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PETITION
for a Mental Health Awareness Commemorative
POSTAGE STAMP

Your Association-AMHCA

National Organizations Support AMHCA's Stamp Project
More than a dozen national organizations representing mental health, substance abuse, and patient advocacy, as well as a variety of health-related organizations, have signed AMHCA's petition for a postage stamp promoting mental health awareness.
> Read more
> Sign the petition

Your Profession

Researchers Call for Standardized Measurement of Depression Treatment Outcomes
The researchers note that quantified measurement of outcome is rarely done when treating depression-less than 10 percent of clinicians report that they always use scales to monitor outcome-yet evaluating outcome is necessary to determine the impact of treatment. The researchers suggest a self-report questionnaire as a cost-effective option that highly correlates with clinician ratings. They also developed a scale for clinical utility that studies have found to be a reliable and valid measure of depressive symptoms and that is sensitive to clinical change and can be used to determine whether depressed patients have benefited from treatment.
> Read more

nature Scenes of Nature Trump Technology in Reducing Low-Level Stress
A new study that measured individuals’ heart recovery rate from minor stress when exposed to a natural scene through a window, the same scene shown on a high-definition plasma screen, or a blank wall found that the heart rate of people who looked at the scene through the window dropped most quickly. In fact, the high-definition plasma screen had no more effect than the blank wall. In addition, the research team found that when people spent more time looking at the natural scene, their heart rates tended to decrease more. That was not the case with the plasma screen.
> Read more
> Download the full article (in press)

Study Pinpoints Strategies That Protect Older Adults' Physical Health
Actively addressing even minor health issues, seeking help for health problems, and believing in one's ability to overcome health problems can protect older adults' physical health, in part by preventing the failure of important biological systems that are particularly important in the early stages of physical decline in older individuals.
> Read more

Your Practice

Prayer New Model for Collaboration Between Clergy and Clinicians Benefits Both Professions-and Clients
Called COPE (Clergy Outreach and Professional Engagement), the new model for relationships between clergy and clinicians is religion-inclusive rather than faith-based. Designed to reduce burdens on both professions, the program is based on two principles: The first is that clergy and clinicians can better help a broader array of persons with emotional difficulties and disorders through professional collaboration than they can by working alone, and secondly, that the program’s success is predicated on collaboration easing the workload for both groups. The team also developed two handouts, one for mental health professionals and the other for clergy.
> Read more

One in Every 12 Adolescents Experienced Major Depression in the Past Year
Survey reveals adolescent females are twice as likely as adolescent males to suffer a major depressive episode, according to a new nationwide report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The report also reveals that nearly half of adolescents experiencing major depression say it severely impaired their ability to function in at least one of four major areas of their everyday lives (home life, school/work, family relationships, and social life). The report is based on combined data from the 2004 to 2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) involving responses from 67,706 people aged 12 to 17 throughout the United States.
> Read more
> Access the full report

Advocate Sneak Preview

Articles from the not-yet-published July/August 2008 Advocate.

FEATURES

Seven Types of Tests CMHCs May Find Useful: With practice income often squeezed by managed care, developing assessment skills in new venues can enhance cash flow. The seven categories discussed are tests involving behavioral issues, general psychopathology, specific psychopathology, marital relationship enhancement, personality, substance abuse, and therapy-assistance or enhancement.

Annual Conference: Attendees can earn up to 20 continuing-education credits at the only national conference of the only organization exclusively devoted to mental health counselors.

Risk Management: This month's topics to help mental health counselors avoid liability are telemedicine and using client information in a public setting.

PLUS REGULAR DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING

AMHC Foundation: Won't you join past generous Foundation donors and make a contribution to help the Foundation fulfill its mission?
Counseling TIPS: How Do We Help Clients Wounded by Narcissistic Abuse?
News From Washington: VA Making Progress Implementing Law Requiring Coverage of Counselors
New Members: The names of the 128 new members who recently joined AMHCA
Noteworthy:

National Organizations Support AMHCA's Stamp Petition
Free Training on Military Mental Health Issues Available
Be Part of the Silent Auction in July in San Diego
AMHCA 2008-09 Budget

The President's Say:

The World Is Better Because of You
My Goals for My Year as AMHCA President

Student Corner: Don’t Let Internship Stressors Trip You Up!

AMHCA Addresses Hurricane Gustav

In the wake of Hurricane Gustav AMHCA appeals to its members to assist those victims struggling with trauma and disaster.

Mental Health Awareness Postage Stamp Project Continues to Gain Support

The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), in an effort to promote the issuance of a U.S. commemorative stamp promoting Mental Health Awareness, has secured the support of more than a dozen national organizations representing mental health, substance abuse, patient advocacy, as well as a variety of health related organizations.

Dr. Linda Barclay is AMHCA President-Elect

AMHCA is pleased to announce that Dr. Linda Barclay has been elected President-Elect and will serve in 2009-2010.

AMHCA Applauds House Passage of Mental Health Parity Bill

In a historic vote on March 5, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by an overwhelming vote of 268 to 148, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act (H.R. 1424).

California Mental Health Counselors Association (CAMHCA) Launches First Website

AMHCA is proud to announce that California Mental Health Counselors Association (CAMHCA) has its first website. Please visit them at www.camhca.org.

AMHCA Launches Electronic Petition for Mental Health Awareness Stamp

The American Mental Health Counselors Association is pleased to launch a website petition for a Mental Health Awareness Commemorative Postage Stamp.

Rhode Island Chapter Joins Unified Dues

AMHCA now has 18 state chapters in the Unified Dues Program with the recent admission of Rhode Island.

AMHCA Welcomes Puerto Rico Chapter

AMHCA is pleased to announce the establishment of a Puerto Rico chapter. The Puerto Rico leadership has been working over several months with the AMHCA national office addressing the chartering process.

AMHCA to Publish New Membership Directory

AMHCA in partnership with Harris Connect will publish early in 2009 a new edition of the AMHCA Membership Directory.

Congress Passes Legislation to Include Mental Health Counselors in VA Programs

The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) today applauded the passage of S. 3421, the Veterans Benefits, Healthcare, and Information Act," legislation that, among other things, will allow the Department of Veterans' Affairs to hire mental health counselors.

AMHCA's Mental Health Awareness Year is Official!
Make the Mental Health Awareness Stamp a Reality-Join the Petition Now.
Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack signed a proclamation designating The Year of Mental Health Awareness and supports a nationwide petition drive for a new Mental Health Awareness stamp. To join the petition use this form or contact AMHCA at 800-326-2642.

Join or Renew Now

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