The NETWORKER. What s in This Issue? Haitian Mental Health Network.

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1 1 The NETWORKER Promoting access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services for Haitian communities locally, nationally, and internationally. What s in This Issue? The Steering Committee of the Haitian Mental Health (HMH) Network extends warm wishes to all our members, friends, colleagues and supporters for a safe, peaceful, and joyous holiday season! This issue of the Networker provides important updates on the HMH Network s local activities and Haiti-based programs. It also contains the Call for Abstracts for the 4 th Annual Conference on Haitian Mental Health as well as an overview of the Network s 2014 Haiti Service Learning and Summer Immersion Program, and our Annual Holiday Celebration. Additionally, there is a list of upcoming events, announcements, and notable accomplishments. We hope that you will enjoy reading the newsletter to learn more about the numerous services and programs offered by the HMH Network. Conference on Haitian Mental Health...2 Haiti Summer Immersion Program Updates on Local and Haiti-Based Activities Annual Holiday Celebration...5 Announcements Members Corner From our families to yours, happy holidays! Joyeux Noël! Best wishes in the New Year!

2 4 th Annual Conference on Haitian Mental Health It Takes a Village: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Haitian Children, Adolescents, and Families The 4 th Annual Conference on Haitian Mental Health will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology in Newton, MA. The primary aim of the Annual Conference is to provide an intellectually stimulating forum where attendees can engage in a meaningful discourse on the mental health and well-being of the Haitian community; learn from leading scholars in the field; network with other professionals; and exchange knowledge and data on culturally-oriented theoretical inquiries, clinical practices, treatment interventions, research, and policy-based initiatives. The 2015 conference will focus on the mental health needs of Haitian children, adolescents, and families. Presenters will discuss the impact of trauma on Haitian youth; describe culturallysensitive programs and resources to support and strengthen the Haitian family; highlight schoolbased mental health interventions for Haitian children and adolescents; and recommend strategies to prevent, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses among Haitian children, adolescents, and families. The Annual Conference brings together practitioners, researchers, educators, public health officials, faith-based and spiritual leaders, community advocates, and policymakers whose current work can inform the development of a comprehensive, community-based, and culturally-oriented mental health agenda for Haitians in the Diaspora. In addition to offering cutting-edge presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities, the Annual Conference is intended to commemorate Haitian Heritage Month through a series of cultural events and an annual art exhibition that celebrate the rich history, values, and traditions of Haitian culture. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Contributors are invited to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations at the 2015 Annual Conference. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: Current state of knowledge about the mental health needs of Haitian children, adolescents, and families. Impact of trauma (e.g., child abuse and neglect, maltreatment, the experience of being a restavèk, domestic violence, community violence, natural disasters, political instability, transgenerational trauma) on Haitian youth and families. Effective approaches to preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental illnesses among Haitian children, adolescents, and families. An Abstract Template must be completed and submitted electronically to [email protected] by Thursday, January 15, Additional details on abstract submission are available online at 2 2

3 Haitian Mental Health Network Haiti Service Learning & Summer Immersion Program The Haiti Service Learning and Summer Immersion Program is a graduate-level course offered through the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, in partnership with the Haitian Mental Health Network. The primary goal of the program is to provide students with opportunities to acquire knowledge, experience, and skills to work with Haitian and Haitian-American individuals and families, and serve Haitian communities in the U.S. and Haiti. Saut D Eau (Waterfalls) Students who are enrolled in the program participate in didactic activities to learn about the history of Haiti, and the impact of cultural belief systems and practices on help-seeking behaviors among Haitian immigrants. Students then travel for a week-long summer immersion experience in Haiti where they gain a deeper appreciation of the language, customs, and cultural practices of Haitian society. While in Haiti, students engage in service learning activities and multidisciplinary collaborations with schools, grassroots organizations, and health care and social services agencies. Additionally, they participate in cultural excursions, and visit historical sites and other points of interest in the host community. In July 2014, a group of 10 students and four psychologists traveled to the Arcahaie region of Haiti where they volunteered and worked with youth at Hope on a String and Lycée Jean-Baptiste Pointe du Sable. The group also conducted training on the impact of trauma on child and adolescent development at Child Flower Haiti and Centre de Formation Technique et Professionnelle. 3 3

4 Updates on Local & Haiti-Based Activities: In the Boston area, the HMH Network has engaged in the following activities: Provided training on the mental health needs of the Haitian community to providers at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, and the Boston Public Health Commission. Conducted psychoeducational group workshops on trauma for Haitian youth, women, and men at Grace Episcopal Church in Everett, MA. Organized the Annual Conference on Haitian Mental Health in collaboration with the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. Co-hosted the Annual Haitian Art Exhibition in partnership with the Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts. AWARD 2014 Conference on Haitian Mental Health In September 2014, The HMH Network received a CLAS (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services) Community Service Award from the Planning Committee of the Boston Mental Health Conversation, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, in recognition of the Network s dedication and effort to promote the knowledge of mental health and recovery through its annual conference. In Haiti, the HMH Network has: Conducted group training on mental health and mental illness for teachers in Arcahaie, in collaboration with Rebâti Santé Mentale. Offered psychoeducational group workshops on the impact of trauma on children at Child Flower Haiti in Lilavois, and Centre de Formation Technique et Professionelle in Montrouis. Presented at the Summit of the Haitian Association of Psychology (Association Haitïenne de Psychologie, AHPsy) in Port-au-Prince. 4 Collaborated with the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology to organize the 2014 Haiti Service Learning & Summer Immersion Program. Please visit our website ( to learn more about the Network. 4 4

5 Haitian Mental Health Network Annual Holiday Celebration The HMH Network s Annual Holiday Celebration was held on Friday, December 12, 2014 at the Black Box Theatre in Dorchester. Friends, colleagues, and supporters of the Network gathered for a festive evening where they enjoyed delicious Haitian foods and other delicacies, relaxed in a fun and convivial atmosphere, reconnected with old friends, and greeted new ones. We thank everyone that came out to celebrate with the Network! Special thanks go to Codman Square Health Center for providing the venue, Las Vegas Seafood Restaurant for catering the event, and EJ Dance Studio for offering first-rate entertainment throughout the evening. Joyeux Noël! Bonne Année! Happy Holidays to All! 5 5

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES The HMH Network offers Professional Development Training Programs for agencies and groups that serve the Haitian community. Organizations that have benefitted from the Network s inservice training and psychoeducational groups include the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, the Boston Public Health Commission, the Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center, and Grace Episcopal Church in Everett. To inquire about our Professional Development Series or schedule a training workshop for your staff, please contact us at [email protected]. SAVE THE DATE! Jour des Aïeux & Earthquake 2010 Memorial Event Sunday, January 11, 2015, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Hyde Park High School, 655 Metropolitan Avenue, Hyde Park, MA For more information, please visit or call (617) th Annual Conference on Haitian Mental Health Saturday, May 2, 2015 Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, 1 Wells Ave., Newton, MA 4 th Annual Haitian Art Exhibition: Eyes of Innocence Opening Ceremony: Saturday, May 2, 2015, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology 1 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA Hosted by the Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts (HAAM). The exhibit will be on display from May 2, 2015 to June 27, Proceeds to benefit art programs for youth in Jacmel, Haiti. Crouching Girl by J.M. Chéry 6 6

7 Meet. MEMBERS CORNER Gina Dessources, LICSW, was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and grew up in Milton, Massachusetts. She received her Master of Social Work degree from Simmons College, School of Social Work in Gina has worked with the Department of Mental Health since Currently, she serves as a Clinical Social Worker in a homeless shelter for men and women with major mental health issues at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. Gina loves being a social worker and considers this her calling in life. In her spare time, Gina enjoys laughing, being active in her church, and spending time with family and friends. She has been an active member of the HMH Network since it began in Now, she proudly joins the Steering Committee of the Network! Congratulations & Cheers! MARLINE AMEDEE recently joined Self Help, Inc. as a Behavior Specialist where she conducts evaluations and observations of children with autism spectrum disorders, provides classroom-based assessments, and consults with teachers to provide coordinated services to children with significant behavior challenges. GERALDE GABEAU On November 12, 2014, Geralde Gabeau, Program Director at Youth & Family Enrichment Services (YOFES), was honored by the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. She received the Hero Among Us Award after being nominated by Berklee City Music Network, YOFES partner in the Open Access to Music Education for Children Program. OLIVIA APOLLON This past summer, Olivia was the recipient of Codman Square Health Center s 2014 Health Center Hero Award in recognition of her unbelievable commitment to her clients, her leadership, and her compassion. CASTAGNA LACET In September 2014, Castagna took a new position of Assistant Professor at Bridgewater State University in the School of Social Work Department where she will be teaching research and practice courses to undergraduate and graduate students. GEMIMA ST. LOUIS Gemima was selected for the 2014 American Psychological Association s Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology (LIWP). The LIWP s mission is to prepare, support and empower women psychologists as leaders to promote positive changes in institutional, organizational, and practice settings as well as APA governance; and increase the diversity, number, and effectiveness of women psychologists as leaders. Upcoming Network Meetings: January 16, 2015 February 20, 2015 March 20, 2015 Location: Codman Square Health Center, 637 Washington St., Dorchester, MA 02124