Keene, NH - Friday, March 14, 2008 -The National Council for Community Behavioral Health announced winners of the 2008 Awards of Excellence. Monadnock Family Services (MFS) has been selected as the Excellence in Innovation Award winner for the In SHAPE (Self-Health Action Plan for Empowerment) Program, an innovative, community-based approach designed to assist individuals living with mental illness to improve their physical health and reduce their symptoms of chronic “lifestyle” diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.  The program identifies and targets a comprehensive range of health needs for each participant, including diet, exercise, medication, issues related to substance abuse, and basic medical care, and creates opportunities to address these issues for overall health.  The Awards Dinner will take place on Friday, May 2, 2008 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts, during the 2008 National Council Annual Conference.

Recent studies have reported that persons with severe and persistent mental illness are dying 20 to 25 years sooner than the general population, not as a result of their mental illness, but from other “lifestyle” illnesses – obesity, atherosclerosis, and heart disease.  There are patterns of inter-related causality that include lack of exercise, poor diet, and abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Also, many drugs used to treat mental illnesses can exacerbate metabolic disorders if other precautions are not taken, leading to weight gain and increased risk of diabetes and other diseases. MFS’s In SHAPE program partners each participant with a personal health mentor to help them create individual fitness plans and guide them towards an overall healthier lifestyle.  A mentors help a participant set specific personal health and fitness goals and becomes the participant’s exercise guide and partner.

“We are all committed to addressing the tragic early deaths of people with serious mental illnesses, but MFS’s In SHAPE program puts it to action." said Linda Rosenberg, MSW, President and CEO of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.  “The way In SHAPE engages participants in existing community activities is cost effective and reduces the isolation of individuals living with severe mental illness. The program is effective, measurable, and easily replicable.”

The In SHAPE Program produces results. The Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center (DPRC) conducted an 18-month study of 98 In SHAPE participants. The study found that In SHAPE increased daily exercise among participants by 35% over nine months; systolic blood pressure was reduced 10-12 points on average, and diastolic blood pressure by 4-6 points; meal portion size was reportedly reduced 20%; consumption of at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily increased 12%.  Participants also reported a reduction in depressive symptoms and improvements in their sleep patterns and sense of mental well-being. Nine study participants returned to school and four returned to work, including one who was elected to public office in the town in which she lives. 

“MFS is proud to be recognized with this prestigious award from the National Council. Our goal is to provide better service to individuals living with mental illness and addictions, to create opportunities for long term health and a fuller quality of life. It is an honor to be recognized for the work we do every day to meet our mission,” said Ken Jue, MSSA, chief executive officer of Monadnock Family Services.

The National Council Awards of Excellence recognize mental health and addictions treatment providers, such as  Monadnock Family Services, that have are implementing innovative and effective programs to serve their communities.  Award winners have demonstrated an ability to measure outcomes, translate research into practice, and effectively serve the most vulnerable populations.

 
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) association of 1,400 behavioral healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addictions disorders to nearly six million adults, children and families in communities across the country. The National Council and its members bear testimony to the fact that medical, social, psychological and rehabilitation services offered in community settings help people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders recover and lead productive lives. 

Monadnock Family Services (MFS) is a non-profit, comprehensive, community mental health agency serving southwestern and south central New Hampshire.  With more than 275 full- and part-time team members, our 103-year-old organization currently serves approximately 1,300 children and youth who have serious emotional and behavioral disturbances; 2,000 other children and youth through our community prevention activities conducted in partnership with area school districts and other youth-serving organizations; and almost 4,000 adults through a variety of  counseling and support services.  MFS offers more than 40 programs ranging from parent education and substance abuse prevention to intensive individual treatment for those with severe mental illness.