2011 Gala Program.indd - Mental Health America of Greater Houston

Photo Highlights
2011
TREASURES OF TEXAS
Gala
of Greater Houston
“A Salute to the Military”
Mental Health America of Greater Houston • 2211 Norfolk, Suite 810 • Houston, TX 77098 713-523-8963 • www.mhahouston.org
2011 Treasures of Texas
Gala Recognizes the
Ivany’s and the Military
On May 24, Mental Health America of Greater
Houston’s annual Treasures of Texas Gala: A
Salute to the Military honored Mrs. Marianne
Ivany and Dr. Robert Ivany, Major General, U.S.
Army (Ret.), president of the University of St.
Thomas with the prestigious Ima Hogg Award.
Together, the Ivany’s represent decades of service
to our nation and our community. The event
also recognized the contributions of our nation’s
armed forces and the importance of their mental
wellness.
The event, held at River Oaks Country Club,
attracted nearly 400 guests including distinguished
military personnel John Poindexter, former Army
Captain of Troop A, 11th Armored Cavalry and
recent recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation,
Randy Pais, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the
Army (Houston region) and retired Field Artillery
Colonel and Michael A. Hood, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (Dallas region) and Former Infantry Captain. Gala chairs
Julie B. Crosswell and Emily Burguières Dalicandro reported that local corporations, philanthropists and individuals contributed
$380,000 for community mental health education and advocacy programs at Mental Health America.
During the evening, the Texas A&M Singing Cadets entertained attendees with a spirited medley of military songs while Mental
Health America released the self-published book, “From Afghanistan To Iraq and Back,” a collection of stories recounting the
invisible wounds of war experienced by Houston veterans and military families. A military roundtable moderated by Dr. Stuart
Yudofsky included a discussion with Army psychiatrist, Major Dr. Christopher Ivany, Marine veterans, Sergeant John Boerstler and
Sergeant Marty Gonzales, and Army mother DeDe Springer on how war impacts the mental health of service personnel and their
families.
Caring for the Invisible Wounds
of America’s Returning Veterans
Since October 2001, more than 1.64 million U.S. troops have deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Many have been exposed for
prolonged periods to combat-related stress or traumatic events. Safeguarding the mental health of these service members and
veterans is an important part of ensuring the future readiness of our military force and compensating and honoring those who have
served our nation.
No generation has ever been asked to serve as many deployments as this one. Unless treated, substance abuse, post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have far-reaching consequences.
These conditions can impair relationships, disrupt marriages, affect parenting, and create problems for children that may extend
the consequences of combat trauma across generations.
Mental Health America of Greater Houston salutes the service and sacrifice of our troops and their families as well as the
individuals, organizations and employers who help them reintegrate back into the community and their lives.
Guest Comments
“Best ‘gala’ I have ever attended.
Lovely setting, substantive and moving program, ‘perfect’ honorees.”
“This is an evening we will be talking about for a long time.”
“Thank you for organizing this very memorable evening for the Ivany family.”
“Words cannot express how incredible the MHA Gala was this year! I looked around during
the program and people were transfixed, some crying, not a sound anywhere- it was that good!!”
“Congratulations and thank you for your hard work!”
“The Ivanys were the icing on the cake- so gracious, caring and a model for any family.”
“The soldier/psychiatrist, veterans and mother so poignantly presented their disparate perspectives
on their “military experiences” that, I believe all of us were enlightened and inspired.”
“Everyone I met last night was moved by the program last night.
I was so honored to be there.”
“We hung on every word...”
Guest Comments
“Outstanding effort!”
“It was by far the most moving gala we have
ever experienced and it spoke so well to everything MHA is all about. “
“Last night was truly incredible, and life transforming for all. WELL DONE!”
“I am still feeling emotional from last night.
The messages in the book, the testimonies from the panel, the decorations,
and especially the faces of the veterans touched me to the core, as they did everyone else in the room.”
“I benefitted greatly from the educational aspect of the mental health challenges
impacting both service men and women and their families.”
“It was one of the most meaningful and touching events I have attended.”
“Thank you for the learning opportunity.”
“Wow, what a wonderful program!”
“ Major kudos!”
Guest Comments
“I thought the Gala was great this year.
As a veteran I really appreciated the focus on those who have done and given so much for all of us.
The panel made the entire event very human.”
“One of my hopes is that we can make our community aware of scope of mental illness in our society and make
it something that becomes second nature to acknowledge and seek help as you would any illness.
This event moved us in that direction by highlighting the military.”
“Last night was a moving and meaningful experience for me.
I understand and appreciate the thought, vision, and work that you all put into
the program to make it invaluable and exceptional.”
“Everyone who contributed to last night’s program should stand up and take a bow! WOW!
What an awesome evening. Everyone at our table was very, very impressed with the program,
the venue, and most of all the honorees – our military. Great, great job.”
“Thank you so much for allowing me participate in the MHA event last night.
As a veteran I appreciate all your organization is doing
to help returning veterans get the help they need.”
Understanding Post-Deployment Stress
Almost everyone who has spent time in Iraq or Afghanistan has experienced something very stressful. Studies of military
personnel deployed to these areas find that traumatic experiences—such as being attacked or ambushed, having to handle or
uncover human remains, and knowing someone who was seriously injured or killed—are common.
Everyone reacts differently to this kind of stress. But many returning military members:
•
Feel sad, hopeless, worthless, paranoid, anxious, guilty, or angry
•
Sometimes avoid situations that trigger flashbacks of your traumatic experiences, do not want to socialize, have low
energy, use drugs or drink too much
•
Are forgetful and have trouble concentrating, relive bad memories of traumatic events, have thoughts of death or suicide
It’s important to know that these are normal reactions to abnormal events and that many military personnel have felt the
same way. However, these thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can also mean that they have more serious problems, such as
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, or a combination of these.
Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can include:
•
Reliving the event. You feel that you are experiencing the event again—often with the same fear and shock you had
when it took place. These kinds of flashbacks can be triggered by loud noises, seeing a traffic accident, or even watching
a news report.
•
Avoiding situations that remind you of the event. You try to avoid places or experiences that bring back memories of
your terrible experience.
•
Feeling numb. It seems like you don’t have any feelings, and you may lose interest in relationships and activities.
•
Feeling on edge. You get angry or annoyed very easily and you have a hard time sleeping, or you may overreact when
something startles you.
Understanding Post-Deployment Stress
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):
When a person has a blow or shock to their head, or when something goes through the skull and enters the brain. Even the
blast waves alone from an IED can cause traumatic brain injury (TBI.)
Traumatic brain injury can cause problems long after the injury actually happens. Symptoms can include: constant headaches,
confusion, light headedness or dizziness, changes in mood or behavior, trouble remembering or concentrating, repeated
nausea or vomiting, and/or problems with seeing or hearing.
Depression:
Feeling hopeless, sad, or “empty” most of the time, losing interest or pleasure in activities that
you used to enjoy, lacking energy or feeling very tired, thinking about death or suicide, having
ongoing physical problems—such as headaches, stomach problems, and pain—that don’t get
better even when they have been treated.
Being part of or seeing shocking events can cause PTSD, TBI, or depression, so it is possible to
have more than one of these problems at the same time.
If you or someone you know have such symptoms and they are affecting activities at home
or duties at your job, it may help for you to talk to someone at your local doctor’s office or
clinic. You can also call Military OneSource for confidential information about getting help:
1-800-342-9647.
Veterans Crisis Line provides confidential help for Veterans and their Families.
Dial 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). Veterans, Press 1 to talk to someone NOW.
of Greater Houston
About Mental Health America of Greater Houston
Mental health is the foundation of healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy America. Since 1954, Mental Health America of Greater Houston has
worked to enhance the mental health of all Houstonians and improve the lives of those with mental illness through collaborative education, outreach and
advocacy. We work to build a community that understands that mental health is indistinguishable from and integral to overall health and wellness, and where
all Houstonians have access to comprehensive, effective care. As an organization, we have long been recognized for our success in providing effective and
cutting edge programs that address the critical mental health needs of the Greater Houston area. We are known for our role in acting as a convener and leader
for ambitious systems change initiatives that have a profound and lasting impact on the state of mental health care. We collaborate with health care providers,
social service agencies, faith-based organizations, government entities, and community organizations to maximize our effectiveness.
Advocacy and Public Policy
Improving access to quality mental health care
Mental Health America of Greater Houston aims to increase access to mental health services, transform the public’s understanding of mental health and
mental illness, and improve mental health public policy. We lead and encourage community collaborations aimed at transforming local systems to improve
the delivery of mental health services.
Education and Training
Promoting mental health and eliminating stigma associated with mental illness
The Education and Training program educates caregivers, service providers, and key influencers on issues related to mental health and mental illness while
providing information and direction to those in need. By providing information, we are spreading the word that there is hope for recovery and wellness and
a community that is willing and able to help.
Board of Directors
CHAIRMAN
William L. McClain
VICE CHAIRS
Nancy Wilson Hargrove
Tim Horan
Robert C. Wilson III
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Connie Estopinal, CPA
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Robert R. Ivany, Ph.D.
BOARD MEMBERS
Efrain Bleiberg, M.D.
Reverend Dr. Linda M. Christians
Ira Colby
Julie B. Crosswell
Emily Burguières Dalicandro
Juanita Elizondo
Theresa Fassihi, Ph.D.
Luz Flores de Rivera
Anne Frischkorn
Nancy Elizabeth Garfield
Michael Jhin
Sally Lehr
Reverend Jim McGill
Curtis Mooney, Ph.D.
BOARD MEMBERS
The Honorable Joe Nixon
George Parnham
Theresa Redburn
Don Woo
Lisa Yoho
EX-OFFICIO
Gary Skarke
HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS
Joan Alexander
Philip J. Burguières
Maureen Hackett
Jim McIngvale