Mental Health Association of New Mexico
WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE DO IT
SHELA SILVERMAN LMSW CAME TO NEW MEXICO WITH A VISION OF CONSUMER EMPOWERMENT.
A MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMER AND ADVOCATE OF LONG STANDING HAVING BEEN THE DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF ON OUR OWN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA IT WAS NO FLUKE THAT SHE CAME TO LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO IN 2001.
THE NEW MEXICO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INSTITUTE
THEN CALLED THE LAS VEGAS MEDICAL CENTER AND BEFORE THAT THE NEW MEXICO INSANE ASYLUM HAD MANY ADVOCACY ISSUES THAT HER SKILLS COULD BE PUT TO USE. SHE REVITALIZED A DORMANT MHA BY GETTING TO KNOW CONSUMERS, SURVIVORS, EX PATIENTS AND PROFESSIONALS BY BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND WITH GETTING NON PROFIT FEDRAL TAX EXEMPT STATUS (501C) THUS PAVING THE WAY TO BECOME A FULL AND ONLY NEW MEXICO AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NOW CALLED MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA.
DURING THAT TIME MS. SILVERMAN WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN PROCURING FEDERAL,STATE AND LOCAL MONIES AND ADVOCATING FOR LEGISLATION TO ORGANIZE RECIPIENTS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM TO RESTORE THE STATE MENTAL HOSPITAL PATIENTS CEMETERIES. THIS TOOK A COMBINED EFFORT OF ARCHEOLOGIST, SCIENTISTS, ARCHIVISTS, STATE WORKERS, POLITICIANS,MEDIA AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE INTERRED TO GET THE GROUNDS READY SO THE MEMORIALS COULD BE ERECTED ON THE STATE HOSPITAL AS A FORM OF CLOSURE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LAID TO REST IN AN UNDIGNIFIED MANNER.
CURRENTLY THE MHA OF NEW MEXICO HAS A BUILDING WHICH HOUSES THEIR CONSUMER RUN PROJECT RICHARD'S DROP IN CENTER.
ANYONE IS WELCOME AND SOME OF THE FREE SERVICES OFFERED ARE HELP WITH SOCIAL SECURITY, GENERAL ASSISTANCE AND FOOD STAMP ENTITLEMENTS. ALSO TREATMENT GUARDIANSHIP, PEER TO PEER SUPPORT, BILINGUAL CO OCCURING WARMLINE PHONE MENTORSHIP AND ACTIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH STATE LOCAL COLLABOATIVES TO GIVE CONSUMERS A VOICE.
A MENTAL HEALTH CONSUMER AND ADVOCATE OF LONG STANDING HAVING BEEN THE DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF ON OUR OWN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA IT WAS NO FLUKE THAT SHE CAME TO LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO IN 2001.
THE NEW MEXICO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INSTITUTE
THEN CALLED THE LAS VEGAS MEDICAL CENTER AND BEFORE THAT THE NEW MEXICO INSANE ASYLUM HAD MANY ADVOCACY ISSUES THAT HER SKILLS COULD BE PUT TO USE. SHE REVITALIZED A DORMANT MHA BY GETTING TO KNOW CONSUMERS, SURVIVORS, EX PATIENTS AND PROFESSIONALS BY BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND WITH GETTING NON PROFIT FEDRAL TAX EXEMPT STATUS (501C) THUS PAVING THE WAY TO BECOME A FULL AND ONLY NEW MEXICO AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION (NOW CALLED MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA.
DURING THAT TIME MS. SILVERMAN WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN PROCURING FEDERAL,STATE AND LOCAL MONIES AND ADVOCATING FOR LEGISLATION TO ORGANIZE RECIPIENTS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM TO RESTORE THE STATE MENTAL HOSPITAL PATIENTS CEMETERIES. THIS TOOK A COMBINED EFFORT OF ARCHEOLOGIST, SCIENTISTS, ARCHIVISTS, STATE WORKERS, POLITICIANS,MEDIA AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE INTERRED TO GET THE GROUNDS READY SO THE MEMORIALS COULD BE ERECTED ON THE STATE HOSPITAL AS A FORM OF CLOSURE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LAID TO REST IN AN UNDIGNIFIED MANNER.
CURRENTLY THE MHA OF NEW MEXICO HAS A BUILDING WHICH HOUSES THEIR CONSUMER RUN PROJECT RICHARD'S DROP IN CENTER.
ANYONE IS WELCOME AND SOME OF THE FREE SERVICES OFFERED ARE HELP WITH SOCIAL SECURITY, GENERAL ASSISTANCE AND FOOD STAMP ENTITLEMENTS. ALSO TREATMENT GUARDIANSHIP, PEER TO PEER SUPPORT, BILINGUAL CO OCCURING WARMLINE PHONE MENTORSHIP AND ACTIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH STATE LOCAL COLLABOATIVES TO GIVE CONSUMERS A VOICE.
RICHARDS DROP IN CENTER
TELEPHONE TOLL FREE 1-866 425 7030
IN LAS VEGAS 505 425 7030 FAX 425 7031
OUR WARMLINE FOR PEOPLE TO SPEAK TO A PEER IN SPANISH OR ENGLISH ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES OR BOTH IS FROM 9-2 MST AT
1-866 425 7030 OR LOCALLY AT 505 429 9276.
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL.
ABOVE IS A NEW MEXICO ICON THE GAS BALLOON AND THE BLUE HISTORIC ADOBE ONCE HOUSED THE DROP IN CENTER IN THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF MS. SILVERMAN.
TELEPHONE TOLL FREE 1-866 425 7030
IN LAS VEGAS 505 425 7030 FAX 425 7031
OUR WARMLINE FOR PEOPLE TO SPEAK TO A PEER IN SPANISH OR ENGLISH ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES OR BOTH IS FROM 9-2 MST AT
1-866 425 7030 OR LOCALLY AT 505 429 9276.
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL.
ABOVE IS A NEW MEXICO ICON THE GAS BALLOON AND THE BLUE HISTORIC ADOBE ONCE HOUSED THE DROP IN CENTER IN THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE OF MS. SILVERMAN.
