Official RSS Feed for BMHCA. http://bmhca.awardspace.com 2009-11-29T15:09:18+01:00 http://bmhca.awardspace.com http://bmhca.awardspace.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png text/html 2007-10-16T23:19:21+01:00 http://bmhca.awardspace.com http://bmhca.awardspace.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=28 To contact consumers in Belize,Orlando Pulido PresidentBelmopan Mental Health Consumer AssociationGeneral Delivery, # 46 Western Highway, Santa Elena Town, Cayo DistrictBelize, Central AmericaTel/Fax: 501-804-2807Cellular: 501-605-2072 eliasavella@gmail.comIf you want to chat with us, useWindows Live Messenger Name: eliasavellaHotmail Internet Messenger Name:eliasavella@hotmail.comYahoo Messenger Name: eliasavellaFor information on our organization, please, contact:Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Marion Casey or Nurse Arlet RamirezAcute Psychiatric UnitWestern Regional HospitalFlorina Drive, Belmopan CityBelize, Central America Tel: 822-2263/822-2264Fax: 501-822-2518/501-822-0512marion_csy@yahoo.com arletcramirez@gmail.com text/html 2007-10-21T18:20:16+01:00 http://bmhca.awardspace.com http://bmhca.awardspace.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=41 ---Press Release-Monday, 02 June 2008 Belizeans join forces with u.S citizens-- in daring to care for the mentally ill Over a dozen Psychiatry textbooks were delivered last week to Dr. Claudina Cayetano, Belize’s Director of Mental Health Programs. (See attached photo, standing on Left). These books will be used by Psychiatric Nurse Practioners --as well as patients --around the country, to update themselves on the most recent advances in the field. The books are a product of Belizeans and their U.S counterparts joining forces to help other Belizeans. Belizeans along with US citizens held a get together early last month, in Houston, to assist the Belmopan Mental Health Consumer Association BMHCA. Under the Direction of Licensed Professional Counsellor, Mr. Adrian Yam, the Hosting Committee and the Honorary Consul in Houston, the event was successfully held with the participation of some thirty eight persons. Participants included those working in the social services and psychological areas. Thanking those in attendance, after the event, main sponsor Adrian Yam said, “The World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) and the United Nations (UN), in its Declaration of Human Rights, make it clear that respect for human rights and self expression permits the realization of individual potential.”He also stated that “Significantly, the 21st Century begins with a focus on the prevention of mental illness and fostering the well-being and rights of people defined as mentally ill.” The BMHCA was formed in 2005. The NGO has successfully lobbied the Government of Belize for access to more modern medications. These novel second generation anti psychotic medications continue to be dispensed, free of cost, to mental patients around the country. Previous to 2005, mental patients were being given old drugs, which brought with them terrible side effects. BMHCA also received last week $1,702.00 from Arian Yam and Associates. It will now be possible to maintain a Web Site Domain for the BMHCA. (http://bmhca.awardspace.com/) and undertake needed projects for the organization. For more information, please, contact Adrian Yam, LPCSenior Family and Community Partnerships CoordinatorNeighborhood Centers Inc.Lifting Hearts. Building Futures.P. 001-713-273-3199F. 001-713-273-3130www.neighborhood-centers.org The community In Houston, U.S.A, recently held a get together to bring attention to Advocasy for Mental Health to all Belizeans. text/html 2007-10-16T23:31:36+01:00 http://bmhca.awardspace.com http://bmhca.awardspace.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=39 Celebrating the lives of all pnps', who have gone beyond the call of dutyn.B This page is dedicated to all pnps'. you can place your announcments here. The human resources mix is one of the most valuable resources in the delivery of mental health services in Belize. Sufficient and appropriate mix of personnel helps to ensure the provision of efficient services prevents team members from being overburdened. While the number of Psychiatric Nurses may appear to be sufficient, they currently perform many duties, including clinical, administrative, managerial, and emergency. The same applies to the psychiatrist. The lack of other mental health care providers, such as child and adolescent psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and therapists, increases the demand for the services of the PNPs and for the lone psychiatrist. There is a clear need to expand the mental health team to include a wider range of skills and competencies related to the delivery of mental health care. Fifteen PNPs are deployed to out-patient clinics in the districts and five PNPs, along with practical nurses, provide the inpatient services at Rockview and the Acute Psychiatric Unit. Over the past 12 years formal training has been provided for two cohorts of PNPs and one cohort of PNAs. The Ministry of Health is considering training another cohort of PNAs. These formal training programs are done only as necessary, and depend on multiple factors, such as availability of trainers and staff. Every year there is a two-day training/meeting for PNPs organised by the Ministry of Health to discuss the mental health plan and related issues. This allows for group cohesiveness and for continuing medical education. In addition, monthly staff meetings at Rockview and the Belmopan Acute Unit currently include educational sessions for all staff members in these locations. In the districts, training is done by the PNPs with the CNAs, public health staff and other health care providers, and during the psychiatrist’s visits sessions are organized for the medical staff. Through the partnership with Homewood Health Centre, a private psychiatric hospital in Canada, the PNPs have the opportunity for 8 weeks’ exposure/training at the Homewood facilities. All expenses related to these trainings are covered by Homewood, and the scheduled is customized to suit the training needs of the staff. These arrangements are covered in a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Health and Homewood Health Centre; so far 12 PNPs, 1 medical practitioner and 1 psychiatrist have participated. ( Belize Mental Health Policy 2008)The Psychiatric Nurse is the fulcrum upon which Belize’s Mental Health System rests text/html 2007-10-16T23:30:03+01:00 http://bmhca.awardspace.com http://bmhca.awardspace.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=37 Web Links :http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PIN/mentalhealth.htm text/html 2007-10-16T23:26:52+01:00 http://bmhca.awardspace.com http://bmhca.awardspace.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=33 DARE TO CARE FOR THE MENTALLY ILLThe Belmopan Mental Health Consumer Association BMHCA is committed to assisting Psychiatric survivors and all of those in the region who are stricken by any form of mental illness. The organization has met with the former Minister of Health Vildo Marin to lobby for the newer medications which bring fewer side effects. These novel medications, like Risperdal, have successfully been included in the national formulary list. In addition, several newsletters have been produced documenting the achievements of the organization. To continue this work in progress, an account has been opened for the Belmopan Mental Health Consumer Association at the Unit Trust Corporation ( Belize ) Limited with Account Number # 0033293-2. BMHCA also maintains an account number , 645-222-056-20, at the Belmopan Branch of the Belize Bank. Please, send your check written to the Belmopan Mental Health Consumer Association to the Unit Trust Corporation ( Belize ) Limited with the contacts shown as follows: Address:Unit Trust Corporation ( Belize ) Limited#77 Central American BoulevardBelize City, BelizeCentral AmericaPostal Address:UTC BelizeP.O. Box 2156Belize CityBelizePhone/Fax:Tel. 501-227-8648Fax: 501-227-6245E-mail/Website:e-mail: belutc@btl.net (mailto:belutc@btl.net)web-site: www.belutc.bz (http://www.belutc.bz/) text/html 2007-10-16T23:26:12+01:00 http://bmhca.awardspace.com http://bmhca.awardspace.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=32 CONSUMER EMPLOYMENTToday’s consumers have a great potential to do good. Today, Consumers fill posts in education, engineering, Banking and other critical areas of the Belizean Society. This has been made possible thanks to a regimen of modern psychotropic medications that have been made available free of cost to them by the Belize Ministry of Health. These new medication do not give ill side effects, which allow recipients to become very productive. Today, consumers have become economic engines to meet the demands of a 21st century free and market based economy. Consumers are no longer a burden to themselves and the rest of society. Let us work together to assist more consumers to get permanent employment. Ernest Wiltshire is a former employee of the Public Works Department. He is a mechanic by trade. Do contact him at cellular number 601-0756 for any mechanical work on your car or truck , when visiting the Town of Santa Elena in the Cayo District. Get your massage therapy by making an appointment with us at 620-1434. Massage yourself to freedom. text/html 2007-10-16T23:20:00+01:00 http://bmhca.awardspace.com http://bmhca.awardspace.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=29 Activities of ConsumersMembers of the Mental Health Consumer Association meet on the first Monday of every month. We meet from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at a suitable location at the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan. The purposes of these meetings are mostly to plan the activities for the Consumers during the course of the year.Meetings provide an opportune time for team work on various projects and to exchange valuable ideas. These meetings have proved valuable in creating several pleasurable experiences in the past. Foremost of these have been horse riding at the Banana Bank Lodge, which is located near Belize’s capital, Belmopan. This exquisite resort has been very kind in providing horse riding to our members as a means of therapy and escaping the bustling activities of every day life. This is an opportunity to give thanks to the Banana Bank Lodge in Belmopan for going beyond the call of duty to help our members. As a result of the strategy sessions, Consumers have been abl e to come up with ideas of travel. Through the efforts of the Ministry of Health and the Belize Christian Academy, consumers were able to visit Chetumal and view the way of life on Belize’s northern border town. Consumer Meetings are very important at the end of the year. Planning meetings held during November and December, centre on the yearly Christmas Party that is normally held within the Psychiatric Unit at the Western Regional Hospital. Consumer meetings are an indispensable part of consumer life. Most importantly it serves as an important source of information on the commonly shared mental disorders. Consumers believe that information is power. Indeed; information is the key to maintaining a good mental health. Benefits of Consumer Association◄ As a Lobby to Government, NGO.◄ Attend conferences, meetings, workshops◄ Participate in Mental health concerns◄ Provide moral support in times of need ◄ Socialize at Christmas parties ◄ Field trips