SAMHSA sez:
43.7 Million Americans Experienced Mental Illness in 2012
$31 Million Announced To Improve Mental Health Services for Young People
Nearly one in five American adults, or 43.7 million people, experienced a diagnosable mental illness in 2012 according to SAMHSA. These results are consistent with 2011 findings.
[Does anyone else besides me suspect that the reason so many are diagnosed is because of marketing of psycho-pharmacological drugs?]
Top Three Reasons Adults Did Not Get Mental Health Treatment in 2012
- They worried about affording the cost.
- They thought they could handle the problem without treatment.
- They did not know where to receive services.
“The President and Vice President have made clear that mental illness should no longer be treated by our society—or covered by insurance companies—differently from other illnesses,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “The Affordable Care Act and new parity protections are expanding mental and substance use disorder benefits for 62 million Americans. This historic expansion will help make treatment more affordable and accessible.”
Related note (click to read whole article):
Another news item:
On December 12, 2013, Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA) introduced the “Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2013”. While the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health applauds Congressman Murphy’s inclusion of provisions that would reauthorize the Mental Health First Aid Act (S.153/H.R.274), the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act (S.116/H.R.2734), the Children’s Recovery from Trauma Act (S.380), the Excellence in Mental Health Act (S.264/H.R.1263), the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act of 2013 (MIOTCRA;S. 162/H.R.401) and the Behavioral Health IT Act (S.1517, S.1685/H.R.2057), we decry provisions that would effectively reverse the progress made in mental health treatment and support over the past 30 years.
For decades, organizations such as the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health have been working to add a more balanced approach to mental health services and treatment. The National Federation advocates for the rights of children, youth and young adults who experience mental health challenges. As family members, we feel it is important that our loved ones are able to receive the support they need while remaining at home and in the community. We realize that mental illness does not affect just one person, it is something that the entire family experiences; therefore, it is crucial that initiatives are in place to support the entire family unit.
Rep. Murphy’s bill magnifies the stigma of mental illness by creating an extremely biased link between mental illness and violence. Countless studies have determined that the relationship between mental illness and violence is minimal and that individuals experiencing mental health challenges are 11 times more likely to be the victims of violence than the general public.
The National Federation rejects the expanded use of involuntary outpatient commitment (IOC) and urges Congress to champion practices proven to be effective in facilitating a holistic approach to treatments and supports for children and youth who are experiencing mental health challenges and their families.
Finally, the National Federation strongly opposes legislation that threatens to essentially dismantle key efforts and programs of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which functions as the lead public health agency dedicated to mental health and addiction treatment, services, and supports. Transferring authority away from SAMHSA and decimating significant activities within the Department of Health and Human Services are not in the best interest of our most vulnerable citizens who are striving to be participating members of their communities.
The details in this bill reflect the continued, urgent need for a national conversation with individuals who experience mental illness, their families, and their communities to facilitate the creation of systems and networks that support maximal health, safety, and welfare for all community members. We urge Congressional leaders to take this opportunity to create legislation on behalf of their constituents that solidifies a bond among all stakeholders that highlights the dignity, respect, and self-determination of all individuals.
More old Cuckoo’s Nest poetry by JN:
01-30-2009AD
5:20pm
Spoken Cold-Mountain
[I had given him a copy of Cold Mountain Poems and this was his reply]
Breeze is cold, wet and fresh
Unknown writer I read his writing
Chilled the soul to touch his spirit
Vast as the array of description
Oneness not disconnected was He
Truth in the sporadic words- adrift the snow
Cliffs for bed softened his head
Reading the stone carved wit
Closer to the mountain I get
As I thought those rolling weeds in the wind
Climate is cold to touch, but normal for the universe
Who is wittier?
Mother Nature or the man who wrote?
Void isn’t the mountain with minerals galore
Treasures of the mind I must find
Breaking illusions is for me
This is my trail to this mountain
Entering meditation is salvation
A bird and animal not to sight!
Vast self to roam
Free indeed is the writer in me
Wrote a letter to karma
Issued a food through the threshold
Moonlight glistening snow winds I see
Cold-Mountain: we’re all alone, so it spoke these words
You are home sparkled the stream of life
Years ago I would not have stayed
Fleshy thing in the way
Ghosts are the host that talks wisdom to thee
By JN
moon soup 