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The River Edge Story
21
Telling the River Edge Story
My Information
Cara Quarantillo
Director of Communications
175 Emery Highway
Macon, Georgia 31217
(478) 803-7707
cquarantillo@river-edge.org
What this presentation covers:
This Presentation
- Are you a River Edge Advocate?
- How Can You Help Tell the River Edge Story?
- River Edge Key Messages
- People First Language
- How to be a River Edge Spokesperson
- River Edge on Social Media & Social Media Best Practices
Are You River Edge Advocate?
Are You River Edge Advocate?
Do You ...
Publicly support the services River Edge provides?
Are You ...
Committed to the issues surrounding mental health, intellectual & developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder?
What is the River Edge Story?
What is the River Edge Story?
We Make Life Better!
Meet Brett
Meet Anthony
√
Meet Tina
We Make Life Better
It's Someone You Love
Recovery Is Real and Possible
It's Someone You Love
Unmasking Mental Illness Campaign
Unmasking Mental Illness
Judge Verda M. Colvin
Sheriff David Davis
Mayor
Robert
Reichert
Bibb County Schools Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones
The River Edge Story:
The River Edge Story
the inspiring stories of the people we serve!
How Can You Help Tell The River Edge Story of Hope?
How to help?
- Be a River Edge spokesperson
- Share positive stories about River Edge with your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family members
- Share inspiring/interesting stories with the Communications Director
- Engage with River Edge on social media (Like! Share! Comment!)
- Leave reviews on Google, Indeed, Facebook, and other websites
River Edge Key Messages
Key Messages
River Edge is THE place for mental health and substance use disorder treatment. River Edge is also THE place for intellectual and developmental disability supports that make lives better.
- River Edge offers evidence-based treatments and supports that lead to recovery and wellness. We make life better.
- Internationally accredited, River Edge provides superior, robust service lines and supports that make life better for the individuals and families we serve.
- River Edge provides quality housing and clinical facilities to make life better in the communities we serve.
Key Messages (Cont.)
- The dedicated professionals of River Edge operate with fiscal excellence. River Edge is an economic development engine and specialty healthcare provider that makes life better in the communities we serve.
- River Edge knows that mental illness, addiction and intellectual & developmental disabilities are biological health conditions. River Edge works to eliminate the persisting judgement and stereotypes about these brain-based conditions by sharing the message: if it’s not you, it’s someone you love.
Continued
People First Language
People First
People-first language is designed to avoid perceived and subconscious dehumanization when discussing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as behavioral health conditions.
Why People First Language?
Why?
People first language can help reduce the stigmas and stereotypes associated with mental health conditions, developmental & intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders.
People First Language and Substance Use Disorder
Substance Use Disorder
Instead of:
He's an addict/junkie/drunk.
She's clean/sober.
He had a dirty drug screen.
She's on methadone (suboxone, etc.).
Say This:
He's a Person with substance use disorder.
She is in recovery.
He tested positive for substances use.
She is receiving medication for addiction treatment.
People First Language and Mental Health Conditions
Mental Health Conditions
Say this
He has a mental illness.
She is living with Schizophrenia.
He has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. (Don't use this to casually describe someone who a "perfectionist" or who is especially organized.)
He has Bipolar Disorder.
Instead of this
He is mentally ill (psycho, crazy, etc.).
She's schizo.
He's so OCD.
He is bipolar.
Some say "disabilities."
At River Edge, we see different abilities.
- In the IDD world, advocates focus more on a person’s abilities (and the supports an individual needs to live the most independent life possible) as opposed to his or her disability.
- According to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, many autistic individuals and their advocates prefer the term “Identity-First Language.” Although preferences vary, many individuals prefer to be called “autistic” as opposed to “a person with autism.” (Think: “He is athletic” as opposed to “he has athleticism.”)
Different Abilities
Say this ...
She uses a wheelchair.
She has an intellectual disability.
Instead of this ...
She is wheel-chair bound.
She is mentally retarded.
She's a retard.
She is retarded.
River Edge & the Media
The Media
Media: newspapers, magazines, newsletters, online publications, television, and radio (and their representatives – i.e. journalists/reporters)
Media coverage is essential to the public’s understanding of the mission of River Edge and the value it delivers to the community. River Edge strives to be open and responsive to the media.
However, there are policies and procedures that must be followed before, during, and after interactions with the media.
When a journalist calls ...
When a journalist calls ....
Refer all media calls to the director of communications.
- Say: “River Edge’s policy is to refer all media inquiries to our director of communications. You can reach her at 478-803-7707,
cquarantillo@river-edge.org.”
- Do not let a reporter compel you to answer questions on the spot. Do NOT provide names of persons-served or confirm/deny the names of persons served.
- Be courteous and act quickly...
- This may be the reporter’s first impression of River Edge.
- Reporters work on deadlines, and neglecting to act promptly might result in a missed opportunity or damaging the relationship with the reporter.
If a journalist comes on site ...
When a journalist comes on site ....
- Keep journalist in lobby or common areas and remain with him or her at all times.
- Call the Communications Director immediately.
- Follow the camera, not the reporter.
Social Media
River Edge's Social Media
River Edge on Facebook
www.facebook.com/riveredgebhc
River Edge on Instagram
www.instagram.com/riveredgegeorgia
River Edge on Twitter
www.twitter.com/riveredgebhc
River Edge on Google
When Posting ...
Posting
Remember River Edge’s Code of Conduct (in your employee handbook) when referencing River Edge on social media sites.
Questions
Questions?
Thank you!