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Entries for month: February 2011

MHA's Blog: Chiming In

Feb 17

Mental Health America Joins in Supporting Mental Health in Schools Act

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Mental Health America today joined with a wide spectrum of organizations in supporting the Mental Health in Schools Act.

The legislation is being introduced by Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus.

A letter of support sent to Napolitano and signed by Mental Health America states:

“We share your vision for expanding the availability of comprehensive school-based mental health services for students in communities across America. Undoubtedly, healthier students learn and perform better and a key component of academic success is addressing the mental health of our nation’s children and adolescents.

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Feb 16

February 17 Briefing on Introduction of Mental Health in Schools Act

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On Thursday, February 17, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano and a panel of mental health advocates and experts, including LA Laker Ron Artest and champion boxer Mia St. John, will examine the Mental Health in Schools Act, a bill authored by Napolitano to allocate federal grant funding for mental health services in schools. One in five children and adolescents in the United States currently suffers from a mental illness, and most will have shown their first symptoms by age 14. Professional treatment can prevent depression, crime, imprisonment and suicide later in life, but lack of support for mental health services has left many youth without help. By putting more licensed professionals on-site and in the schools, the Mental Health in Schools Act will help detect mental illness early and assist youth before their problems grow worse. The briefing will examine the potential effect of the Mental Health in Schools Act and hear from advocates who have personally been affected by mental health programs in their own lives.

 More information available at www.napolitano.house.gov/mhsa.shtml

 

Feb 14

Mental Health Agencies, Law Enforcement and Advocates Address Impact of Budget Cuts on Mental Health Care in America

News , Legislative , Advocacy 2 Comments »

At a Capitol Hill briefing on Wednesday, February 16, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) will release the results of a nationwide survey showing that states have been forced to cut nearly $2.2 billion from public mental health services — the largest single combined funding reduction in generations. The tragic events in Tucson, Arizona have sparked a “national conversation” about the “adequacy of our mental health system” as President Obama said in his memorial speech.

The NASMHPD briefing is supported by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council), Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Mental Health America, the National Alliance on Mental Health Illness, the National Disability Rights Network and the Mental Health Liaison Group.

WHAT: Briefing on State & Federal Mental Health Spending Cuts
WHEN: Wednesday, February 16, 2011; 8:30 am – 10:30 am (breakfast provided)
WHERE: 485 Russell Senate Office Building

Panelists at the briefing include:

  • Kevin Martone, Deputy Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and President of NASMHPD
  • Craig Knoll, Executive Director, Threshold Services, Silver Spring, Maryland, and National Council member
  • Commander Shereece Fleming-Freeman, Central District, City of Detroit Police Department
  • U.S. Army Retired Lt. Col. James Walsh, President, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Alabama
  • Sheilah Clay, CEO, Neighborhood Service Organization, Detroit, Michigan

Vital services as such as crisis mobile teams for homeless persons, supported employment and public safety programs are all jeopardized by additional budget cuts. As the House Appropriations Committee announced cuts totaling nearly $100 million for mental health and addiction programs just last week, this panel will address the consequences of continuing budget reductions.