Mental Health Advocacy Coalition




		Mental illness shows no prejudice, directly touching one in every five Americans from children to older adults impacting their families, friends and neighbors. The ability to access effective mental health services can make a big difference in the lives of those affected by mental illness. Such services help build healthier, happier lives for consumers and strengthen and empower families. They can help individuals find and maintain jobs, return to school and work, and stay out of trouble, thereby helping our community become stronger.

Member Activities: PLAN of NE Ohio’s traveling art exhibit to help bring awareness about mental health recovery will be at Cuyahoga Community College Metro Art and Music (MAM) Building Lobby (2900 Community College Avenue). Viewing Hours: 9 am-6 pm Monday-Saturday, Closed Sunday. For more information, click here. Click here to see non-member activities.	Coalition for Healthy Communities issued a press release today calling for Leadership on the State Budget. To read the press release, click here. CALL TO ACTION! We need your help expressing the need for the General Assembly to support mental health services in the FY 10-11 State Budget. Please call your legislator today! For talking points, click here. Coalition for Healthy Communities Successful Day at the State House. Read the coverage in the Columbus Dispatch, the Dayton Daily News, The Plain Dealer, and the Toledo Blade. MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH The MHAC has t-shirts ($7) and bookmarks (free) to distribute. Click here to see the designs. The Plain Dealer featured MHAC Vice Chair Lou Wiegele. To read the article, click here.	The Governor's Office is conducting a survey of individuals with disabilities to help assess the employment services and supports for individuals with disabilities across Ohio. Through this survey the Governor's Offices hopes to gain a better understanding of the gaps in the existing employment supports and services for people with disabilities and help to enhance the system to better serve customers. To fill out the survey, click here. NAMI Ohio is tracking denials from Medicaid or Medicaid Managed Care for mental health medications necessary to treat an individual with serious mental illness. Please distribute this memo to prescribers of mental health medications. Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities. This program began enrollment April 1, 2008 and is designed to encourage Ohioans with disabilities to work and still keep their health coverage. For more information, read this fact sheet and booklet provided by ODJFS.	NAMI is conducting a survey of adults living with serious mental illnesses and their family members. In addition to providing information for incorporation into a NAMI report, Grading the States 2009, the survey will help NAMI learn about how well states are providing publicly funded mental health services. If you haven't already, please take a moment to take the survey. Participate in Advocacy activities, visit the MHAC advocacy website.