Newport Police and Aaron Alexis- Lost Opportunity?

No one has yet asked Newport police why they did not take Aaron Alexis to the hospital yet thought the incident merited informing the Navy police regarding his behavior.

Rep. Kennedy in Medical Treatment

Mental health concerns along with addictions require constant monitoring & vigilance. Hat's off to the Rep. who has the good sense along with a strong monitoring system of doctors and friends who help keep him on track. He's decided for a time to forsake D.C. for some medical treatment for undisclosed problems.

A father who is ill, an aging mom, a re-invigorated Congress- no, no life stressors there. A past history of addictions, substance abuse, and mental illness- what fun. I run a local mental health community group. Some of the stories I hear there are heart-wrenching while there's also sucess stories to give us all hope. More and more families are touched nowadays by these diseases and we're just not willing to keep it to ourselves, suck it up, or blame ourselves or our family member or friend any longer.

Treatments are out there, but this is an area that needs a lot more research as sometimes the "cures" are almost as bad as the never-ending diseases themselves. I often think that if these sufferers (and they do suffer along with their families & friends) had a more "acceptable" disease like heart problems, diabetes, or developmental difficulties, they'd have a lot more positive outcomes in diagnosis, treatment, & community assistance.

I have a LOT of admiration for Patrick because he admits to not very fashionable problems, works on his treatment, and admits to failure sometimes- something that we can all relate to. He also goes out of his way & comfort zone in trying to assure that others have the same treatment acess that he does. Having $ helps in many ways along with famous name, but it ultimately does not make for a perfect life. Go figure.

So take your time getting better, Patrick. And when you feel up to it, you're always welcome to our group meetings- once a month at the Newport public library- check their website. You're not alone and we're all pulling for you. By helping you, we help ourselves, our families, & our community.

Mental Health Meeting

We meet once/month at the Newport Library from 7-8:30 as part of www.namirhodeisland.org
It's a support group- mostly for family members but client are also welcome. Write me for more info or to be put on my mail list.

Frontline Tonight

And speaking of Patrick Kennedy AND mental illness (from NAMI- www.namirhodeisland.org) comes the following. Think that none of this has anything to do with you? Think again. It's all about $. We'd rather spend big bucks on prison than much smaller $ on treatment which works. But it is THEIR fault after all, right? Talk about short-term thinking. These are our throw-away people along with those living in poverty. It's just someone else's problem, right? Heck, let's get to the real reason we don't want anything to do with those Newport Schools here in Middletown. But I digress:

TONIGHT ON PBS 9 PM - THE RELEASED

An intimate look at the lives of prisoners with serious mental illnesses. What happens to them after they leave prison or jail? Why do they return at such alarming rates?
Tonight (April 28, 2009) on PBC, a documentary, The Released, will be shown on Frontline. The program is a follow up to the 2005 documentary, The New Asylums, which focused on what happens to individuals with mental illness in Ohio's prison system. Tonight's documentary looks at what happens when prisoners with mental illness are released. The program will profile four inmates after release. The Released will air Tuesday, April 28, at 9 P.M. (8P.M. CST) on PBS (check local listings). Watch the trailer at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/released/On Tuesday, April 28th, Frontline returns to Ohio to tell the disturbing story of what happens to these individuals when they are released from prisons into the community.

Rep. Kennedy- Turns Flaws into Positive Action

Thanks to www.rifuture.com for pointing me to this article in the Wash. Post. What I like best about our Rep.- he's flawed (ain't we all), realizes this, & publicly admits it. And he does not claim to socially acceptable flaws like having cancer, being a reformed alcoholic, or spousal cheating. We can accept those- been there, done that or know someone close who has.

He comes right out & says that he suffers with mental health problems and addictions. And he does this every day. None of this- take a magic pill & all gone! If you don't think that all of this takes courage, ain't you blessed?

And even with all these major problems, none of them his fault, he flourishes. He gives hope to the hopeless. Is he perfect? Nope. And I like that. He's still in there slugging. And he takes the punches while giving them.

He didn't have to do this. Publicly admitting to serious mental illness or addiction is no fun. We expect perfection. Or at least faults that we all can identify with or have. But bi-polar? Drugs? Alcohol? Back burner, please. When was the last time you saw our local rag write about this? And not only does he admit to having faults, he fights for others having the same & often unable to fight for themselves.

What a guy. In my book- a modern day hero. These problems in my family? Yup. Up close and personal. Everytime he admits to his struggles, he gives hope to someone who believes that they are all alone and without any outlet for their illness. And he never had to do this. You just can't give this guy enough credit for what he's accomplished in my book. I heart Rep. Patrick Kennedy.

NAMI Meeting in Newport

NAMI-Rhode Island has an affiliate called NAMI-Newport County, which is primarily for friends and family members whose loved ones are living with serious mental illness; such as, schizophrenia, manic depressive/bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. This group does not focus on one particular mental illness. We serve families in the Newport County area.

We meet once a month, on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:30 at the Newport Public Library.

It is an opportunity to talk about our loved ones, difficulties that you or the loved one may be facing, challenges of day-to-day life, and meet family members who have similar concerns. We offer support rather than therapy and talk about any subjects members care to discuss.

Call or e-mail Eileen Spillane for more info at 846-8523 or spookys6@aol.com.

Disabilities' Hearing Thursday at MPL

From the Governor's Commission on Disabilities: “It is important for state policy makers and planners to hear from people with disabilities and their families their concerns about current services, needs that are not being addressed, and suggestions for improving services and expanding opportunities.

"People with disabilities and their families are invited to express their concerns about services they receive at any of six forums to be held throughout the state next week by the Rhode Island Department of Health on behalf of 20 sponsoring organizations.

Their comments will form the basis of a report to be sent to the governor, state legislators and Rhode Island’s congressional delegation. Remarks may be made in person, e-mailed, faxed, or sent by mail.

Thursday, 3 to 5 p.m., community room of the Middletown Public Library, 700 West Main Rd.

Those unable to attend one of the forums may send comments by fax to (401) 462-0106, by e-mail to disabilities@gcd.ri.gov or by mail to the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, John O. Pastore Center, 41 Cherry Dale Court, Cranston, RI 02920-3049 by July 29.

Yup, 3 to 5 at the MPL. Makes it easy for most concerned with disabilities to attend. And utilitizing the island's outstanding public transportation system, to boot. Barring the unforseen, I'll be there with a few tidbits to share. Who else will be there? I'm betting not many. An no press. Yeah, suggestions. They want 'em. LOL. I've got 'em. Not much that $ wouldn't cure.

Thanks to Projo for the info.

Bi-Polar In Rhode Island

It takes a lot of guts to publicly admit that you have a serious mental health problem. I was impressed recently by a Projo article from a Wakefield business consultant who wrote about his bi-polar illness.

"The bipolar tornado sucked me into its vortex and tumbled me into a desolate, rubble-strewn landscape that I still do not understand. There was, is, no roadmap through this mental maze. There was no way out of Dodge. "(Projo)

The writer is 71 and he wrote not only to give his personal experience with this disorder but "... to promote understanding of the disease and tolerance and support of those who have it. I also want to encourage support for pending federal legislation that would put insurance for mental illness on par with “ordinary” health insurance."

There are 5.7 million bipolars in America — about two in every one hundred
people that you meet. About 20 percent, or 114,000, will commit suicide. Bipolars lose much of their lives because they function poorly or not at all, and bipolars die 9.2 years on average earlier than their contemporaries.

Lest you wonder why this should be of aony concern to you or the rest of sociedty, keep this in mind: "By one estimate, America’s 5.7 million bioplars “lose” each year a total of 1.5 million days of productive time." In other words, besides a health concern, it costs all of us money.

Severe mental illness grabbed him when he was a sophomore in college. Most severe mental illnesses seem to be genetic. You get it or you don't. It likely is in your genes, although some brain injuries seem to also produce mental illness.

Read more of one man's journey. He has led a sucessful life with unexpected & life-threatening detours. My hat is off to you, C. Davis Fogg.

My family has experienced severely mental illness. It's not a pleasant journey & definitely not one that we had expected to be in. But as they say, it's an ill wind that blows no good. It certainly has opened up our world, broadened it, and given us the opportunity to meet the most extraordinary people which we would not have gotten to meet otherwise.

Budget Hearing on Mental Health

More testifying today at the State House on the Mental Health budget slash for '08-'09. I've been up there twice in front of the House Finance Committee. The vulnerable group of those with serious mental illness is easy to pick on as many can't testify for themselves and won't show up in large groups with signs. While most of the news concerns RITE Care & kids, this budget also severely affects those with both mental retardation & illnesses.

I can't make this hearing, but I know others will. It's hard to imagine how much less help we can give those with serious mental illness & limited resources beyond absolutely nothing. In our families' fight with schizophrenia we alone have spent more than $10,000 (yes, we have health insurance), not to mention extensive use of the few public resources that exist. I refer here to the judiciary system (police, courts, lawyers, etc). There's always more room for anyone in jail. Why jail rather than other resources which would prove far more effective & cheap, is beyond me.

NAMI-RI has been there to offer assistance & guidance. Without them my family would still be deep in searching for help. We were also lucky in that we found a local psychiatrist with a sympathetic scheduler & a snow cancellation. Otherwise it was a minimum three month wait. NAMI's budget is to be cut by 20%. Shame on them for offering education & support groups. Mental illness is NOT hopeless but without treatment there are serious effects for ALL of us. See my previous postings for why you should care & sidebar links.

But we're told that supporting business (although rarely small business) & wealthy residents is a higher priority. Shame on us for buying into that.

Testifying at the State House

In the past two week's I've been up twice to testify on budgets at the House Finance Committee. Nope, didn't make major news. One concerned the extended gutting of Mental Health & Retardation. The first was gutting Medicaid.

Going to these hearings are way more fun than going to the dentist, going to court, or eating liver- NOT. I was lucky. I found free parking. For the first hearing I was more than an hr. early & got a seat. For the second I was only 15 min. early & got to test my flexibility by floor sitting. Evidently in the State House there is a folding chair shortage/crisis.

After arring by the 2 pm start time, you wait. Few on the House Finance Committee were actually in attendance. At the second hearing the Chair left after the first hour. Get the message? I finally finished early evening for one & late afternoon for the other. I did not submit prepared text. So unless you were there or watching the t.v., there is no record of it.

You sign a sheet when you go in indicating that you want to speak (and whom you are representing if applicable). I was with NAMI. Yes, please do let's cut anything for those suffering with severe mental illness. More street people is just what we need & there's always room in jail & the ACI. There's not much left to take from them that has not already been stripped away. And then let's blame them for it. After all, they're either too delusional or too ashamed to show up & complain about it. It's also important that they be ignorant of any services, much less have any advocacy whatsoever. More throw-away people. Homeless people living on the streets in the wealthiest country the world has ever known. Shameful.

Speaking order taken is at the Chair's discretion. Now, we can figure out a system at deli counters & Chili's to accomodate customers, but at the State House there is the floor & a scarcity of chairs. The snack bar is TINY with ?2 chairs & 2 tables. Rather makes me think that we are not really relevant. Or at least not very welcome. So get there early, hope for free parking, & bring your own entertainment. I'd also suggest writing your presentation & summarizing in 1-2 min. Please, don't say that you're going to be short & ramble (over 5-10 min.). NO ONE will appreciate it and you're really not all that entertaining.

Driving Public Policy with Reps. Long & Loughlin

**UPDATE** Bill passed.

Recently the Daily News published an article entitled, "Republicans oppose prison release plan." What is intriguing is that some Republicans in House debate on the Guv's budget proposal put forth a bill aimed at allowing early release for prisoners and placing us more in-line with other states; thereby saving bucks (millions). This proposal awards good prison behavior with time-off their sentence (there are maxes). "... the proposal came from a study committee formed by the governor to look into the exploding prison population."

"Committee members agreed that it didn’t make sense to give more time off to the worst criminals, Neal said.“The worse your crime, the more good time you are eligible for,” Neal said. “On its face, that doesn’t make any sense.”Those who may be concerned about early release of prisoners should keep in mind that the prisoners being released would be getting out soon anyway, Neal said."

The vote on the bill was put off at the request of House Republicans, oddly enough. It is their Party's Guv who is putting forth the budget.

“I get concerned when monetary policy drives public policy,” said Rep. Bruce J. Long, R-Middletown [& Jamestown].

“Are we making corrections policy for budgetary reasons or correction reasons?” asked Rep. John J. Loughlin II, R-Tiverton [and Little Compton]. “Would this have even come up if not for the deficit?”

These are intriguing, even mildly provocative statements. It drives the question then, what should drive public policy? What part should budgetary concerns play in deciding public policy? How do you jive the Governor's recent budgets which seek severe cuts in public services, et al, and freezes state/school aid? How do you explain the Republican caucus' decision to call for even more severe cuts; e.g., cancelling school unfunded mandates, cutting dept. budgets even more stringently than the Governor put forth?

Sure sounds like the budget driving public policy to me. Cut the budget, please, we don't care where. Oddly enough, I saw neither Rep. at the recent budget hearings over proposed cuts to mental health & Medicare. Talk about the budget driving public policy! Sure would like to have heard them post these questions to the Finance Committee.

Katie Corcoran Found!

**UPDATE** Found in Baltimore by an alert shop owner!!! What a relief this must be to her family in Lincoln!!

Here husband decries the mental health care available to his wife suffering from post partum depression. I'll echo that from firsthand knowledge. While Butler Hospital (where she was) offers excellent services, the connection between hospital & home are most definitely lacking. In this case, it seems bordering on criminal. Some of the problem stems from the difficulty of having severly distrubed adults legally in charge of themselves. Having family members taking charge of their care in a legal sense is extraordinarily difficult - almost impossible & expensive. The same also hold true for senior adults who no longer are able to manage themselves. While protecting their rights, we've helped also lead them down a very self-destructive path.