Vocal Virginia

? Celebrating 25 Years & Planning for the Future! ? This past weekend, our Vocal Virginia board and staff came together for a powerful strategic planning session—reflecting on where we’ve been and setting the course for where we’re headed. As we mark 25 years of peer-led mental health advocacy and education, we are committed to strengthening our community, expanding our impact, and shaping the future of recovery in Virginia. We’re excited about what’s ahead and grateful for everyone who has been part of this journey. Here’s to the next 25 years! ???? #VocalVirginia #StrategicPlanning #PeerAdvocacy #MentalHealthRecovery #25YearsStrong

Join us this Saturday, Feb. 15th! Register below. Vocal Virginia invites you to an in-person?Community Conversation?designed for those living with mental health challenges in the Richmond area. This is a space to connect, share, and have your voice heard! As we continue to advocate during this General Assembly session and prepare for future advocacy initiatives,?we want to hear from YOU?about the issues that matter most in your life and recovery. What policies and practices have impacted your journey? What changes would you like to see to create a stronger, more supportive community? This event is your opportunity to: Share your stories of resilience and recovery. Voice concerns and ideas for improving mental health policies. Connect with peers who understand the journey firsthand. Your voice can drive change!?Let’s come together to make sure that our experiences guide future advocacy.

Peer Activated Resilience (PAR) – Elevate Your Peer Support Skills! March 10 - March 13 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM daily Register now: https://lnkd.in/gUsWdeWa Are you a Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) or Family Support Partner (FSP) looking to deepen your skills and resilience? Peer Activated Resilience (PAR) is a powerful, 12-hour advanced training designed to help you: * Apply trauma-informed principles while delivering peer support * Recognize opportunities to protect your own health and wellness * Strengthen your ability to walk alongside and empower others Developed under contract with DBHDS Office of Recovery Services, this training is available only to those who have completed the DBHDS 72-hour PRS curriculum. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your peer support skills—secure your spot today! Financial Assistance Available! A VERY LIMITED number of income-based reduced or free tickets are available. Apply by February 21 @ 5:00 PM: https://lnkd.in/gu_3TMKR Send completed applications to Jessica Daggett, Education Program Director at [email protected]

Peer Activated Resilience (PAR) – Elevate Your Peer Support Skills! March 10 - March 13 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM daily Register now: https://lnkd.in/gUsWdeWa Are you a Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) or Family Support Partner (FSP) looking to deepen your skills and resilience? Peer Activated Resilience (PAR) is a powerful, 12-hour advanced training designed to help you: * Apply trauma-informed principles while delivering peer support * Recognize opportunities to protect your own health and wellness * Strengthen your ability to walk alongside and empower others Developed under contract with DBHDS Office of Recovery Services, this training is available only to those who have completed the DBHDS 72-hour PRS curriculum. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your peer support skills—secure your spot today! Financial Assistance Available! A VERY LIMITED number of income-based reduced or free tickets are available. Apply by February 21 @ 5:00 PM: https://lnkd.in/gu_3TMKR Send completed applications to Jessica Daggett, Education Program Director at [email protected]

? Working with Paranoia and Unusual Beliefs is a full-day training designed to equip participants with skills to support individuals experiencing unusual beliefs, often referred to as "paranoia." The training emphasizes understanding an individual’s belief system from their perspective, enabling Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS) and other providers to build deeper empathy and connection. Participants will also learn strategies to minimize negative impacts on the individual’s quality of life while respecting and preserving the beliefs that may hold personal meaning or utility. * Attainment of CEUs is dependent on amount of time spent in training and the successful completion of a short content quiz. ? **?Working with Paranoia & Unusual Beliefs?features strong language and frank discussions about child neglect and physical and sexual abuse. Please keep this in mind before purchasing a ticket. ? ***?Vocal Virginia offers a?limited number of?income-based reduced- or no-cost tickets.?Download the application at?https://lnkd.in/ebm9Saum?and submit it to Jessica Daggett, Education Program Director, at [email protected] by?January 29 @ 5:00 pm.

Advocates and lawmakers came together to express the continuing need for investments in mental health care with a particular focus on preventive services in schools, expansion of crisis intervention services and community-based care, and attracting and retaining a culturally diverse behavioral workforce. Reach out to your representative to share your thoughts on mental health care in Virginia. Mental Health Virginia NAMI Virginia Voices for Virginia's Children #mentalhealth?#timeforchange?#advocate?#vocalvirginia?#preventivehealth?#behavioralhealth

Mental Health Virginia, NAMI Virginia, Vocal Virginia, and Voices for Virginia's Children are excited to announce we will be hosting a press conference to amplify the voices of mental health advocates across Virginia. We invite you to join us on Thursday, January 16th from 10:00 am - 10:30 am at the General Assembly Building or virtually livestreamed on Instagram. For more information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/ebCS4mPf

Join us tonight! #MentalHealth #Virginia #GeneralAssembly #Advocacy

Coming in January: Working with Hearing Voices w/ Peter Bullimore Registration Now Open: www.tinyurl.com/HV011625 Participants in this all-day training learn how to better understand and support individuals in making meaning of their experiences with voice hearing. Facilitator Peter Bullimore speaks from both lived experience and professional knowledge. Working with Hearing Voices explores the prevalence of voice hearing, the three stages of hearing voices, and interventions CPRSs and other providers can use to assist and support an individual who is hearing voices. * Attainment of CEUs is dependent on amount of time spent in training and the successful completion of a short content quiz. ** Working with Hearing Voices includes strong language and frank discussions about child neglect and physical and sexual abuse. Please keep this in mind before purchasing a ticket. *** All Vocal Virginia trainings are "first come, first served." This is a popular event, so we encourage all who are interested to register as soon as possible. **** Vocal Virginia offers a limited number of income-based reduced- or no-cost tickets. Download the application at https://lnkd.in/e_EGRFCN and submit to Jessica Daggett, Education Program Director, at [email protected], by Wednesday, January 1 @ 5:00 pm.

Due to a scheduling conflict, our Mental Health Advocacy Panel Discussion webinar originally scheduled for Thursday, December 12th at 6:00 PM has been rescheduled to Tuesday, December 17th at 6:00 PM. Register Now! Mental Health Advocacy Panel Discussion ? NEW DATE December 17th, 2024 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Virtual ? Please join Vocal Virginia for a Mental Health Panel Discussion featuring: * Del. Rodney Willett, Member of the Virginia General Assembly * Becky Bowers-Lainer, Behavioral Health Lobbyist * Cat Atkinson, Nonprofit Advocate with Voices for Virginia’s Children This will be an opportunity for participants to learn more about the upcoming General Assembly session as well as to learn more about becoming a more effective advocate. ? To register - https://lnkd.in/eR-atuaP ? If you have any questions, please contact?[email protected].