Updated—SAMHSA’s Working Definition of Recovery

In December 2011, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a working definition of recovery and a set of guiding principles. At the time SAMHSA released the working definition, they had indicated continued dialogue with the field to refine the definition and principles. Based on additional stakeholder input, SAMHSA has now issued a slightly revised working definition and principles. The revised working definition and principles give more emphasis to the role of abstinence in recovery from addictions, and indicate that an individual may be in recovery from a mental disorder, a substance use disorder, or both. The revised definition is:

Recovery from Mental Disorders and/or Substance Use Disorders:  A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

Preventing Youth Suicide in Indian Country: Incorporating Culture in Trauma Informed Care

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) recently released the Spring edition of it's quarterly newsletter IMPACT (pdf), devoted entirely to the relationship between culture and trauma. It describes the incredible work being done across the Network by members with informed perspectives on the cultural dimensions of trauma at multiple levels: the individual; the organization; and the broader community.

One article from the issue describes work being done by the National Native Children’s Trauma Center (NNCTC) to prevent youth suicides in Indian communities. In Montana, just over 16% of the state’s high school students living on or near a reservation attempted suicide in the past year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. In partnership with tribal leadership, schools, and child-serving agencies, the NNCTC has worked for the past eight years with Alaska Native communities, the Ojibwe in the Midwest, and seven Montana reservation communities to raise awareness of and encourage active participation in suicide prevention.

The article discusses the importance of becoming authentic partners with the Native Indian communities: Whenever the NNCTC staff are asked by tribal leaders to work among their people (services are not offered without an invitation from the tribal community), the staff’s first action is to simply listen. Building a foundation of trust and respect is always the first order of business, says Matt Taylor, Director of Montana Safe Schools Center, at the University of Montana’s Institute for Educational Research and Service: “There is a great danger and disservice done when outside consultants and trainers drop in to native communities and presume to understand what the community needs.” Added Bruguier Zimmerman, Director of the NNCTC, “We spend a lot of our time, resources, and energy connecting with the community and becoming authentic partners with tribal health departments, law enforcement, and courts.”

Listen for Resiliency: Complex factors contribute to the mental health risks faced by American Indian youth. Chronic unemployment is endemic in many American Indian communities. Widespread poverty, historical trauma, isolation, and a lack of services can all put youth at higher risk for mental illness, substance abuse, and suicide. Youth are also exposed to family and interpersonal violence, and may have experienced multiple losses—of loved ones, of cultural and spiritual traditions, and of their tribal identity. However, it is a mistake to assume that all American Indian youth experience and respond to risk factors in the same way. With more than 565 recognized tribes in the US, heterogeneity is the rule rather than the exception. “Risk factors in one area cannot be generalized to another,” Taylor said. Tribal cultures can also be resilient, and their sense of cultural identity and community cohesion, when accessed, can be extraordinarily protective for their youth. That’s why NNCTC staff members assess a tribe’s readiness before they proceed. 

Read the complete article (pdf) in the newsletter. Access previous issues of the newsletter.

LGBT Health Awareness Week is March 26 to 30

March 26-30, 2012 marks the 10th Annual LGBT Health Awareness Week and is a call to action (pdf) for community members, advocates, service providers, and governmental officials to recognize health and wellness as an essential part of the social justice movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, families and the wider community. The 2012 observance advances the core health principle of "Culturally Competent Services," among others. The American Psychological Association's (APA) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns Office provides a range of information and resources for increasing psychologists' and others' cultural competence:

• Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Clients
• Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation
• Transgender Identity Issues in Psychology
• Promoting Good Practices for Mental Health Facilities Working with LGBT Clients with Serious Mental Illness

Access more resources on the APA website. Visit the National Coalition for LGBT Health website.

Faith Communities now Offering or Hosting Recovery Programs

Faith communities have known there were plenty of people trapped in addiction sitting in the pews, afraid to suffer the shame that would come from sharing their problems. But some places of worship are now offering or hosting recovery programs, minimizing the stigma. While Celebrate Recovery programs have started in a variety of Christian churches, many houses of faith have long been supporters of 12-step recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Some faith groups have developed programs to teach clergy and laity about addiction and treatment. 

Annette Harper directs addiction ministries for the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, which offers an education program and support group. The church started its Summer School on Chemical Dependency 30 years ago after an addict confided in a pastor and found the spiritual leader did not have the resources to help. "It was one layperson who went to his pastor to seek help and did not receive it because the pastor did not know what to do," Harper said. "That layperson took it upon himself to find what needed to be done." The 12-day education program is open to anyone who has been sober for two years. It serves as a opportunity to learn about the addictive mind, the spiritual dynamics of addiction and how substance abuse impacts faith communities. 

The United Methodist Church also supports Faith Partners, a program creating teams in churches to help people deal with addiction. "On a Faith Partner team, you may have a person in long-term recovery that the pastor can call on to take somebody to a 12-step meeting that day, immediately," Harper said. 

Rabbi Barry Cohen of Temple B'nai Israel in Oklahoma City said Jewish faith communities address addiction in a straightforward manner, most often working directly with clergy. He said the stigma has decreased, providing Jewish leaders a greater opportunity to help within a congregational setting rather than members seeking assistance outside the Jewish community. 

Read more from this Tulsa World article.

Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Hotline Reaches Out to Seniors

The California Institute on Aging’s Friendship Line, a suicide prevention and mental health hotline specifically for seniors, provides ongoing support for elders facing anxiety, depression or other issues. Last year, the Friendship Line made 40,000 outgoing calls to offer emotional support, to remind elders to take their medication, or to connect them with services. (The line also received 18,000 incoming calls). Patrick Abore, who started the Friendship Line in 1973, would like to reach more older men with the service. “Older men feel a lot of shame and embarrassment when they need help,” said Arbore. “We have to teach men how to connect in an emotional way and get them to talk about it.” Arbore has recently received funding from the California Mental Health Services Authority to expand the Friendship Line’s visibility throughout the state.

Read more on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center website. Learn more about the Friendship Line.

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