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April 07 Guest - Ray Shepard former mental health consumer who discusses his experience when he was homeless in Rhode Island several years back. A couple of years ago James Thomas, Riverwood Mental Health Service's Clinical Director had an idea to create a Internet radio show to improve peoples knowledge and access to mental health services. Sponsored by Riverwood and picked up by Voice America of Phoenix, Arizona, the new Internet mental health show was created, launched, And was a hit. However, the lack of ongoing sponsors and underwriters caused the new show to quickly end, but not before it created the spark for a new and more successful effort. Riverwood’s “Minds That Matter” a new monthly TV talk show about a wide array of mental health topics is now being supported by Cox Communications which has generously donated six weeks of training for the shows production team and is providing studio space to tape the show on an ongoing basis. Led by James Thomas, the new TV show involves other staff and members of Riverwood (people who receive services at RMHS), a key reason for its success according to Mr. Thomas. “Minds That Matter” brings together the talents and ideas of a large group of knowledgeable people, both staff and members of Riverwood. The result is a successful show that can help people understand mental health services and how to access them, reduce the stigma about mental health and highlight some of the difficult public policy around funding and access issues.” Its truly a one-of-a kind program says Daniel Kubas Meyer, Riverwood’s Executive Director. “Jim Thomas and his production team have come up with a list of topics and guests for the show that includes all the community mental health providers in the state, private practitioners and experts from around the country in order to really help people understand how to access and utilize mental health services in Rhode Island for themselves and/or a loved one. Its truly wonderful that its meeting a major gap in mental health—advocating for quality and inclusive mental health services for all Rhode Islanders, and reaching the broadest audience possible through Cable TV. We're very grateful to Ray Larson of Cox Communications and all of our volunteers who have made this possible.”
www.riverwoodmhs.org Statewide on Cox’s Channel 13 12 noon on Thursdays Local Access Bristol, Warren and Thursdays at 7 pm Barrington Tuesdays at 2:00 pm Cox Channel 17 and 18 Saturday at 11 am It’s also hosted by: Full Channel 49 Warren and Bristol check local schedule The fund will be managed by the RI Foundation alongside the endowments of many other community organizations and will be part of an investment pool of nearly one half billion dollars. This will help to ensure a maximum return on the investments. An endowment allows a small agency like Riverwood to take necessary risks, to be creative and to move important agendas. It can also give an organization the financial stability to weather short-term funding uncertainties. By supporting our endowments, you are helping to ensure a lifetime of Independence, Community, and Recovery for our members.
He is now a substitute teacher and he works every day. He hopes to get his teaching certificate at Rhode Island College. He also lives on his own thanks to Riverwood. He lives in a subsidized apartment which Riverwood recently purchased. It is with great amazement, awe and hope that we watch him on his journey. Never did we think this at all possible a year and one half ago. We thought he may end up with us for the rest of his life. To see this change is a God send and we really give credit to doctors and staff at Butler Hospital and Riverwood. We cannot praise them enough. Riverwood exemplifies what mental health services should be like. I am so happy to say that there is hope out there. Riverwood is without a doubt “miracle |
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