An Introduction to Mental Health and Mental Illnesses

The College of Direct Support gratefully acknowledges the following participants. Each contribution was critical to making this course an excellent training product.

This course was originally developed on May 14th, 2013

Course or lesson revision dates include:

National Editorial Board Members that Completed Course Content Reviews:

Richard C. Baron, MA, Richard C. Baron, MA, Director of Knowledge Translation Activities, Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities
Dr. Robert J. Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer- NADD
Mary Beth Lardizabal, DO, Physician/Psychiatrist, Allina Mental Health - St. Paul Clinic
Alex Marie, PsyD, Minneapolis, MN
Kathleen Olson, Ph.D., Associate Scientist (retired), Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities
Rhonda Thissen, M.S.W., Mental Health Block Grant Administrator, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Office of Behavioral Health Services

Internal Course Editor(s):

Lori Sedlezky, Project Coordinator, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nancy McCulloh, Project Coordinator, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Pam Stenhjem, M.S., Research Fellow, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Media Development and Content Programming

The CDS and CFSM Media Development and Programming Team:

Tom Carpenter, Director, Media Development, MC Strategies, Knoxville, Tennessee
Jordan Berkow, Content Developer, MC Strategies, Atlanta, Georgia
Kristin Dean, Media Director, Flash Interactions, Graphics, Narration, Voice Clips, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Shawn Lawler, Information Technology Professional, Flash Interactions, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jerry Smith, Photography, Video, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Amanda Ryan, Program Coordinator, Photography, graphics, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nathan Perry, Media Assistant, Voice clips, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Thanks to Donna Kosak at MCS Knoxville, TN for assistance with quality checks.

The College of Direct Support and College of Frontline Supervision and Management (CDS. CFSM) would like to thank the many wonderful people that provided personal stories for use in this course. This includes people that receive supports, their family members, agency trainers, frontline supervisors, and direct support professionals. CDS and CFSM uses a variety of media meant to help learners understand and apply the material. Situations portrayed in videos, voice clips, and photos are based on real stories and actual circumstances. However, CDS and CFSM primarily use actors with and without disabilities to portray these situations. Frequently, the stories are edited to protect privacy and to meet the needs of CDS and CFSM instructional design.

The following people participated in an initial planning meeting to organize this course:

Matthew Bogenschutz, Graduate Research Assistant, Institute on Community Integration – U of M
Michele Fallon, Clinical Director, Baby's Space Partnership/A Circle of Women, Whittier NELC, Minneapolis, MN
Rosemary Geist, Director of Residential Services, Fraser, Minneapolis, MN
Nancy McCulloh, Program Coordinator, Institute on Community Integration – U of M
Gwen Morse MSOCS, Region 10, Kasson, MN
Nathan Perry, Community Program Associate and Self-advocate, Institute on Community Integration – U of M
John Sauer, Program Coordinator, Institute on Community Integration
Pam Stenhjem, Education Specialist, Institute on Community Integration – U of M
Jane Wells Lawrence, Human Resources Director, Community Involvement Programs, Minneapolis, MN
Shelly White, Associate Director, NAMI Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
David Young MSOCS, Region 10, Kasson, MN