support systems. People who have a good support system are better able to maintain recovery.  Continue reading “It’s National Recovery Month. Will you help reduce stigma?” →

‘Don’t judge’: Celebrate recovery in Idaho at the Statehouse on Sept. 8

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral HealthLeave a comment

Recovery from a substance use disorder or mental illness is a life-long journey that begins when a person decides to improve their health and wellness and live a self-directed life so they can reach their full potential. It’s not easy, and it’s not quick.

And it’s definitely worth celebrating.

September is Recovery Awareness Month in Idaho and across the nation. This year’s theme is “Our Families, Our Stories, Our Recovery!”

Idaho will celebrate recovery awareness at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 8 in the Lincoln Auditorium at the Idaho State Capitol. The public is invited.

Lt. Gov. Brad Little will present a proclamation declaring September as Recovery Awareness Month in Idaho. Participants will hear from Idahoans Trinity Bailey, Garri Ann Biggers, and Michelle McMillan, who are in recovery. In addition, seven Regional Advocates for Recovery from across the state will be recognized, and an award will be presented to the very first Idaho Champion of Recovery.  Continue reading “‘Don’t judge’: Celebrate recovery in Idaho at the Statehouse on Sept. 8” →

State Hospital South celebrates 130 years of service

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral Health2 Comments
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State Hospital South in Blackfoot will mark 130 years of service during a celebration Wednesday, July 13, in the cemetery, which now has a headstone for each grave.

State Hospital South in Blackfoot has come a long way since it was established in July 1886 as the Idaho Insane Asylum with 36 “inmates” (26 men and 10 women) who were transferred from an asylum in Oregon.

SHS_AnniversaryInviteWebIt’s been 130 years since the hospital first opened its doors and offered a place to live and work for nearly 29,000 patients with mental health issues over the years. The hospital will celebrate all of those years of service from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13, at the State Hospital South Cemetery on Cromwell Lane in Blackfoot, Idaho. The celebration will include a dedication of the final set of headstones to be installed in the cemetery, as well as presentations from students who are related to hospital staff. They will share stories about some of the patients who lived at the hospital between 1891 and the early 1980s and who are buried in the cemetery. Continue reading “State Hospital South celebrates 130 years of service” →

Mental health is fundamental to our overall health

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral HealthLeave a comment

Millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. That means you probably know someone or are yourself living with a mental health condition. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s a great time to talk about it and help put an end to the stigma about mental health issues.

How many people really are dealing with a mental illness?

Generally, 1 in 5 adults and children have a diagnosable mental illness. That makes mental illness more common than cancer, diabetes or even heart disease, and yet we hear much more about those diseases than we do about mental health conditions. That’s why this month is so important. About half of the adults in the United States will develop a mental illness at some point in their lives. It is normal in our society for people to have or develop a mental illness. It’s also normal to live a life of recovery. Continue reading “Mental health is fundamental to our overall health” →

HHS week continues at JFAC with three more budget requests

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral Health, MedicaidLeave a comment

Administrators for Medicaid, Mental Health Services and Healthcare Policy Initiatives presented the governor’s budget recommendations this morning before the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee. Links to their slides are below:

Holiday stress? Give yourself a break!

On By idhwmediaIn Public Health, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The overwhelming rush in the final countdown to the holidays has begun. And from the frenzied hum throughout the Treasure Valley and especially near its shopping malls, it sounds like we’re all caught up in it. It’s time to take a minute to consider all of the simple things you can do for yourself to reduce stress and enjoy the holidays.

If you’ve made it a goal to eat healthy, the holidays can be challenging, if not impossible. Should you stick to your goal, or surrender and start again in January?

Trying to eat healthy food at this time of year can challenge anyone’s fortitude — we’re going to parties and eating out more and have less control over what is being served. Generally, you should watch your portion sizes and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. But it IS the holidays, so you should allow yourself to splurge a little bit, especially for your favorites. Just don’t overdo it.  Continue reading “Holiday stress? Give yourself a break!” →

It’s National Recovery Month. Will you help fight the stigma of mental illness and substance use disorders?

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral HealthLeave a comment

September is National Recovery Month, and it’s a good time to talk about mental illness and substance use disorders so we can help fight the stigma associated with them. For people to seek treatment, they need to feel comfortable talking about mental health and substance use disorders. But stigma and a fear of being judged make that difficult.

Recovery is an ongoing process that includes a person’s entire mental well-being, as well as how well they can function on a daily basis. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight and it’s not guaranteed that someone will stay in recovery once they’ve achieved it. It is a life-long process that depends on many things, including robust recovery support systems. People who have a good support system are better able to maintain recovery.

Continue reading “It’s National Recovery Month. Will you help fight the stigma of mental illness and substance use disorders?” →

Suicide Prevention Week highlights an important public health issue in idaho

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral Health, Public Health1 Comment

These numbers are fairly startling:

  • Idaho continually ranks in the top 10 states for number of completed suicides per capita.
  • Since 2003, suicide has been the eighth or ninth leading cause of death for all Idahoans.
  • In 2013, Idaho ranked 7th in the nation for suicides per capita and 6th in the nation for youth suicide.
  • And suicide is the second leading cause of death for Idahoans who are 15-34 years old, and for boys who are 10-14 years old.

As you can see, this is a sobering public health issue for Idaho. Continue reading “Suicide Prevention Week highlights an important public health issue in idaho” →

State’s second crisis center to be in Coeur d’Alene

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral HealthLeave a comment

A second regional behavioral health crisis center will be located in Coeur d’Alene and is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.

Details about the contract and specific location are still being finalized, according to Ross Edmunds, administrator for the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Behavioral Health.

Continue reading “State’s second crisis center to be in Coeur d’Alene” →