Spreading Hope... 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT
THE MISSION OF MHA IS TO PROMOTE MENTAL WELLNESS THROUGH ADVOCACY, PREVENTION AND EDUCATION.Â
Spreading Hope, Spurring Action, Supporting Families, Saving Lives!
T HE VO I C E O F HOPE.
A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Last year, we took the opportunity to start a conversation about breaking the devastating stigma that keeps so many people from seeking help for their mental health concerns. We want to keep that conversation going, but we are going to change the topic to hope.
Ellis C. Fields Executive Director
David Zimmer 2014-15 President
This year, thousands of people in our community have reached out to us for help, for information, for education, and for support in navigating the overwhelmingly complicated mental health system. And we answer each of those calls with hope: hope that things will continue to get better for those who are struggling; hope that our broken systems will be fixed in such a way that everyone who needs it will have access to care. And hope that there will be a day when we all feel as comfortable discussing our mental health as we do our physical health. Mental Health America of Central Carolinas has been in the business of keeping hope alive since 1933, when we were founded as the Charlotte Mental Hygiene Society – providing direct care. As our focus shifted to advocacy and our outreach widened, we changed our name to Mental Health Association – first of Mecklenburg County, then of Central Carolinas. We’ve worked hard to become the leading mental health advocacy organization in our region. As of May 1, 2015, we once again have a new name: Mental Health America of Central Carolinas. The difference may seem small, but it signifies a renewed dedication to promoting mental wellness for every person living in America, and to acknowledging mental health as a part of overall health of mind, body, and spirit. This change has also brought about a closer connection to our national affiliate, Mental Health America, which has upheld an enduring commitment to promote mental wellness as a critical part of overall wellness since its inception in 1909. This year, many of our programs have aligned in support of MHA’s bold new initiative: #B4Stage4. #B4Stage4 categorizes the mental health recovery cycle into four parts: Prevention, Early Identification, Treatment, and Recovery. #B4Stage4 embraces the belief that action taken at the earliest on-set of symptoms will preserve education, employment, social supports, and housing. It also raises the profile of screening tools, such as those available on MHA’s website (www.mhacentralcarolinas.org), and ensures that there is a personalized pathway for all people living with mental health challenges and continued support and understanding in managing any condition. Key to the promotion of #B4Stage4 is our commitment to providing clear, concise, evidence-based educational programs – such as Mental Health First Aid and QPR Suicide Prevention Training, and supportive companion programs, such as Compeer and ParentVOICE, that empower citizens to self-advocate for access to the treatments and services that make recovery possible. And we know these programs are needed and vital. MHA is serving more people than ever before! I am so excited to share the good work we have done this year! Each page of this report is filled not just with numbers and statistics, but with people and stories representing the positive changes MHA is making in the lives of thousands of people each year. Together, we truly are Spreading Hope, Spurring Action, Supporting Families, and Saving Lives! Sincerely,
Ellis C. Fields Executive Director
David Zimmer 2014-15 Board President A Member Agency
2 Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT www.mhacentralcarolinas.org
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas, is an affiliate of Mental Health America. We are one of nearly 300 affiliates across the country. Visit our website at www.mhacentralcarolinas.org for nine free mental health screening tools on our Get Help menu.
O U R LO G O. T H E B E L L S T O R Y. DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, ASYLUMS OFTEN RESTRAINED PEOPLE WHO HAD MENTAL ILLNESSES WITH IRON CHAINS AND SHACKLES AROUND THEIR ANKLES AND WRISTS. WITH BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND TREATMENTS, THIS CRUEL PRACTICE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. In the early 1950s, Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) issued a call to asylums across the country for their
discarded chains and shackles. On April 13, 1956, at the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, MD, Mental Health America melted down these inhumane bindings and recast them into a sign of hope: the Mental Health Bell. Now a symbol of Mental Health America, the 300-pound Bell serves as a powerful reminder that the invisible chains of misunderstanding and discrimination continue to bind people with mental illnesses. Today, the Mental Health Bell rings out hope for improving mental health and achieving victory over mental illnesses.
TAKE ACTION WITH A TWEET. w Embrace your #mentalhealth identify issues early & make it easier 2 treat & prevent. mhascreening.org #B4Stage4 w Talk to someone & ask 4 help. Your #mentalhealth matters mhascreen-ing.org #B4Stage4
www.mhacentralcarolinas.org Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT 3
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
IMPACT MHA educates legislators and policy makers about the needs of individuals who depend upon the public mental health system, and public policies that will address those needs.
Panelists included Melissa Candela (L) and Antoinette Souffrant (R). Roger Suclupe (C), MHA Advocacy & Public Policy Committee member, helped plan the event along with MHA of South Mountain (formerly Cleveland County.)
ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST
In keeping with the #B4Stage4 campaign, MHA hosted our Annual Legislative Breakfast on March 23rd, to educate 50 local policymakers and advocates through a panel of experts on Prevention, Early Intervention, Integrated Care and Treatment, and Recovery.
3 INTEGRATED CARE
1 PREVENTION
600
Over community members joined AIMWell our new grassroots network!
39 trained through
Mental illness needs to be conceptualized more similarly to physical illness or disease, including taking measures to prevent the onset of mental illness when possible. Promote legislation that would make systematic prevention a high priority in the health care system.
Advocacy Workshop
100% Increased knowledge
in how to contact elected officials
100%
Increased knowledge of mental health policy issues
92%
Plan to contact my elected officials
2 EARLY IDENTIFICATION
Mental health problems affect one in five people at any given time, and only one-third of those are getting the help they need. Support legislation that would invest in the early identification of mental health illnesses and promote mental health screening.
The current health care system is unable to adequately address both sides of the primary care/behavioral health interface. Encourage legislation that would eliminate the clinical, financial, policy and organizational barriers to the integration of mental and physical health care.
4 RECOVERY IS ACHIEVABLE Mental health and substance abuse systems transformation will occur only when all stakeholders view recovery as part of their mission. Incorporate principles of recovery -based care into day-to-day activities and goals of local, state and federal mental health departments and agencies.
Spurring Action...
4 Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT www.mhacentralcarolinas.org
MULTICULTURAL ADVOCACY MHA Multicultural Advocate Perry Griffin (seated) with Ethiopian community leaders who recently completed mental health training
EDUCATING ETHIOPIAN LEADERS MHA hosted a 12-hour Paraprofessional Mental Health training with thirteen Ethiopian community leaders over two Saturdays in March 2015. The training was requested by Pastor Israel G. Gebreegziabhar as a way to better support his community members. Many participants expressed a lack of willingness to talk about mental health issues within their culture. While recognizing barriers, they all agreed that the importance of speaking about mental health is key to beginning to combat the associated stigma. “Depression” has only been a word in the Amharic language for the past 20 years. One participant commented, “We need more training on this topic because it is hard to integrate to a new culture and lifestyle.” This group was very passionate about bringing mental health awareness and education to their community members. In Ethiopia, mental illnesses are often perceived as punishments from God or possession by a devil (evil-spirit); in fact, many people do not consider problems such as depression as mental illnesses.* *SOURCE: Ethiopian Journal of Health Science
INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICES
IMPACT MHA provides resources and support to an estimated 17,000 area residents via the phone and our website, seeking mental health information, treatment or referrals. Our website also includes confidential mental health screening tools.
Intervening effectively during early stages of mental illness can save lives and change the trajectories of people living with mental illnesses.
IMPACT Our Multicultural Advocacy program addresses the unique unmet mental health needs of immigrants and refugees. Working with resettlement agencies, post-settlement agencies, and service providers, MHA reaches 100 refugee community leaders, providers and partners per year, by implementing screening, prevention, and intervention initiatives.
41
Attendees at refugee youth mental health training
88%
Increased knowledge on suicide prevention
88%
Willingness to act to prevent suicide
57
Support MHA and embrace #B4Stage4 thinking.
additional multicultural community members reached through paraprofessional training, cultural adjustment training, mental health screening and Coffee & Conversation
5,265
Over people in NC utilized these screeners in 2014-15 Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT 5
COMPEER
IMPACT MHA’s evidence-based Compeer program matches screened and trained community volunteers with adults in mental health recovery programs. Volunteers provide friendship and mentoring, proven to reduce loneliness and social isolation that often accompany mental illness and hinder recovery. Compeer provides bi-monthly social events for adults waiting to be matched.
43 2064 hours
volunteers gave
211 participants
in bi-monthly events
th 11 One friendship match
MHA offers Compeer, QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health First Aid and Triple P: Positive Parenting Program which are NREPP approved.
Compeer, Inc. conducts an annual survey of participating programs. The 2013 survey reports data on over 4,000 Compeer program participants around the country.
ADULT CLIENT OUTCOMES RESULTING FROM COMPEER FRIENDSHIP Sense of Improved Quality of Life
90.2%
Positive Change or Stable Housing Status
73.8%
Positive Changes in Employment Status
42.2% 69.3%
Use of Crisis Services has Decreased or Ceased 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
is in its 11th year
100%
CLIENT’S MENTAL HEALTH HAS IMPROVED OR REMAINED STABLE WITH COMPEER FRIENDSHIP
91.7%
80% 60% 40% 20%
8.3%
0%
Yes
No
6 Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT www.mhacentralcarolinas.org
PARENTVOICE
Horace “Book” Booker, his wife, Charity, and their children, AJ and Destiny, were special guests at our Wake Up for Wellness breakfast on May 21, 2015. At the breakfast they shared a brief glimpse of their lives though their PhotoVoice project (a video essay that tells their family’s story).
THE PARENTVOICE
PROGRAM EDUCATES AND EMPOWERS
THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND TRAININGS, MHA’S ParentVOICE PROGRAM EDUCATES AND EMPOWERS PARENTS/CAREGIVERS IN MECKLENBURG AND CABARRUS COUNTIES EACH YEAR. ParentVOICE is comprised of Family Partners – trained and certified professionals who have lived experience raising a child with mental, emotional, and/or behavioral concerns. Our Family Partners are able to serve as mediators, facilitators, and bridges between families and care providers – creating a unified team all working toward a common goal of improved quality of life for the families served by the program. The Bookers, journey with MHA’s ParentVOICE (PV) program started several years ago as a military/veteran family, relatively new to Charlotte, who faced numerous obstacles in the areas of education and mental health services. In addition to one-one-one support, parents Charity and Book participated in MHA’s Family Partner training program. Book graduated as a NC state certified Family Partner in November 2015. Both feel that the education and training that they have received, as well as Book’s education in law school, not only helped their family, but prepared them to support other families experiencing similar challenges. Book shared that “My family and I are in a much different/better place today because of the advocacy and support of the PV program, and for that we are grateful.”
Spreading Hope, Spurring Action, Supporting Families, Saving Lives!
IMPACT Each year, MHA provides empowerment and support to families of youth experiencing emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. Certified and caring Family Support Specialists educate families on how to navigate the education, mental health, and judicial systems in order to achieve positive outcomes. Staff are certified in Triple P: Positive Parenting Program.
346
families supported one-on-one in Mecklenburg County
221
NEW families supported one-on-one
92
Parents attended Empowerment support group
76
Youth attended ACTIVE Youth support group
23
Grandparents attended grandparents support group
43
families served in Cabarrus County
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT 7
COMMUNITY EDUCATION & OUTREAH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour evidence-based best practice training that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, overviews common treatments, and teaches how to get someone the help they need to prevent a crisis.
QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING QPRÂŽ Question, Persuade, Refer QPR is a suicide prevention training currently being delivered at no charge. QPR teaches people of all ages and backgrounds to recognize the warning signs, clues, and suicidal communications of people in trouble (at risk); to act vigorously to intervene; and ultimately to prevent a possible tragedy.
MHA provides free trainings to over 2,000 community members each year. MHA staff are certified to deliver QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) Suicide Prevention training; the youth, adult, and public safety versions of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA); among others.
Saving Lives!
373 trained 94 Adult version 194
Youth version
85
Public safety version
97.1%
Reported feeling more confident in assisting a person who may be dealing with a mental health problem or crisis to seek professional help
98.4%
Reported feeling more confident in recognizing and correcting misconceptions about mental health and mental illness
1,536 trained during 2014-15 A NEW ANNUAL RECORD AND A 46% INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR
5,511 Total trained since 2008
95.4%
Reported increased knowledge on suicide prevention
93.5% Reported increased 75 willingness to act to prevent suicide workshops delivered 2014-15
COFFEE & CONVERSATION Coffee & Conversations are informal monthly programs designed to Break Stigma One Conversation at a Time. Volunteer Ambassadors and staff encourage dialogue and engage community members.
IMPACT
84% Reported increased willingness to act to correct misconceptions 88
attended
others have on mental health issues
80% Reported increased knowledge of how to help shatter the stigma of mental health issues
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INAUGURAL WAKE UP FOR WELLNESS BREAKFAST
A BIG THANK YOU!
TABLE CAPTAINS
Richard Battle Nepherterra Estrada Best Scott Branam Tracy Mattison Brandon Elyshia Brooks Janna Burch Sal Caraco Allison Chambers
Elyse Dashew Ericka Ellis-Stewart Barry Ezarsky Mary Ellen Ezarsky Ellis Fields Bill Franklin Steve Gatter Andrew Griffin Kevin Gyoerkoe
MHA’s Wake Up for Wellness inaugural breakfast program on May 21, 2015 was designed to inspire, educate, and break the stigma of discussing and seeking support for mental health issues. The event was a fundraiser for sustainable support of our work in the community. Thank you to the 44 volunteer table captains who invited over 350 guests!
Belle Hambacher Melinda Harper Lynn Hennighausen Jenny Kaeppler Jeanne Kutrow Aly Lerner Scott Mansfield Nicole McKinney Cathy McNeish
Julie Millea David Milling Rachel Rosenfeld Kathy Rowan Sara Sampson Bobby Sisk Ashley Smith Chris Stevenson Karen Surprise
Cara Thomisser LouAnn Vaughn Scott Vaughn Scott Voglesonger Marcia Webster Candace Wilson Laurie Whitson Paula Yost Dave Zimmer
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT 9
MHA Introduces the 1933 Society MHA WAS FOUNDED IN CHARLOTTE IN 1933. For 82 years, Mental Health America of Central Carolinas has fought to improve the mental health of community members of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. We embrace the concept of “mental wellness” as the driving force for all of our activities.
MHA created the 1933 Society this year as part of our strategic plan to increase sustainable funding. The 1933 Society is for donors who wish to see our rich history continue through a multi-year pledge of $250 or more per year for five years.
OUR SPONSORS
SPONSORS
Our generous Wake Up for Wellness sponsors underwrote events costs so that 100% of guests’ donations went to MHA programs and services.
Advocacy Leaders Bob and Wendy Bradford
Anti-Stigma Champions
Corporate Wellness Circle
Sustaining donations allow continued advocacy, prevention initiatives and community education, benefiting family members, friends, colleagues and neighbors.
MULTICULTURAL ADVOCACY: Our Multicultural Advocacy program addresses the unique unmet mental health needs of immigrants and refugees. Working with resettlement agencies, post-settlement agencies, and service providers, MHA reaches 100 refugee community leaders, providers and partners per year, by implementing screening, prevention, and intervention initiatives.
1933 Society
Ms. Karen Lucas Richard PARENTVOICE: J. Battle, CPA Each year, MHA provides Mr. and empowerment Mrs. Bill Blueand support to 350Ms. Kate McAllister youth experiencing Mr. Kevin McCarthy Bob andfamilies WendyofBradford emotional, behavioral, and mental Ms. Cathy McKee Ms. Elyshia Brooks health challenges. Certified and caring Mr. Thomas McRae Mark and Carole Brumfield Family Support Specialists educate families on how to navigate the Mr. David P. Milling, Jr. Virginia and Joseph Caraco education, mental health, and judicial systems in order to achieve Bruce andP:Candace Naliboff Allison and Jay Chambers positive outcomes. Staff are certified in Triple Positive Parenting Mr. and Program. Mrs. George W.more, Climer, III Mr. Jack Nelson To learn www.mhacentralcarolinas.org/ Mr. Chris Ogunrinde Mr. and parentvoice.cfm. Mrs. Rainer Dalla Rosa Mr. William Oliver Mrs. Nepherterra Estrada Best MHA's evidence-based Mr. Compeer program matches William C. Parise Mr. and COMPEER: Mrs. Barry A. Ezarsky screened and trained community volunteers with adults in mental Mr. Jason Radgowski Mr. and Mrs. Chris Ferebee health recovery programs. Volunteers provide friendship and mentorMrs. Kelli Richardson Mrs. Ellis C. Fields ing, proven to reduce loneliness and social isolation that often Ms. Eleni Saunders Mr. and accompany Mrs. Beaumental Fisherillness and hinder recovery. Annually, MHA’s Dr. and Mrs. mental Tim Saunders Mr. and Compeer Mrs. William Franklin program benefits 75 adults with chronic illnesses. learn about volunteering, visit www.mhacentralcarolinas.org/ Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Schonberg Mr. and To Mrs. Alan Gottheim compeer.cfm. Ms. Magay Shepard Mr. Andrew Griffin and Mr. Timothy Moore Ms. Elizabeth Grillo Mr. and Mrs. A. Wellford Tabor Dr. Kevin Gyoerkoe Andrea and Doug Towner Bram and Elizabeth Hall Ms. Roxanne Trenkelbach Dr. B. Anne Hancock Mr. and Mrs. Scott P. Vaughn Ms. Kelly Irons Mr. Scott Voglesonger Jenny and Kevin Kaeppler Ms. Marcia Webster Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ms. Candace Wilson and Moira Q. Klein Mrs. Nancy H. Woodard Jeanne and Brad Kutrow Ms. Aly Lerner Mr. John Woods Mr. and Dr. David T. Zimmer Mike and Gretchen Lopez
Keeping Hope Alive Since 1933! MHA Board Member Nepherterra Estrada Best (2nd from L) is pictured with breakfast guests Gerald Johnson, Lovemore Masakadza and Sy Pugh (L to R).
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MHA FINANCIAL INFORMATION Year Ended June 30, 2015
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
SUPPORT & REVENUE
SUPPORT & REVENUE
Contributions & Grants United Way Membership Dues Mecklenburg County Special Events Program Service Fees Miscellaneous Investment Income Total Support and Revenue
EXPENSES
Program Services Management & General Fundraising Total Expenses
$599,302 * $326,952 $8,613 $617,100 $8,281 $11,650 $87 $292 $1,572,277
$1,074,024 $87,334 $99,490 $1,260,848
29% 21% 39% 2%
Contributions & Grants United Way Mecklenburg County Other
EXPENSES
*$311,000 of the Contributions and Grants total was a one-time legacy gift.
In 2015-2016 fiscal year, MHA’s Board of Directors elected to invest the legacy gift from Helen Heather Martin’s Estate by establishing the MHA of Central Carolinas Quasi-Endowed Fund through Foundation for the Carolinas. Donors interested in planned giving options are invited to contact Andrea Towner, MHA’s Development Director at 704-365-3454 or atowner@mhacentralcarolinas.org.
85% Program Services 7% Management & General 8% Fundraising
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT 11
OURDONORS SPREADING HOPE THROUGH TREASURE
CORPORATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS Alexander Ricks PLLC American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center Anonymous (Foundation) Apparo Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Bank of America Charitable Foundation Bank of America United Way Campaign Barry, Evans, Josephs & Snipes BlackArch Partners Bragg Financial Advisors C. Dewitt Foard & Company, PA Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions Chicago Title Ditesheim Cosmetic Surgery Elliott Davis Decosimo Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Foundation for the Carolinas Horack Talley Pharr & Lowndes, P.A. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Johnson & Johnson Foundation Kian Capital Partners The Helen H. Martin Trust Mecklenburg County Charitable Giving Campaign Mental Health America Momentum Construction, LLC Network for Good Old Vineyard Behavioral Health Services Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church Piedmont Natural Gas Premier Matching Charitable Gift Program Presbyterian Psychological Services
Psychological Services of Charlotte Queens University Sharp Electronics Corporation Sisters of Mercy Foundation Southeast Psych Spencer & Spencer, P.A. SunTrust United Way Campaign Teen Health Connection The Duke Energy Foundation Matching Gifts Program The Giving Campaign-Allstate The Renfrew Center Truist uBack UBS Financial Services, Inc. United Way of Central & NE Connecticut United Way of Central Maryland Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign
GIFT-IN-KIND Area 15 Charlotte Firefighters Association Chima Brazilian Steakhouse Flatbread Media GreerWalker, LLP Harris Teeter JWV Artists Mr. and Mrs. Greg Fields Mr. James M. Perry Mr. Sal L. Caraco Mrs. Mary Ellen Ezarsky Ms. Amy L. Campbell Ms. Cara Thomisser Polka Dot Bake Shop Prompter Solutions, Inc. South State Bank
The Renfrew Center The Secret Chocolatier VanLandingham Estate
INDIVIDUALS Ms. Michelle Abels Mr. and Mrs. Bill Acton Mr. T. Jonathan Adams and Mrs. Paige McThenia Mrs. Lori A. Adams Dr. Christine Allegretti Mr. Scott Anderson Anonymous Ms. Rhonda Armistead Mrs. Barbara Baker Mr. and Mrs. N. Craig Bass Mr. Richard J. Battle, CPA Mr. Keith Bell Mr. and Mrs. William Belser Mr. John Beltz Mr. and Mrs. Peter Benjamin Mr. and Mrs. Tim Beyer Dr. Ian C. Binns Ms. Betsy Birkner Ms. Colleen Blanchard Ms. J. Kathryn Blanchard and Mr. Gregory S. Ross Ms. Kelly Blasky Ms. Dawn Blobaum and Mr. James Bartl Mr. and Mrs. Bill Blue Mr. and Mrs. Alan Blumenthal Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Bodford Mr. Christopher Boone Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bowman Mr. Justin Boyd Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Bradford Mr. Scott Branam
12 Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT www.mhacentralcarolinas.org
H. KEITH BRUNNEMER, JR. AWARD MHA honored community partners with nominations for our annual H. Keith Brunnemer, Jr. award. The award is bestowed on partners who made outstanding contributions to mental health during the past year.
Ms. Alanna Brewton, MS, LCAS, RYT-200 Ms. Debbie Brittain Ms. Maggi Brown Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brumfield Ms. Dena Bruton-Claus Dr. James Bullock Mr. and Mrs. Tom Burch Mr. Charles E. Butler, MSW, LCSW Ms. Patricia J. Butler, LCSW, LMFT Ms. Amy L. Campbell Dr. and Mrs. Paul Campbell Dr. Susan Campbell Virginia and Joseph Caraco Mr. and Mrs. Sal L. Caraco Mr. and Mrs. Rick Carroll Mr. and Mrs. Jay Chambers Mr. Bishop Cheen Mr. and Mrs. John Chesser Mr. and Mrs. Nathan P. Clark Mr. and Mrs. George W. Climer, III Mr. Matt Coben Dr. Diann Cockerham Mr. Leonard Coleman Mr. David Collins Mr. and Mrs. Allen Cooke Mr. and Mrs. John Council Dr. and Mrs. Steven Cox Ms. Gina R. Creson Mr. and Mrs. Clint J. Crocker Mr. and Mrs. Allen Crowder Mr. and Mrs. Rainer Dalla Rosa Dr. and Mrs. Albert Dasher Mr. Carey Davies Mr. David Davies Ms. Patricia Davies Mr. Cutter Davis Ms. Donna M. Davis, LCSW, LMFT, SEP Dr. Rick Deitchman Mr. Curtis Dickey Mr. Adam Doerr
WINNER OF THE 2014 H. KEITH BRUNNEMER, JR. AWARD Representative Carla D. Cunningham, was elected into office in 2012 and has since gained the courage to use her lived experience of raising a son with mental illness to create a strong mental health platform.
Ms. Kiley Donnell Mr. Matt Drinkhahn Ms. Karen Ann DuBose, MSN, RN, CS Mr. Michael Dunnett Ms. Leigh Dyer The Hon. Ericka M. Ellis-Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Brian Emery Mr. and Mrs. Howard Epstein Mrs. Nepherterra Estrada Best Mr. and Mrs. Jason D. Evans Mr. Jerry Evans Ms. Shaunte Evans Mr. and Mrs. Barry A. Ezarsky Mr. and Mrs. C. Thomas Fennimore Mr. and Mrs. Chris Ferebee Mrs. Ellis C. Fields Dr. M. Gregory Fields Mr. and Mrs. Beau Fisher Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fisher, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. William Franklin Ms. Nicole Gardner Mr. Ken Garfield Mr. Steven Garfinkel Ms. Angela Garlins Ms. Molly Gassel Mr. Steve Gatter Dr. and Mrs. Richard Gellar Mr. and Mrs. Ben Gilman Mr. Paul Gionfriddo Mr. James William Gocke Mr. and Mrs. David N. Goff Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Gold Mr. and Mrs. John Goncharow Mr. and Mrs. Alan Gottheim Mr. Thiru Govender Ms. Margaret Grafton Ms. Barbara Granger Mr. Andrew Griffin Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Griffin Ms. Perry Griffin Ms. Elizabeth Grillo
Mr. Jesse Grissom, Jr. Mr. Alex Groot Mr. and Mrs. Brian Gyoerkoe Mr. and Mrs. Dan Gyoerkoe Ms. Diane Gyoerkoe Dr. Kevin Gyoerkoe Ms. Shari Hackman Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hahn Mrs. Linda Haigh Bram and Elizabeth Hall Dr. John D. Hall, M.D. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Hambacher Mrs. Trisha Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. Doug Hammond B. Anne Hancock, Psy.D. Mr. Billy Joe Hanf Ms. Lydia Hanna Mr. and Mrs. David L. Harry, Jr. Mrs. Nanda Hashe Mr. and Mrs. J. Richard Hazlett Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hecimovich Ms. Lynn Hennighausen Ms. Loree S. Hickman Ms. Lisa Hilse Mr. Ross Hobson The Honorable George R. Hodges Ms. Jane Hoffman Mrs. Trudy K. Holderman Ms. Vicki Hopkins Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Horton Dr. Margaret M. Houlihan, P.A. Mr. and Mrs. Phil Howerton, III Ms. Paula S. Huffines Ms. Janine Hurley Ms. Kelly Irons Mr. and Mrs. William E. Issel Mr. Frank Ix Mr. J.D. DuPuy The Reverend Stephen James Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. James Mr. and Mrs. Campbell O. Jenkins, III
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT 13
MHA Thankful and Hopeful Staff, pictured Fall 2015
Mr. Jerry Jernigan Mrs. Cathy Johnson Mr. Cyrus M. Johnson Mr. Gerald Johnson Mrs. Kathryn E. Johnson Ms. Pam Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jonas Mrs. Beth Jones Ms. Jonora Jones Mr. and Mrs. John Jordak Ms. Elizabeth A. Jordak Jenny and Kevin Kaeppler The Reverend and Mrs. Verdery Kerr Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher Kincheloe The Honorable Patsy Kinsey Mr. and Mrs. William B. Kirk, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Moira Q. Klein Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kluge Ms. Mary L. Knox Ms. Lisa Kowitt Mr. and Mrs. Alan Krusch Ms. Ellie Kunath
OFFICERS & DIRECTORS 2014-2015
Jeanne and Brad Kutrow Mr. and Mrs. James Langdon Ms. Kim Lanphear Ms. Julie Layne Ms. Page Leggett Ms. Aly Lerner Mr. Robert Livingston Mr. Samuel P. LoGrasso Ms. Jennifer Loiseau Mike and Gretchen Lopez Ms. Betty Putnam Lowery, MED, LCSW Ms. Karen Lucas Dr. Scott Lurie The Honorable Vi Lyles Dr. Robert MacCaughelty Mr. Jack MacDonald Dr. Billie V. Maitland Ms. Liz Mallas Ms. Linda W. Mansfield Mr. Kevin Markle Mr. Lovemore Masakadza Ms. Amanda R. Matthews Ms. Kate McAllister
Mr. Kevin McCarthy Mr. Timothy McCoy Mr. and Mrs. Pender McElroy Ms. Danee McGee Ms. Angelia McIllwaine Ms. Cathy McKee Mr. Mark C. McLaughlin Ms. Kimberly McMillan Mr. Thomas McRae Mr. Daniel Merlin Ms. Diana Merrifield Ms. Lindsay Merritt Ms. Shay Merritt Mr. Chad Micucci Mr. Dan Millea Ms. Julie Millea Mr. John Miller Mr. David P. Milling, Jr. Ms. Ashley Mills, MSW, LCSW Mr. Karl Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Moby Moore Mr. Jon Michael Morgan Ms. Maryangela Morgan Ms. Patty Morgan Mrs. Sara B Morrell Mr. Chuck Morrison Ms. Susan Morrow, MSW, LCSW Candace and Bruce Naliboff Ms. Raven Neal Ms. Carol Needy Dr. Lotes Nelson, LPC, NCC Ms. Jill Obermeier Mr. Benjamin Ogunrinde Mr. Chris Ogunrinde Mr. William Oliver Mr. Richard J. Osborne Ms. Ellen Pappas Mr. William C. Parise Ms. Cynthia Patrick Dr. Nona Patterson
PRESIDENT Dave Zimmer
PAST PRESIDENT Richard Battle
TREASURER Eleni Saunders
Bob Bradford Amy L. Campbell Nepherterra Estrada Best Andrew Griffin Kevin Gyoerkoe, Psy D. Belle D. Hambacher Melinda Harper, Ph.D. David Milling, Esq.
SECRETARY Bill Franklin PRESIDENT ELECT Mary Ellen Ezarsky
Wanda Moore James M. Perry, Esq. Rachel Rosenfeld Abdullah Sheikh J. Christian Stevenson Scott Voglesonger EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ellis C. Fields
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Ms. Kristina Murphy Peck Ms. Cheryl D. Perry Mr. James M. Perry Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pinckney Mr. and Mrs. Milton Poler Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pool Ms. Gwen Poth Mr. and Mrs. Toby Prewitt Mr. Sy Pugh Ms. Joyce Purdy Mr. Verl Purdy Dr. Patrick C. Quinn Mrs. Kelli Richardson Mr. Mark Roberson Mrs. Lynn Robertson Mr. Morgan Rogers Mrs. Rachel Rosenfeld Ms. Kathy Rowan, APR Mr. and Mrs. Allen Sampson Mr. and Mrs. Martin Sanford Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Sapp Dr. and Mrs. Tim Saunders Dr. Holly Bielstein Savoy
Ms. Anita Schambach Ms. Melissa Schoenhoff Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Schonberg Mr. Matthew Scoggin Dr. Rogina Scott-Franklin Mr. and Mrs. Marc Setless Mr. Bobby Sisk Mr. George W. Sistrunk, III Mr. Jason Smith Ms. Tasha Smith Mr. Louis Spencer Mr. Darryl Stangry Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stauffer Mr. James Christian Stevenson Mr. Nick Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Ric Stone Dr. Eric Strauss Neil and Starr Stroud Mr. Paul Stroud Mrs. Monique Stubbs-Hall Ms. Karen Surprise Mr. Spencer Swain Dr. Jocie Sweeney
Iowa Students Spend Alternative Spring Break Promoting Mental Wellness Seven Grinnell College students from Grinnell, Iowa spent the week of March 16, 2015 in Charlotte volunteering with MHA, Thompson Child & Family Focus, and Broughton Hospital. Group Leader Bao Tran (pictured left front row) said, “We’ve learned a lot about mental health advocacy. Your passion for the work you do made our experience so much better!” The students helped with legislative research, translation for our Multicultural Advocacy program, and a PhotoVoice project with the Booker Family. Bao added, “Hearing (the family’s) perspective on how they learned to advocate for themselves and others is extremely inspiring to all of us.”
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Tate Mr. Christopher P. Tatum Mr. and Mrs. Harry Tatum Ms. Cara Thomisser Ms. Ginny Thompson Ms. Jan Thompson, MEd, LPA, LPC Ms. Melinda Camron Thompson Mrs. Andrea I. Towner Ms. Roxanne Trenkelbach Ms. Sophia Tucker Mr. Robert Uhlin Ms. Suzanne Ullman Ms. Rosa Underwood Mr. Andrew Ussery and Ms. Rona Karacaova Mr. Patrick Vaca Mr. Thomas Van Beek Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Vaughn Mr. and Mrs. Scott P. Vaughn Mr. Scott Voglesonger Mr. Thomas Voglesonger Mr. Jerry Wadsworth Ms. Jenni Walker Mr. Paul Walker and Mrs. Kirsten Sikkilee Dr. Randolph C. Wall Ms. Sheila Wall-Hill Mr. Darrin Dean Warnock Mr. Jeff Watson Mr. Jonathan Weathers Mr. Jay Weber Ms. Marcia Webster Dr. Janet Whidby Ms. Stefanie White Mr. Ryan Whitley Mrs. Allison Williams Mr. Warren Williams Ms. Candace Wilson Dr. Kelly Ann Wilson and Mr. Doug Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Winn Ms. Pearl Wong Mrs. Nancy H. Woodard Mayor John Woods Ms. Mardee Woodward Ms. Sue Anne Wrenn, LCSW, BCD Ms. Amy Wright Mr. and Mrs. Fernando Ycaza Ms. Julie Yenichek Ms. Paula J. Yost Ms. Janice Zilisch Dr. Mary Zimmer and Mr. David Zimmer
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT 15
OURDONORS SPREADING HOPE THROUGH TIME AND TALENTS
VOLUNTEERS Ms. Syronda Armstrong Ms. Elisabeth Arriero Miss Hannah Baartmans Mr. Wallace Baker Ms. Brittny Barnett Mr. Richard J. Battle, CPA Miss Emma Beveridge Mr. James Boblin Mr. AJ Booker Miss Destiny Booker Charity and Horace Booker Mr. Monty Borchard Mr. Robert G. Bradford Mr. Scott Branam Ms. Elyshia Brooks Ms. Amy L. Campbell Ms. Melissa Candela, LCSW Mr. Sal L. Caraco Mrs. Allison Chambers Ms. Rita Clark Ms. Catherine Collier Mrs. Gail Cormier Mr. John Corrigan Mrs. Terry Cross Mr. Matthew Daggett Ms. Elyse Dashew Mrs. Stacie S. Davidson Ms. Darmel Dessaure Wanda and Vincent Douglas Charlotte and Buz Dowd Ms. Iris Esguerra Mrs. Nepherterra Estrada Best Miss Lena Etzel Mary Ellen and Barry A. Ezarsky Mr. Christopher Robert Flores Ms. Mary Heyward Foreman Mr. Fred Foster Mr. William Franklin
Ms. Melissa Giacalone Ms. Marquitta Gosha Mrs. Sarah Greene Ms. Adrienne Grier Mr. Andrew Griffin Dr. Kevin Gyoerkoe Mrs. Donna Hahn Mr. Matthew Hahn Mrs. Linda Haigh Mrs. Belle Hambacher Mr. Jamie Hammack Ms. Aminah Hardy Dr. Melinda S. Harper Ms. Susan Hecht Ms. Lynn Hennighausen Ms. Jessica Herbin Ms. Emily Hoffman Miss Francis Honeycutt Ms. Evelyn Howe Miss Sarah Howe Ms. Lindsey Jackson Miss Kyra Johnson Ms. Jonora Jones Ms. Pam Jones Mr. Paymon Kazemeini Ms. Nancy Kempa Mrs. Stephanie Klitsch Mr. Allan I. Kluttz Mrs. Jeanne Kutrow Mr. Larry Lambert Ms. Pamela S. Lee Ms. Brittany Lemelle Ms. Aly Lerner Mr. Scott Lewis Ms. Tamara Davis Lewis Ms. Ruby Lloyd Ms. Emily Lupsor Mrs. Sandra Lyles Ms. Julie Ann Macklem Mr. Scott Mansfield
Ms. Tracy Mattison Brandon Ms. Akiko McCullough Ms. Lindsay McDermott Ms. Cathy McNeish Ms. Julie Millea Mr. David P. Milling, Jr. Ms. Leshia Mitchell Miss Angel Moore Mrs. Wanda Moore Ms. Taryn Mustan Ms. Ashley Lawton Nolan Ms. Angela Oakes Ms. Molly Orr Ms. Tanesha Peay Ms. Meisha Pennix Ms. Eunice Perez Ms. Sandy Perkins Mr. James M. Perry Ms. Tram Pokorney Ms. Darnette Porter Ms. Jourdan Porter Beth and Steven L. Purdy Ms. Jodi Ramirez Ms. Anita Redfern Ms. Theresa Retzloff Miss Sarah Roberts Mr. Joseph Rohas
16 Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT www.mhacentralcarolinas.org
Mrs. Rachel Rosenfeld Ms. Kathy Rowan, APR Mrs. Sara Sampson Ms. Danielle Satterwhite Mrs. Eleni Saunders Ms. Tiffani Sawyer Mr. Abdullah Sheikh Ms. Hailey Sidden Mr. Vernon Siders, Jr. Mr. Bobby Sisk Ms. Amanda Sloan Ms. Casey Small-Houser Ms. Ashley Smith, M.Ed., LPC Ms. Gail Snodgrass Ms. Stephanie Spradley Ms. Essie Stanley Mr. James Christian Stevenson Miss Sidney Stewart Mr. Roger Suclupe, MSW, LCSW Ms. Heather Sugg Ms. Karen Surprise Ms. Cara Thomisser Ms. Shanique Tucker Mr. and Mrs. Scott P. Vaughn Mr. Guillermo Villar Ms. Juliette Vogel Mr. Scott Voglesonger Mrs. Sherrie Wagenhofer Mr. Paul Walker Ms. Margaret Wallace Ms. Bernice Warner Ms. Anna Waz Ms. Marcia Webster Ms. Adrienne Wesley Ms. Betsy West Ms. Taylor West Mr. Chris White Ms. Deborah Whitfield Ms. Katy Whittesley Ms. Katherine Williams Ms. Tarsha Williams Mr. Hunter Wilson Ms. Kelsey Wolf Ms. Paula J. Yost Ms. Hillary Young Mr. David T. Zimmer Mr. Mohammed Zwayyer MHA makes every effort to accurately recognize all donors and volunteers from the July 2014-June 2015 fiscal year in this report. Please contact our Development Team at mha@ mhacentralcarolinas.org regarding any corrections.
ParentVOICE VOLUNTEER AWARD MHA’s ParentVOICE program teaches parents and guardians of youth with mental health challenges how to be their children’s best advocates to achieve successful outcomes. The MHA is proud to have 162 of the most talented and dedicated volunteers in the Charlotte region. Each year, we recognizetwo individuals as our most outstanding ParentVOICE and Compeer program volunteers. This year, our award winners were Pamela “Pam” Lee and Bob Bradford. Pam Lee has been involved with MHA’s ParentVOICE program for two years and has proven to be a dependable and engaged volunteer who is passionate about family advocacy.
MHA’s ParentVOICE Program Director Candace Wilson (L) presented Pam Lee with the Annual ParentVOICE Volunteer Award.
Pam joined the 2013-2014 Family Partner class and showed her commitment, completing over 100 hours of training. She seeks out opportunities to volunteer, serves as an extension of the staff at support group meetings and workshops, and reaches out to other parents wherever she is.
“ParentVOICE gave me my power back and taught me to stand up for my family.
I want to help other parents avoid going through the (school and mental health) system blindly.”
COMPEER VOLUNTEER AWARD MHA’s Compeer program matches community volunteers with adults in mental health recovery programs. MHA’s Compeer Volunteer Award for 2015 went to Bob Bradford. Bob was matched as a Compeer volunteer in January 2014 and joined the MHA Board of Directors six months later. Bob has been an incredibly supportive friend and has stayed the course with Ross during a very challenging year. Bob never let his friend’s serious life events deter him from seeing him through a series of crises.
(Bob Bradford pictured R)
He has demonstrated the importance of loyalty and having a friend you can count on can. It can make all the difference in one’s life. Bob shared, “It’s been a privilege to be accepted and trusted by Ross. He shares openly and allows me to put things into perspective.”
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT 17
2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT
Breaking Stigma One Conversation at a Time
Learn more and take your pledge to break stigma at www.mhacentralcarolinas.org
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas | 3701 Latrobe Drive, Suite 140 | Charlotte, NC 28211