Letter from the PRA Chair

The end of the year is always a time of reflection… what have we accomplished? What could we do more of? What are the edges of our field that need our attention in this New Year? This past year, 2014, has been one of continued growth and increased stability of PRA. Your membership and your many efforts in your chapters, our taskforces, the Academy, the commission and the Board of Directors have strengthened our foundation and poised us to continue to positively influence the wellness and recovery of children, youth and adults who live with mental health challenges. I am most grateful and continually inspired by you all for your leadership, commitment and collaboration -- we are nothing without you all.

 

One edge our field of psychiatric rehabilitation I want to encourage and challenge us all to focus on in 2015 is the youth of our communities who are increasingly struggling with mental health conditions. A recent report put out by SAMHSA, The Barometer, which provides a snapshot of our nation’s mental health data, indicated that the rate of major depression has increased over the last five years in youth ages 12-17, but there has been no change in mental health services provided to this group. The data also indicated that three times more girls than boys are struggling with major depression, and significantly fewer Hispanic and black youth are likely to receive treatment and services. Investing in young people’s mental health is critical as it provides a strong foundation for lifelong wellbeing. It is a window of opportunity that has enormous social, economic, educational and health benefits for young adults. We have an opportunity in psychiatric rehabilitation to develop services, practices, policies and research evidence that can shift the trajectory of youth with mental health challenges, so that they are not living disabled lives as adults.  

 

What can we do? We can strengthen our focus on children and youth in our practices. We can advocate for policy and funding to support children, youth and family friendly services and environments. We can seek funding for services research with children and youth that will provide high quality evidence that can be used to guide policies and services. We can provide education and training to professionals to increase our capacity and competence to assist youth with the complexity of mental health and substances, sexual health, diversity and cultural issues, social struggles and resiliency and success in educational and work roles. Most importantly, we must invite youth and their families to guide us in what interventions, resources and environments will promote their health, wellness, resiliency and success. 

 

I can’t think of a more fitting quote for this season than this one by Kahil Gibran: “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” Thank you all for all that you give of yourselves to PRA. I look forward to our work together in 2015. Happy New Year!

 

With gratitude,

 

Dori Hutchinson, ScD, CPRP