Mental Illness Policy Org

Imp. News on Serious Mental Illness (not 'mental health')

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:22:00 GMT

<div class=Section1> Sorry for not sending Mental Illness News over Summer. Here are recent developments in serious mental illness (not mental “health”).   Announcement: VIDEO FOOTAGE WANTED We would like video of people with serious mental illness who are off medications and psychotic. If you have, please send. Try to get permission to use, but if you can't, we can blank out faces if needed. We want to educate the public about what serious untreated mental illness looks like. Footage may come from police interrogations, home video, trials, whatever. Most advocacy groups <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/mental-illness-awareness_b_748364.html">won’t allow public to see</a> untreated serious mental illness. We want to change that because we believe a better understanding will lead to better laws and treatment.   LIBERTARIAN <a href="http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-myth-of-thomas-szasz">Thomas Szasz</a>, progenitor of the ‘mental illness is a myth’ myth <a href="http://www.tributes.com/show/Thomas-Stephen-Szasz-94416283">died</a>. Szasz’s ideology that mental illness is a myth has permeated parts of government and prevented millions from receiving treatment. The NY Times obit revealed his prior connection to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/10/scientology-marriage-tanja-and-stefan-castle_n_1662303.html?utm_hp_ref=tw">Scientology</a>. Relatedly, we prepared a fact sheet comparing and contrasting<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/myths/mindfreedom-scientology-oaks-cchr.html"> Scientology (CCHR) and Mindfreedom</a>. To their credit, the Libertarian Cato Institute ran our piece on <a href="http://www.cato-unbound.org/2012/08/22/the-editors/letters-a-libertarians-proposal-to-reform-involuntary-commitment">How involuntary commitment & Treatment can increase civil liberties</a> of mentally ill. Dr. Ronald Pies <a href="http://www.cato-unbound.org/2012/08/22/the-editors/letters-the-pathology-and-reality-of-schizophrenia/">highlighted the pathology of schizophrenia</a> and <a href="http://www.cato-unbound.org/2012/08/30/the-editors/recycling-thomas-szasz/">Rael Jean Issac</a>, author of the most brilliant book on subject, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Madness-Streets-Psychiatry-Abandoned-Mentally/dp/0967993903">Madness in the Streets</a> took on Szasz directly.   CONSUMER NEWS   <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>In MICHIGAN, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/16/us/michigan-police-shooting/index.html">video emerged of Milton Hall</a>, a man known to have mental illness and going untreated being shot and killed by police who felt threatened.</li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>FLORIDA police felt threatened by and killed <a href="http://www.ocala.com/article/20120624/ARTICLES/120629830/-1/entertainment02?Title=Gainesville-police-shoot-kill-man-diagnosed-with-schizophrenia-">mentally ill Ghulam Yahya Mujtaba</a>. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>IN TEXAS, Thomas Cafall, a man with mental illness <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/13/thomas-caffall-texas-am-shooting_n_1774282.html">killed two at TEXAS A&M </a>before being shot by police.</li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>IN COLORADO <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_20973447?source=commented-news">Mentally ill Kyle Miller</a>, was shot by police after pointing a gun at officers. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>In ARIZONA Jared Loughner shot Gabrielle Giffords he is <a href="http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/about-us/our-blog/83-arizona/2135-loughner-loughner-tragedy-upon-ironic-tragedy">being given the involuntary treatment </a>he needed, but could not receive before the shootings.</li> </ul>     In light of the above, advocates argue for more police training. We believe if the mental health system were trained not to abandon people with serious mental illness and hide behind civil commitment laws the police would not need to be called.   It is nice to see consumer leaders emerging willing to stand up to the anti-treatment Szasian wing of the movement: <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>Consumer blogger Natasha Tracy wrote on <a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/breakingbipolar/2012/07/want-be-bipolar-online-grow-thick-skin/">antipsychiatry consumers attacking</a> those who disagree. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>Linda Saslow wrote a beautiful <a href="http://thefullertonian.com/Article/Details/648">op-ed on being involuntarily committed.</a> </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>Erin Hawkes wrote “<a href="http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/about-us/our-blog/69-no-state/2123-qforced-medication-saved-my-lifeq-personally-speaking">Forced Medication Saved My Life</a>”.</li> </ul>     FAMILY NEWS   Families are between a rock and a hard place: if they call the mental health system, they won’t help unless their child is well enough to accept help. When they deteriorate and the family is forced to call police, police can feel threatened and shoot. as <a href="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/kelly-thomas-khoa-anh-le-schizophrenia-families-police-160272855.html">two cases in CALIFORNIA </a>demonstrated. <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace:none'>Julian Kurita in NY <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mom-schizophrenic-son-killed-husband-pleads-judge-son-illness-account-sentencing-article-1.1111830">received the minimum sentence</a>, after his mom pleaded for the court for leniency when he was convicted of killing her husband, his father due to his schizophrenia. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace:none'>Jeneen Interlandi wrote a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/magazine/when-my-crazy-father-actually-lost-his-mind.html?ref=magazine">moving and highly visible piece</a> in Sunday NY Times Magazine about civil commitment laws creating an inability to get her father treatment for his mental illness and the needless pain and suffering that caused. Hundreds of families commented.</li> </ul>   POLITICS OF SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS:   <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'><a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/07/us-loses-psychiatric-beds-for-mentally.html#.UAf8gcytgBQ.twitter">New stats</a> show state psych bed shortage is getting even worse. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>New Pew Center report shows states are making it <a href="http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/states-crack-down-on-mental-health-prescriptions-85899411084">harder for people with mental illness to get meds</a>. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but as we wrote it really d<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/06/obamacare-supreme-court-leave-mentally.html">oesn’t help seriously mentally ill who need hospital care</a>. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>Sadly, Paolo del Vecchio, a non-MD, and a <a href="http://www.samhsa.gov/about/bio_delvecchio.aspx">leader of the anti-treatment movement</a> was made Director of SAMHSA. (On the plus side legislators discussed cutting SAMHSA’s budget as <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/16/counterproductive-craziness-at-federal-agency">we have suggested</a>). </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>Marvin Ross wrote on transplant committees denying <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/marvin-ross/schizophrenic-organ-transplant_b_1622777.html?utm_hp_ref=tw">organ transplants to people with schizophrenia</a>.</li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>When James Holmes killied 12 in a COLORADO movie theater we wrote on the<a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/310373/legal-system-can-t-handle-james-holmes-d-j-jaffe"> inadequacy of legal system to handle persons with mental illness</a> for National Review <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/310200/virginia-tech-tucson-aurora-and-counting-e-fuller-torrey">as did Dr. E. Fuller Torrey</a>. Like most, James Holmes was known to the mental health system but was exercising <a href="http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2012/08/involuntary-commitment-james-holmes-psychiatrist-blame.html">his right to not accept treatment</a>. Perhaps <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2012-07-29/move-theater-shooting-mental-health/56575432/1">Pete Early said it best</a>, in USA Today:</li> </ul>   “The suspect's parents will be blamed, though our civil rights laws make it <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/parenting-family/teen-ya/2011-01-13-parentspsych13_st_N.htm">extremely difficult</a> for family members to force anyone to see a doctor or seek medical treatment if he or she has a mental disorder and is acting oddly. By law, we protect the right of an individual to be "crazy." Yet, we become outraged when a Cho or a Loughner kill and maim.” Huffington Post blogger made a full-throated<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-vognar/involuntary-treatment_b_1652151.html?utm_hp_ref=tw"> case for better assisted treatment laws</a>.     CIVIL COMMITMENT NEWS:   <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;text-align:justify;tab-stops:list .5in; text-autospace:none'>Thanks to our efforts the <a href="http://www.crimesolutions.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?ID=228">Department of Justice certified Assisted Outpatient Treatment</a> as an “effective crime prevention strategy.” </li> </ul> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;text-align:justify;tab-stops:list .5in; text-autospace:none'>GEORGIA Legislators are looking into reforming their civil commitment laws. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;text-align:justify;tab-stops:list .5in; text-autospace:none'>WEST VIRGINIA is contemplating reform of civil commitment laws and MIPO’s testimony was <a href="http://wvgazette.com/News/201208130202">covered by the Charleston Gazette</a>.</li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;text-align:justify;tab-stops:list .5in; text-autospace:none'><a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20120908-a-better-way-to-treat-mental-illness-finally-arrives.ece">TEXAS is starting to see the benefits</a> of implementing Assisted Outpatient Treatment (a court order to stay in treatment while in the community). </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;text-align:justify;tab-stops:list .5in; text-autospace:none'>Thanks to <a href="http://aot4tn.blogspot.com/">advocates in TENNESSEE,</a> Knoxville started a pilot <a href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jul/21/knox-pilot-project-to-offer-alternative-to-or/">AOT program in Knoxville</a>. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;text-align:justify;tab-stops:list .5in; text-autospace:none'>OHIO is giving discharged <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mentally-ill-ex-Ohio-offenders-get-more-medication-3713300.php?cmpid=twitter%20%E2%80%A6">prisoners more medicines</a>. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;text-align:justify;tab-stops:list .5in; text-autospace:none'>The DELAWARE legislature <a href="http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis146.nsf/vwLegislation/HJR+17/$file/legis.html?open">started a group</a> to evaluate civil commitment laws (although it is dominated by ‘mental health’ interests rather than those who have experience with people with serious mental illness (ex. corrections). </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;text-align:justify;tab-stops:list .5in; text-autospace:none'>In Arizona, Deborah Fabos started a FB group for and <a href="http://familyfabos.blogspot.com/">blog for AOT reform</a>. Mary Lou Brncik criticized AZ’s policy of i<a href="http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2012/06/21/20120621brncik0623-mentally-ill-prisoners-must-proper-care.html">ncarcerating mentally ill</a>.</li> </ul>   BAD STATE NEWS:   <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>ILLINOIS received a court go-ahead to <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-06-21/judge-allows-closure-of-mental-hospital-to-proceed">close Tinley Park Mental Health Center </a>which (gasp!) provides inpatient psychiatric services to severely mentally ill. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>Pierce County WASHINGTON jail saw <a href="http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/08/11/2252159/pierce-county-jail-ot-costs-soar.html#.UCgKcbSU5Ho.twitter">OT costs soar because of incarcerating mentally ill</a>.</li> </ul>   MEDICAL BRIEFS:   New fact sheet shows <a href="http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/about-us/our-reports-and-studies/2143">ANOSOGNOSIA</a> (lack of awareness that you are ill) prevents many seriously mentally ill from getting treatment. There was a tempest in a teapot when pop-media reporting spanking is associated with mental illness. <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2012/07/spanking_and_mental_illness_a_new_study_does_not_link_the_two_.html">Not true</a>.   BEST QUOTES   ”A mentally ill person in US can get a gun easier than healthcare for their illness.”   "With respect to severe mental illness, our county has a “can't do, can’t change, cant fund and can’t help attitude” <a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120717/OPINION/120719618/1042/opinion?p=1&tc=pg">said Jim Bassler,</a> who’s son Aron killed two and was hunted down by police and killed after the mental health system used civil commitment laws to deny him care. PSYCHIATRISTS:   <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>Dr. George Dawson (a/k/a “<a href="http://real-psychiatry.blogspot.com/">Real Psychiatry</a>”) and James Coyne (a/k/a “<a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-skeptical-sleuth/201206/screening-cancer-patients-distress">Skeptical Sleuth</a>”) regularly tackle the internet memes, myths, pop-psychology and nonsense surrounding serious mental illness. Coyne wrote how the race towards early identification of ‘at-risk’ individuals (as opposed to treating those who are already ill) may be leading to oncologists being <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-skeptical-sleuth/201206/screening-cancer-patients-distress">bribed by pharma to find 'mental illness</a>' in Psychology Today. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>Dr. Sally Satel, Dr. Steve Sharfstein, and Dr. E. Fuller Torrey did a brilliant <a href="http://www.heritage.org/events/2012/07/mental-health">serious mental illness roundtable discussion</a> that focused on Dr. Torrey’s <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/media/eft/GovernmentSpendingSMIFullerTorrey.pdf"> succinct analysis of the failure of federal mental ‘health’ system</a>. The roundtable focused on SAMHSA encouraging states to move away from medical treatment; the failure to use Assisted Outpatient Treatment; the lack of psychiatric hospital beds and many of the other issues important to Mental Illness Policy Org but ignored by mental ‘health’ community (NAMI, MHA, consumertocracy, etc.)</li> </ul>   JUDGES, POLICE & CORRECTIONS   <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'><a href="http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/newsarticle.aspx?articleid=1182484">Judge Leifman says</a>, ““We never deinstitutionalized; we just transferred responsibility from a hospital system to the prison system,”</li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>GEORGIA prison chief wrote on why we should “<a href="http://ht.ly/ch3Ar">Decriminalize Mental Illness</a>” </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in;text-autospace: none'>Michael Biasotti, President of NYS Association of Chiefs of Police encouraged NY legislators to close the cracks in Kendra’s Law.</li> </ul>   NEW YORK   Mental Illness Policy Org was very active in NYS this summer and started a <a href="http://kendras-law.org">NY Specific site</a>. We wrote too many op-eds and testimonies to present them all here.   NY FAILURE TO CLOSE CRACKS IN KENDRAS LAW:   In spite of <a href="http://kendras-law.org">our efforts </a>the legislature did not close the cracks in Kendra’s Law <a href="http://kendras-law.org/kendras-law/media/guntheryoungkendraslawoped.html">as proposed </a>by NYS Senator Catherine Young and Assembly Member Ailleen Gunther. Mentally ill individuals discharged from prisons, jails, and involuntary commitment will continue to go to the community without first determining if they could benefit from enrollment in Kendra’s Law. This was a victory for NY’s mental ‘health’ community and a <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/06/mental-health-industry-2-mentally-ill-0.html">defeat for those who care about people with serious mental illness</a>. See numerous editorials and <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/search-results/search-results-7.113?kw=&tfq=&afq=&sortOrder=Date&selecturl=site&q=kendra%27s+law&sfq=&dtfq=">op-eds in NY Daily News</a>, and <a href="http://search.nypost.com/search?q=kendra%27s+law&sort=date%3AD%3AS%3Ad1&entsp=a&client=redesign_frontend&entqr=0&oe=UTF-8&ud=1&getfields=*&proxystylesheet=redesign_frontend&output=xml_no_dtd&site=default_collection&filter=p&search_submit=Search">op-eds in NY Post</a>. We thank them for their support (although don’t agree with periodic use of juvenile and offensive language). Highlights include <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/ny_real_madness_udOxAK56q73bcQxvz8IJXO">our own op-ed</a> blaming NYS OMH Commissioner Michael Hogan and this <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/help_them_before_they_kill_T1UhjWg1xHLnw4fbhQMNXL">by Michael Benjamin</a>. The Daily News <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/assemblyman-felix-ortiz-acknowledges-dangers-posed-mentally-ill-resist-treatment-article-1.1064542">blamed NYS Assembly MH Committee Chair Felix Ortiz </a>for acknowledging the dangers and <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/stabbings-officers-william-fair-eder-loor-demand-tougher-kendra-law-article-1.1063878">Felix Ortiz for doing nothing</a>, and F<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/kendra-webdale-mother-brooklyn-assemblyman-felix-ortiz-strengthen-kendra-law-article-1.1065779">elix Ortiz for promising hearings</a> he never even held. Other papers around the state (that no longer make the articles available online) also supported reform. Thanks to our efforts the <a href="http://www.crimesolutions.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?ID=228">Department of Justice certified Assisted Outpatient Treatment</a> as an “effective crime prevention strategy.”   PATIENT’S RIGHTS IN NY   NYS is holding hearings on how to comply with Olmstead v. L.C. which held that services for persons with mental illness be provided in the “most integrated setting ". We testified greater use of<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-nys-can-comply-with-olmstead.html#.UDUPsey9nbc.twitter"> Kendra’s Law can prevent people from going to incarceratio</a>n. The commission did not hold any hearings in jails or prisons where those who live in the least integrated setting are.   NY MENTALLY ORDERED OUT OF GROUP HOMES   NYS OMH Commissioner Michael Hogan also issued instructions to <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/08/nys-issues-regs-to-kick-mentally-ill.html?spref=tw">kick seriously mentally ill people out of adult homes</a>.   <a href="http://ht.ly/bRjVI">REPORT ON NYS MENTAL HEALTH COURTS</a> issued   <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/06/lynn-shuster-hero-of-mental-illness.html">LYNN SHUSTER</a> one of the best advocates for improved care for seriously mentally ill in NYS stepped down as leader of NAMI Buffalo. Her parting words,   “Never trust a bureaucrat. It's THEIR money (and power and prestige, it's just our loved one's lives. And we know which comes out on top. "Making nice" makes you feel good, but doesn't result in success. News reporters are our friends. Tell the truth, the REAL truth.... Maintain a sense of humor even in dark days--we all need to laugh. Persevere. Persevere some more.... “     CALIFORNIA   Mental Illness Policy Org was very active in California and started a <a href="http://lauras-law.org">site on Laura’s Law</a> and a site on <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/california/mhsa/mental_health_services_act_mhsa.html">Problems with Proposition 63/Mental Health Services Act</a>. We had numerous op-eds and letters published including this <a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/letters-editor/2012/08/proposition-63-funds-help-real-mental-illness">by Mary Ann Bernard </a>   INSIDER DEALING IN CALIFORNIA MHSA/PROP 63:   Mental Ilness Policy Org researched and issued a report finding over <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/mhsa/mhsa_insider_dealing.html"> $16 million of Prop 63 funds going to oversight committee commissioners</a> own organizations and a salary of $681,758 for Rusty Selix.   CA MHSA FUNDS NOT REACHING MENTALLY ILL   Due to voters altruistically passing Prop 63, a 1% tax on millionaires to fund services (Mental Health Services Act) for people with “serious mental illness”, California is the only state with plenty of money to provide care for people with serious mental illness. But it is being diverted elsewhere. Taking off on the work of Carla Jacobs, <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Prop-63-Mental-Health-Services-Act-not-as-3688777.php">Rose King</a>, Teresa Pasquini, and many others in CA, Hannah Dreier at AP reported <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Calif-mental-health-dollars-bypassing-mentally-ill-3743239.php">Calif mental health dollars bypassing mentally ill</a> . This led to <a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/2012/08/funds-meant-mental-illnesses">editorials</a>, calls <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/california/auditprop63funding.pdf">for an investigation</a>, the <a href="http://sd06.senate.ca.gov/news/2012-08-15-steinberg-calls-outcome-and-performance-review-mental-health-services-act">consideration of an investigation</a>, <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/10/4714373/hmong-gardens-and-prop-63.html">our criticism</a>, and a <a href="http://www.mhsoac.ca.gov/Meetings/docs/Meetings/2012/Sep/Comm_091012_Tab1_MHSA_PEI_INN_Report.pdf">coverup</a> by those who approved the spending. (They failed to disclose that the programs do not serve people with mental illness as the legislation requires.)   How can you help in California?   Be a Whistle Blower. The auditor wants to hear about problems with MHSA. She needs your help. If you know MHSA Programs that do not serve people with serious mental illness, especially in Los Angeles, please send them to the auditor. Make them as specific as possible and include links, details that will allow verification. You know the California mental illness system better than the auditor, so send Ms. Howle the tips she needs: Elaine M. Howle California State Auditor 555 Capitol Mall Suite 300 Sacramento, California 95814 Phone Number: (916) 445-0255 General Fax: (916) 327-0019 Executive Office Fax: (916) 323-0913   Email a copy of your information about programs that do not focus on serious mental illness to those <a href="mailto:CarlaJacobs1@aol.com,%20mentalillnessfacts@gmail.com,%20Office@mentalillnesspolicy.org">trying to stop the diversion of MHSA funds.</a>     LAURA’S LAW   CalMHSA gave (and <a href="http://www.mhsoac.ca.gov/Meetings/docs/Meetings/2011/Jul/OAC_072811_Tab3_CalMHSA_StatusReport.pdf">MHSAOC approved</a>) a $2,917,092 grant to Disability Rights California and $1,539,225 to California Network of Mental Health Clients which will be used to prevent counties from providing Laura’s Law to patients who could benefit from it. This supplements <a href="http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2010/awards/SM-10-004.aspx">SAMHSA money flowing into CA </a>also being used to prevent those who don’t know they are ill from receiving treatment.   <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in .75in;text-autospace: none'>SACRAMENTO County Mental Health Board <a href="http://www.dhhs.saccounty.net/BHS/Documents/Advisory-Boards-Committees/Mental-Health-Board/MHBAdHocFeasibilityStudyAlternatives.pdf">subcommittee supports implementing Laura's Law</a>, but the full committee found an excuse not to pass this on to board of supervisors. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in .75in;text-autospace: none'>MENDOCINO health director made <a href="http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/news/ci_21058118/mendocino-county-mental-health-care-options-discussed?source=rss">false claims about Laura’s Law </a>which led the <a href="http://theava.com/archives/16456">Board of Supervisors to punt</a>, which <a href="http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_21184198/implement-lauras-law-today">we answered</a>. </li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#262626;tab-stops:list .5in .75in;text-autospace: none'><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/S-F-tries-version-of-Laura-s-Law-for-mentally-ill-3691087.php">SAN FRANCISCO’s health director</a> tried to position a voluntary program as a substitute for Laura’s Law. We answered. As did <a href="http://blog.sfgate.com/opinionshop/2012/07/09/lauras-law-it-is-not/">SF Chronicle</a> which has done a <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/search/?action=search&channel=&search=1&firstRequest=1&query=%22Laura%27s+Law%22&x=0&y=0&searchindex=property">tremendous job</a> covering Laura’s Law. Also <a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/letters-editor/2012/07/let-people-decide-about-crime-policy">the Examiner</a>.</li> </ul>   Thank you for your financial support which makes our work possible. Together we will get more mental ‘health’ money going to people with ‘serious mental illness’.         </div> -- To remove yourself use this link: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/u/mipo/example/example.com/ Privacy Policy: We don't share your info with anyone. DJ Jaffe Mental Illness Policy Org 50 East 129 St., PH 7 New York, NY 10035 office@mentalillnesspolicy.org http://mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us: Twitter: @mentalillPolicy Huffington Post: http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe DONATIONS APPRECIATED <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail</a>

Mental Illness Treatment Continues Backward Slide

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:05:00 GMT

<div class=Section1> Update<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> Here are updates on the five reforms we believe are needed to improve care for the most seriously ill . Many of these articles are by or quote Mental Illness Policy Org. Thank you for your support. (Hint. Hint).<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> 1. Make Greater Use of Assisted Outpatient Treatment<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'><a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/aot/overview.html">Assisted Outpatient Treatment</a> is less expensive, less restrictive, and more humane than it’s alternative: inpatient commitment or incarceration. <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'>AZ: He met his <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/06/05/20120605phoenix-police-id-man-killed-by-officer-pool-abrk.html#ixzz1wxcHdh60">case manager on Monday</a> and was dead by Friday, showing the need for AOT.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none'>NY: As the result of <a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-04-18/news/31357070_1_mentally-ill-people-assembly-mental-health-committee-mental-illness-policy-org">police stabbings by people with mental illness</a>, the bill to close cracks in NY’s Kendra’s Law (A6987/S4881) gathered new attention. The bill sponsors wrote an <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/ignoring_ny_most_ill_v56IIw3HfasXqcgTHjtXeI">op-ed in the NY Post</a> on how their legislation would require mental health authorities to evaluate mentally ill prisoners and involuntarily committed psychiatric patients before they are discharged from prisons and hospitals to see if they need Kendra’s Law or other treatment to stay healthy and safe. <a href="http://kendras-law.org/kendras-law/research/kendras-law-studies.html">Research</a> shows it works. It is <a href="http://kendras-law.org/kendras-law/supporters/kendras-law-supporters.html">supported by virtually everyone</a> (public, patients in the program, families, and law enforcement). The only <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/05/nys-mental-health-leaders-race-to-avoid.html">opposition is from the mental health system</a> itself, which simply does not want responsibility for the most seriously ill when they can offload them to shelters, jails, prisons and morgues. Thanks to Mental Illness Policy Org., op-eds and editorials have appeared in <a href="http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Commit-to-helping-the-mentally-ill-3606151.php?cmpid=twitter">Albany Times Union</a>, <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/ignoring_ny_most_ill_v56IIw3HfasXqcgTHjtXeI">NY Pos</a>t, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/assemblyman-felix-ortiz-acknowledges-dangers-posed-mentally-ill-resist-treatment-article-1.1064542">NY Daily News</a>, <a href="http://www.silive.com/opinion/editorials/index.ssf/2012/05/strengthen_kendras_law.html">Staten Island Advance</a>, <a href="http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial-page/from-our-readers/another-voice/article886078.ece">Buffalo News</a>, <a href="http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20120521/VIEWPOINTS02/205210304">Ithaca Journal</a>, <a href="http://kendras-law.org/kendras-law/media/schenectadyopedneville.html#.T9Dv3qFWP2g.twitter">Schenectady Gazette</a>, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/kendra-law-incidents-stabbing-police-officer-eder-loor-happen-frequently-article-1.1063338">NY News</a>, and elsewhere. We identified<a href="http://kendras-law.org/kendras-law/mentalillnesstragediesnys.html"> 90 tragedies that might have been prevented</a> had the cracks in Kendra’s Law been closed in 2005 when first identified. Call Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver at 518-455-3791 and Governor Cuomo at: (518) 474-8390. Urge them to Pass the Kendra's Law Improvement Act (A 6987) to Close the Cracks In Kendra's Law<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in'>CA:    Laura’s Law has had tremendous results in California, but a powerful<a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/california/ok2usemhsa4ll.pdf"> anti-treatment coalition</a> is preventing widespread adoption of the law. The <a href="http://www.voiceofoc.org/oc_north/article_c5d0643e-a354-11e1-acfd-0019bb2963f4.html#.T7rTRU6eqlw.twitter">Fullerton Homeless Task Force</a> recommended Orange County adopt Laura’s Law. Laura’s Law is up for renewal and the California LPS Reform Task Force is urging supporters to send letters in support of Laura’s Law  to the Senate Health Committee c/o State Capitol, Room 2191; and to the Assembly Health Committee in Room 6005, Sacramento, CA, 95814.  <a href="http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/06/03/2090397/tribune-special-report-treatment.html#storylink=omni_popular">Articles</a> and <a href="http://calcoastnews.com/2012/04/slo-county-board-of-supervisors-should-implement-lauras-law/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+CalCoastNews+(Cal+Coast+News)">op-eds</a> on the importance of Laura’s Law appeared in <a href="http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/06/03/2090397/tribune-special-report-treatment.html#storylink=omni_popular">San Luis Obispo</a>, <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in'>NJ put out a contract to <a href="http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/nj-awards-contracts-to-implement-gregory-s-law/article_5ea42f01-824b-5b3f-b8a2-e4a51aa0ee93.html#.T9Cc72_UOQ4.twitter">start Gregory’s Law</a><o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in'>TN passed a <a href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/10/editorial-pilot-program-to-help-meet-mental/">pilot AOT program</a><o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1;tab-stops: list .5in'>Bexar County, TX is considering <a href="http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2012/may/16/champions-for-mentally-ill-honored/">starting an AOT Pilot</a> and a jail In San Angelo is trying to send<a href="http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2012/may/08/county-supports-judicial-decision-to-order-ill/"> mentally ill back to the mental healt</a>h system<o:p></o:p></li> </ul> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> 2. Focus more resources on serious mental “illness” rather than mental “health”<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops: list .5in'>National:  Articles by <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/marvin-ross/antipsychotic-drugs-schizophrenia_b_1586291.html?ref=tw">Marvin Ross</a> in Canada,<a href="http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2085"> Dr. E. Fuller Torrey</a> in Washington, <a href="http://carlatpsychiatry.blogspot.com/2011/01/robert-whitakers-anatomy-of-epidemic.html">Carlat Psychiatry Blog</a>, and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/book-review-anatomy-of-an_b_1071163.html">MIPO</a>, all criticized Robert Whitaker’s, Anatomy of an Epidemic for using pseudo science to make the case that medicines don’t help people with mental illness. Natasha Tracy wrote “Why it’s <a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/breakingbipolar/2012/05/why-its-ignorant-to-write-off-psychiatry/">ignorant to write off psychiatry</a>” And the Lancet published a meta analysis that shows Whitaker is wrong. <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60239-6/abstract">Meds do work</a><o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops: list .5in'>Are we <a href="http://www.peteearley.com/2012/04/30/are-people-being-arbitrarily-slapped-with-psychiatric-labels/">arbitrarily diagnosing people </a>with mental health problems? Asks Pete Earley.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops: list .5in'>AZ may see <a href="http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/state/interim-settlement-signed-in-arizona-mental-health-case">more mental health resources</a> invested in the community as a result of a recent lawsuit settlement<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops: list .5in'>NH: We <a href="http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinionletters/961936-263/mental-health-survey-overstates-findings.html">criticized New Hampshire officials</a> for patting themselves on the back when there are more mentally ill incarcerated than hospitalized in that state.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops: list .5in'>NY As incredible as it sounds, NYAPRS, a trade association of mental health providers in NYS actually started<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/06/nyaprs-proposes-reducing-funding-for.html"> lobbying for less medical treatment</a> for people with serious mental illness.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops: list .5in'>WA: A seriously mentally ill man who was <a href="http://mynorthwest.com/11/686499/Families-of-mentally-ill-forced-to-deal-with-ticking-time-bombs">without treatment shot 5 </a>in Seattle and then himself.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;tab-stops: list .5in'>California is unique in that it has plenty of money as a result of Proposition 63 which funded the mental health services act which is supposed to help people with serious mental illness. Unfortunately county and state officials continue to squander the money. <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> 3. Preserve enough hospital beds so seriously ill can get access<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3;tab-stops: list .5in'>Bloomberg News ran a terrific piece picked up in Business Week and elsewhere suggesting that we have <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-06-04/sleeping-in-vermont-dumpster-shows-psychiatric-cuts-cost?r=bloomberg">gone too far in cutting hospital beds</a> for seriously mentally ill. And<a href="http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/blog/moffic/content/article/10168/2062591"> Dr. Stephen Moffic criticizes </a>the American Psychiatric Association for failure to focus on inpatient crisis.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3;tab-stops: list .5in'>CA <a href="http://centerforhealthreporting.org/article/mentally-ill-languish-jails-due-budget-cuts-lack-beds893?page=0%2C1">mentally ill languish in jail </a>due to budget cuts.<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3;tab-stops: list .5in'>GA sheriff argues to <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-government/gbi-director-pushes-program-1428550.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">keep mentally ill out of jail</a><o:p></o:p></li> </ul> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> 4. Change Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity So it Helps People<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4;tab-stops: list .5in'>Legal argument why people with mental illness should be<a href="http://jurist.org/dateline/2012/04/olga-vlasova-death-penalty.php"> exempt from death penalty</a> <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4;tab-stops: list .5in'>Not guilty by Reason of Insanity is likely to get more attention as the alleged killer of Etan Patz may <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/02/nyregion/psychiatrists-puzzled-by-hernandezs-confession-in-etan-patz-case.html?_r=1">plead mental illness</a>. <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#18366D;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4;tab-stops: list .5in'>TX has a grizzly plan to <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/crime/2012/05/the_execution_of_steven_staley_forcible_medication_on_death_row_in_texas_.html?tid=sm_tw_button_toolbar">medicate someone so they can execute</a> him<o:p></o:p></li> </ul> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> 5. Reform Involuntary Treatment Laws so they prevent violence, rather than require it<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5;tab-stops:list .5in'>CA: The<a href="http://www.lpsreform.org/"> LPS Reform Task Force </a>issued their latest report. <a href="http://www.lpsreform.org/subscribe.html">Sign up</a> for their emails.<o:p></o:p></li> </ul> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> In Brief<o:p></o:p> <![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p> <ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5;tab-stops:list .5in'>3 Reasons<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/04/three-reasons-i-wont-celebrate-mental.html"> I didn’t celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month</a><o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5;tab-stops:list .5in'>Dr. E. Fuller Torrey on <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/consequences/stigma.html">how to reduce stigma</a><o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5;tab-stops:list .5in'><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/susan-inman/how-peer-workers-can-hurt_b_1444359.html?ref=tw">Peer Support can hurt people with mental illness</a><o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5;tab-stops:list .5in'>In 2008, Vince Li, who has schizophrenia and rejected treatment<a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/i-dont-hear-voices-152470665.html"> beheaded someone on a Greyhound Bus</a>. In this jailhouse interview he says he wishes someone would have forced him to stay in treatment. <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5;tab-stops:list .5in'><a href="http://neuroskeptic.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/more-depressed-than-average.html">Stigma campaigns may decrease</a> chance mentally ill get treatment<o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5;tab-stops:list .5in'><a href="http://natashatracy.com/features/saying-goodbye-someone-mental-illness/">Saying Goodbye to someone with mental illness</a>: When not to help<o:p></o:p></li> </ul> </div> -- To remove yourself use this link: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/u/mipo/example/example.com/ Privacy Policy: We don't share your info with anyone. DJ Jaffe Mental Illness Policy Org 50 East 129 St., PH 7 New York, NY 10035 office@mentalillnesspolicy.org http://mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us: Twitter: @mentalillPolicy Huffington Post: http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe DONATIONS APPRECIATED <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail</a>

NYS Mental Illness Update

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:56:00 GMT

(This update is for residents of NYS Only) Dear Friend: PLEASE CALL NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SHELDON SILVER AT 518-455-3791 AND GOVERNOR CUOMO AT: (518) 474-8390 AND URGE THEM TO PASS A6987, THE KENDRA'S LAW IMPROVEMENT ACT Background: <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/kendras-law/kendras-law-overview.html">Kendra's Law </a>allows courts to order certain people who have the most serious mental illnesses (and a past history of violence, incarceration, needless hospitalization or dangerous behavior) to accept outpatient treatment as a condition of living in the community. More importantly, Kendra's Law allows courts to order the mental health system to provide the treatment. It stops the system from cherry-picking the easiest to treat for admission to programs. It helps the most seriously ill who don't volunteer for treatment or stay in it. <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/kendras-law/research/kendras-law-studies.html">Kendra's Law is proven to work</a>: <ul> <li> rreduced homelessness (74%);</li> <li>reduced suicide attempts (55%);</li> <li>reduced substance abuse (48%);</li> <li>reduced physical harm to others (47%);</li> <li>reduced property destruction (43%);</li> <li>reduced hospitalization (77%);</li> <li>reduced arrests (83%);</li> <li> reduced incarceration (87%).</li> </ul> <pTwo legislators recently introduced <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/kendras-law/kendras-law-improvements.html">The Kendra's Law Improvement Act </a>would close giant cracks in the law that prevent those who may need it from getting access <ul> <li> Close the crack in the system, whereby mentally ill prisoners are discharged without seeing if they may need treatment to prevent them from becoming violent. </li> <li> Close the crack in the system, whereby individuals who are involuntarily committed to hospitals are discharged without seeing if they may need mandatory treatment.</li> <li>Close the crack in the system that allows mental health officials to refuse to investigate reports of mentally ill individuals who need help when those reports are received from family members.</li> <li>Close the crack whereby if a person ordered by courts to receive mandatory treatment moves to a different county, they are free to go off mandatory treatment.</li> <li>Close the crack in the system whereby court orders to stay in mandatory treatment expire without a review. </li> </ul> PLEASE CALL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SHELDON SILVER AT 518-455-3791 AND GOVERNOR CUOMO AT: (518) 474-8390 AND URGE HIM TO PASS A6987 to Close the Cracks In Kendra's Law. This is critical. Now is the time. SHARE THIS WITH OTHERS. Current Status Senator Catherine Young and Assemblymember Aileen Gunther have taken the lead and are doing all they can to move A6987/S4881, The Kendra's Law Improvement Act.<a href="http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A06987&term=2011&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Votes=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y"> The legislators made certain amendment</a>s to satisfy Mental Hygiene Directors. The main sticking point is that the mental health system is taking a Head in the Sand approach to mental illness. No one in the system wants to even know about people with serious mental illness, much less be obligated to provide treatment. <ul> <li> Hospitals are objecting to provisions that ask them to evaluate involuntarily committed mentally ill patients prior to release to see if they could benefit from Kendra's Law.</li> <li>Jails and prisons are objecting to provisions that ask them to evaluate the incarcerated mentally ill prior to release to see if they could benefit from Kendra's Law.</li> <li><a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/kendras-law/clmhdoppositionanswered.html">Local Mental Health directors are objecting </a>to being informed by families, hospitals, or prisons about people with serious mental illness who may need help.</li> <li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/fire-nys-office-of-mental_b_389940.html">OMH is objecting</a> to having to oversee and monitor Kendra's Law to ensure people with serious mental illness who could benefit form Kendra's Law gain access.</li> <li> The trade association for those who provide non-medical voluntary mental health services<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/kendras-law/nyaprs-opposition-kendras-law.html">, NYAPRS, objects </a>to more attention being paid to those not well enough to volunteer for treatment.</li> <li>NAMI/NYS is doing nothing in spite of having a policy to support the changes.</li> </ul> In other words, no one wants to help people who are seriously mentally ill. PLEASE CALL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER SHELDON SILVER AT 518-455-3791 AND GOVERNOR CUOMO AT: (518) 474-8390 AND URGE THEM TO PASS A6987 TO CLOSE THE CRACKS IN KENDRA'S LAW. THIS IS CRITICAL. NOW IS THE TIME. TELL OTHERS TO CALL TOO This can't be done without you, your friends, your members. Call now. Thank you. DJ Jaffe Executive Director Mental Illness Policy Org. http://mentalillnesspolicy.org djjaffe@mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us on Twitter: @MentalillPolicy Friend us on Facebook HuffPo Writer: huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe -- To remove yourself use this link: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/u/mipo/example/example.com/ Privacy Policy: We don't share your info with anyone. DJ Jaffe Mental Illness Policy Org 50 East 129 St., PH 7 New York, NY 10035 office@mentalillnesspolicy.org http://mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us: Twitter: @mentalillPolicy Huffington Post: http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe DONATIONS APPRECIATED <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail</a>

DOJ certifies Kendra's Law/Laura's Law/AOT helps mentally ill

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:53:00 GMT

NEWS BULLETIN FROM MENTAL ILLNESS POLICY ORG Department of Justice certifies Assisted Outpatient Treatment as an "Effective Crime Prevention" Program. Assisted Outpatient Treatment has been widely hailed as a way to help people with mental illness lead better lives. In fact, 80% of people who have experienced AOT said it helped them "get well and stay well.". Earlier this week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs <a href="http://www.crimesolutions.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?ID=228" target="_hplink">certified Assisted Outpatient Treatment</a> (AOT) as an Effective Crime Prevention Program. This comes on top of <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/crimjust/communitypolicementallyill.pdf" target="_hplink">previous recognition</a> by the DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Initiatives. <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/aot/overview.html" target="_hplink">AOT allows courts</a> to order mental health departments to provide treatment to a small group of people who meet very limited criteria: those with serious mental illness who are likely to become dangerous or gravely disabled without treatment and who have a history of violence, incarceration or needless hospitalization as a result of refusing treatment. Historically, many mental health departments like California and New York elected to require psychotic individuals who don't recognize they are ill to become "danger to self or others" or "gravely disabled" before offering treatment. Because of this "no-treatment" policy, seriously mentally ill individuals who refuse treatment deteriorate and the police are forced to intervene. Too often, this is after the individual becomes a "psychotic killer on rampage" headline and has resulted in three times as many people being <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/NGRI/jails-vs-hospitals.html" target="_hplink">incarcerated for mental illness</a> as hospitalized. AOT laws allow courts to require mental health departments to provide treatment before that happens. In California, <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/lauraslawindex.html" target="_hplink">Laura's Law </a>reduced hospitalization 46%, reduced incarceration 65%, reduced homelessness 61% and reduced emergency contacts 44%. Results in New York on <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/kendraslaw.html" target="_hplink">Kendra's Law </a>were equally impressive. AOT laws were originally proposed by people with serious mental illness and families of people with mental illness as a way to help there loved ones. The Department of Justice researched implementation of AOT programs like Laura's Law in California and Kendra's Law in New York. DOJ noted <blockquote> The goal of AOT is to improve access and adherence to intensive behavioral health services in order to avert relapse, repeated hospitalizations, arrest, incarceration, suicide, property destruction, and violent behavior.</blockquote> Police Chief Michael Biasotti recently released a major <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/crimjust/homelandsecuritymentalillness.html" target="_hplink">survey of senior law enforcement officers</a> that found police and sheriffs are being overwhelmed "dealing with the unintended consequences of a policy change that in effect removed the daily care of our nation's severely mentally ill population from the medical community and placed it with the criminal justice system." A sheriff in Summit County, Ohio recently took action to <a href="http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/local-mental-health-community-responds-to-jail-proposal-1.264794" target="_hplink">prevent seriously mentally ill people from entering his jail</a> arguing they need treatment instead. A Sheriff in Illinois is threatening to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/cook-county-jail-a-mental_n_1291851.html?ref=tw" target="_hplink">sue the mental health department </a>to get them to treat people with mental illness. States are <a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-23/news/31092984_1_mental-illness-mental-health-psychiatric-beds" target="_hplink">closing psychiatric hospitals</a> in record numbers, further shifting the burden of care from the mental health system to the criminal justice system. AOT programs exist in many states but are rarely used. You should share this information with mental health and criminal justice officials and legislators in your county and state. More information on Assisted Outpatient Treatment: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org More information on Laura's Law: http://lauras-law.org More information on Kendra's Law: http://kendras-law.org Housekeeping: Please subscribe to our blog at http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/ -- To remove yourself use this link: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/u/mipo/example/example.com/ Privacy Policy: We don't share your info with anyone. DJ Jaffe Mental Illness Policy Org 50 East 129 St., PH 7 New York, NY 10035 office@mentalillnesspolicy.org http://mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us: Twitter: @mentalillPolicy Huffington Post: http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe DONATIONS APPRECIATED <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail</a>

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Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:52:00 GMT

Mental Illness Trends: It's not pretty

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:01:00 GMT

Your sort of monthly update from Mental Illness Policy Org. on Serious Mental Illness (not 'mental health). Please share with friends and associates. Trend: More psychiatric hospitals close. Local NAMIs start to fight back. The trend towards closing state psychiatric hospitals in spite of a <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/imd/shortage-hospital-beds.html" target="_hplink">massive psychiatric hospital bed shortage</a> is continuing in states like <a href="http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120127/NEWS/201270338/-1/NEWS05" target="_hplink">Massachusetts </a> in <a href="http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/kadner/10493788-452/kadner-state-turns-its-back-on-the-needs-of-the-mentally-ill.html" target="_hplink">Illinois</a>, in <a href="http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20120224/news/120229894" target="_hplink">Alabama</a>, and <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2017740748_guest14murphy.html" target="_hplink">Washington</a> and elsewhere. NYS announced massive closures and the NY Daily News ran our<a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-23/news/31092984_1_mental-illness-mental-health-psychiatric-beds" target="_hplink"> op-ed in opposition</a>. And when they tried to close a psychiatric unit at Cedar Sinai in Los Angeles, <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/b/2012/02/10/nami-to-protest-ending-of-psychiatric-care-at-famed-cedars-sinai-medical-center.htm" target="_hplink">LA NAMI protested</a>. NAMI E. Flatbush NY protested the closing of Kingsboro Psychiatric Hospital in Brooklyn. Historically, NAMIs have accepted hospital closures in return for the promise of community services that never materialize. Nice to see them not falling for it again. It would be great to see state level organizations join in.Trend: Criminal Justice Systems are taking lead in advocating for better care for seriously mentally ill because Mental Health Departments are failing so miserably. As a result of mental health departments taking a laissez faire attitude towards serious mental illness, there are <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/NGRI/jails-vs-hospitals.html" target="_hplink">more people incarcerated for mental illness</a> than hospitalized. For example, the <a href=" http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/western-psych-mobile-unit-sent-shooters-apartment-/nLTDP/" target="_hplink">shooter of seven at Western Psychiatric Hospital </a>turns out to have been mentally ill, known to mental health system, and left untreated. Incidents like this are causing some law enforcement officials to make getting better treatment for people with mental illness a priority, so they don't have to step in. <ul><li>American Police Beat Magazine ran a story we wrote, "<a href="http://www.apbweb.com/featured-articles/2170-cops-overwhelmed-with-mentally-ill.html" target="_hplink">Police overwhelmed by Mentally Ill</a>", based on a survey by Police Chief Michael Biasotti. </li> <li>An Ohio Sheriff announced he is<a href="http://www.ohio.com/news/local/sheriff-closes-jail-to-violent-mentally-ill-1.264640 " target="_hplink"> refusing to allow police to drop people with mental illness </a>who are violent off at his jail. He wants them to get treatment instead. This was fantastic news and the first time we've ever heard something like that. MIPO <a href="http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/local-mental-health-community-responds-to-jail-proposal-1.264794" target="_hplink">supported the Sheriff </a>. </li> <li>A sheriff in Cook County, IL has <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/cook-county-jail-a-mental_n_1291851.html?ref=tw" target="_hplink">threatened to sue the mental health department </a>to stop them from refusing to treat people with serious mental illness. </li> <li>The Department of Justice issued <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/crimjust/communitypolicementallyill.pdf" target="_hplink">Community Policing Guidelines</a> which endorsed AOT as a way to return treatment to mental health departments. Another announcement from DOJ is imminent.</li> </ul>Trend: Consumers buck consumertocracy More and more consumers are exercising their independence and speaking out. Natasha Tracy, a great consumer blogger wrote, "<a href="http://blog.sharecare.com/2012/02/27/human-rights-and-assisted-outpatient-treatment/" target="_hplink">Human Rights and AOT</a>" and about <a href="http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/bipolar-bites/can-treatment-noncompliance-be-good-can-treatment-noncompliance-be-good#.Tz5yPB0WfgY" target="_hplink">non-compliance</a>. My favorite quote this month, was from Consumer Blogger Andrew Behrman in <a href=" http://www.electroboy.com/article14-dumpstigma.shtml" target="_hplink">"Dump Stigma and Focus on Recovery</a>" who wrote, "The stigma started with me. I initiated it. It was my own fault and result of my naivete" The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) conducted a survey asking their largely consumer constituency what the top advances in care were over the last twenty years. <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/03/samhsa-vote-assisted-outpatient.html#.T1bZaOBEnpk.twitter " target="_hplink">Assisted Outpatient Treatment made top five</a>. Unfortunately, SAMHSA has a habit of ignoring issues that only affect people with serious mental illness. As we wrote on Huffington Post, SAMHSA's widely quoted report on<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/samhsa-statistics-ignore-_b_1222144.html"> Mental Illness in America</a> ignored 500,000 seriously mentally Ill On the other side some government funded high-functioining professional consumers ("consumertocracy") are still promoting nonsense. <ul><li>One professional consumer wrote that because there is no biological test for schizophrenia, it must not exist. That's kind of like arguing that colon cancer didn't exist before the colonscope was invented. (BTW, there is no biological test for Parkinsons either. Yet it exists.)</li> <li>Many professional consumers are using the fact that people with mental illness die earlier than others as an argument against medications. But many of these premature deaths are due to side effects of non-treatment. For example suicide, homelessness, incarceration, and lack of medical care. </li> <li>Robert Whitaker's <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/book-review-anatomy-of-an_b_1071163.html?ref=tw " target="_hplink">Anatomy of an Epidemic</a> repeated many of these arguments without any information on the other side.</li> </ul>In Brief <ul><li>Major study says <a href="http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e846" target="_hplink">'art therapy' does not work</a> for people with schizophrenia</li> <li> <a href="http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=181282 " target="_hplink">Scientist asks for proof</a> that anti-stigma campaigns work </li> <li><a href="http://www.psych.org/TFR200921" target="_hplink">APA Task Force Report</a> on Outpatient Services for the Mentally Ill Involved in the Criminal Justice System argues for preserving psychiatric hospitals and using mandated outpatient treatment </li> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMDssBTWgJ4&feature=youtu.be" target="_hplink">Short Sweet Video </a>of Dr. E. Fuller Torrey on his updated book:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Insanity-Offense-Americas-Seriously-Endangers/dp/0393066584"> The Insanity Offense</a>, which includes the most comprehensive information on Jared Loughner who suffered from untreated mental illness and shot Gabrielle Giffords. (Must-reading)</li> <li>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-America-Tragedy-Criminalized-Mentally/dp/0786717459/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332023987&sr=1-1">Crazy in America:</a> The Hidden Tragedy of Our Criminalized Mentally Ill" by Mary Beth Pfeiffer is really wonderful. She shows how tiny episodes of mental illness feuled behavior can snowball and result in permanent incarceration. Two thumbs-up. (Don't confuse this with another excellent book: Pete Earley's, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Fathers-Through-Americas-Madness/dp/0425213897/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332024029&sr=1-1">Crazy:</a> A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness") </li> <li>Treatment Advocacy Center <a href="http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/problem/preventable-tragedies-database" target="_hplink">Preventable Tragedies database</a> lets you search incidents of violence by and to people with mental illness in your own state. Powerful tool to advocate for changing laws</li> </ul>Around the states CaliforniaLaura's Law and ever increasing incidents of violence by mentally ill individuals took center stage in California. A <a href="http://asmdc.org/members/a07/newsroom/press-releases/item/2806-assemblymember-allen-introduces-legislation-to-extend-lauras-law">bill to Extend Laura's Law</a> was introduced and given huge <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/california/sfchronicleLLcarla.pdf" target="_hplink">support by San Francisco Chronicle</a>. Tell your legislator to support Assemblymember Mike Allen's Assembly Bill 1569. A brilliant Sacramento Bee <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/28/4221009/cuts-to-mental-health-programs.html " target="_hplink"> op-ed by psychiatrist Gary Tsai </a>says cuts to mental health programs shift burden to law enforcement. To help people keep up, we launched a <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/lauraslawindex.html">special site on Laura's Law</a> and the Mental Health Services Act with lots of useful information. Unfortunately mental health directors, Disability Rights California, and consumer groups have formed a coalition designed to prevent people with mental illness from receiving treatment until after they become dangerous. While done in the name of '<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/media/bestmedia/uncivilliberties.html">civil rights</a>', this results in people becoming incarcerated and losing all rights. The other big California story is Proposition 63/Mental Health Services Act money being diverted away from serious mental illness. For instance, it is funding the opponents of Laura's Law. Mary Ann Bernard, Of counsel for Mental Illness Policy Org wrote a great <a href="http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/site/legislative-fix-needed-stop-waste-millions-earmarked-severe-mental-illness">piece in California Progress Report</a> on this, and DJ Jaffe, ED of MIPO wrote a a separate story, "<a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?_c=10bk88rbvmvlzv1&1=1&xid=10bk76lgmqb5mgt&done=.10bk7ijlpzpkqc3&_credir=1327959315" target="_hplink">Proposition 63 fails to serve seriously mentally ill" </a>in Capital Weekly. New York<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/01/problems-at-nys-cqc-and-p-programs.html">MIPO testifies</a> that NYS Commission on Quality of Care <a>fails mentally ill and </a>we wrote an <a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-23/news/31092984_1_mental-illness-mental-health-psychiatric-beds" target="_hplink">op-ed in New York Daily News </a>criticizing proposed closings of psychiatric hospitals. VA Pete Earley on failure of <a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?_c=10bk88rbvmvlzv1&1=1&xid=10bk76lgmqb5mgt&done=.10bk7ijlpzpkqc3&_credir=1327959315" target="_hplink">Virginia mental health system</a> TX Judge rules mentally ill incompetent to stand trial are being <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/article/Mentally-ill-inmates-belong-in-hospitals-not-2879237.php#ixzz1lEYXuNT8" target="_hplink">held in jail for too long</a> before being moved to hospital VTReport calls for better care to prevent <a href="http://www.vsea.org/sites/vsea.org/files/Raising_the_Bar.pdf " target="_hplink">incarceration of mentally ill</a> MAMA agrees to <a href="http://ht.ly/96YX9" target="_hplink">treat mentally ill prisoners</a> better and revised their <a href="http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/districtcourt/mental-health-standards.pdf" target="_hplink">Civil Commitment practices</a>. Thank you for your support of Mental Illness Policy Org. This is a labor of love, and if you can afford it, we can use your tax-deductible donations.  Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MentalIllnessPolicy -- To remove yourself use this link: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/u/mipo/example/example.com/ Privacy Policy: We don't share your info with anyone. DJ Jaffe Mental Illness Policy Org 50 East 129 St., PH 7 New York, NY 10035 office@mentalillnesspolicy.org http://mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us: Twitter: @mentalillPolicy Huffington Post: http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe DONATIONS APPRECIATED <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail</a>

Mental Illness Trends: It's not pretty

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:33:00 GMT

Your sort of monthly update from Mental Illness Policy Org. on Serious Mental Illness (not 'mental health). Please share with friends and associates. Trend: More psychiatric hospitals close. Local NAMIs start to fight back. The trend towards closing state psychiatric hospitals in spite of a <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/imd/shortage-hospital-beds.html" target="_hplink">massive psychiatric hospital bed shortage</a> is continuing in states like <a href="http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120127/NEWS/201270338/-1/NEWS05" target="_hplink">Massachusetts </a> in <a href="http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/kadner/10493788-452/kadner-state-turns-its-back-on-the-needs-of-the-mentally-ill.html" target="_hplink">Illinois</a>, in <a href="http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20120224/news/120229894" target="_hplink">Alabama</a>, and <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2017740748_guest14murphy.html" target="_hplink">Washington</a> and elsewhere. NYS announced massive closures and the NY Daily News ran our<a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-23/news/31092984_1_mental-illness-mental-health-psychiatric-beds" target="_hplink"> op-ed in opposition</a>. And when they tried to close a psychiatric unit at Cedar Sinai in Los Angeles, <a href="http://bipolar.about.com/b/2012/02/10/nami-to-protest-ending-of-psychiatric-care-at-famed-cedars-sinai-medical-center.htm" target="_hplink">LA NAMI protested</a>. NAMI E. Flatbush NY protested the closing of Kingsboro Psychiatric Hospital in Brooklyn. Historically, NAMIs have accepted hospital closures in return for the promise of community services that never materialize. Nice to see them not falling for it again. It would be great to see state level organizations join in.Trend: Criminal Justice Systems are taking lead in advocating for better care for seriously mentally ill because Mental Health Departments are failing so miserably. As a result of mental health departments taking a laissez faire attitude towards serious mental illness, there are <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/NGRI/jails-vs-hospitals.html" target="_hplink">more people incarcerated for mental illness</a> than hospitalized. For example, the <a href=" http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/western-psych-mobile-unit-sent-shooters-apartment-/nLTDP/" target="_hplink">shooter of seven at Western Psychiatric Hospital </a>turns out to have been mentally ill, known to mental health system, and left untreated. Incidents like this are causing some law enforcement officials to make getting better treatment for people with mental illness a priority, so they don't have to step in. <ul><li>American Police Beat Magazine ran a story we wrote, "<a href="http://www.apbweb.com/featured-articles/2170-cops-overwhelmed-with-mentally-ill.html" target="_hplink">Police overwhelmed by Mentally Ill</a>", based on a survey by Police Chief Michael Biasotti. </li> <li>An Ohio Sheriff announced he is<a href="http://www.ohio.com/news/local/sheriff-closes-jail-to-violent-mentally-ill-1.264640 " target="_hplink"> refusing to allow police to drop people with mental illness </a>who are violent off at his jail. He wants them to get treatment instead. This was fantastic news and the first time we've ever heard something like that. MIPO <a href="http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/local-mental-health-community-responds-to-jail-proposal-1.264794" target="_hplink">supported the Sheriff </a>. </li> <li>A sheriff in Cook County, IL has <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/cook-county-jail-a-mental_n_1291851.html?ref=tw" target="_hplink">threatened to sue the mental health department </a>to stop them from refusing to treat people with serious mental illness. </li> <li>The Department of Justice issued <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/crimjust/communitypolicementallyill.pdf" target="_hplink">Community Policing Guidelines</a> which endorsed AOT as a way to return treatment to mental health departments. Another announcement from DOJ is imminent.</li> </ul>Trend: Consumers buck consumertocracy More and more consumers are exercising their independence and speaking out. Natasha Tracy, a great consumer blogger wrote, "<a href="http://blog.sharecare.com/2012/02/27/human-rights-and-assisted-outpatient-treatment/" target="_hplink">Human Rights and AOT</a>" and about <a href="http://www.healthline.com/health-blogs/bipolar-bites/can-treatment-noncompliance-be-good-can-treatment-noncompliance-be-good#.Tz5yPB0WfgY" target="_hplink">non-compliance</a>. My favorite quote this month, was from Consumer Blogger Andrew Behrman in <a href=" http://www.electroboy.com/article14-dumpstigma.shtml" target="_hplink">"Dump Stigma and Focus on Recovery</a>" who wrote, "The stigma started with me. I initiated it. It was my own fault & result of my naivete" The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) conducted a survey asking their largely consumer constituency what the top advances in care were over the last twenty years. <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/03/samhsa-vote-assisted-outpatient.html#.T1bZaOBEnpk.twitter " target="_hplink">Assisted Outpatient Treatment made top five</a>. Unfortunately, SAMHSA has a habit of ignoring issues that only affect people with serious mental illness. As we wrote on Huffington Post, SAMHSA's widely quoted report on<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/samhsa-statistics-ignore-_b_1222144.html"> Mental Illness in America</a> ignored 500,000 seriously mentally Ill On the other side some government funded professional consumers ("consumertocracy") are still promoting nonsense. <ul><li>One professional consumer wrote that because there is no biological test for schizophrenia, it must not exist. That's kind of like arguing that colon cancer didn't exist before the colonscope was invented. (BTW, there is no biological test for Parkinsons either. Yet it exists.)</li> <li>Many professional consumers are using the fact that people with mental illness die earlier than others as an argument against medications. But many of these premature deaths are due to side effects of non-treatment. For example suicide, homelessness, incarceration, and lack of medical care. </li> <li>Robert Whitaker's <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/book-review-anatomy-of-an_b_1071163.html?ref=tw " target="_hplink">Anatomy of an Epidemic</a> repeated many of these arguments without any information on the other side.</li> </ul>In Brief <ul><li>Major study says <a href="http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e846" target="_hplink">'art therapy' does not work</a> for people with schizophrenia</li> <li> <a href="http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=181282 " target="_hplink">Scientist asks for proof</a> that anti-stigma campaigns work </li> <li><a href="http://www.psych.org/TFR200921" target="_hplink">APA Task Force Report</a> on Outpatient Services for the Mentally Ill Involved in the Criminal Justice System argues for preserving psychiatric hospitals and using mandated outpatient treatment </li> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMDssBTWgJ4&feature=youtu.be" target="_hplink">Short Sweet Video </a>of Dr. E. Fuller Torrey on his updated book:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Insanity-Offense-Americas-Seriously-Endangers/dp/0393066584"> The Insanity Offense</a>, which includes the most comprehensive information on Jared Loughner who suffered from untreated mental illness and shot Gabrielle Giffords. (Must-reading)</li> <li>"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-America-Tragedy-Criminalized-Mentally/dp/0786717459/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332023987&sr=1-1">Crazy in America:</a> The Hidden Tragedy of Our Criminalized Mentally Ill" by Mary Beth Pfeiffer is really wonderful. She shows how tiny episodes of mental illness feuled behavior can snowball and result in permanent incarceration. Two thumbs-up. (Don't confuse this with another excellent book: Pete Earley's, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Fathers-Through-Americas-Madness/dp/0425213897/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332024029&sr=1-1">Crazy:</a> A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness") </li> <li>Treatment Advocacy Center <a href="http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/problem/preventable-tragedies-database" target="_hplink">Preventable Tragedies database</a> lets you search incidents of violence by and to people with mental illness in your own state. Powerful tool to advocate for changing laws</li> </ul>Around the states CaliforniaLaura's Law and ever increasing incidents of violence by mentally ill individuals took center stage in California. A <a href="http://asmdc.org/members/a07/newsroom/press-releases/item/2806-assemblymember-allen-introduces-legislation-to-extend-lauras-law">bill to Extend Laura's Law</a> was introduced and given huge <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/california/sfchronicleLLcarla.pdf" target="_hplink">support by San Francisco Chronicle</a>. Tell your legislator to support Assemblymember Mike Allen's Assembly Bill 1569. A brilliant Sacramento Bee <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/28/4221009/cuts-to-mental-health-programs.html " target="_hplink"> op-ed by psychiatrist Gary Tsai </a>says cuts to mental health programs shift burden to law enforcement. To help people keep up, we launched a <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/lauraslawindex.html">special site on Laura's Law</a> and the Mental Health Services Act with lots of useful information. Unfortunately mental health directors, Disability Rights California, and consumer groups have formed a coalition designed to prevent people with mental illness from receiving treatment until after they become dangerous. While done in the name of '<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/media/bestmedia/uncivilliberties.html">civil rights</a>', this results in people becoming incarcerated and losing all rights. The other big California story is Proposition 63/Mental Health Services Act money being diverted away from serious mental illness. For instance, it is funding the opponents of Laura's Law. Mary Ann Bernard, Of counsel for Mental Illness Policy Org wrote a great <a href="http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/site/legislative-fix-needed-stop-waste-millions-earmarked-severe-mental-illness">piece in California Progress Report</a> on this, and DJ Jaffe, ED of MIPO wrote a a separate story, "<a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?_c=10bk88rbvmvlzv1&1=1&xid=10bk76lgmqb5mgt&done=.10bk7ijlpzpkqc3&_credir=1327959315" target="_hplink">Proposition 63 fails to serve seriously mentally ill" </a>in Capital Weekly. New York<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/01/problems-at-nys-cqc-and-p-programs.html">MIPO testifies</a> that NYS Commission on Quality of Care <a>fails mentally ill and </a>we wrote an <a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-23/news/31092984_1_mental-illness-mental-health-psychiatric-beds" target="_hplink">op-ed in New York Daily News </a>criticizing proposed closings of psychiatric hospitals. VA Pete Earley on failure of <a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?_c=10bk88rbvmvlzv1&1=1&xid=10bk76lgmqb5mgt&done=.10bk7ijlpzpkqc3&_credir=1327959315" target="_hplink">Virginia mental health system</a> TX Judge rules mentally ill incompetent to stand trial are being <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/article/Mentally-ill-inmates-belong-in-hospitals-not-2879237.php#ixzz1lEYXuNT8" target="_hplink">held in jail for too long</a> before being moved to hospital VTReport calls for better care to prevent <a href="http://www.vsea.org/sites/vsea.org/files/Raising_the_Bar.pdf " target="_hplink">incarceration of mentally ill</a> MAMA agrees to <a href="http://ht.ly/96YX9" target="_hplink">treat mentally ill prisoners</a> better and revised their <a href="http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/districtcourt/mental-health-standards.pdf" target="_hplink">Civil Commitment practices</a>. Thank you for your support of Mental Illness Policy Org. This is a labor of love, and if you can afford it, we can use your tax-deductible donations.  Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MentalIllnessPolicy -- To remove yourself use this link: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/u/mipo/example/example.com/ Privacy Policy: We don't share your info with anyone. DJ Jaffe Mental Illness Policy Org 50 East 129 St., PH 7 New York, NY 10035 office@mentalillnesspolicy.org http://mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us: Twitter: @mentalillPolicy Huffington Post: http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe DONATIONS APPRECIATED <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail</a>

Mental Illness Policy Org & Serious Mental Illness

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:54:00 GMT

January/February 2012 Note: Mental Illness Policy Org focuses on the most difficult issues surrounding serious mental illness, not mental "health". National News SAMHSA estimated the number of mentally ill as<a href="http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1201185326.aspx" target="_hplink"> 1 in 5,</a> but an analysis by Mental Illness Policy Org. found out the report <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/samhsa-statistics-ignore-_b_1222144.html" target="_hplink">left out 500,000 individuals who are incarcerated, institutionalized or homeless</a>. SAMHSA has a long history of<a href="http://dcinsider.com/health/federal-mental-health-agency-funding-anti-treatment-groups-wasting-budget/" target="_hplink"> ignoring the most severely ill</a>, so this was not surprising. A <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/01/ruling-limits-some-mentally-ill-from-representing-selves-in-court.html" target="_hplink">recent California court ruling</a> limits some mentally ill from representing themselves in court. This is important and hopefully will spread to other states. Ex. In NYS, mentally ill Colin Ferguson was sentenced to 315 years in prison after shooting 19 on the Long Island railroad and representing himself in court while psychotic. Dr. Richard Lamb wrote in a Psychiatric Journal on <a href="http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/2011-jaapl_lamb-weinberger.pdf" target="_hplink">meeting the needs of mentally ill who are likely to be incarcerated.</a> For best info on Bipolar, subscribe to <a href=" http://bipolarnews.org " target="_hplink">Bipolar News</a>. It's free. On 1/25, the Dr. Oz show ran a terrific piece on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT, a/k/a "shock' (sic)) that featured people who got their lives back as a result of the treatment. Members of the consumertocracy tried to have the show cancelled. At the same time the NY Times ran an op-ed by someone else crediting<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/18/opinion/my-so-called-bipolar-life.html?_r=2&ref=opinion" target="_hplink"> ECT for their recovery</a> and a consumer who is writing one of the <a href="http://natashatracy.com/" target="_hplink">best blogs around </a>wrote on it too. A<a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/01/23/409334/first-circuit-suggests-the-mentally-ill-cannot-lose-their-right-to-buy-or-carry-guns-without-a-hearing/" target="_hplink"> court decision</a> suggests preventing people with mental illness from owning handguns may not pass constitutional muster. USA Today ran a<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/letters/story/2012-01-10/mental-illness-guns-Tucson-shooting/52486898/1" target="_hplink"> letter by Mental Illness Policy Org</a> answering a professional consumer who wrote an op-ed in the paper with misinformation. This is a <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/still-groping-for-answers-on-caring-for-mentally-ill-9l3mldo-136892638.html" target="_hplink">stellar series</a> on the seminal Lessard case in which the Supreme Court ruled on both the dangerousness standard and due-process for people with mental illness. It was followed up with a <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/the-high-cost-of-an-ideology-kd3m6hh-136856288.html" target="_hplink">brilliant op-ed </a>by Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, author, Surviving Schizophrenia. <a href="http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2012/02/03/psychologist-jared-loughner-remains-incompetent-to-stand-trial/" target="_hplink">Jared Loughner was found incompetent </a>to stand trial in the death of Gabrielle Giffords, raising the question, "Should we be allowed to medicate people to make them competent to stand trial?" The new edition of Dr. Torrey's, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Insanity-Offense-Americas-Seriously-Endangers/dp/0393066584" target="_hplink">The Insanity Offense</a>, includes an epilogue describing Loughner's history and the failure to treat him and he talked about that in an <a href="http://www.salon.com/2011/01/12/jared_loughner_paranoid_schizophrenia_and_why/" target="_hplink">interview with Salon Magazine</a>. This book is highly recommended for anyone who cares about the treatment of the most seriously ill. "Anatomy of an Epidemic"by Robert Whitaker has received glowing reviews by people who don't believe mental illness exists, but it has numerous faults which were pointed out in this <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/book-review-anatomy-of-an_b_1071163.html?ref=tw" target="_hplink">Huffington Post book review.</a> Also read this <a href="http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/breakingbipolar/2012/01/19/hatred-towards-the-bipolar-community/" target="_hplink">blog by a woman with bipolar disorder </a>who is coming under attack for standing up to consumertocracy. Arizona <a href="http://smiadvocacy.blogspot.com/" target="_hplink">Great consumer blogger</a> writing on legal issues faced by people with mental illness in AZ. California <a href="http://asmdc.org/members/a07/newsroom/press-releases/item/2806-assemblymember-allen-introduces-legislation-to-extend-lauras-law" target="_hplink">Bill to extend Laura's Law introduced</a>. Laura's Law is California's Assisted Outpatient Treatment Law. You can learn more about it at our new Laura's Law site at <a href="http://lauras-law.org" target="_hplink">http://lauras-law.org</a> and in this <a href="http://www.theunion.com/article/20120103/OPINION/120109965/1056&parentprofile=1056 " target="_hplink">op-ed by Carla Jacobs</a>. There were incidents of violence involving people with mental illness in <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/01/allegedly-knife-wielding-mentally-ill.html" target="_hplink">Anaheim</a>, <a href="http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/Kern-Co-deputies-shoot-kill-18-year-old-man-137979053.html" target="_hplink">Kern County</a> and elsewhere as a result of the failure to implement Laura's Law. Orange County Mental Health Director continues working to prevent implementation of Laura's Law in his county: http://lauras-law.org/states/california/analysishcareport.pdf In 2004, via Proposition 63, Californians passed the Mental Health Services (MHSA) act, a millionaires tax specifically to fund services for people with 'serious' mental illness. According to our ongoing monitoring, the counties and provider-community accepted the funding but not the requirement to spend it on people with serious mental illness. Mental Illness Policy Org., Exec. Dir. DJ Jaffe wrote on the waste for <a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?_c=10bqwp012bd9rhw&xid=10bk76lgmqb5mgt&done=.10bqwp012bdlrhw" target="_hplink">Capital Weekly</a>, Mental Illness Policy Org Counsel Mary Ann Bernard wrote on it for <a href="http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/site/legislative-fix-needed-stop-waste-millions-earmarked-severe-mental-illness" target="_hplink">California Progress Report</a> and another article on same subject was published by a <a href="http://www.miwatch.org/2010/01/whistleblower_says_prop_63_not.html" target="_hplink">Whistleblower</a> Gary Tsai wrote a<a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/28/4221009/cuts-to-mental-health-programs.html" target="_hplink"> great op-ed </a>about other problems affecting mentally ill in California in Sacramento Bee Kentucky Pastor argues <a href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/14/citizens-voice-lakeshore-patients-need-pastoral/" target="_hplink">against closing state psychiatric hospital </a> Massachusetts Plans move ahead to <a href="http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120127/NEWS/201270338/-1/NEWS05" target="_hplink">close Taunton Hospital </a>and leaving people with mental illness who need inpatient care without any. New Jersey <a href="http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/providers/grants/rfprfi/RFPfiles/RFP%20-%20IOC.pdf" target="_hplink">NJ issued an RFP</a> for those interested in starting an Assisted Outpatient Treatment program. New York New York has an agency (Commission on Quality of Care-CQC) that is supposed to monitor the quality of care for people with mental illness. It also administers the Protection and Advocacy Program which is supposed to help get care to people with mental illness. Mental Illness policy Org testified that <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/2012/01/problems-at-nys-cqc-and-p-programs.html" target="_hplink">CQC has ignored every important issue</a> affecting the most seriously ill (incarceration, homelessness, lack of hospital beds, etc.) and P&A uses the money it receives from NYS to prevent treatment for people with mental illness. <a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/BH/20120125/NEWS/301250064/Update-Barricaded-man-Stony-Point-off-his-meds-bipolar-disorder-family-says" target="_hplink">Barricaded man</a> in Stony Brook off meds for bipolar Washington, DC/Virginia/Maryland <a href="http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/resources/publications/washington_lawyer/february_2012/murder.cfm" target="_hplink">DC Bar Magazine </a>did an article on mental illness law that extensively quoted DJ Jaffe of Mental Illness Policy Org. Unfortunately, the author also quoted from a professional consumer who believes mental illness does not exist. Baltimore Sun ran a great letter "<a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-perkins-20120101,0,3376977.story" target="_hplink">Mentally Ill Should Not Have To Commit Crime To Get Treatment</a>" Pete Earley, author of "Crazy" about incarcerating mentally ill <a href="http://www.peteearley.com/blog/" target="_hplink">writes a great blog</a> on national and local issues in Virginia. Most, not all posts are about mental illness. Texas <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/article/Mentally-ill-inmates-belong-in-hospitals-not-2879237.php#ixzz1lEYXuNT8" target="_hplink">Court rules</a> incompetent patients are being kept incarcerated too long before they are moved to treatment. Washington State Mentally ill man<a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/Man-burns-police-car-to-bring-attention-to-mental-2434609.php?referer=twitter" target="_hplink"> sets fire to police car t</a>o bring attention to poor state of mental health system Join Mental Illness Policy Org Follow us <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/MentalIllPolicy" target="_hplink">on Twitter</a> or join our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MentalIllnessPolicy" target="_hplink">Facebook Group</a>. Also subscribe to our new blog at <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/" target="_hplink">http://mentalillnesspolicyorg.blogspot.com/</a> which presents more timely info than our <a href="http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe" target="_hplink">blog on Huffington Post</a>. Visit our homepage at <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org" target="_hplink">http://mentalillnesspolicy.org</a>, our Laura's Law and MHSA page at <a href="http://lauras-law.org" target="_hplink">http://lauras-law.org</a> and our Kendra's Law and NY page at <a href="http://kendras-law.org" target="_hplink">http://kendras-law.org</a> -- To remove yourself use this link: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/u/mipo/example/example.com/ Privacy Policy: We don't share your info with anyone. DJ Jaffe Mental Illness Policy Org 50 East 129 St., PH 7 New York, NY 10035 office@mentalillnesspolicy.org http://mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us: Twitter: @mentalillPolicy Huffington Post: http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail</a>

Mental Illness Policy Org Message

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:27:00 GMT

December Update 2011-2012: Care for people with severe mental illness continues to get worse. Money is not the issue. The lack of smart policy is Thank you for your support of Mental Illness Policy Org. <a href="http://goo.gl/WFpF6">(Secure Donation)</a>Here's a summary of the past year in mental illness and predictions for the next. The five most important reforms to improve care for people with severe mental illness and reduce homelessness, arrest, incarceration, and violence continue to be: 1. Require the mental health system to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/mental-health-kills-the-m_b_426672.html" target="_hplink">send the most severely ill to the front of the line</a> for services, rather than the back. 2. <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/aot/overview.html" target="_hplink">Use Assisted Outpatient Treatment </a> to help those with a history of violence, dangerousness or multiple rehospitalizations. 3. Reform <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/studies/state-standards-involuntary-treatment.html" target="_hplink">involuntary commitment laws</a> so they prevent violence, rather than require it. 4. <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/imd/shortage-hospital-beds.html" target="_hplink">Preserve psychiatric hospital beds</a> so those who need inpatient treatment can receive it. 5. <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/NGRI/jails-vs-hospitals.html" target="_hplink">Reduce incarceration</a> by getting treatment instead of punishment to people found<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/NGRI/not-guilty-reason-insanity.html" target="_hplink"> Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity</a>, Guilty Because of Mental Ilness or unfit to stand trial. BIG STORY #1. The big story is that in all these areas 2011 saw major steps backwards as people with severe mental illness continued to be abandoned by politicians, advocates, and professional consumers all of whom have decided to advocate for services for high functioning individuals with mental 'health' issues and ignore issues important to people with severe mental "illness". The mental health establishment continues to encourage politicians to define social issues (poverty, bad grades, bullying, unemployment, overcrowded housing, etc.) as 'causes' of mental illness and to divert funds meant to provide treatment for people with severe mental illness towards those issues. BIG STORY #2. As a result of this diversion, the second big story this past year is that police, jails, prisons, shelters and morgues are providing the <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/NGRI/jails-vs-hospitals.html" target="_hplink">lion's share of treatment</a> for people with severe mental illness. The criminal justice system is <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/crimjust/homelandsecuritymentalillness.html" target="_hplink">starting to recognize this, resist</a>, and are organizing to try to send care of people with severe mental illness back to the mental health departments. I believe this will be a big story in 2012. BIG STORY #3. The last big story of 2011, and one we will see more of in 2012 is on the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/book-review-anatomy-of-an_b_1071163.html" target="_hplink">efficacy of medications for mental illness</a>. There are several reasons for this. 1) As a result of groups like MHA, APA, NAMI and consumers supporting publicly funded campaigns designed to convince people they have a previously undiagnosed mental illness, many people who don't have mental illness are getting medications. 2) Pharmaceutical marketing practices continue to over promise on results and minimize side-effects. 3) Mental health directors are requiring patients to "fail first" on cheaper medications before they can access more expensive and potentially efficacious ones. 4) Budget cuts are coercing front-line mental health workers to use medications rather than interactions to temper problematic behaviors. I don't know how the story will play out in 2012. Reform is needed, but beware of baby-bathwater syndrome (Soon to be in DSM?). During 2011, we used our <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/MentalIllPolicy" target="_hplink">Twitter Feed</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mental-Illness-Policy-Org/323404203517" target="_hplink">Facebook Page</a> to highlight real-time breaking news about these issues; our<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe" target="_hplink"> Huffington Post column</a> and op-eds in newspapers to create our own original reporting; and<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org" target="_hplink"> http://mentalillnesspolicy.org</a> to make the best studies easily accessible to media and policymakers. Most of our efforts in 2011 involved providing information and research to policymakers and media who request it and our research was widely reported. We also did some original reporting. For example, the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords gave us a chance to lay out all five reforms above in an op-ed in the <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/the_shooting_true_lesson_ydz5cqXKNLAJ8ON24MCD1K" target="_hplink">NY Post</a> and another one in <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/257042/failure-tucson-nro-symposium" target="_hplink">National Review</a>. <a href="http://goo.gl/WFpF6">Secure Donation Form</a>. Thank you! 1. Send seriously Ill to front of line for services As states continued to cut mental 'health' budgets, the need to focus the remaining resources on those who are most seriously ill, became even more critical, but was still ignored by most advocates, politicians, and media. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) continues to work to prevent treatment of people with severe mental illness. We called for <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/16/counterproductive-craziness-at-federal-agency/?page=all" target="_hplink">eliminating SAMHSA in Washington Times</a>, and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/washington-times-eliminat_b_961125.html" target="_hplink">on Huffington Post</a>, as did Dr. E. Fuller Torrey in <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/270570/bureaucratic-insanity-e-fuller-torrey" target="_hplink">National Review</a>. We <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/charlie-rangel-and-mental_b_904018.html" target="_hplink">discussed the idea with Congressman Charlie Rangel.</a> SAMHSA gave money to organizations that lobby congress to preserve SAMHSA funding. They were successful. In order to get people who are severely ill to the front of the line in NYS, we wrote <a href="http://www.city-journal.org/2011/eon0303djj.html" target="_hplink">Time to Close New York's Office of Mental Health</a> in City Journal and "<a href="http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Mentally-ill-deserve-better-care-982311.php" target="_hplink">Mentally Ill Deserve Better</a>" in the Albany Times Union. In Huffington Post we urged Cuomo to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/andrew-cuomo-should-fire-_b_797565.html" target="_hplink">fire NYS Office of Mental Health Commissioner Michael Hogan</a> and replace him with someone who will end mission-creep and return the agency to it's original purpose of providing treatment to people with serious mental illness. We again called to <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/they_didn_have_to_die_q4iX3fggDtSyTQmMJHhDiJ" target="_hplink">replace Commissioner Hogan in the New York Post </a>after someone needlessly died. In California we wrote an article in Capital Journal documenting how Prop 63/<a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=zy1wphqxmp1c7z" target="_hplink">Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding is being wasted </a>on irrelevant programs while people with severe mental illness can't get care. Rose King and others have written how <a href="http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/two-tiered-mental-health-system/content?oid=3687288" target="_hplink">MHSA funding is creating a two-tier system</a> in California. Services for the seriously ill in the 'old' system continue to be ignored, while task-forces, consultants, and other intiatives not intended to provide direct services to the seriously ill get massive funding. The Mental Health Services Oversight Committee used MHSA funds to hire a public relations firm to convince the public there is no problem. 2. Use Assisted Outpatient Treatment In 2011, SAMHSA did a poll on what strategic initiatives its constituents want it to focus on. Mental Illness Policy Org helped publicize their poll and suggested Asissted Outpatient Treatment. <a href="http://feedback.samhsa.gov/forums/77283-closed-samhsa-s-strategic-initiatives/topics/77859-i-suggest-samhsa-/filter/top" target="_hplink">AOT was the number one vote-getter</a> among issues proposed (other than those proposed by organizations SAMHSA itself funds). It was number three overall. SAMHSA ignored the results of that poll. Likewise we helped SAMHSA publicize a poll of what constitutes "recovery". "Fewer days experiencing hallucinations" was our suggestion and the <a href="http://feedback.samhsa.gov/forums/129063-closed-definition-of-recovery/topics/129687-tell-us-your-views-on-the-working-definition-of-re/filter/top" target="_hplink">number one vote-getter </a>among non-SAMHSA funded groups. SAMHSA ignored the results. In 2011, we worked to educate the New Yorkers about ways <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/kendras-law/kendras-law-improvements.html" target="_hplink">Kendra's Law could be improved</a> and the <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/kendras-law/incorporate-aot-research.html" target="_hplink">Kendra's Law research </a>that led us to those conclusions. Our research was included in a NY Post <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/for_families_sake_fix_kendra_law_ePITirAXUcQunfZYIlDN5I" target="_hplink">op-ed by Pat Scimone </a>(who's mentally ill brother was shot by police on Long Island) and an <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/media/bestmedia/bellucci-gannett-op-ed.html" target="_hplink">op-ed by Vanessa Bellucci</a> (who's mentally ill brother killed both their parents on Staten Island). We wrote several op-eds and have started to collect all Kendras Law information in a new site: <a href="http://kendras-law.org" target="_hplink">http://kendras-law.org</a> California In 2011, we greatly expanded our California efforts and set up a new web-site, <a href="http://lauras-law.org " target="_hplink">http://lauras-law.org </a>to support the efforts of California Treatment Advocacy Coalition director <a href="mailto:carlacjac1@aol.com" target="_hplink"> Carla Jacobs</a>, Dr. Gary Tsai, Dr. Cam Quanbeck and others. In 2011, there were numerous incidents of violence in California by and to people with mental illness who were previously refused treatment by their mental health authorities. This made Laura's Law a hot issue. Since all the info at <a href="http://lauras-law.org" target="_hplink">http://lauras-law.org</a> was new in 2011, we won't present it here. The big picture is that California seems different than in other states in that the opposition is actually led by the county mental heath directors (who will lose their ability to refuse treatment to people with severe mental illness if Laura's Law is implemented). To answer these concerns, we created </a>an analysis of <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/california/analysishcareport.pdf" target="_hplink">Laura's Law in Orange County</a>, analysis of <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/california/sanmateohearingresponse.pdf" target="_hplink">Laura's Law in San Mateo county</a> ; a <a href="http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-11-11/opinion/30390094_1_laura-s-law-cameron-quanbeck-mentally-ill-prisoners" target="_hplink">Laura's Law op-ed for the San Francisco Chronicle</a>; and an update on the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/lauras-law-works-for-ment_b_1152563.html" target="_hplink">Laura's Law pilot in Los Angeles</a>. In addition, we created a <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/california/lauraslawfactsheet.html" target="_hplink">Laura's Law fact sheet,</a> exposition of <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/california/lauraslawmyths.html" target="_hplink">Laura's Law myths</a>, a <a href="http://lauras-law.org/states/california/mhsafundslauraslaw.html" target="_hplink">guide to funding Laura's Law</a>. Other important documents include a letter from<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/judgeandersonletter.pdf" target="_hplink"> Nevada County Judge Tom Anderson</a> and<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/nevada-aot-heggarty.pptx" target="_hplink"> Laura's Law research</a> by Nevada County Mental Health Director Michael Heggarty. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Heggarty were 'involuntarily committed' to implement Laura's Law in Nevada County as a result of a lawsuit, and have now become its biggest supporters and are the custodians of some of the best research in California. SAMHSA-funded Disability Advocates in California is reported to threaten to sue any California County that implements Laura's Law. The Treatment Advocacy Center and its former Executive Director Mary Zdanowicz were successful in implementing <a href="http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/home-page/71/1431" target="_hplink">Asssisted Outpatient Treatment in NJ</a>. Reforms to Washington States Assisted Treatment Laws scheduled to go into effect Jan 1, have been "delayed". For the last several years, all reform of laws has gone in the pro-treatment direction. This is the first that hasn't. 3. Reform Involuntary Treatment Laws The requirement for mentally ill people to become dangerous before treatment can be given over objection has caused more people with mental illness to become violent. These 'psychotic killer on rampage' stories continue to grab the attention of the public and denial from advocates for "mental health". We addressed the six dead in the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/scott-dekraai-seal-beach-_b_1011672.html" target="_hplink">Seal Beach Salon Shooting</a>, the three national guardsmen dead in the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/carson-city-shooting-ment_b_951549.html" target="_hplink">Carson City Shooting</a>, the death of mentally ill <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/kelly-thomas-death-mental-health-care_b_876447.html" target="_hplink"> Kelly Thomas</a> while in police custody, and the <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/firstperson/aaron-bassler.html" target="_hplink">Ft. Bragg shooting of an ex-mayor </a>and subsequent shooting of mentally ill Aaron Bassler. We were heartwarmed by the fact that the families of both Kelly Thomas and Aaron Bassler have become major influential advocates for reform (See below). Michael C. Biasotti, VP, NYS Chiefs of Police, conducted a <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/crimjust/homelandsecuritymentalillness.pdf" target="_hplink">nationwide survey of 2,406 senior law enforcement officials</a> (75% who were officers longer than 20 years) that documents police and sheriffs are being overwhelmed "dealing with the unintended consequences of a policy change that in effect removed the daily care of our nation's severely mentally ill population from the medical community and placed it with the criminal justice system." This major report calls for reform of involuntary treatment laws and is receiving attention in the law enforcement community. We wrote a <a href="http://lawenforcementtoday.com/2011/12/20/police-overwhelmed-by-mentally-ill-abandoned-by-mental-health-system/" target="_hplink">story for Law Enforcement Today</a> highlighting it. Mental Illness Policy Org associate Mary Ann Bernard wrote a terrific piece in National Review on how California can deal with <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/268623/how-california-can-safely-release-33000-prisoners-mary-ann-bernard" target="_hplink">Brown v. Plata</a> a Supreme Court Order that could lead to incarcerated mentally ill being released into the community. 4. Preserve Psychiatric Hospitals In 2011, as a result of the <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/imd/imd-legal-analysis.html" target="_hplink">Medicaid IMD exclusion</a> and state budget cuts, psychiatric hospitals continued to close and continued to receive press attention from the media, largely driven by the front line mental health workers who work in them, and police who will have to bear the consequences of closure. Budget cuts will likely continue this trend. What has not been reported, and I predict will be an issue in 2012, is that majority of beds that are left are being reserved for forensic patients and sexually violent predators, leaving even fewer available for non-criminal mentally ill. The best statistical report is, "<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/imd/shortage-hospital-beds.html" target="_hplink">Shortage of Psychiatric Beds</a>" by Dr. E. Fuller Torrey of the Treatment Advocacy Center (Disclosure: I am a co-author). 5. Not Guilty Be Reason of Insanity An Arizona court ruled that mentally ill Eric Clark has to be freed or retried in the shooting death of officer Jeffrey Moritz. We wrote an <a href="http://lawenforcementtoday.com/2011/12/23/mentally-ill-man-who-murdered-a-law-enforcement-officer-maybe-released/" target="_hplink">op-ed for Law Enforcement Today </a>on the need to reform NGRI so if Eric Clark is found guilty, NGRI, or guilty because of mental illness he receives treatment. This argument was similar to one we wrote in the <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/NGRI/not-guilty-reason-insanity.html" target="_hplink">Wall St. Journal about not guilty by reason of insanity</a>. Heros of 2011 and In Memorium We thank the following individuals for becoming powerful advocates for change following death in their families. We also remember their mentally ill loved ones and will continue our work so other families don't have to go through what they did. <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2098044,00.html" target="_hplink" target="_hplink">Ron Thomas</a> (father of Kelly who had untreated severe mental illness and died at the hands of Fullerton, CA police.) <a href="http://theava.com/archives/12361" target="_hplink">Jim Bassler </a>(father of Aaron who had untreated mental illness shot two and was in turn shot by police and died in Mendocino, California.) <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/for_families_sake_fix_kendra_law_ePITirAXUcQunfZYIlDN5I" target="_hplink">Pat Scimone</a> (brother of Thomas who had severe untreated mental illness and was shot by police and died on Long Island.) <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/media/bestmedia/bellucci-gannett-op-ed.html" target="_hplink">Venessa Bellucci</a> (brother of Eric who had untreated severe mental illness and shot and killed both their parents in Staten Island.) Each of these individuals has turned their personal tragedy into a mission to reform laws so people with mental illness don't have to become dangerous before they get care. To get more news from us, in a more timely way, follow our <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/MentalIllPolicy" target="_hplink">Twitter Feed</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mental-Illness-Policy-Org/323404203517" target="_hplink">Facebook Page.</a> Tell your friends about <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org" target="_hplink"> http://mentalillnesspolicy.org</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/WFpF6">Make a Secure Donation</a>. Thank you! Best wishes to you and your families in the new year. -- To remove yourself use this link: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/u/mipo/example/example.com/ Privacy Policy: We don't share your info with anyone. DJ Jaffe Mental Illness Policy Org 50 East 129 St., PH 7 New York, NY 10035 office@mentalillnesspolicy.org http://mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us: Twitter: @mentalillPolicy Huffington Post: http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail</a>

California Mental Illness Update

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:03:00 GMT

<a href="" target="_hplink"></a>Special edition of Mental Illness Policy Org Update focusing on California Only. Forward to others in California. Future issues will cover all states. (To receive info from Mental Illness Policy Org on a more timely basis, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/mentalillpolicy" target="_hplink">follow us on Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mental-Illness-Policy-Org/323404203517" target="_hplink">Friend us on Facebook</a>) Statewide A series of high-profile violent incidents involving people with untreated severe mental illness have helped Californians realize that <a href="http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2011-09-22/article/38444?headline=Laura-s-Law-in-a-Nutshell=" target="_hplink">Laura's Law</a> (California's version of Assisted Outpatient Treatment) not only serves the interest of the ill, it serves the interest of the well. <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2098044,00.html" target="_hplink">Time Magazine</a> did an article which featured Mary Highland Palafox speaking out. We wrote how 10 years after the death of Laura Wilcox, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/10-years-after-laura-wilc_b_806166.html" target="_hplink">Laura's Law is still rarely used</a> because counties prefer to transfer care of the most severely mentally ill to shelters, jails and morgues. To join statewide effort to implement Laura's Law contact <a href="CarlaCJAC@aol.com" target="_hplink">Carla Jacobs</a> of the California Treatment Advocacy Coalition and <a href="mailto:randall-hagar@calpsych.org" target="_hplink">Randall Hagar</a> of the California Psychiatric Association. Carla's personal experience with mental illness and violence and her advocacy was<a href="http://www.ocregister.com/news/says-323818-jacobs-victims.html" target="_hplink"> featured in the OC Register</a> and <a href="http://voiceofoc.org/healthy_communities/article_9fc2d5fa-d957-11e0-a1ca-001cc4c03286.html" target="_hplink">Voice of OC</a> YouTube has a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxFhZxNeCiw" target="_hplink">video of Randal </a>explaining the issues. <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/lauraslawindex.html" target="_hplink">New Laura's Law Site</a> is constantly updated county by county. Bookmark it. <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/lauraslawmyths.html" target="_hplink">New Fact Sheet: Myths About Laura's Law</a> is a useful tool to address misinformation being spread about Laura's Law. Excerpts are at end of this newsletter. Powerpoint presentation by Dr. E. Fuller Torrey on <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/future-psychiatric-services-california.ppt" target="_hplink">Future of Psychiatric Services in California</a> Several family members of people with mental illness have come forward to<a href="http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/10/28/heartbreak-the-mentally-ill-and-forced-treatment/116853/" target="_hplink"> tell their story</a> to the media further amplifying the call to implement Laura's Law. Talking to the media and legislators is the most important thing families of people with mental illness and people with mental illness can do to help improve care. <a href="mailto:office@mentalillnesspolicy.org" target="_hplink">Contact us</a> if you would like to speak out Mental Health Services Act Funds not going to seriously mentally ill California passed Prop 63 which became the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) which imposed a 1% tax on millionaires specifically to fund mental health services for those with "severe mental illness". However much of the money is being spent on the worried well leaving the seriously ill to fend for themselves. We documented where the money is going in <a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?_c=103nz0ils4bh3zz&1=1&xid=zy1wphqxmp1c7z&done=.zy30lgpq7qfkar&_credir=1319940133&_c=103nz0ils4bh3zz" target="_hplink">Capital Weekly</a>, a California Policy Journal and on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/california-eliminating-me_b_935877.html" target="_hplink">Huffington Post</a>. Amy Yannello wrote a terrific article on how <a href="http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/two-tiered-mental-health-system/content?oid=3687288" target="_hplink">MHSA funding is creating a two-tiered mental health system</a>, where new less ill patients get cadillac services and the severely ill are relegated to inferior services. Governor signs law to increase safety in psychiatric hospitals <a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20111010/ARTICLES/111019969" target="_hplink">The law</a> streamlines procedures to medicate individuals incompetent to stand trial. What is interesting is that while some still claim people with untreated serious mental illness who have a past history of violence are no more violent than others, there were <blockquote> 8,300 aggressive incidents throughout the state hospital system in 2010 resulted in 5,100 injuries to patients and staff, resulting in lost work days, and additional worker's compensation and overtime costs.</blockquote> Orange County Note: Orange County advocate Brian Jacobs started a <a href="http://www.lauraslawoc.org/" target="_hplink">site specifically focused on OC</a>. Kelly Thomas was allegedly untreated, suffered from severe mental illness and was homeless when he came into contact with police in Fullerton, CA and died after a severe beating. While not defending what appears to be the use of excessive force by police <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/kelly-thomas-death-mental-health-care_b_876447.html" target="_hplink">we noted</a> <blockquote>"When it comes to treating people with the most serious mental illnesses, the police will react where California's mental health system won't. Police are almost never out on a call regarding mental illness unless one condition is met: the mentally ill person has been abandoned by the mental health system. That's when they deteriorate, become psychotic, delusional and dangerous."</blockquote> The Kelly Thomas incident has garnered massive attention thank to his family's efforts. Kelly's father Ron has been quoted in several sources as favoring implementation of Laura's Law in OC. As a result of the incident, the OC Board of Supervisors asked the OC Health Care Agency to prepare a plan to implement Laura's Law. The agency prepared an exceedingly <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/OrangeCntyHealthDeptLaurasLawReport.pdf" target="_hplink">biased and misleading report</a>. Mental Illness Policy Org prepared a <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/analysishcareport.pdf" target="_hplink">point by point rebuttal</a> that was <a href="" target="_hplink">picked up by the<a href="http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/10/21/officials-misled-supes-on-lauras-law-charge-critics/115263/" target="_hplink"> Orange County Register</a> and other media and we <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/orange-county-supervisors_b_1026292.html" target="_hplink">summarized it for Huffington Post</a>. NAMI Orange County and the California Treatment Advocacy Coalition also prepared a <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/nami_ctac_hca_response.html" target="_hplink">joint rebuttal</a> to the OC Health Care Agency report. Also in Orange County, Scott Dekraai was allegedly bipolar, having trouble with his treatments, and killed six in a Seal Beach, CA, salon. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/scott-dekraai-seal-beach-_b_1011672.html" target="_hplink">We observed</a> <blockquote>If media reports are true, Scott Dekraai -- hereinafter to be saddled with the "Seal Beach Salon Shooter" sobriquet -- had bipolar disorder, a history of violence, wouldn't stay on treatment, and was a perfect candidate for Laura's Law except for one fact: Orange County mental health officials -- like mental health officials throughout California -- refuse to implement Laura's Law.</blockquote> Mendocino County Like Kelly Thomas and Scott Dekraai in Orange County, Aaron Bassler in Mendocino County had severe mental illness and refused treatment and became involved in an incidence of violence. Aaron killed two including a City Councilman, escaped to the woods where he was hunted down and shot by police. His father <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/firstperson/aaron-bassler.html" target="_hplink">wrote a heartbreaking account </a>of his heroic efforts to get treatment for Aaron, but how he failed because Laura's Law didn't exist. James Bassler has since become Mendocino's leading advocate for the law. The Supervisors are supposed to consider the issue at their December Meeting. The <a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20111003/OPINION/111009885/1043/opinion03?p=1&tc=pg" target="_hplink">Press Democrat endorsed </a>it. SAN FRANCISCO The SF Chronicle ran a <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/23/INDS1LI1TQ.DTL" target="_hplink">terrific op-ed </a>by Gary Tsai after allegedly mentally ill Peter Woo allegedly stabbed his parents and killed his mother before ultimately being shot and killed by police. The SF Chronicle <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/23/INH21LJBTF.DTL" target="_hplink">, a vigorous supporter of Laura's Law asked the Mayoral Candidates</a> whether they support Laura's Law (most did). We <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/san-francisco-mayoral-can_b_1031237.html" target="_hplink">blogged about the misinformation</a> that led some to oppose it, and the <a href="http://blog.sfgate.com/opinionshop/2011/10/27/misinformed-about-lauras-law/?gta=commentlistpos" target="_hplink">SF Chronicle picked up our blog</a>. This <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-everyman-psychiatrist/201009/san-franciscos-homeless-mentally-ill-still-neglected" target="_hplink">blog by Dr. Paul Linde of SF General Hospital Psych Emergency Services </a> does a great job of explaining the problems in SF. Sonoma County Op-ed: <a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20111025/OPINION/111029689/1010/sports?Title=GUEST-OPINION-Sonoma-County-needs-to-adopt-Laura-s-Law" target="_hplink">Sonoma County needs to adopt 'Laura's Law'</a> Kern County Op-ed: <a href="http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_19115839" target="_hplink">Laura's Law is necessary</a> San Mateo County Like in Orange County, San Mateo mental health officials issued a <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/sanmateohcapresentation.pdf" target="_hplink">misleading and biased report </a>on Laura's Law. To understand what is wrong with it read our <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/analysishcareport.pdf" target="_hplink">response to Orange County'</a>s report and <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/california/lauraslawmyths.html" target="_hplink">Myths about Laura's Law</a> Siskiyou County Op-ed: <a href="http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/opinions/letters_to_the_editor/x519378066/Jere-Melo-A-preventable-tragedy" target="_hplink">Laura's Law helps</a> Los Angeles County The Vera Institute released a report on overcrowding in LA Jails. <a href="http://www.ccjcc.info/cms1_167149.pdf" target="_hplink">Chapter four is about people with mental illness</a> -- CALIFORNIA MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTORS ARE INTENTIONALLY MISLEADING PUBLIC ON LAURAS LAW What is interesting in California, compared to other states, is that the resistance to implementing Laura's Law is being led by the county mental health directors, the people who are supposed to want to improve care. We believe the reason they oppose the law is that it will hold them accountable for their failure to treat the most seriously ill, inhibit their ability to turn treatment of the seriously ill over to shelters and jails, and require them to prioritze seriously mentally ill, an often hard to treat population and inhibit their ability to pick and choose the easiest to treat for admission to their programs. To avoid responsibility they are making false claims: MYTH: There is wide opposition to Laura's Law REALITY: Laura's Law has wide support from constituencies as diverse as the National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Sheriff's Association, California Psychiatric Association, National Crime Prevention Council and consumers in AOT. MYTH: Prop 63/Mental Health Services Act money can not be used to fund Laura's Law REALITY: Both Los Angeles and Nevada County use MHSA money (plus Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and patient fees) to fund Laura's Law. MYTH: Voluntary programs have to be cut to fund Laura's Law REALITY: Per California Department of Mental Health, voluntary programs that provide services (ex., medication, case management, housing, CSS, etc.) may also serve individuals under court orders. There is no need to close these programs, merely open them up to people under court orders. Myth: Laura's Law is expensive. REALITY: Nevada County found they saved $1.81 for every $1.00 invested. The Mental Health Director found it decreases hospitalizations, length of hospitalizations, and use of 911, arrest, trial, incarceration and parole; and can be funded with existing sources. MYTH: If there were more voluntary services, Laura's Law would not be needed. REALITY: Voluntary programs and AOT currently serve two mutually exclusive populations. Voluntary programs serve those who 'voluntarily' accept services. Laura's Law by definition is for those won't accept voluntary services. Laura's Law does not preclude anyone from accepting voluntary services. MYTH: Existing community programs serve the same people who would be served by Laura's Law REALITY: Laura's Law is the only community program that serves people who refuse treatment. MYTH: Laura's Law does not confer any benefits beyond those of LPS (5150) REALITY: LPS only allows for inpatient commitment. Laura's Law allows for court ordered outpatient treatment, a less restrictive, less expensive, more humane alternative. MYTH: Court orders do not provide any benefit REALITY: The 2009 study of NY's version of Laura's Law found "The increased services available under AOT clearly improve recipient outcomes, however, the AOT court order, itself, and its monitoring do appear to offer additional benefits in improving outcomes." The likelihood of a hospital admission over six months was "highly statistically significant" and lower among AOT recipients than among voluntary recipients. AOT patients were less likely to be arrested than their voluntary counterparts Persons receiving AOT for 12 months or more had a substantially higher level of personal engagement in treatment than those receiving services voluntarily. MYTH: Laura's Law doesn't work. REALITY: Nevada County's experience with Laura's Law found it works. Per Judge Anderson it saves people from severe mental health deterioration, increases voluntary participation in mental health care, increases stability, decreases crisis. Studies of the NYS version of Laura's Law show it Helps the mentally ill by reducing homelessness (74%); suicide attempts (55%); and substance abuse (48%) Keeps the public safer by reducing physical harm to others (47%) and property destruction (43%) Saves money by reducing hospitalization (77%); arrests (83%); and incarceration (87%). MYTH: AOT will lead to a roundup of mentally ill individuals who will be forced into treatment. REALITY: Laura's Law's narrowly-focused eligibility criteria, stringent multi-layer administrative requirements, independent judicial review and strong due process protections protect against misuse. Nevada County and Orange County estimate less than .003% of the population would be allowed into the program. This is consistent with NYS findings. MYTH: AOT is unconstitutional ("violates rights") REALITY: AOT has survived constitutional challenges in multiple states. A 2009 NYS study found: "(I)t is now well settled that Kendra's Law is in all respects a constitutional exercise of the states police power, and its parens patriae power. Further, the removal provisions of the law have withstood constitutional scrutiny. AOT also cuts the need for incarceration, restraints, and involuntary inpatient commitment, allowing individuals to retain more liberties. MYTH: Laura's Law will frighten consumers away from seeking voluntary services REALITY: A study in Psychiatric News of involuntarily treated discharged psychiatric patients found that 60 percent retrospectively favored having been treated against their will. A 2005 NYS study of consumers in their version of Laura's Law found: 75% reported that AOT helped them gain control over their lives; 81% said that AOT helped them to get and stay well; 90% said AOT made them more likely to keep appointments and take medication. The 2009 independent study found: "On the whole, AOT recipients and non-AOT recipients report remarkably similar attitudes and treatment experiences. That is, despite being under a court order to participate in treatment, current AOT recipients feel neither more positive nor more negative about their mental health treatment experiences than comparable individuals who are not under AOT." MYTH: Assisted Treatment forces people to take medications. REALITY: There is no provision for forced medication in Laura's Law. ========== Thank you for all you do. Please tell your friends about <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org" target="_hplink">Mental Illness Policy Org.</a>, and subscribe to our <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/list/mipo/" target="_hplink">e-newsletter.</a> <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/states/lauraslawindex.html" target="_hplink">New Laura's Law Site</a> -- To remove yourself use this link: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/u/mipo/example/example.com/ Privacy Policy: We don't share your info with anyone. DJ Jaffe Mental Illness Policy Org 50 East 129 St., PH 7 New York, NY 10035 office@mentalillnesspolicy.org http://mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us: Twitter: @mentalillPolicy Huffington Post: http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail</a>

Mental Illness Policy Org. Sept. Update

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 22:42:00 GMT

Lots to report in Mental Illness Policy Org. Update Forward this to friends and colleagues Op-ed calls for eliminating SAMHSA to help people with mental illness The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) is supposed to help people with mental illness receive treatment. But as I noted in a <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/16/counterproductive-craziness-at-federal-agency/?page=1" target="_hplink">SAMHSA op-ed </a>in the Washington Times, SAMHSA does more to prevent treatment than facilitate it. And other SAMHSA funds are simply wasted. Echoing a call <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/270570/bureaucratic-insanity-e-fuller-torrey" target="_hplink">by Dr. E. Fuller Torrey</a> in National Review, my op-ed calls for eliminating SAMHSA as a way to improve care for people with serious mental illness. NYS Office of Mental Health uses 9/11 as an excuse to avoid treating people with serious mental illness On the anniversary of 9/11, Dr. Lloyd Sederer wrote an article admitting NYS OMH spent $137 million dollars to deliver services to 1,500,000 individuals allegedly affected by the collapse of the World Trade Center. But a compelling article in <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-skeptical-sleuth/201109/after-911-the-mental-health-crisis-never-came">Psychology Today</a> shows mental illness did not increase as a result of 9/11. And even if all 50,000 who worked in the world trade center died (3,000 died) and each had four close relatives, that is 200,000 individuals who perhaps needed counseling. Who were the other 1,300,000 OMH was serving? I wrote on this misuse of funds <a href="http://www.opednews.com/articles/9-11-Another-excuse-to-ig-by-DJ-Jaffe-110910-895.html" target="_hplink">in op-ed news</a>. NYS to provide housing for people with mental illness warehoused in Nursing Homes According to the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/nyregion/settlement-changes-new-york-housing-policy-for-the-mentally-ill.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail0=y" target="_hplink">New York Times </a> NYS is going to make more appropriate homes available for people with mental illness they are warehousing in nursing homes. The only reason it is happening is because NYS Office of Mental Health was sued. They settlement calls for 200 new units of housing. But if history is any judge, there will be no new housing, there will only be relabeling of existing housing. NYS regularly announces "new" housing for specific populations: New housing for mentally ill veterans, new housing for mentally ill homeless, new housing for dually-diagnosed, etc. In almost all cases they take existing housing, reallocate it to the new target population and brag that new housing was created. It's a shell game. Consumers credit involuntary treatment with saving their lives There is a myth that consumers are all the same and all oppose involuntary commitment. That is not true. This <a href="http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2011-08-24/article/38295?headline=On-Mental-Illness-Scenarios-of-Noncompliance-and-Relapse" target="_hplink">recent story</a> by a consumer credits involuntary treatment with saving his life. There is now a wide-body of research that shows consumers who have experienced involuntary interventions like Assisted Outpatient Treatment <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/aot/consumers-like-aot.html" target="_hplink">overwhelmingly support it. </a> California wastes millions meant to help people with serious mental illness California passed Proposition 63 and the Mental Health Services Act. The former raised money and the later required those funds to be spent helping people with serious mental illness. Unfortunately, the counties that received the money have largely refused to spend it on serious mental illness instead using it for horseback riding, wilderness adventures, hip-hop car washes, and other non-related uses. Mary Ann Bernard and I exposed this waste in an <a href="http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?1=1&_c=zzh385szvzt5fp&xid=zy1wphqxmp1c7z&done=.zy30lgpq7qfkar&_credir=1315683556&_c=zzh385szvzt5fp" target="_hplink">op-ed in Capital Weekly </a>a prestigious California policy publication and a companion piece on Huffington Post titled <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe/california-eliminating-me_b_935877.html" target="_hplink">"California eliminating mental illness treatment"</a> A great article on same subject was published in <a href="http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/two-tiered-mental-health-system/content?oid=3687288" target="_hplink">Sacramento News</a>. Man with schizophrenia shoots 11, kills three in Arizona. Man off medicine for bipolar killed 5 in W. Virginia. And Californian kills two Late August-Early September has already seen three mass murders by people with untreated serious mental illness. In <a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2092591,00.html" target="_hplink">Carson City, NV</a>, <a href="http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=107820" target="_hplink">West Virginia</a>, and <a href="http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110831/ARTICLES/110839909/1350?Title=Basler-s-father-says-son-likely-responsible-for-2nd-killing" target="_hplink">California.</a> Advocates for people with mental health were quick to distance themselves as they believe that acknowledging incidents like this, is stigmatizing to those less seriously ill. What they fail to recognize is that, like the Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Lamb, and Dr. Fuller Torrey reported, it is <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/consequences/stigma.html" target="_hplink">violence by the minority that is tarring the majority.</a> Hopefully advocates for mental health will reform their head-in-the-sand attitude when it comes to mental illness and violence and advocate for laws<a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/myths/myths.html" target="_hplink"> that can prevent it.</a> Orange County California Considers Implementing Assisted Outpatient Treatment As the result of the death of a homeless man with mental illness, Orange County, CA is considering implementing Assisted Outpatient Treatment <a href="http://voiceofoc.org/healthy_communities/article_9fc2d5fa-d957-11e0-a1ca-001cc4c03286.html" target="_hplink">(AOT). Known as Laura's Law, </a>it allows courts to order certain historically violent mentally ill individuals to accept treatment as a condition of living in the community (only after voluntary treatment has failed, only if they meet stringent conditions, and only after full-due process). In California, there is plenty of money for the program as a result of Prop 63/MHSA money (see previous article), but no will to help the most seriously ill. Like mental health directors everywhere, CA mental health directors prefer to serve large numbers of people instead of focusing on the most seriously ill. <a href="http://www.examiner.com/motherhood-in-san-diego/kelly-thomas-case-shows-california-should-implement-laura-s-law" target="_hplink">Carla Jacobs </a>has been leading the efforts at reform. New Jersey Advocates try to save Hagedorn and other psychiatric hospitals NJ is attempting to close Hagedorn psychiatric hospital by pretending they will appropriately place the patients they are kicking out. Not likely to happen. A hearing is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 19. <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/States/New-Jersey/save-hagedorn-psych-hospital.html" target="_hplink">Go here</a> to learn about and join efforts to save psych hospitals in NJ. Effort is being led by Mary Zdanowicz and Laura Tarlowe. Mom on mental illness and civil liberties The best article on civil liberties and mental illness ever written was by a Dad who was a board member of a civil liberties union and father of someone with mental illness. That gave him the ability, in <a href="http://www.northshoreschizophrenia.org/Uncivil_Liberties.htm" target="_hplink">Uncivil Liberties</a>, to explain the issue from both perspectives. But recently a <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8360895/civil_rights_and_mental_illness.html?cat=5" target="_hplink">Mom wrote </a>a very good one. It is interesting to note that John Stuart Mills, considered the greatest proponent of unencumbered civil liberties, wrote that his proposals should not apply "to people lacking the maturity of their faculties', i.e, were mentally ill. It should also be noted that in spite of constant harping that Assisted Outpatient Treatment violates civil liberties, all <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/kendras-law/kendras-law-constitutional.html" target="_hplink">constitutional challenges have failed </a> Jared Loughner now incarcerated and forcibly medicated Many advocates for mental health do not believe someone should be allowed treatment for mental illness unless they are well enough to recognize their need for it. They believe the law should require these individuals to become 'danger to self or others' rather than prevent them from becoming danger to self or others. Jared Loughner who shot Gabrielle Giffords could be Exhibit A in proving them wrong. Jared was identified by authorities as needing mental health treatment, refused to get it and then shot Representative Gabrielle Giffords and others. A judge has ruled he now has to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/us/28loughner.html?_r=1&src=tp" target="_hplink">accept the treatment </a>he refused to access voluntarily. Only now from a jail cell. Tennessee may reform laws to allow people with mental illness to receive treatment without requiring them to become 'danger to self or others' first. Read here <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/lYPKY " target="_hplink">http://networkedblogs.com/lYPKY </a> Oregon Family Wants to Sue Oregon and County for failure to use Assisted Outpatient Treatment. A woman tried to get her brother AOT in Oregon. They refused. Her son suicided. If you know an attorney that can help her, <a href="http://ronaldperrypurdy.weebly.com/" target="_hplink">go here</a>. Holding officials accountable for failing to provide treatment would be a tremendous advance. Help us help others. Web ace needed If you know how to manage a web site, install and manage widgets, a blog, newsletters, etc., and want to help, we could use it. You won't get paid (no one does) but you will feel rewarded. I need help managing the site, adding pages, managing mailing lists, etc. Work from home when you have time. Dreamweaver skills a must. If you see useful news about treatment for 'serious' mental illness (not mental 'health') tweet it to us <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/MentalIllPolicy" target="_hplink">@mentalillPolicy</a>. Follow us on Facebook at<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mental-Illness-Policy-Org/323404203517" target="_hplink"> Mental Illness Policy Org.</a> and Twitter @MentalillPolicy. SEND THIS TO YOUR FRIENDS and tell them to subscribe to Mental Illness Policy Org Update at <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/list/mipo/" target="_hplink">http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/list/mipo/</a> Thanks for all you do. -- To remove yourself use this link: http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/u/mipo/example/example.com/ Privacy Policy: We don't share your info with anyone. DJ Jaffe Mental Illness Policy Org 50 East 129 St., PH 7 New York, NY 10035 office@mentalillnesspolicy.org http://mentalillnesspolicy.org Follow us: Twitter: @mentalillPolicy Huffington Post: http://huffingtonpost.com/dj-jaffe <a href="http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/Dadamail1/mail.cgi/what_is_dada_mail/">Mailing List Powered by Dada Mail</a>