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2009
McAtee Awards Announced
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officers; 11 police departments; 16 incidents, half of which involved a
potential suicide . . .
Heroic; calm; respectful; compassionate; kind; supportive; patient;
empathetic; understanding; professional; well-prepared; courageous . . .
These
are the numbers that quantify and the words used in nominations to describe
the actions of officers who received the John J. McAtee award on May 14,
2009.
Nominated by either a departmental supervisor or a mental health service
provider, these officers were recognized for their exemplary compassion,
concern and understanding when dealing with a person in psychiatric crisis.
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Missouri Attorney General
Chris Koster |
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, in delivering the keynote
address, reinforced our community’s appreciation for these officers’
work carried out during an extreme moment of crisis, in an environment
of an underfunded public mental health system, and with the well-being
of the ill person and concerned family members at stake. |
“In reading
the stories of each of you being recognized today, I was struck by the
number of lives you saved, by the dignity you restored, and by the
help you provided in a crisis situation, in spite of the dangers it
brought to you personally.”
-- Missouri
Attorney General Chris Koster
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Mental
Health America, its Board of Directors, Judge David L. Dowd (chairperson)
and the McAtee family are pleased to announce and recognize recipients of
the 2009 John J. McAtee award:
Officer Steve DeBisschop, Sgt. Randy Carrico
- Glendale Police Department
Officers John Pierce, James Mueller, Reginald Jones, Andre Jackson, Kenya
Burns, David Calcaterra, Samantha Edwards
- St. Louis
Metropolitan Police Department
Officer Colin Foppe
- St. Louis County Police Department
Deputy David Devillez
- St. Charles County Sheriff’s Office
Detective Christopher Mutert
- University City Police Department
Deputy Sheriffs Daniel Spradling, Virgil Sieberg, Columbus Duncan, Lt. Kevin
Carle -
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Jill Molkenbur, Officer
Garrett Wood
- Olivette
Police Department
Officer Katie Cannon
- Creve Coeur Police Department
Deputy Jill Bloomfield, Corporal Anthony Barber
- Warren County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Justin Keiser
- Warrenton Police Department
Lt.
Jeff Beaton
- Shrewsbury Police Department
2009 McAtee Award Winners
Officer
Colin Foppe and Deputy David Devillez, who are also part of the Metro Air
Support Unit, also received Officer of the Year awards for their air
rescue of a man who had attempted suicide by jumping from a bridge into the
Mississippi River.
We
encourage police departments and mental health agencies to make note during
the coming year of an officer’s intervention that meets criteria for the
2010 nomination process. For nomination criteria, call Mental Health America
at 314-773-1399 or
click here.
The
event, hosted annually by Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri, has
been honoring officers since 1987. |
First Memorial Day MHA 5K
Event
Held in Tower Grove Park
The rain did not begin to
dampen the spirits of those who participated in the first annual 5K walk/run
to benefit Mental Health America on May 23rd. The event was
planned and organized by Brig. Gen. Tracy Beckette (Ret) a member of the MHA
Board of Directors. All proceeds from the event will benefit programming
efforts for returning veterans and their families.
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Bob Driscoll gets the runners off
to a good start with the
sound of the pipes |
It is estimated
that more than 20% of soldiers returning from war suffer from some form
of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, feelings of anxiety, and
transitioning difficulties. Funds raised from this event will provide
“Help for the Homefront” workshop to train mental health professionals
in treating these mental health issues. |
The event began amidst the
trees, with the sounds of bagpipes performed by Bob Driscoll, and then bugle
taps were performed by Mary Weber. Bryan Evans sang the National Anthem.
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Runners review the route |
Numerous sponsors made the event possible through gifts and support
including the Missouri Foundation for Health, Lumiere Place, the Crider
Health Center, Kling Foundation, Employer Support for the Guard and
Reserve (ESGR), |
the Association of the
United States Army (AUSA), Cusamano and Sons, the Mission Continues, Bristol
Myers Squibb, St. Louis Fire Department, Abbott EMS, Koury Insurance Agency,
St. Louis Track Club, Innoventor, Inc. and various individuals.
The event will be held next
year on May 29th at Tower Grove Park. For more information
please contact Mental Health America at 314-773-1399.
NEW CAMPAIGN HELPS
AMERICANS DEAL WITH STRESSFUL TIMES
Mental Health America's “LiveYour Life WellSM”
Offers 10 Proven Tools to Combat Stress and Promote Well-Being
“Economic crisis has
added to the daily stress that all American families face, and may be
increasing their risk of depression and anxiety as well,” said Jim House,
Executive Director of Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri.
"Live Your Life WellSM
is the first program in the U.S. that brings together the information needed
to help all Americans in difficult times and throughout their lives. Good
mental health is much more than just the absence of illness – it’s about
being able to handle life’s challenges and even flourish.”
The heart of the program is the Live Your Life WellSM
Web site (www.LiveYourLifeWell.org),
which provides 10 evidence-based tools to bolster mental health. “Research
is clear that good mental health is essential for overall health and
well-being,” said Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., noted author of The How of
Happiness: A Scientific Approach for Getting the Life You Want and a
psychologist at University of California Riverside. “There are actions that
people can take that can improve their mental health and increase their
well-being, and even modest changes can make a real difference.”
Live Your Life WellSM is
unlike any other public education campaign. It offers scientific evidence
for a range of concrete actions that promote mental wellness. The contents
are derived from decades of behavioral and medical research with thousands
of individuals, often conducted at major universities or funded by
government agencies. Written in consumer-friendly language, the program
offers dozens of easy-to-follow suggestions from behavioral health experts
and tips on sustaining the advice.
Read the full story and learn about ten tools you can use to Live Your Life
WellSM
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