2nd Annual Conference on Recovery, May 20 & 21

The Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery are excited to announce our 2nd annual Conference on Recovery. The conference will be held on May 20th and 21st in Des Moines at the Holiday Inn & Suites, 2800 Merle Hay Road. Featured topics will include systems transformation, diversity and integration of substance abuse and mental health treatment. There will be a variety of plenary and breakout sessions. Stipends are available for this event. Download the application here. Applications are due by April 24th.

WRAP Around Iowa Training

The Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery are offering Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Facilitator Training for those with lived experience in three locations in the state of Iowa . All costs associated with the training will be covered through funds provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services through its contract with Magellan Behavioral Care of Iowa for Iowa Plan for Behavioral Health Medicaid Community Reinvestment. Download the application here.

Trainings will be held in the following locations:
Des Moines, April 20-23, 2009
Carroll/Atlantic area, May 4-7, 2009
Waterloo, May 11-14, 2009

All application materials must be received by IAMHR by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday April 8th, 2009 for the Des Moines training session.

All application materials must be received by IAMHR by 5:00 p.m. on Monday April 20th, 2009 for the Waterloo and Carroll/Atlantic training sessions.

2nd Annual Co-Occuring Disorder Recovery Conference

IAMHR is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Co-Occuring Disorder Recovery Conference on May 20th and 21st at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Des Moines. This year's conference will focus on systems change, cultural competency and the ongoing state initiative to promote coordinated co-occuring treatment. Featured guests will be Dr. Dan Fisher, Excutive Director of the National Empowerment Center, and Dr. Ken Minkoff, expert of integrated co-occuring treatment. Application for this year's conference along with itinerary will be posted soon.

Spread the story of recovery!

By writing ...

The Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery (IAMHR) is sponsoring Stories of Survival— a project that uses stories written by consumers of mental health services or their family members to spread a message of hope and recovery and to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness.

Created by a grant from SAMHSA's National Campaign for Mental Health Recovery, Stories of Survival is being coordinated by IAMHR. Iowa is one of 12 states to receiving funding from SAMHSA to people understand recovery.

Stories of Survival essays are to be first person stories of approximately 750 words in length. First drafts of essays are due February 20.

Participants in the project will have their essays reviewed by a panel of experts and a selection of the essays will be published in the Stories of Survival book in 2009 and distributed throughout the state. Participants whose full essays are selected to be featured in the book will receive $250 and have the chance to attend book signings in the state. And everyone who submits an essay will have a short excerpt of their piece included in the book.

For more information about the Stories of Survival first person essay project or to request a copy of the writers’ workshop materials, contact Kathy Dorff, kdorff3@mchsi.com, or send inquiries to her attention at 922 35th Street, Des Moines, IA 50312. Information also is available from IAMHR at IAMHR07@gmail.com.

By speaking ...

The Healing Voices campaign is another way to spread the word that recovery happens and erode stigma in Iowa. By sharing your personal story of hope and recovery attitudes change as the power of recovery is understood. Speakers receive a $75 stipend for each speech given. To learn more about Healing Voices call Mike Wood at (712) 255-1691 or email info@hopetalks.com.

Just the Beginning ...

Consumers of mental health services in most states have been organized for some time. Iowa has finally begun the process.

Dr. Daniel Fisher, Director of the National Empowerment Center, met with Iowa consumer and family members during the last week of April 2007. With Dr. Fisher was Molly Cisco, Executive Director of Wisconsin’s Empowerment Project.

Those gathered represented many areas of Iowa, were associated with a variety of organizations, and held a variety of views on mental health. However, all believed in the potential to recover and unanimously had a desire to give something back.

Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery is the result of those meetings.

Our Mission

Create opportunities for advancing hope and recovery for all by transforming our community and the mental health system it reflects to one of respect and trust by educating, advocating and empowering.

Our Values

1. All consumers can recover.

2. There is hope for every person.

3. Use your life’s pain to guide, encourage, an empower others.

4. Everyone should have equal access to mental health treatment regardless of county of settlement.

5. Peer support is essential to mental health.

6. Consumers should organize to become a stronger voice in the transformation of mental health.

7. Consumers should be accorded basic human rights – to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. back to top ...

Common Elements of Recovery

Hope and Optimism, a positive belief in one’s ability to live a full and meaningful life despite having, or having had, a mental illness and a belief in future possibilities.

Consumer Choice and Autonomy, the ability to make one’s own decisions regarding programs, activities and treatment and the ability to pursue one’s own interests.

Respect and Dignity, being appreciated as a person with value and being treated with courtesy, fairness and kindness and being recognized with talents and capabilities.

Partnership, recognizing the importance of identifying one’s own needs and goals and sharing in decision making.

Empowerment in Personal Control, trusting in one’s self to get better and resume or attain a satisfying life while assuming self management and accepting personal responsibility.

Restoration and Personal Growth, encouraging an expansion of capabilities and fostering self-confidence and self-esteem.

Self Acceptance and Healing, promoting self awareness and permitting personal forgiveness.

Adaptability and Capacity to Improve, recognizing one's potential and ability and have opportunities to contribute.
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Become a Member

To become a member of this new movement contact us via email at info@iarecovery.