Each week a quote is shared for your consideration. Some quotes might offer comfort, hope, a challenge, a chuckle, or inspiration. You may or may not agree with the quote, but it is offered simply to help you reflect and ponder.
You exist only in what you do.
- Federico Fellini
The MFP is an initiative staffed by ANA with funding from SAMHSA, making fellowships available to ethnic and racial psychiatric nursing students who are enrolled full time in an accredited master’s/doctoral nursing program.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
This week’s recommended Health and Wellness Activity
MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, AND NURSING ARTICLES
Sarah Kline: Better mental health everywhere, for everyone (opens new window)
It was a hard decision to work in mental health. By doing that, you open yourself up to a certain level of vulnerability every day. Because if you are like me, it's a living experience. It's not a lived experience in the past tense.” Sarah Kline co-founded and is CEO at United for Global Mental Health (UnitedGMH), a non-governmental organisation focusing on increasing political and financial support for mental health worldwide. Read more (opens new window)
Colonialism, trauma, and mental health (opens new window)
At 14 years old, I sat on the couch in my parents’ living room, weeks away from starting school in 2013. Anxiety gripped me, as it always did with new beginnings. Ironically, I was returning to a school with classmates I had known since childhood, yet I felt untethered. Even the familiarity of my living room could not quell my unease. The hollow pit in my stomach deepened as my mother and father called me and my brother to sit together. My dad stared at us blankly, his expression more detached than usual. Read more (opens new window)
Advancing global mental health diplomacy through a rights-based approach (opens new window)
Global mental health diplomacy must prioritise a human rights-based approach to integrate mental health into the international agenda through cooperation and advocacy. With over 75% of individuals with mental ill health in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) lacking access to care, immediate action is essential. Despite increasing recognition of mental health globally, the consistent application of a rights-based approach remains limited. Viewing mental health as a core element of public health fosters international cooperation, enhances resilience, broadens access, and strengthens mental health rights. Read more (opens new window)
Why Gen Z is turning to social media for mental health help –instead of trained experts: poll (opens new window)
An overwhelming majority of Australians struggling with their mental health are turning to social media – not trained professionals – for answers, in what experts say could be to “their own downfall and their own detriment.” Research by News Corp’s Growth Distillery with Medibank found for almost two in three Australians, these informal, peer-driven platforms outpace established medical sources and experts when it came to identifying their primary resource of mental health and wellbeing information. Read more (opens new window)
Trends in Mental and Behavioral Health Risks in Adolescents: 1999-2021 (opens new window)
To identify distinct profiles of adolescent mental and behavioral health risks and variation over cohorts and demographic strata from 1999 through 2021. We expected increased mental health risks and decreased behavioral health risks. Read more (opens new window)
The silent struggle: Addressing mental health in law enforcement (opens new window)
This week has been a devastating one for law enforcement in Harris County, as three members of the Sheriff’s Office have died by suicide. These losses highlight an issue that often goes unspoken -- mental health within the law enforcement community. Read more (opens new window)
MFP/ANA ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
MFP alums Drs. Dawn Bounds and Shaquita Starks at the ISPN conference in New Orleans poster presentation.
Dr. Shaquita Starks: We are excited to share our poster presentation titled: "Integrating Social Justice Principles Into Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Education And Practice In The U.S.: A Narrative Review," in New Orleans, LA! As part of the International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Drs. Dawn Boyd Bounds Freida Outlaw and Vicki Hines-Martin and I explored how social justice principles like health equity, advocacy, and cultural competence are integrated into PH nursing education and practice. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating social justice concepts into curricula to prepare compassionate, culturally aware mental health nurses equipped to address mental health disparities effectively.
Co-Authors: Dawn Bounds, Freida Outlaw, Vicki Hines-Martin.
Congratulations to Dr. Eugenia Flores Millender, PI on the grant and MFP alum, and Dr. Umeika Stephens, NAC member
Congratulations to MFP Alumni Marcus D. Henderson, MSN, RN
Save the date! The 2025 Intensive Training Institute is happening August 14-16 in Baltimore, MD.
This year’s theme focuses on Empowering Psychiatric Nurses to Transform Care from Acute to Chronic Mental Health and Substance Use Conditions in Children and Families. Don’t miss it!
Exciting news! The MFP Chatbot has landed on our website
Exciting news! The MFP Chatbot has landed on our website, ready to answer your questions about the Fellowship application and program—anytime, anywhere! Just click the chat icon in the lower right corner and start the conversation.
50 Years: Reflect & Project!
In the season 4 finale of Mental Health Trailblazers, Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up! host Indrias Kassaye sits down with two pivotal figures behind the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) at the American Nurses Association: Janet Jackson, Project Director, and Samuel Suraphel, Digital Program Manager. Often working behind the scenes, Janet and Samuel are the program's driving force, tirelessly steering its mission to support psychiatric mental health nurses from underrepresented backgrounds and advance psychiatric mental health care for diverse communities.
Throughout this engaging and heartfelt conversation, Janet reflects on the personal stories that connected her to MFP’s mission and shares how she helped transform the program from a state of disarray to a thriving support system for behavioral health nurses. Samuel offers his unique insights into the program’s evolution, highlighting the growing interest among young nurses in psychiatric mental health and the shift in perceptions within the field. Together, they celebrate MFP’s achievements and lay out an ambitious vision for the future, including expanding outreach to high schools, building career pathways, and enhancing digital engagement to reach broader audiences.
Join us for this inspiring episode that not only honors the MFP’s remarkable 50-year legacy but also looks ahead with optimism to the next generation of mental health care providers. As Janet, Samuel, and Indrias celebrate this milestone, they leave us with a powerful reminder: mental health care is essential, and the mission continues.
Listen now to the entire podcast episode.
Nurses earn FREE continuing Nursing Education Credits! Visit here (opens new window)
Visit emfp.org to learn more about the Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association.
Introducing the MFP/ANA Mobile App: Connect, Collaborate, Thrive!
We are thrilled to welcome you to the MFP/ANA Mobile App, a platform designed to connect Alumni like yourself in a mobile network of support and collaboration. Whether you are looking to share experiences, seek advice, or simply connect with like-minded individuals, this app is here to facilitate meaningful interactions within our community.
As an Alumni, your unique perspective and expertise are valuable assets that contribute to the richness of our network. We encourage you to explore the various features of the app, participate in discussions, and engage with fellow members to make the most of your experience. Together, we can create a supportive and empowering environment where ideas thrive and connections flourish.
To Connect:
- Use this link (opens new window) to access the community and create an account.
- Complete the 4 brief items to get the most out of the mobile app community including:
- Fill out your profile
- Introduce yourself
- Adjust your notifications so you know when things are happening
- Download the mobile app!
Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey. We look forward to seeing the positive impact you will make within the MFP/ANA Mobile App community.
Download the MFP/ANA Mobile App
Or Scan the QR Code below
Upcoming Events
- Save the Date and Join us for the NCEMNA Policy Summit March 27 -28, 2024 at the California Endowment Center in Los Angeles.
What is Historical Trauma? Listen to the full episode here for more insights into this amazing program, and earn FREE CNEs!
HOTLINE RESOURCES
The National CLAS Standards
The National CLAS Standards are a set of 15 action steps intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health care disparities by providing a blueprint for individuals and health and health care organizations to implement culturally and linguistically appropriate services. View the standards here (opens new window)
About MFP
Funding for the MFP e-Newsletter was made possible (in part) by Grant Number 1H79SM090074-01 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written training materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
