The Community Mental Health Promotion Project (CMHP) of the Mental Health Association in New York State has established Community Mental Health Promotion teams in local Mental Health Association affiliates across New York State.

Here on the CMHP website CMHP team members will be able to share their team’s progress, view other teams’ progress, check updates for the Resource Page, and find the latest Skills Development Series sheet.

What is CMHP?
Each year the CMHP Project builds county-based teams and supports them in shaping local planning and delivery of mental health services through unified advocacy initiatives. Infused with personal experiences and expertise, the staff and volunteers who participate in CMHP activities strive to create resources and offer venues that will enable their communities to gain a greater understanding of mental illnesses from the varied perspectives represented on the team.

MHANYS' Community Mental Health Promotion Project Holds Statewide Training.
March 10 and 11, 2008 marked the 15th annual statewide training for the teams of the Community Mental Health Promotion Project. This project is one of two anti-discrimination and anti-stigma projects at MHANYS. Each year, teams of 5 participants from each participating MHA affiliate arrive from all over the state to participate in training. The training is combined with MHANYS' Legislative Day in order to give the teams the opportunity to sharpen their advocacy skills as well as to acquire project development skills, all as part of the same trip. This year, 12 teams attended the events. After a day of training, teams reassembled for dinner and an inspirational presentation by Col. James D. McDonough, (Ret.), Director of Veterans Affairs for the State of New York. After dinner, teams were invited to participate in a Native American drumming circle let by Bonnie Newell, Executive Director, MHA in Franklin County.

Find out more about CMHP, and the benefits of participating in the CMHP program.

The Resources page gathers information and web links of potential interest to CMHP teams. As teams begin work on their programs in 2007 we will be providing materials specifically designed for CMHP activities, so check the Resources page throughout the year.

For more information about the Community Mental Health Promotion Project, contact Helena Davis at cmhp@mhanys.org, or call (518) 434-0439 ext. 219.