Mental Health Partnership Council (MHPC)

Committee Sponsor-Community Mental Health
Committee Chairpersons- Robert Sheeham, Pamela Stants

The Capital Area Health Alliance Mental Health Partnership Council promotes mental health and wellness of those living in the tri-county area, provides resources for quality and accessibility of mental health services within the community, and offers educational events and information to increase awareness and reduce stigma.

In 2011, the Mental Health Partnership Council felt it would be important to bring information to the community on bullying. Speaker Kevin Epling, whose son took his own life because of being bullied, presented “Bullying & Suicide: A Lesson in Acceptance and Prevention.” This presentation was well received by over 125 people in the audience. The presentation was held at Peckham Industries.

Taking care of the caregiver was another area of Council interest. Jennifer Burley from the Tri County Office on Aging presented “Loving Your Caregiver.” There were 100 people in attendance.

Other presentations included:
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• MSU Research project with the 8th grade at Ovid Elsie Middle School
• Vet2Vet with co-sponsor NAMI
• Depression as it relates to Veterans
• Intervention: Helping someone Who Does Not Want Help

As administrative focus shifts to integration of physical and mental health, the Partnership Council will be shifting to include both physical and mental health in their presentations. This year, over 1,000 people in the tri-county area attended the presentations sponsored by the Capitol Area Health Alliance Mental Health Partnership Council.

Current active members include Michigan State University School of Social Work, Sparrow Behavioral Health, Tri County Office on Aging, Peckham Industries, Lansing Community College, NAMI, Cristo Rey, consumers of services, United Way, Ingham County Health Department, Michigan State University Counseling Center, Association of Children’s Mental Health, Rainbow Homes, and Michigan Protection & Advocacy.

For more information on the Council, you may contact Judy Hazle at 517-346-8238 or hazle@ceicmh.org. The Council does not take the place of the governing bodies nor consumer services/complaint and grievance offices of CMHA-CEI or any other organization.