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Mental
Health America of Virginia is committed to mental health consumer leadership training,
developing advocacy skills, resource awareness and reducing stigma associated with mental
illness. We offer the
following educational programs:
CELT
ABIL
CELT
Consumer Empowerment & Leadership Training
Consumer Empowerment and Leadership Training (CELT) is MHAV’s premier program and takes our strong dedication to mental health advocacy one step further. Through its four-day leadership academies, CELT gives people with mental health concerns the leadership and advocacy skills they need to make a positive impact on Virginia's mental health system.
Having a mental illness and using mental health services
gives CELT participants a unique and valuable firsthand view of the mental health system. Many programs, facilities and localities, including your own, want consumers to join their boards, committees, and work groups to improve mental health services and focus on high quality services. Community Service Boards and local Human Rights Committees are required by Virginia law to include consumers in their activities.
 During each training, participants receive the tools and skills necessary to combine their mental health experiences with the ability to network, identify issues, and work with policy-makers and service providers. CELT graduates use
their training in many ways including organizing mental health self-help
groups, joining provider workgroups, and serving on mental health
committees. The Leadership Academy is designed to give you the skills to meet any of these challenges.
What Will You Learn?
You’ll learn that you can make a difference and how to do it. Most importantly, you’ll learn that a serious mental illness does not have to stand in your way. Having a mental illness and having used mental health services have given you an experience that is worthy of sharing with others. Sharing your experience can and does make a difference.
What you will do in Leadership Academy?
-- Meet and network with other mental health consumers
-- Connect to the consumer movement
-- Learn about the history of the consumer movement
-- Discuss the benefits of organized consumer involvement
-- Determine ways of organizing consumer advocacy groups
-- Practice monitoring and reporting issues
-- Develop ways of identifying issues
-- Select relevant issues and learn presentation skills
-- Develop goals and suggest plans of action
-- Conduct effective meetings
-- Identify specific group needs
-- Learn how power and control function in organizations
Who Teaches CELT Leadership Academy?
The CELT Leadership Academy training team is made up of consumers and others. It includes consumers who are graduates of previous Leadership Academies and are active advocates in their communities. In the training, not only will you learn leadership and empowerment skills, you will experience empowerment by training and working with other future leaders just like yourself.
How Much Does It Cost?
MHAV in partnership with the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental
Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS) provide a limited number
of full scholarships to attend CELT. A good candidate is dedicated to participating in the transformation of the mental health system in Virginia.
Will I Get a Job by Completing the Training?
While Leadership Academy does not guarantee you a job at completion, it does give you very important skills that are helpful in every aspect of your life.
When Is the Next CELT Leadership Training and How Do I Apply?
Please visit the Coming Events page for upcoming Leadership Academy and Advanced Leadership Academy
program dates. The following links provide information on applying for the
Leadership Academy training programs.
CELT
Leadership Training FAQs
CELT
Leadership Training Application
If you require additional help, please contact
Sharon Lilly, Assistant CELT Director toll free at 1-866-400-6248 or locally
in Richmond at 804-257-5591 or email her at
sharon@mhav.org
for an application through the mail.
What Do CELT graduates say about the training?
"This is a wonderful experience! First time I’ve felt accepted and belonging in years. I’m psyched!"
"CELT changed my life. Not only did I learn a lot but I also joined a whole other community of people."
"Thanks for the opportunity. It was nice being around like thinking people with a common goal."
"I really enjoyed the classes and learned a lot and I look forward to using the tools I’ve learned to become a better advocate. And I feel empowered."
"It was a very positive experience...the presenters were excellent."
"We can use a little more help from people like that...I got a lot out of it...it helped us with what we [were] doing."
"[there is] so much to assimilate, it entirely revolutionized my thinking about the possibilities of consumer involvement in our own treatment and the system that governs the decisions that are made about us."
Read more about the CELT Leadership Academy
in this article by Sibley W. Johns, originally printed in the CELT
Connector, 2nd edition. What is the Leadership Academy?
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ABIL
Agoraphobics Building Independent
Lives  "Don't try to do it all yourself. Ask for help. Take care of yourself. Balance mind, body, and spirit. Learn from each other. Borrow courage. Realize that you alone can do it, but sometimes you can't do it alone."
- Shirley Ford Green, Founder, ABIL
Read
Shirley's Story ...
The ABIL Warm Line has been designed to promote mental wellness by
providing information, referral, and a supportive presence to those who are
experiencing acute stress as well as to those who have been diagnosed with
anxiety illnesses or mood disorders. Nothing can substitute for the knowledge that comes with experience;
mental health consumers in recovery will share their experiences with Warm Line callers.
Links:
Articles
Book Reviews
Personal Stories and more
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"Cast from shackles which bound them, this bell shall ring out
hope for the mentally ill and victory over mental illness."