NJAMHAA-70th-anniversary-publication

67 on Basic Mental Health Needs/Requirements , to pro- vide training and follow-up to individuals from rural and remote areas of Sri Lanka, which do not have a consistent cohort of clinicians. This course provided theoretical knowledge and practical skills for indi- vidual counseling. The training was provided in 2018 and 2019. According to the SLCDF, 50 families (250 individuals) directly benefited from this project, and 1,500 families will benefit indirectly. Back at home, NJMHI provided administrative sup- port for the Turn-a-Frown-Around (TAFA) Foundation from 2006 through 2011. This organization was ded- icated to assisting those who have lost hope due to loneliness, isolation and abuse, as well as multiple disorders. In recent years, Smile Stations were creat- ed, which are still operated at Collaborative Support Programs of NJ’s Wellness Centers. “TAFA was founded by Drew Horn, an endearing, inspirational person who brought happiness and hope to thousands of people along with a team of volunteers he recruited. He is amazing, channeling his traumatic past – he survived a number of mental health challenges, including suicide attempts – to help people in institutions, many of whom would never receive a visitor otherwise,” Dr. Wentz said. In 2014, NJMHI implemented what would become a very successful multi-year training series focused on evidence-based practices for treating veterans, active military and their families. Participation in the series in 2016 and 2017 doubled over the attendance in the first two years, and the number of participat- ing agencies and their clinicians consistently in- creased, as well. In September 2017, NJMHI had the honor of hosting the Japan Psychiatric Association for International Partnership (KAISEIKAI), which was founded in 1984 and consists of hospital executives and psychia- trists. One of the main objectives of KAISEIKAI is to strengthen the Japanese psychiatric medical field through international partnership. “It was quite an honor to be selected, as KAISEIKAI had been hosted by a number of notable organi- zations around the world, including Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpetrière in Paris, France; C.G.Jung Instituz Zurich in Switzerland; the West London Mental Health National Health Service Trust in London; and the Medical University of Vienna in Austria,” Dr. Wentz said. NJAMHAA and NJMHI Pay Tribute to Long-time Leaders Bill Sette Sette has the distinction of being a NJAMHAA member for the longest time and serving in leadership roles for nearly his entire tenure from 1969 until 2013, when he retired from Preferred Behavioral Health Group, which he founded. He served as NJAMHAA’s Bylaws expert in the 1970s, then Secretary/Treasurer and Chair beginning later in the decade. Sette also served on the Board of the Employers Association of New Jersey and was President of MHCA Enterprises, a for-profit subsidiary of this national organization. “Always on the cutting edge, Bill is an innovator and forward thinker. He has been a major force – in fact, he served as the foundation, as well as the historian, and always offered great foresight – for NJAMHAA literally for decades,” Dr. Wentz said when she presented the Legendary Contribution to Behavioral Health award to Sette during NJAMHAA’s Annual Conference in 2013. Sette was also honored in 2007 with the Visionary Award from NJMHI, when he was appointed as Chair of the NJMHI Board of Trustees. He had served on the Board since its inception in 2000. “Throughout his 50+ year career, Bill was dedicated to expanding and enhancing behavioral healthcare services through many important leadership roles. He contributed to maintaining NJAMHAA’s vitality and continuous growth in importance, as well as to keeping issues in the forefront,” Dr. Wentz added.