My title is reflective of a documentary I watched last night ( April 28, 2009) on PBS. Shocking, sadden, and hit with a dose of reality were just some of the emotions I felt as I sat in pure astonishment watching the special that highlighted mental illness at its best.
So much hit close to home it became a little painful to watch. It is amazing how medicine can totally turn a persons personality around. I sat and watched a story on a man who was arrested multiple times due to delusions. He thought he was the "Antichrist," Osama bin Laden or he was trying to capture him, and the devil. Out of all the features in the documentary Lynn Moore stuck out more than any of the subjects.
He seemed to be fine if he was on his meds and under supervision. Moore like the rest of the mental ill men in the documentary were fine as long as they had someone there to tell them what to do (when to take their medications). Everything went to hell in a handbasket when they were either released from jail or the group homes some of them lived in.
The purpose of the documentary is to say that people like Lynn Moore do not belong in jail but in a supervised psychiatric hospital. With funds being cut daily and people like more constantly ending up in jail the unasked question is what is the real solution? Mentally ill people do not belong in jail. At the same time there just is not the manpower to make sure that medicines are being taken.
Mental illness is a double edge sword. There are solutions to problems but often the treatment is not accessible or affordable. Many mentally ill people lack support of loved ones and are left to fend for themselves. Sucky, most definitely but unfortunately this is a sad and true reality.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Decriminalize Me-ntal-Illness
Okay...In Michigan, my home state, it seems to be the only way someone who is mentally ill to seek treatment is to be arrested or in crisis to seek court ordered mental health treatement. Hmmmm.....It seems to me that Michigan is one state that needs to get aboard the other states that mandate treat with just a court order.
The whole reason I felt the need to blog on this topic is because of someone who was close to me. When you are 16 and dealing with a person who is suppose to provide and be there for you how can you make them get treatment? No person should have to be arrested or be in crisis in order to get help. If you are arrested it is obviously much too late and if you are in crisis the later is true. I hope one day people begin to see mental health, disorders, and injustices as a serious concern. Society needs to realize mental issues do not equal jail.
The whole reason I felt the need to blog on this topic is because of someone who was close to me. When you are 16 and dealing with a person who is suppose to provide and be there for you how can you make them get treatment? No person should have to be arrested or be in crisis in order to get help. If you are arrested it is obviously much too late and if you are in crisis the later is true. I hope one day people begin to see mental health, disorders, and injustices as a serious concern. Society needs to realize mental issues do not equal jail.
So Much Buzz
When I'm asked to explain this post in class I will only say that I wish I had the time to view this movie. On every search I have conducted over the last week and a half I have results that constantly talk about "The Soloist." There seems to be much buzz surrounding this movie in the mental health community. And maybe it's long over due for a movie such as this.
Just to give a little background on the story it is about the true story of Los Angeles Times reporter Steve Lopez’s relationship with a deeply troubled, homeless virtuoso musician ( http://www.thedailyaztec.com/). I know nothing of Steve Lopez and hope when I have spare time to read upon him and view to view this film.
Is Money Really This Disruptive????
I can't help but revert back to stories concerning mental health and the economic crisis. It astounds me the reaction and actions people are having at the thought of being poor. Everyday we see people who are not well off and manage to get through everyday life, so what is so different with the so called wealthy? The whole reason people have money is because they prepared and planned properly or maybe you are one of the few lucky people and are a "trust fund baby."
The first time a big economic crisis came about I was not even thought of. Secondly, if the people I deal with on a daily a basis at work (many are very wealthy) are a sample of what these stories are being based on I have to tell you many of these folks already had issues. I think it is insulting to constantly read stories about how because the stock market has crashed many people have lost their minds. I'm hear to tell you some wealthy people are already mentally unstable and the current conditions of our economy has nothing to do with it.
So many people who have money become consumed with it. The money has a hold on them that they is really unexplainable. Not to sound uncaring but many are suffering from depression and many other psychological issues that stem deeper than money. Every time I hear of someone dying or someone killing because they think the loss of a job is the end of the world it's sad but there were already some deeper issues. I know the old say that "money is the root to all evil," but if does it have to be. As I have mentioned in many posts if you feel yourself slipping please get help. There is so much to live for and money is not the end of the world.
The first time a big economic crisis came about I was not even thought of. Secondly, if the people I deal with on a daily a basis at work (many are very wealthy) are a sample of what these stories are being based on I have to tell you many of these folks already had issues. I think it is insulting to constantly read stories about how because the stock market has crashed many people have lost their minds. I'm hear to tell you some wealthy people are already mentally unstable and the current conditions of our economy has nothing to do with it.
So many people who have money become consumed with it. The money has a hold on them that they is really unexplainable. Not to sound uncaring but many are suffering from depression and many other psychological issues that stem deeper than money. Every time I hear of someone dying or someone killing because they think the loss of a job is the end of the world it's sad but there were already some deeper issues. I know the old say that "money is the root to all evil," but if does it have to be. As I have mentioned in many posts if you feel yourself slipping please get help. There is so much to live for and money is not the end of the world.
Monday, April 27, 2009
You Take Account
Although this story takes place in Ireland, I can see that some US corporation following this trend. Why should bankers have to have mental health training? Speaking from a banker’s point of view we do deal with some real works of arts and we encounter many different situations, including those who want the banks to take responsibility for their financial woes.
In the article, “Mental Health Training Needed For Bankers,” it basically states that with all of the concerns people are having regarding their finances, banks need to have a system in place to monitor “erratic spending.” All I have to say to that is please…
What were people doing before the economic crisis? How did those who are allegedly suffering from this so-called “debt depression” get by? The same way they are now. It is not the responsibility of the banks or bankers to baby sit accounts. If you feel you are under that much stress seek counseling from a professional or talk with a financial counselor. Not to sound like a total bitch but I deal with people like this everyday and I get sick of hearing the same song. I do have some empathy for a person who do not abuse the system and that’s what all this boils down to-abuse.
Banks are in the business to make money and not refund countless fees for those who chose to not be responsible. I understand the stress that comes with money troubles but I do not feel that this should be a cause for bankers to have to undergo some special training. We are bankers not psychologist and our job is to provide financial services not psychiatric ones. So, for those in need of how to get a handle on your finances know that a banker can give you suggestions and advice but if your spending habits are stemming from something deeper a psychologist is your best bet.
In the article, “Mental Health Training Needed For Bankers,” it basically states that with all of the concerns people are having regarding their finances, banks need to have a system in place to monitor “erratic spending.” All I have to say to that is please…
What were people doing before the economic crisis? How did those who are allegedly suffering from this so-called “debt depression” get by? The same way they are now. It is not the responsibility of the banks or bankers to baby sit accounts. If you feel you are under that much stress seek counseling from a professional or talk with a financial counselor. Not to sound like a total bitch but I deal with people like this everyday and I get sick of hearing the same song. I do have some empathy for a person who do not abuse the system and that’s what all this boils down to-abuse.
Banks are in the business to make money and not refund countless fees for those who chose to not be responsible. I understand the stress that comes with money troubles but I do not feel that this should be a cause for bankers to have to undergo some special training. We are bankers not psychologist and our job is to provide financial services not psychiatric ones. So, for those in need of how to get a handle on your finances know that a banker can give you suggestions and advice but if your spending habits are stemming from something deeper a psychologist is your best bet.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Most Costly Of Them All
It may be a little known fact but the top most costly condition to treat in children is mental disorders. According to News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, “$8.9 billion dollars went towards treating mental disorders such as depression (http://www.health/ NewsDigets.com).” I find this staggering news since it seems that more and more children are suffering from certain disorders but don’t seem to be getting the treatment.
Rated "D"
In a report released by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), they have graded the United States mental health care system a big fat “D”. Many factors went into the grade and can be review at http://www.nami.org/.
One of the biggest criteria for the grades has been all of the recent cuts to the mental health care sector, like everything else is being blamed on the economic crisis. But NAMI is does not see this as acceptable. Other issues that raise concern is the alarming number of people being put in jail that are suffering from some mental disorder rather than treating them. NAMI says, “the costs of our failure to provide adequate services to people with serious mental illnesses are also well know (http://www.cnn.com/, http://www.nami.org/).”
I don’t know if it’s really fair to give the mental health system a low grade. The government provides funds for many of the programs offered. So, if we are grading we need to grade the government on the non-attempts at helping to fund clinics that are trying to help those cope with mental disorders.
One of the biggest criteria for the grades has been all of the recent cuts to the mental health care sector, like everything else is being blamed on the economic crisis. But NAMI is does not see this as acceptable. Other issues that raise concern is the alarming number of people being put in jail that are suffering from some mental disorder rather than treating them. NAMI says, “the costs of our failure to provide adequate services to people with serious mental illnesses are also well know (http://www.cnn.com/, http://www.nami.org/).”
I don’t know if it’s really fair to give the mental health system a low grade. The government provides funds for many of the programs offered. So, if we are grading we need to grade the government on the non-attempts at helping to fund clinics that are trying to help those cope with mental disorders.
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