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About Us
Mentor Research Institute (MRI) is a 501c3 consumer
protection information and research program that has been in existence
since 1995. The current Board of Directors consists of four
psychologists, and two business people. The Board is a “working
board”. The directors create, pursue and support MRI projects. MRI
Board members donate both time and resources to MRI activities. MRI
consults with advisors from the professional and lay community to
inform decisions and project plans.
History and Background of Mentor Research
Institute
Mentor Research Institute (MRI) was formed as a
free standing 501c3 in 1996 by Mentor Professional Corporation, Inc. (MPC).
At that time MPC was a mental health group practice involving four
psychologists who shared a common interest in responding to emergent
mental health needs in their community and conducting research. MRI
was ultimately founded by this group who were already donating their
time and resources to help individuals, families and their community.
The founders of MRI wanted to promote research, educational
activities, community services and professional trainings that would
help individuals, families and children. MPC decided that a 501c3 was
the best organizational structure to accomplish these goals.
Service Activities of Mentor Professional Corporation
(Prior to Founding MRI)
Law Enforcement and
Public Safety
In 1992 there was a
tragic death of a child in Portland. The child was taken hostage by a
young adult who had a history of mental illness. Officers opened fire
when he threatened and made clear his intent to kill the boy. The
young child was also killed by police. Dr. Michael Conner began
working with the family, Portland Community College and the Bureau
of Police Training Division. This culminated in ground breaking
research and training program for Portland Police Officers titled
"Communication Tactics & Attack Risk." MPC published the first
research based article on police officer recognition, response and
their subsequent reporting behavior in response to angry, aggressive,
violent, self-harming and suicidal behavior. These materials are used
to train all new police officers in Oregon.
Animal Assisted
Therapy
In 1994 MPC recognized
the therapeutic value of using animals when working with mental health
patients. MPC promoted and supported the therapeutic use of animals in
a Portland psychiatric inpatient program. A formative evaluation
project was established at the Ryles Evaluation and Treatment Center.
Patients were found to request less medication and were generally
easier for staff to work with. The project received
recognition as a bona-fide treatment activity reimbursed by Medicaid.
Oregon Flood Recovery
The Oregon Flood
Recovery project began during the Oregon Flood (1995). MPC clinicians
and colleagues created "The Great Northwest Flood Recovery Children's
Story and Activity Book" and "The Parent Guide" to be used as a
primary mental health intervention for traumatized families. The
coloring book illustrated a story that allowed parents and young
children to explore and discuss the feelings and experience of a small
dog named Bingo who lost his home during the flood. Over 6,000 copies
were printed of these books in both English and Spanish. A live and
videotaped puppet show was also produced that traveled to Oregon
Schools. Printing costs were covered in part by Mentor Professional
Corporation and by Legacy Health System.
By 1996, “The Great
Northwest Flood Recovery Children's Story and Activity Book" and "The
Parent Guide” were printed in tens of thousands by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and distributed where flooding
affected families in the northwest and Midwest. Businesses wanted to
financially support these community focused projects but would not do
so readily because MPC was a for-profit corporation. Mentor Research
Institute was formed.
Current Programs of
Mentor Research Institute
MPC formed MRI as a
free standing non-profit in response to their experience with the
Oregon Flood Recovery Project (described above). In addition to
continuing distribution of the Flood Recovery materials, offering
assistance and materials to policing agencies and exploring community
benefits of animal assisted therapy MRI has developed the following
programs:
Internet Mental Health
Consumer Information and Protection
MRI recognized the
importance of the Internet very early. We were among the very first
organizations to explore the Web as resource to support consumers and
referral to professional services. MRI accomplished and learned a lot
with volunteer efforts and no funding. We pioneered the use of the Web
and people followed and improved on our examples. MRI is a recognized
national resource in specific domains of consumer protection. These
projects involved the creation of web sites that provided people with
consumer protection resources.
Homeless Families and
Youth
MRI has helped families and children from its inception. From 2001
through 2005 MRI was involved in providing direct services to homeless
children, training of mental health professionals in the needs of
homeless families and children and providing group and family support
and education for homeless people. These projects involved Board
members and student trainees under the direction of former MRI Board
member Jackie L. Culver, MA, MFA and fund-raising efforts of a young
people’s performance troupe directed by Ms. Culver.
Internet Mental Health
Resources and Screening
Beginning in 1998, MRI
began expanding its Internet resource projects creating a series of
websites that would support families and individuals in crisis. This
took place at a time when there were very few Internet mental health
resources of any kind. Five web sites were developed to provide
information and to help us identify the needs of individuals and
families who use the Internet. The project also looked at how mental
health professionals could use the Internet to support patients and
obtain appropriate referrals.
Professional Education
Projects
The objective of educating families about changes in mental health
services delivery led MRI to create programs designed to educate
professionals about similar changes. MRI applied for and was approved
by the American Psychological Association to provide continuing
education for psychologists, other mental health professional
organizations acknowledge this continuing education approval. The
www.OutdoorTherapy.org
site was developed to offer training opportunities to professionals in
assessment and referral to outdoor programs. The www.UnabashedTherapist.org
site offers training to professionals in ethical and collaborative
practice development.
MRI collaborates with
other organizations to provide additional continuing education events
for professionals. |
