Big Tuesday Spining Wheel

Rocking the Vote 2014

Its fat Tuesday election style as the mid-term elections roll forward into the general election come Nov. 4. If didn't early vote, this is your day to do your civic duty and make your way to the polls to cast your ballot. COP 24/7 urges everyone to do your homework on candidate in an effort to seek
those who want to see Arkansas prosper and embrace human rights issues that will make a difference for us all. With marriage equality on hold until later this year, it is high time that the LGBTQ community move toward further understanding the body politic and what impact that the community needs to do to impact it. This forum has suggested panel discussions, capacity building, strategy sessions and all manner of empowering the rainbow electorate.

It is the opinion of COP 24/7 that the infusion of energy from HRC's Project One America will be based in positioning possible candidates in line to assume local offices. As previously stated on this platform, this movement is the ultimate catalyst to making the positive and perhaps lasting changes that will directly affect the LGBTQ construct. Yet if we already have a fully funded brigade of those who do not have our best interest at hand already in place makes the journey a further uphill battle. So rock the vote, don't forget your ID and mark that ballot for the candidate of your choice!!

Faith and Community Leaders Play a Critical Role in Supporting their Communities’ Mental Health Needs

Faith and community leaders play a critical role in raising awareness of and supporting mental health in their communities by sharing supportive messages and providing information about how to get help when it’s needed. When people and families are facing mental health problems, they often turn to trusted members of their community for help. As first responders, faith and other neighborhood leaders can make a huge difference in how the individual and community copes and heals – but only if they know what to do.

That’s why the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the HHS Partnership Center are proud to announce two new publications that help guide faith-based and community leaders in responding to the mental health needs of their communities: Information for Faith-Based and Community Leaders, Talking Points for Faith-Based Communities and Everyone Can Play a Role in the Conversation about Mental Health, Faith-Based Organizations Fact Sheet. These publications can help communities and congregations raise awareness about mental health issues and emphasize the importance of people seeking help when needed.

In addition to these publications, SAMHSA has created a host of other resources to help communities support mental health and mental health care as part of President Obama’s Now is the Time initiative. These resources include a resource guide for mayors, and discussion guide and a planning guide for communities. Click here to download these resources. SAMHSA also has several grant opportunities available to support Now is the Time activities. For more information, click here.

To always get the latest information on SAMHSA resources and grants, be sure to visit SAMHSA.gov, follow us on twitter (@samhsagov), and like our Facebook page.

The White House HIV and The South Meeting.  

The White House Office of National AIDS Policy, working with SASI and other Southern partners, is hosting a White House meeting focusing on HIV and the South. June 18, 2014 in Washington D.C.
Click here to see the meeting agenda.  SASI commends the White House for focusing on the region of the country with 49% of newly reported HIV infections in 2011. Watch this forum for more updates and spotlights on the Arkansas delegation slated to attend.