Thursday, March 24, 2011

$1.8 Billion

State budget writers looking for cash to balance the books have stripped a cumulative $1.8 billion from mental health services over the last 2 1/2 years


You can see how these cuts are affecting Texas and Maryland.

The issues is so much greater than the general disdain and disregard our elected officials feel regarding those in need of mental health care. The reason they can get away with such deep cuts is because we let them.

(Think: Just go try to enact similar cuts on Medicare or Social Security.)

I was watching a Spanish television program where a man who had hit rock bottom had lost his job, ended up in a psych ward because he was suicidal. To look at the man, you would not have guessed it. He was well put together and seemed like a guy that had a lot to offer any firm in a professional capacity. The young man was pissed that his only brother turned his back on him during his crisis. On the other hand, his supportive partner felt unappreciated and thought that it was necessary for our guy to just "snap out of it." The host suggested that he focus on the positive and quickly moved on to the next story who as she stated had "real problems," totally discounting the pain that the depressed man was going though.

The anger that coursed through my veins fueled me to blog. Only those in the know, can truly understand how hard it is to "just snap out of it" and move beyond the pain. People would much better deal with the outlandish outbusts of the Chris Brown's or the Charlie Sheen's of the world (pick an interview, any exclusive interview).

Then I wake up and read "An Open Letter to Chris Brown" by Kevin Powell, and it gives me hope.

Some people go get it. More needs to be done. Therapy is an undervalued commodity usually restricted to the rich.

Prayer is simply insufficient. But that's a whole other blog entry.

Anacaona

PS This blog entry is dedicated to someone who understood this need well and could laugh in the face of tragedy. Rest in peace Mike DeStefano.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Loughner's Odd Behavior

I joined the country in a national moment of silence at the loss of six people, 14 critically injured, by Jared Loughner's mass shooting spree in Tuscon, Arizona. The most prominent being Rep. Gabby Gifford, a moderate blue dog Democrat, who remains in critical condition. My prayers are with her, the others injured and the family members who lost loved ones.

Politically speaking, I agree with many of the pundits that the current climate of hate from the extreme right and the decreasing support for gun control laws do bear some blame. Especially looking to Arizona, a place where so much anti-rhetoric clouded much of it's political discourse in 2010.

However, I am also drawn to speak on Loughner's behalf. To me he is simply a casualty of a failing health care system that has barely begun to recognize mental health as a real medical concern in need of attention. I am not even touching on the fact that Republican's are currently working to repeal all the progress made on healthcare reform so we can have more Loughner-type incidents.

It seems clear to me that the mental health care system failed Loughner just as much as lax gun control laws failed Gifford.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

In 2011: Look for the Me in We

Happy New Year everyone!!! It has been an incredible past year but I sure am glad to see recession, gay-teen suicides, high unemployment rate-ridden 2010 go.

It's time to start anew. Dream bigger, differently, longer-term. It's a time to stretch and test ourselves. Challenge those around us. It's time to get reacquainted with our ambitious, driven self. Where the heck had it been? I know I had to get out and go find mine.

Now, I am stretching and testing myself personally and professionally in ways that I could ever have imagined. Glad to know I am in good company.

Oprah is starting her OWN network. Republicans are going to try to remember what fiscal conservatism is again. Obama and his health care program are in for a rough but win-able fight. Even, the Sunday New York Times just published their version of helping marriages self-expand.

2011 hopes to be a good year for mental health. This is the first full year that mental health parity has been in existence. This means that anyone with a need can go see a mental health professional for as long as they need to without restrictions.

It's like taking a breath of fresh air.

I finally feel like I can and want to live again.

The Afterw@rd