the mental health advocate-fall 2014

Mental Health

A Publication of Mental Health America of Greater Houston FALL 2014

2014 Treasures of Texas Gala with Dr. Drew Pinsky of Celebrity Rehab and Dr. Drew On Call • Who’s Investing in Children’s Mental Health • Mental Health First Aid • Celebrate 60! Annual Meeting • Targeting Treatment for Veterans in the Justice System • 2014 Texas Gulf Coast Veterans Summit • Excellence in Veterans Assistance Award • Preventing Violence • Connecting Texas Veterans App • Sharing Hope •

Healing the Hearts, Minds

and Families of Greater

Houston’s Heroes

Healing the Hearts, Minds

and Families of Greater

Houston’s Heroes

Breaking the Silence!Dynamic Opportunities for Houston’s Faith Communities

Mental Health America of Greater Houston • www.mhahouston.org - 3

Mental health is an essential ingredient of every child’s overall well-being. Research shows that half of all lifetime cases of mental illness are diagnosable by age 14. Early identifi cation is essential to school-age children to bolster their mental development and to identify and treat those with mental disorders.

Mental Health America of Greater Houston has made it a top priority to help youth, families, schools and communities understand and establish effective prevention approaches to help identify mental health issues early and help children and young people get the services they need before crisis situations develop. It is our promise to support initiatives and activities that encourage emotional health and wellness and give all young people a chance to grow into healthy, caring, productive adults. That's the best investment we can make in our children's future.

Our annual fundraiser, the Treasures of Texas Gala, this year focuses on youth mental health and serves as an important step in helping others to recognize the impact of childhood mental disorders while creating a community of care that actively addresses children’s mental health.

We are proud to recognize Elizabeth “Liz” McIngvale-Cegelski, Ph.D., LMSW with the Spirit of Hope Award for her service as a mental health advocate living with mental illness. Liz received a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) at the young age of 12. At one point doctors believed her OCD was too severe to be treated. With faith, hope and intensive treatment, her health and her life changed. Liz, now 27, recently received her Ph.D. in social work from the University of Houston. In an effort to help those living with OCD and other illnesses, she has made it her life's mission to decrease the stigma associated with mental illness and to ensure that those with mental illnesses, such as OCD, receive treatment.

National behavioral health expert and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the Keck USC School of Medicine, Drew “Dr. Drew” Pinsky, M. D., best known for the hit reality series, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and the show, Dr. Drew On-Call, will offer insight on the adolescent

experience when there are signs of mental illness and conduct a “Conversation on the Couch,” with Liz.

The Treasures of Texas Gala is an event that you won’t want to miss. Please consider a sponsorship or hosting a table to support mental health initiatives in our area. Your sponsorship support will help us to continue providing much needed behavioral health education, training, outreach and support to youth, families and communities.

We encourage you to reserve your table or purchase your ticket today to ensure that you are prominently recognized in the invitation. Visit us online at http://www.mhahouston.org/events/278/.

If you prefer, you may contact Courtney Taylor at [email protected] or 713-523-8963 x 231 to make your pledge.

We look forward to welcoming you and your guests to a spectacular evening.

Gala Chairs: Lisa YohoNancy CorbetLisa Mellencamp

Gala Committee: Suzan Magriso Samuels Anne Frischkorn Theresa FassihiTany James Stacy Johnson Sarah Nash Mary Parnham

Susan Fordice President & CEO

K I D STaking a Closer Look

4 - Mental Health America of Greater Houston • www.mhahouston.org

More than 233,000 children in Harris County suffer silently with mental illness.1 Early identifi cation and treatment of mental health disorders in youth is critical, but most children go undiagnosed until a crisis occurs, which can severely compromise their long-term ability to achieve a healthy and successful life.

In order to help school districts better address these issues, Mental Health America of Greater Houston (MHA) leads the Harris County School Behavioral Health Initiative (SBHI), a community-wide initiative aimed at ensuring students are identifi ed early and able to receive needed services.

Two years ago, the initiative convened school district personnel, behavioral health providers, child-serving and education-related agencies, and parents to develop recommendations to improve the prevention, identifi cation, and treatment of behavioral health issues among students.

During the initial research phase of the SBHI, participants noted there were signifi cant barriers in identifying students with mental and behavioral health problems. Despite the extensive time parents and teachers spent with their children

and students, both groups lacked tools to help them more effectively recognize when young people were battling mental health and substance use issues. Ensuring that parents and teachers were equipped with that knowledge was considered key to promoting early intervention and improving outcomes for children down the line.

The international, evidence-based Mental Health First Aid program was determined to be the perfect choice for imparting the skills of identifi cation, assistance, and referral to those on the “front lines.”

Just as CPR helps people assist an individual having a heart

“We do a good job preparing for natural disasters, which is important. But statistically speaking, the chances of a mental health crisis are far more likely to occur in the school setting. And what do we do to prepare for that? Nothing.” Houston-Area School Psychologist

Being There For CHILDREN


attack, Mental Health First Aid helps trained individuals assist someone experiencing a mental health related crisis.

In the Mental Health First Aid course, participants learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for helping someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.

Participants gain a basic understanding of different mental illnesses and addictions, how they can affect a person’s daily life, and what helps individuals experiencing these challenges get well. Specifi c topics covered include:

Depression and Mood Disorders• Anxiety Disorders• Trauma• Psychosis• Self-harm and Cutting• Suicide• Substance Use Disorders•

Mental Health First Aid teaches about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can and do get better, and use their strengths to stay well.

Identify.Understand.

Respond.

As part of the Harris County School Behavioral Health Initiative, Mental Health America of Greater Houston and its partners provide Mental Health First Aid training to assist schools in ensuring parents and teachers are equipped with knowledge and skills to promote early intervention and improve mental health outcomes for children.

Since May of this year, Mental Health America of Greater Houston instructors have taught the course to more than 350 educators and community members. Armed with education and awareness, educators, parents, and others can prevent young people from sliding into darkness and assist them in obtaining help to lead happy and successful lives.

For more information on the Harris County School Behavioral Health Initiative and Mental Health First Aid trainings for schools, businesses, agencies or organizations, contact Janet Pozmantier at [email protected].

350+ Educators Trained

S i n c e M a y 2 0 1 4

Mental Health America of Greater Houston commemorated its 60th Anniversary with an Annual Meeting and Reception on June 5th at the Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center at Bayou Bend located on the historic River Oaks estate, and former home of our founder Miss Ima Hogg.This special evening celebrated the organization’s six-decades-long commitment to shaping the mental health of people and communities in Greater Houston and the shared vision of mental health and hope for all Houstonians inspired by Miss Ima.

The evening began with a reception and special admittance to the Kilroy Center’s Hogg Family Legacy Exhibit and Media Wall.

The event, attended by board members, community partners, elected offi cials, members and friends of MHA Houston, acknowledged the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health for its leadership and longstanding support of strong, innovative partnerships in Houston and in Texas that have advanced the vision of our shared founder, philanthropist Ima Hogg—to care for the mental health and wellness of all people.

The Hogg Foundation has awarded millions of dollars in grants and scholarships to fulfi ll this vision and to continue the Hogg family’s legacy of public service. Dr. Octavio Martinez Jr., Executive Director of the Hogg Foundation, shared insight about some of the Foundation's

work with MHA Houston and its funding leadership that supports many innovative initiatives, programs, and projects in Houston and the state. The Honorable Ed Emmett provided remarks on the organization’s work in Houston and the status of mental health in Harris County. Bonnie Campbell, Director of Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, spoke on the legacy of Miss Ima Hogg and her

contributions to the community.

The celebration also recognized outgoing board chair, Theresa Redburn, who served as chair for 2013-2014 and outgoing board members Sally Lehr, Dr. Ira Colby, and Connie Estopinal.

We also welcomed Michael Jihn as the new board chair and new board members The Honorable Bill Burke, Harris County 189th Civil Court; Mathilde Leary, Director, Healthcare Advisory – The Claro Group; Stephen H. Linder, Ph.D., Professor & Associate

Annual Meeting and Reception

Theresa Redburn

Michael Jhin

Octavio Martinez6 - Mental Health America of Greater Houston • www.mhahouston.org

“A 60th Anniversary is something to celebrate. As we gathered at Miss Ima’s beloved Bayou Bend, I recalled the words used to describe her unique ability to ‘enrich enlighten and enlarge’ the lives of people everywhere. Creating Mental Health America of Greater Houston was about providing a voice for people who were hidden away and suffering in silence. We have made signifi cant progress, but there is still more to do.”

Susan Fordice, President and CEOMental Health America of Greater Houston

Judge Ed Emmett

Director, Institute for Health Policy, UT School of Public Health; Sarah E. Nash, Sr. Staff Human Resources Consultant, Rosetta Resources; Diane Scardino, Assistant Vice President, Texas Children’s Hospital; Jair C. Soares, M.D., Ph.D., Professor & Chair, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Dept., UT Medical School – Houston; and The Honorable Brock Thomas, Texas 338th Criminal District Court and volunteer judge for the Felony Mental Health Court were voted to serve from 2014-2016.

Mental Health America of Greater Houston appreciates St. Joseph Medical Center and Ethicus Management Company, LLC for providing generous event underwriting support.

See more photos from the Celebrate 60! Annual Meeting and Reception: http://www.mhahouston.org/photos/set/20/

Stacy Johnson and Susan Fordice

Henry Groppe

Tom Lord and Laura Cohen

Curt Mooney

Denis DeBakey, Octavio Martinez and Curt Mooney Bonnie Campbell Gwen and Ed Emmett

Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia

Octavio Martinez with Univision

Octavio Martinez, Susan Fordice, Theresa Redburn and Ira Colby

Brock Thomas

Jackie St. Germain with Vicki and John Lange III


The Houston-Harris County Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative (VBHI) at Mental Health America of Greater Houston employs strategic and collaborative community engagement efforts in support of MHA Houston’s overall goal of shaping the mental health of people and communities.

A primary component of VBHI is its Justice Involved Mentoring Program. This program is part of the jail diversion efforts of the Harris County Veterans Treatment Court, which aims to provide an alternative path to recovery and rehabilitation for veterans with no previous criminal record who have committed a felony.

This movement relies on ideals of therapeutic justice and community-based action to aid the individuals in the veterans’ court system in a way that benefi ts them as well as the community as a whole.

In order to navigate local, state and federal systems and agencies in addition to community-based services, the VBHI

mentoring program relies heavily on the Sequential Intercept Model, dealing specifi cally with Phase 4 and Phase 5. Phase 4 focuses on issues facing individuals who are reentering into society. This phase is particularly signifi cant for the veteran population of the court system because they are often facing two different forms of reentry: reentry after an arrest as well as reentry after returning from deployment. A vital stage in Phase 4 is preparing for an individual’s transition in order to avoid gaps in care.

“Having our peer mentors assist at veteran’s court enables us to establish a relationship with veterans who have recently entered the jail diversion program,” said Tony Solomon, director of the Houston-Harris County Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative. “Making veterans aware of our peer mentoring program early on is key to ensuring continued care throughout their probation and treatment program.” Phase 5 of the Sequential Intercept Model involves continued community care after the reentry stage. Connecting

Targeting Treatment for Veterans in theJustice System with Behavioral Health Disorders The Sequential Intercept Model and the Community Blueprint



individuals with resources is an important step in this phase. The program addresses the specifi c needs of veterans in the Harris County court system by fi rst assessing their needs and then identifying benefi cial resources that are available to them. Once these steps are completed, mentors are able to connect veterans with the resources they need.

Additionally, identifying resources that can specifi cally aid veterans is crucial to providing them with appropriate care. Another important component of this stage is the implementation a supervision strategy for individuals. The peer mentoring system is designed specifi cally for veterans, which creates an opportunity to support and encourage veterans as they progress through each phase of Harris County Veterans’ Treatment Court.

“Our mentors are veterans who have been trained in peer mentoring, mindfulness, and many other areas of care such as Mental Health First Aid and Domestic Abuse Prevention,” said Solomon. “Phase 5 also involves continued provision of resources to veterans as their needs change and develop throughout the program.” According to Solomon, in addition to relying on the Sequential Intercepts model as a guide, the mentoring program also follows the Community Blueprint by engaging all eight aspects of community involvement. Ensuring employment, housing, and fi nancial aid is a primary goal of the program because defi cits in these areas can often be the most impairing on a daily basis.

Through connections to veteran-friendly organizations and resources throughout the city, the program works with the court system to connect veterans to supportive services regarding housing if they are currently homeless, employment if they are having diffi culty fi nding a job, and fi nancial aid through application for benefi ts they are entitled to. Education is another important feature of the Community

Blueprint which the program aims to satisfy.

By informing veterans of the education opportunities available through the Department of Veterans Affairs aand the State of Texas, we hope to ensure that veterans and their families are able to receive education benefi ts.

As part of the peer mentoring program, mentors are trained and educated on a variety of mental and behavioral health issues. Through these trainings, mentors are able to provide support and guidance to the veterans in the court program, which helps address the behavioral health aspect of the Community Blueprint. Additionally, all peer mentors are veterans who volunteer for the program. This satisfi es the volunteerism facet of the Community Blueprint.

Finally, reintegration and family strength are two of the most important points of the Community Blueprint with regards to long-lasting, positive outcomes. The peer mentoring program frequently hosts social events for mentors and mentees to bond and support one another through any challenging times they may experience. These events are also open to veterans’ families and friends, a population that is frequently overlooked, but plays a signifi cant role in each participant’s reintegration process. By following the Sequential Intercept Model and the Community Blueprint, our program addresses and fulfi lls some of the needs of the veterans in our program by providing them with transitional resources and community care throughout their time in the veterans treatment court program.

Following these models helps ensure that our program is not only supporting veterans in every way possible, but also that the support is part of an evidence-based system that can be replicated and generalized by other programs throughout the country.

For more information on the Houston-Harris County Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative at Mental Health America of Greater Houston is its Justice Involved Mentoring Program contact the director, Tony Solomon at [email protected].

Sequential Intercept Model


Harris County Veterans Treatment Court is the fi rst court of its kind in Texas. The court fi rst opened its doors on Veterans Day 2009, after the 81st Legislature authorized a bill to allow individual counties to open and run their individual Veterans Treatment Courts. The Veterans Treatment Court system in Texas allows counties to establish their Veterans Treatment Courts in either district court (which sees felonies) or county court (which sees misdemeanors), Harris County is able to see both felony and misdemeanor cases.

The veterans court system is a jail diversion program that focuses on recovery rather than incarceration. This program saves taxpayer money by keeping veterans out of the jail

system, putting them through a treatment and recovery program instead. This is accomplished through various mental health and substance abuse treatment as well as regular face time with the judge, prosecutor, and their lawyers.

The Harris County Veterans Treatment Court program takes two years to complete, on average, and consists of four phases. The veterans are expected to show up to their dockets, which are held the fi rst and third Wednesday of each

month, where their progress is monitored and they each meet individually with the presiding Judge Marc Carter.The mission of Harris County Veterans Treatment Court is “to increase access to mental health and addictions treatment

Helping First-Time Military Veteran Offenders Community-Justice System Partnerships Vital to Addressing Mental Health and Substance Use Issues Among Veterans

for those veterans with felony and misdemeanor offenses by diverting veterans directly into VA treatment, reducing jail time, costs, and criminal recidivism, while improving mental health recovery and successful reentry into the community.”

Program participants are expected to “assess at medium to high-risk with high needs due to a range of factors--service-related PTSD, damaged friendships and family relationships due to their time in the service, chronic unemployment and homelessness, history of domestic violence, substance abuse history and other mental health issues.

When veterans agree to enter the Veterans Treatment Court program, they are agreeing to an intense, time consuming program dedicated to treating their issues and holding the veterans accountable during all phases of the program. Compliance on all requirements is expected of the veterans, who communicate regularly with the court staff, which in Harris County consists of the judge, coordinator, her assistant, a probation offi cer, and two court appointed attorneys to handle all the cases. Upon completion of the program, veterans will have their offense expunged from their record.

While there are a few instances where a veteran has gone through the program and ended up back in the criminal justice system, the Veterans Treatment Court system in Texas has been a huge success, helping hundreds of veterans seek the help they need while also getting them back on their feet.

Harris County can enroll up to 64 veterans in the program at any given time. The program is completely voluntary and the veteran can be dropped from the program at any time. Judge Marc Carter, the presiding Judge over Harris County’s Veterans Treatment Court is himself a veteran who served in the Army in the 1980’s. He was appointed to the 228th District Court in 2003 by Governor Rick Perry and is the fi rst and only judge of the Harris County Veterans Treatment Court. The Houston-Harris County Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative (VBHI) at Mental Health America of Greater Houston is the offi cial partner of Harris County Veterans

Treatment Court, coordinating the community resources and mentoring for veterans in the treatment program. The mentoring program began in February 2014 and VBHI is responsible for recruiting, training, and managing the peer mentors. Current partners in this endeavor include the

Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Administration Medical Center, Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Interface-Samaritan Center, Lone Star Veterans Association, U.S. Vets-Houston, Grace After Fire, American GI Forum, Military Veteran Peer Network and the Texas Veterans Commission.

Concurrently, VBHI is developing the training program for volunteer veteran mentors. Each will receive training in suicide prevention and intervention, peer to peer mentoring, family resiliency, domestic violence awareness and battery intervention training, emotional intelligence, and more. These trainings offi cially certify peer mentors in areas that directly educate and provide resources to veterans in the program.

“The men and women who complete this rigorous two-year program are doing the hard work to reclaim their lives,” said Susan Fordice, president and CEO of Mental Health America of Greater Houston.

“The program has had fourteen graduates since the treatment court started,” said Robert Pechukas, program manager for VBHI. “We need more peer mentors to volunteer to help fellow veterans participating in the program.”

Additionally, mentors and mentees and their families and/or caregivers will participate in activities and events throughout the program such as museum trips, sporting events, movie nights, a holiday family-style dinner, and other events that improve the bonds between the mentors and the mentees. These gatherings will foster a sense of community and camaraderie which will improve the overall effectiveness of our program.

To volunteer or to get your organzation involved, contact Robert Pechukas, Program Manager at [email protected].


Steve Duson, Interface-Samaritan Center


Service members that are returning or have already returned home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may arrive home with serious mental health conditions and injuries that increase relationship stress, marital strain, and family violence.

The Houston-Harris County Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative (VBHI) at Mental Health America of Greater Houston hosted Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) who delivered a comprehensive training pilot to address domestic violence and battery intervention in the area’s military and veteran community.

The training, developed especially for individuals who serve the military and veteran community as outreach coordinators and mentors, focuses on the dynamics of domestic violence; how to identify warning signs for domestic violence in military communities; intervention tools that focus on offender accountability and victim safety and appropriate resources and referrals to provide supportive accountability to assist families of veterans.

Preventing Violence In the Homes and Lives of Military Families


“Combat stress, trauma and injuries can sometimes create the perfect storm for domestic violence in military families. While these circumstances may contribute to the escalation of violence, they are not causal factors. Domestic abuse in any form—physical, emotional, or sexual—is never okay,” said Chastidy Patterson, LPC, Battering Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP) Director at AVDA. “We are committed to training front line personnel who work with or care for these individuals and families to identify signs of trouble and provide the tools and support they need to stop this type of violence.”

“Domestic violence among the veteran population is a complex problem that is receiving increased attention. We want to be part of the solution,” said VBHI director, Tony Solomon. “As a liaison and advocate for the military and veteran community in this area, we are committed to bringing together organizations and individuals who see these service members and their families, training them to understand military culture and giving them the tools and resources they need to help these individuals and families rebuild safe and healthy relationships.”

Solomon and the Houston-Harris County Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative are working with organizations such as Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Grace After Fire, Interface-Samaritan Counseling Centers and the Military Veteran Peer Network, all of which are aimed at improving the response to and prevention of domestic violence and mental health issues among military service members and veterans.

“This is an important component in our work,” said T'Liza Kiel, veteran volunteer coordinator at Gulf Coast Center. “This also helps strengthen the military family. Resilient and empowered families mean stronger communities.”

Chastidy Patterson

“Combat stress, trauma and injuries can sometimes create the perfect storm for domestic violence in military families.”


Texas is home to over 1.5 million veterans with about 300,000 residing in and around Harris County making our region one of the most veteran-populous areas in the nation.

Veterans and their families live, work, and enrich the communities in Harris County yet knowing how to identify resources to help with some of life’s challenges may prove daunting for a number of veterans and their families.

With that, there is an organization in Texas that was formed to provide peer mentorship to the veterans who are in need of assistance but don’t know where to go for help.

Local veterans, returning military and their families are often at a loss as to where to turn, but through the community coordination and collaboration we are addressing local problems in our area by harnessing and integrating existing resources or creating them--for the benefi t of our veterans, serving military, Active or Reserve Component, and their families.

The Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) is a statewide organization made up of military veterans, service members, and family members dedicated to establishing a community of trust and camaraderie.

“The Military Veteran Peer Network works with partners in communities around the state to train veterans and veteran serving organizations in peer support and mental health awareness so we can care, act and advocate appropriately,” said Tim Keesling, MVPN assistant state coordinator.

“MHA Houston is a very proud partner in our Military Veteran Peer Network which is funded by HB2392,” said Tony Solomon, Director

“Peer mentors commit to having each other’s back.”

--Peer Mentor Duane Perez and Service Dog Brennen

Connecting Texas Veterans


of the Houston-Harris CountyVeterans Behavioral Health Initiative at Mental Health America of Greater Houston. “As the regional coordinator for the MVPN, we work very closely with our local Veterans Administration, City of Houston Offi ce of Veterans Affairs, Harris County Veterans Treatment Court, United Way’s 2-1-1, American GI Forum, the Texas Veterans Commission, and elected offi cials to meet the behavioral health and transitional needs of local veterans and their families. We also help to coordinate veteran peer to peer outreach programs for our area Veteran Service Organizations including Lone Star Veterans Association, Grace After Fire, and US Vets-Houston.”

The focus of the MVPN is peer to peer support, mental health awareness, and training. This is a volunteer led mission, with veterans dedicated to giving back to their communities through mentorship and guidance, as well as assisting veterans with access to available services and resources. This peer led mentorship program has become a benefi t to both the veteran and civilian communities. The veterans benefi t through guidance from people who were in their shoes at one point; the civilian population is able to learn more about the veteran community through the classes that the MVPN teaches.

There have been multiple studies conducted on the benefi ts veterans gain through peer to peer mentorship; the MVPN understands this and works 24/7 to ensure that no veteran is left behind. This is possible due to the TexVet App, which is free and available for download on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. In using the TexVet App, veterans have access the Connect with Texas Veterans line, which puts the caller in touch with a member of the MVPN, who is available to speak day or night.

“We hope to increase outreach to the community and to increase usage of the Texas Veterans Application,” said Robert Pechuckas, program manager of the Houston-Harris County Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative at Mental Health America of Greater Houston. “We are also working to get more peers and organizations trained and volunteering to support justice involved veterans, the MVPN and the Harris County Veterans Court mentoring team.

There are 38 MVPN coordinators throughout the state, and over 550 volunteer mentors with the Gulf Coast Chapter that represents Houston and Galveston. Pechukas serves as the Houston area coordinator while T’Liza Kiel coordinates the Galveston MVPN. In addition to Keesling, the leadership at the state level includes Sean Hanna, MVPN State Coordinator. and State Training Manager Tish McCullough.

The MVPN works to ensure that veterans from all walks of life are taken care of and that no veteran goes without the help that he or she may need. Houston is one of the best places in the nation for veterans to call home and MHA Houston and the MVPN are working hard to make sure that no one who has served their country is forgotten.

Strong Connections Power New Veterans Mobile App

The Texas Veterans App is a mobile application designed to provide U.S. Military Veterans easy access to the Veterans Crisis Line, Hotline for Women Veterans, Connect with Texas Veterans, and Texas Veterans Portal.

The Veterans Crisis Line and Hotline for Women Veterans are nationally supported help lines. The Connect with Texas Veterans option provides a number for users to call and request help with connecting to other veterans within their geographical area of Texas.

The Texas Veterans Portal option allows a user to easily access additional online resources located at http://veterans.portal.texas.gov/en/Pages/default.aspx .

Meeting the mental health care needs of veterans and their families is among one of the highest priorities of the VA, communities and organizations in the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast Region. veterans, family members and Veteran-serving organizations from Harris, Galveston, Montgomery, Fort Bend and nearby counties attended the 2014 Veterans Mental Health Summit on August 15, 2014.

The one-day event held on the campus of the University of St. Thomas highlighted how veteran-serving and nonprofi t organizations, schools, companies, and local, state and federal government agencies in the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast Region work together to provide resources, build or sustain collaborative efforts, and identify additional support for the mental health and wellness of veterans and their families.

The summit began with a presentation of colors and “A Soldier’s Story” re-enactment by the Buffalo Soldiers and remarks by Texas Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair of the Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee, Adam Walmus, BA, MHA, MA, F.A.C.H.E., Director of the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC and Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez, Council Member, District H.Attendees also participated in breakout

sessions focused on navigating the Veterans Health Administration and Veterans Benefi ts Administration, as well as the impact of peer support, family services, employment services, faith communities, and local community resources.

A panel discussion with veterans and veteran’s family members examined some of the critical issues and evolving needs of the Veteran community.

The 2014 Veterans Mental Health Summit was a collaborative, community event between the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, City of Houston - Offi ce of Veterans Affairs, Mental Health America of Greater Houston, Gulf Coast Center and Hope for the Warriors®.

2014 Veterans Mental Health Summit Addressing the Wellness of Veterans and Families

Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Gonzalez

Director of the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC, Adam Walmus

Texas Senator Leticia Van de Putte

Buffalo Soldiers


Brent Arnspiger

Reda Hicks, DeDe Springer, Jaimie Meza, Donald Bay, Brian Seymour and Bill Kelly

T’Liza Kiel T’Liza Kiel Perry JefferiesBill Kelly, Brian Seymour, Donald Bay,

DeDe Springer, Jaimie Meza and Reda Hicks

Dr. Laura Marsh, Tony Solomon and Chrystal ThompsonBuffalo Solidiers Reenactment

Dr. Laura Marsh


There are hundreds of individuals and organizations in and around the Texas Gulf Coast Region that share the common goal of providing high quality resources, information and services to service members, veterans and their families.

Together with the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Mental Health America of Greater Houston, City of Houston - Offi ce of Veterans Affairs, Gulf Coast Center and Hope for the Warriors® and the Greater Houston veterans community proudly salutes the following with the inaugural Excellence in Veterans Assistance Award for the many contributions they are making to create a community of care and wellness

for military veterans, their families and communities in the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast Region:

Interface Samaritan, Kevin Barber and John Boerstler (Veteran Energy), GySgt. Eric Wilson (Wounded Warrior Regiment), Martha Alexander and Rosa Winfrey (Compassionate Touch), Sophie Foran and Billy Piper (Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol), Linda Buechter (Brazos Place), Santa Maria Hostel, Career and Recovery, American GI Forum, Sam Alix (The Mission Continues, Leigh Ann O’Neil Henderson (Tetra Tech) and Gary Henderson (Houston Association of Guaranteed Government Lenders), Captain Dave McCabe (Sailing Angel) and Cynthia Chaffee (Quilts of Valor).

The award, presented at the 2014 Veterans Mental Health Summit in August, has been given to individuals and organizations in the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast Region that have made signifi cant contributions to Veteran reintegration efforts. It also recognizes those whose efforts have inspired patriotism, provided service to others, and offered hope to veterans and/or their families while demonstrating collaboration, leadership, and integrity.

The 2014 Excellence in Veterans Assistance Award is a collaborative, community event between the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, City of Houston - Offi ce of Veterans Affairs, Mental Health America of Greater Houston, Gulf Coast Center and Hope for the Warriors®.

Southeast Texas

Gulf Coast Organizations

Honored at Veterans Mental Health Summit



Committed to Veterans and th eir Families.For more photo highlights of the 2014 Excellence in Veterans Assistance Award, visit Mental Health America of Greater Houston online at http://www.mhahouston.org/photos/set/latest/.

Santa Maria Hostel with Dr. Laura Marsh

Gary Henderson of Houston Association of Guaranteed Government Lenders and Leigh Ann O’Neil Henderson of Tetra Tech with Dr. Laura Marsh

Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol with Dr. Laura Marsh

Marcello Uriegas, American GI Forum with Dr. Laura Marsh

Compassionate Houston and co-sponsors including Mental Health America of Greater Houston convened at Christ Church Cathedral in May with individuals representing multi-faith communities in the Greater Houston area for the mental health forum, “Breaking the Silence! Part II: Sharing Hope - Dynamic Opportunities for Houston’s Faith Communities.” This forum is a follow-up event which focuses on communities of faith developing a ‘Mental Health Ministry’.

SHARING FAITH.Sharing Hope.

Dynamic Opportunities for Houston’s Faith Communities


The Reverend James C. McGill

Imam Mohammed Zafarullah

Faith and community-based organizations are at the forefront supporting military families and Veterans. At this event, Tim Keesling, Assistant State Coordinator of the Military Veteran Peer Network, the largest peer network in the state of Texas, presented Military Cultural Sensitivity in an Inter-Faith Environment. This presentation offered an overview of military culture to inform and educate faith leaders as they prepare to address the needs of military Veterans and their families in their congregations. The presentation also reviewed moral injury and soul wounds that result from war and military service.

To facilitate faith organizations in their efforts to support individuals and families affected by mental illnesses, NAMI Metropolitan Houston introduced Sharing Hope, an interactive presentation to describe a program used to partner with faith organizations and provide

mental health education and support in environments where mental illness is not generally discussed.


Tim Keesling

Rev. Dr. Robert M. Gilmore, Sr.

Sally Lehr

The Reverend Betty Conrad Adam

Compassionate Houston, sponsor of this event, is a collaborative, humanitarian organization formed by Houstonians to celebrate and nurture the compassionate culture in Greater Houston. Co-sponsors included City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, NAMI Metropolitan Houston, Mental Health America of Greater Houston, Union Baptist Association, Christ Church Cathedral, Justice & Peace Council and Real Urban Ministry, Inc.

Listen to the Audio Recap of the Mental Health Panel Discussion:https://www.texastribune.org/2014/10/02/2014-tribunefest-audio-from-the-health-care-track/


From September 19-21, on The University of Texas at Austin campus, more than 200 speakers discussed some of the state's and nation's most pressing issues: public and higher education, immigration, health care, transportation, energy, the environment, criminal justice and - new this year - government transparency.

Tony Solomon, Director of the Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative at Mental Health America of Greater Houston participated in the panel, “Health Care: What's Next for Mental Health?” moderated by Alana Rocha, Reporter for The Texas Tribune. He served as a panelist along side Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, State Senator and Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee Joan Huffman, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services David Lakey and President and CEO of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute Tom Luce.

Listen to the Audio Recap of the Mental Health Panel Discussion:https://www.texastribune.org/2014/10/02/2014-tribunefest-audio-from-the-health-care-track/

Texas Tribune Festival Talks Veterans Mental Health

Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Tony Solomon, Director of the Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative, and Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services David Lakey


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www.mhahouston.org

Michael Jhin, Chair Susan Fordice, President and CEOAnne Eldredge, Vice President of Finance and CFOTraci Patterson, Director of Communications Alejandra Posada, Director of Education & Training Bill Kelly, Director of Public Policy & Government AffairsTony Solomon, Director, Veterans Behavioral Health InitiativeAlix CaDavid, Director of Grants and ResearchRobert Pechukas, Program Manager, Veterans Behavioral Health Initiative Tiffany Ross, Manager, Education and Training

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Houston, Texasof Greater Houston

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To All Veterans, Service Members and Families of the U.S. Armed Forces ̶

We Salute You and Thank You for Your Service to America.