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February 18, 2004
HONOLULU – The Adult Mental Health Division of
Hawai`i’s Department of Health hosts its first-ever national
conference from February 19-21 at the Sheraton Waikiki when the
American Association of Community Psychiatrists gathers for its annual
winter meeting to discuss community mental health.
Scores of physicians, other community mental health providers,
consumers, family members and students are expected for the event which
features discussions and workshops on topics including suicide
prevention, co-occurring psychiatric and substance abuse disorders,
homeless outreach and how to deliver better mental health care in
community settings. Tom Hester, M.D., Adult Mental Health Division
Chief says, "We are pleased to be able to bring such an important
conference to Hawai`i. It will be a wonderful opportunity to learn from
national experts about ways we can enhance our work to complete the
transformation of Hawaii’s public mental health system. At the
same time, we will share our lessons and successes to help other states
improve the lives of persons with mental illness."
The premiere showing of "Years of Darkness," a 60-minute film about
Maui mental health consumer Sam Khong reuniting with his Cambodian
family after 29 years of separation, will be the highlight of the
February 19th luncheon. Produced by Dr. Tom Vendetti, head of
Maui’s mental health service area, the video will be shown at
12:35 p.m. in the Sheraton Waikiki’s Hanohano Room. Vendetti and
Khong will be present at the premiere showing for questions and
comments.
More information about the conference, including lists of workshop
and discussion topics, is available at the conference website: www.amhd.org/aacp, or by
calling for a conference brochure at (808) 539-3939.
Some of the notable speakers and their
topics include:
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Dr. Robert Drake on
evidence-based practices, the state of the art in treatment techniques
that evidence shows consistently improve outcomes for people with
severe and persistent mental illness (optional explanation of the six
core EBPs follows). [There are now six nationally recognized such
practices, including illness management and recovery, family education,
integrating treatment for people dealing with both substance abuse and
mental illness, medication management, supported employment, and
assertive community treatment which offers 24/7 services designed to
save money by keeping people with severe and persistent mental illness
out of the hospital.]
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Dr. Peter Forster on how to
improve suicide prevention in community mental health
systems.
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Dr. Fred Osher on diverting
offenders with substance abuse and mental illness issues out of jails
and into treatment programs.
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Dr. Kenneth Minkoff on more
effective, integrated systems of care for people with co-occurring
disorders — mental illness and substance abuse.
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Dr. Kenneth Thompson on
psychiatry and the recovery movement.
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Dr. Wesley Sowers on how the
LOCUS mental health assessment can be used more effectively.
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For more information,
contact:
Janice Okubo
Department of Health
Communications Director
Phone: (808) 586-4442
Email: jsokubo@mail.health.state.hi.us
or
Darcie Yukimura
Department of Health Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 586-4442
Email: dayukimu@mail.health.state.hi.us
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