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Faith Workgroup, 211 Updates and Workgroup meetings

I hope you are doing well. For all who can attend our next Faith workgroup session (FCRG) is scheduled for Thursday, April 14 from 11:30 – 1 pm (lite snacks will be provided) at GHS, 420 W. Fifth Avenue, Flint, MI 48503 on 5th floor. See attached notes for additional information and updates. We continue to discuss ways to:

  1. Be a supportive link to families and individuals inside the church and throughout the surrounding community
  2. Discuss Mental Health from the Pulpit and through our social networks, newsletters, church programs, church/community-events, etc.
  3. Collaborate and work more closely together with mental health agencies (GHS other partners) to tap into and use the resources and assets available
  4. Share a common message of Hope, Unity, and Partnership
  5. Develop and create awareness tools and materials
  6. Use data to educate and enhance our knowledge of mental health needs which exist in our community

Thank you for your time in this regard. We hope to see you soon,

Kenyetta

SAVE THE DATE: COMMUNITY UPDATE AND REPORT – A collaborated effort between Mayor’s Water Response Team, Community Partners, Community Resilience, and Workgroups (Collaboration around our water crisis): Tuesday, April 19, 2016 from 2:30 pm – 5 pm

GET INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY WORKGROUPS
Below is a list of the meetings scheduled for this upcoming week. If you have any additional updates to the “Community at Work” pdf, please contact Dave Gutierrez at david.gutierrez@redcross.org / kdotson@genhs.org (Behavioral Health) / tony.lasher@redcross.org (community)

  • Communication Workgroup: Monday’s, 3:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church
  • Coordination Workgroup: Tuesday’s, 2:00 p.m., American Red Cross (No mtg. the week of 4/19 due to Community Update and Report – see above)
  • Education Workgroup: Tuesday’s, 8:30 a.m., Special Services North (5075 Pilgrim Rd., 48507)
  • Flint Community Resilience Group (FCRG) Mental (Behavioral) Health (See sub workgroups below):
    • Sub-workgroups
      • FCRG Data & Gap Analysis: Every Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Genesee Health System Board Rm
      • FCRG Planning & Coordination: Every other Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Genesee Health System Board Room (No mtg. week of 4/19 due to Community Update and Report – see above)
      • FCRG Faith: Thursday, April 14 and Thursday, May 12 from 11:30 am – 1 pm on 5th floor or GHS, 420 W. Fifth Avenue
      • FCRG Stress Management: Every other Wednesday (NEXT: April 13th), 12:00 p.m., Genesee Health System 4th Floor Conference Room
      • FCRG Outreach to Special & Vulnerable Populations: Friday, April 15 10:30 – 11:30 on 3rd Floor, please e-mail rkeswick@genhs.org)
      • FCRG Psychological First Aid (PFA): for more information, e-mail nkirsh@genhs.org)
      • Physical Health Workgroup: TBA, Greater Flint Health Coalition (3rd Floor, Suite 301)
  • Resource Recovery Workgroup: Tuesday’s at 9:00 a.m., Food Bank of Eastern Michigan
  • Community Partners Meeting: Every Thursday, 3:00 p.m., FOOD BANK (If you missed any of the workgroup sessions – reports and updates are provided at the Thursday, Community Partners meeting)

211 UPDATES (April 8):

  • Michigan Civil Rights Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Flint Water Crisis on Thursday, April 28 from 2:30 pm – 8:15 pm at the Riverfront Banquet Center, 1 Riverfront Center West. Commission co-chairs Arthur Horwitz and Rasha Demashkieh will deliver opening remarks from 2:30 pm to 2:45 pm, then take public comment, with preference given to Flint residents followed by a panel of representatives from various State of Michigan agencies.
    • Immediately following their presentation, Flint residents will be given the opportunity to respond to the testimony of the state agency panel.
    • Before the close of the hearing, Commissioners will deliberate on the day’s testimony as well as the roles of structural or systemic racism, environmental justice and other forms of racism that may have contributed to the crisis, and outline the Commission’s next steps.
  • The Flint Water Crisis Community Partners Workgroup meeting schedule
    • Communication Workgroup: Monday, April 11th, 3:30 pm, Unitarian Universalist Church, 2474 S Ballenger Hwy, Flint, MI 48507
      The Communications Workgroup provided the attached ‘Sample Water Testing Report’ (jpg format) used to provide lead and copper test results to Flint residents, as well as the simplified organizational chart for Flint Water Response organizations and agencies.
      NOTE: The full Community Partners meeting schedule is published in each Monday’s update.
  • Mobile Food Bank Schedule for the week of April 10, 2016
    • Wednesday, April 13, at 1 pm – New Birth Church, 3918 Blackington Ave.
    • Thursday, April 14, at noon – Faith Gospel Temple, 1525 Kent. St.
    • Friday, April 15, at noon – St. Luke New Life Center, 3115 Lawndale.
    • Information about additional food distribution dates will be announced as they are scheduled. For more information, visit the Food Bank website at www.FBEM.org or call 810-239-4441.
  • REMINDER: Fire Station #6 on Pierson Road is set to close as a water distribution site on Sunday, April 10th. A new site is opening at Ross Plaza, 2320 W Pierson Rd
    • Hours of operation are: 12-6pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday | 12-8pm Tuesday, Friday | Closed Sunday
  • REMINDER: Free Dog lead level testing will be offered by MSU School of Veterinary Medicine on Saturday, April 9 from 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Christ The King Education Center 1802 Seymour Ave. Flint, MI 48503 at the corner of Seymour Ave. & Lapeer Road Across the street from Christ The King Catholic Church.
  • Detroit News reports delay in water bill credits. City Administrator Sylvester Jones stated Flint is taking extra time to work on the formatting of bills to provide detailed, accurate and transparent information on the water bills. Full story at www.detroitnews.com/story/news/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/04/08/water-credits/82788732/
  • State wants Flint lawsuit dismissed arguing it was’t filed within six months of the city’s April 2014 water switch. Full story at: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/04/08/flint-lawsuit/82794234/
  • Rep. Fred Upton plans Congressional Flint hearing April 13th to learn about infrastructure issues and look at short and long-term health implications. This story also reports, “nine nurses have been hired for Flint schools and are on the job to bolster the city’s effort to fight lead poisoning”. Full story at: www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2016/04/07/snyder-faces-criticism-over-congressional-testimony/82716980/

CALL VOLUME
2-1-1 call volume continues to remain manageable with existing staffing levels

SPECIAL NEEDS/REQUESTS
Flint Water Crisis Community Partners Communication Workgroup provided responses to several commonly asked questions:

Q: Is it safe to wash children’s cups and bottles in a dishwasher with unfiltered water?
A: The EPA states children’s cups and bottles should be washed in filtered water only.

Q: What happens when hot water is ran through a filter?
A: Per the manufacturers: If hot water is run through the cartridges, it will not be adequately filtered and in some cases may actually reverse the chemical absorption and adsorption processes, releasing contaminants back into the water. Use only Cold or Cool water when operating the filters. If you happen to accidentally run hot water through the system, simply run cold water through the unit for 2 minutes to flush out the hot water. With regard to whole house systems, you will still get clean filtered hot water because the cold water line of your home will connect to the filter system, get filtered first and then will go to the hot water heater to be heated.

Q: Regarding the side-effects of lead: On average how soon do symptoms appear?
A: There is no one, clear answer as signs or symptoms may or may not appear at all and often depend upon the dosage or the duration of exposure. Acute symptoms of poisoning are usually due to high dose exposures such as in certain occupational work place settings. Chronic low dose exposures may or may not have symptoms. Whether or not symptoms develop again is dependent upon the degree of exposure, the amount of exposure, and potential duration. Potential underlying medical conditions may also influences such things. CDC statement on symptoms: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/health.html

Q: What government bodies are testing the water and what are they testing?
A: MDEQ and EPA are testing the water.

  • MDEQ: The samples of water that are sent in by residents are tested for lead and copper.
  • EPA: More details and maps can be found here: www.epa.gov/flint/flint-water-sampling-efforts
    • Chlorine Monitoring: EPA is collecting samples at businesses and homes throughout Flint to determine chlorine levels in the drinking water system. Chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water and prevent the growth of viruses and bacteria such as E. coli. At appropriate levels, the presence of chlorine in drinking water is normal. At monitoring locations where chlorine is not found, EPA follows up with testing for microbial contamination.
    • Sequential Sampling for Lead Assessment: EPA is sampling for lead in drinking water in Flint homes. At leach location, a sequential series of 15-20 water samples is collected, each representing a length of pipe from the home to the water main. This type of sampling looks at different plumbing materials to evaluate sources of lead in drinking water. Sequential samples will be collected every two months at select homes to determine whether or not corrosion control is working throughout the water system.
    • Testing In-Home Lead Filters: NSF-certified lead removal filters are being distributed in Flint by the State of Michigan to remove lead from household water and make it safe for people to drink. EPA is sampling drinking water in households to test the effectiveness of these filters at removing lead at high concentrations. Samples are also analyzed for 13 total metals, pH and chlorine. EPA sampling results show that lead-removal filters are working as expected in Flint homes. EPA continues to recommend that Flint residents use NSF-certified filters in their homes.
    • Hot Water Sampling: EPA is sampling cold and hot water in homes to determine the impact of stagnation and heat on drinking water quality. Water samples are analyzed for: 13 total metals (including lead and copper), chlorine, pH
    • Health Concern Sampling: EPA is collecting water samples from homes participating in a study being conducted by health agencies. Water samples are collected from kitchen and bathroom fixtures at different temperatures and analyzed for: 24 total metals (including lead and copper), chloride, sulfate, fluoride, chlorine, pH
    • At select homes, water samples will be collected at different temperatures and analyzed for additional organic compounds, including disinfection byproducts and trihalomethanes (THM). Water quality data is provided to health agencies for evaluation and communication with residents.

RUMOR/SCAM CONTROL

  • A Flint resident contacted 2-1-1 on Wednesday, April 6 regarding a rumor that funding for blood lead testing will run out on April 30th.
    • THIS RUMOR IS FALSE. DHHS confirmed, “Blood lead testing will not be ending. That was available prior to the emergency and will continue to be available into the future.”

The Attorney General’s Office investigates reports of potential scams. These can be reported to the Charitable Trust Section at ct_email@michigan.gov. The AG has tips on how to avoid falling victim to con artists at www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-164-17337_20942-375279–,00.html.

UNRESOLVED

  • From 3/8/16:The Community Partners Communications Workgroup is asking for guidance from the State of Michigan on the following issues:
    • Regarding the side-effects of lead: On average how soon do symptoms appear?
      RESOLUTION: See response above in Special Needs/Requests section.
    • Who is testing the samples provided by residents? Is more than just lead and coper levels being tested? If so what is being tested?
      RESOLUTION: See response above in Special Needs/Requests section.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the Faith-based Community Meeting on Thursday, March 24, 2016.  For those not able to attend We Missed You – prayerfully, we will see you at the next session scheduled for Thursday, April 14, 2016 and Thursday, May 12, 2016 at GHS, 420 W. Fifth Avenue, Flint, MI  48505 on the 5th Floor (Lite Lunch will be provided).

As you already know, the Faith-based Community is a vital part of our community.  It serves as a reminder of hope, love, life, second chances, forgiveness, and so much more. We need you, your church, your piece to be represented at the Faith Workgroup, where we come together as men and women of Faith to address mental health issues and concerns which impacts our congregants, our community, our families.  By working together, we have the power to change the world and reach those in the most need.  I am requesting your presence to help reach those in our community who are broken, hopeless, hurting, and needs to tap into the resources God has provided right here on earth. WE ARE SO MUCH BETTER TOGETHER! 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • Hope and Health in the Community, Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Mt. Olive Baptist Church
  • TENTATIVE:    Faith Luncheon, Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 11:30 am – 2 pm

Topics of Discussion:

Messaging:

  • Reaching Up and Reaching Out
  • “When one person hurts – we all hurt”
  • Develop awareness videos, video vignettes, Public Service Announcements, talk about Mental health during radio shows, in church programs, newsletters, on social media, from the Pulpit
    • Olive has an Audio visual drama team who could put something together as a project (Moses, Youth Director) – other churches may want to work together on this project (CWOW, Mt. Carmel, OSL, P.O.P, others)
  • Changing the Conversation of Mental Health
    • Instead of Mental Disorders – Mental Challenges
    • Instead of Stigma – Embarrassment, Shame, Disappointment
  • It was stated more men, women, Institutions of Faith should take advantage of the 8-hour Mental Health First Aid Training (FREE), 1-hour Psychological First Aid Training, Specialized Speakers
  • Faith group developed a PowerPoint which could be used in the community at Awareness summits, community conversations, workshops, and small group discussions, etc.
    • PowerPoint can be modified based on religious tradition and faith beliefs
    • More Faith leaders are needed at the table to be Advocates, Champions, Liaisons to share, disseminate, support, and engage our most vulnerable citizens in the community
  • Faith group would like to develop Mental Health Awareness videos (Awareness videos and Vignettes) which could be shared via social media, and shown during groups, services, etc.
  • Awareness Tools and Resources
    • Tri-fold pamphlet or brochure
    • Cardboard flyer front and back with mental health information and stats
    • Order in abundance to share widely throughout the community
    • Utilize Outreach teams to get information out and discuss with the people

DATA

  • Faith group in partnership with Data workgroup put together statistical information which helps community leaders speak knowledgably about Mental health, increasing the likelihood of our family, community, and partners reaching out more to talk or gain access to mental health services, and various programs
    • See below
  • Faith group would like more prescription pads for their churches and some type of brochure which directly reaches out to members about access, engagement, support services through mental health

DATA:

Flint & Genesee County mental & behavioral health statistics

Source: Speak to Your Health! Community Survey (2013-2014), Prevention Research Center of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Genesee County Health Department

  • 20% of Flint residents report that their general mental or emotional health is fair or poor, compared to 9% of out-county residents (Genesee County excluding the city of Flint)
    • Genesee Co. total: 13.1%
  • 23% of Flint residents report feeling nervous and stressed out very often or fairly often, compared to 16% of out-county residents.
    • Genesee Co. total: 18%
  • 16% of Flint residents report they felt that they had so many problems that they could not deal with them very often or fairly often, compared to 9% of out-county residents.
    • Genesee Co. total: 12%
  • 17% of Flint residents report that during the past week, they have lonely very often or fairly often, compared to 13% of out-county residents.
    • Genesee Co. total: 15%
  • 37% of Flint residents report that during the past week, they have felt blue or sad very often or fairly often, compared to 11% of out-county residents.
    • Genesee Co. total: 13%

Background1

  • Mental health disorders are common throughout the US, affecting one in four adults in a given year.
    • Anxiety disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety disorders affect ~18% of adults.
    • Almost 7% of adults live with major depression.
    • Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia affect 2.6% and 1.1% of adults, respectively.
  • 20% of youth ages 13 to18 experience a severe mental disorder.
  • 9.2 million adults have co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders.
  • ~60% of adults and ~50% of youth ages 8 to 15 with mental illness received no treatment or help in the previous year.
    • In a given year, 23.1 million Americans need treatment for drugs or alcohol, but only 2.6 million actually seek help.2
  • African American and Hispanic Americans utilize mental health services at one-half the rate of whites.
  • People with serious mental illness are at an increased risk of chronic medical conditions.

Positive motivation

  • It’s a myth that individuals with mental illnesses or addictions can never fully recover. Studies have shown that treatment through medication and/or therapy can allow someone to recover completely.
    • With treatment, therapy, and/or support, 70-90% of individuals significantly reduce their symptoms, improve their quality of life, and are satisfied with their independence and achievements.3
    • With proper help, individuals can recover completely from even the most severe mental illnesses
  • Treatment for addiction is just as, if not more, successful as treatment other chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
    • Treatment reduces drug use by an initial 40-60% and drastically decreases criminal activity during and after treatment.4
  • Individuals with treated mental and substance use disorders are shown to be as equally effective in the workplace as other employees.
    • Those treated for substance use disorders can increase their likelihood of employment by 40% after just one stage of treatment.4
  • Individuals with mental and substance use disorders are not “un-helpable.” Family and friends play an important role; social support is a vital component of recovery.

 References

  1. Mental Illness Facts and Numbers. National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2013. Accessible at http://www2.nami.org/factsheets/mentalillness_factsheet.pdf.
  2. Mental Health First Aid Handbook.
  3. Facts About Recovery. University of Washington School of Social Work, Mental Health Reporting, 2015. Accessible at http://depts.washington.edu/mhreport/facts_recovery.php.
  4. Treatment. Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association, 2012. Accessible at http://www.sapaa.com/page/wp_sa_treatment#q9.

 

FAITH WORKGROUP – THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2016, 11:30 AM – 1 PM

Agenda:

  • Introductions
  • Ice Breaker
  • Shared Messaging within our places of Worship
  • PowerPoint Review, feedback
  • Data review (what else do we need to know)?
  • Utilizing MHFA, Specialized Speakers, PFA to equip parishioners, community, ourselves
  • Collaborations – Community Events, Ways to get involved, support one another in Ministry
  • Next Steps, Next Event, and Next Meeting

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • Hope and Health in the Community, Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Mt. Olive Baptist Church
  • TENTATIVE:    Faith Luncheon, Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 11:30 am – 2 pm

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