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May is Mental Health
Awareness Month
Joann
McAndrews, executive director of the Mental Health Association in
Cattaraugus County answered some of our questions about mental health
and mental illness. The mission of the Mental Health Association In
Cattaraugus County is to promote and support mental wellness.
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Are there
any specific events in the area that you are aware of for mental
health month?
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Yes, The MHACC
is celebrating May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Events scheduled include:
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All month
long - Inspiration Walk at JCC campus in Downtown Olean
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May 10-24
- Banner on Downtown Olean Street (near MHACC office)
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May 6 - No
One Way Teen Group (N.O.W.) Presentation at Integrated
County Planning meeting,
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May 7-
N.O.W. Hot Dog Sale and Basket Raffle, 11 a.m.-6p.m. at
MHACC office 502 N. Union St.
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May 13 -
Open House in recognition of Stella’s 27 years of employment
at MHACC Retirement Happy Hour for Stella at Old Library
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May
14-Dress Down Day, at area businesses, schools and
organizations
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May 14
–Youth & Family Services speaking at Salamanca High School
on Stigma & Tolerance of students w/ behavioral differences
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May 20-Good
News Award to N.O.W Youth Group
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May 22 –
noon to 4 p.m. “Walk a Mile” Trail Walk for Awareness with
Cattaraugus County Community Services on Allegany River
Trail (starts near UPS) (see attached flyer)
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May 28 – 8
p.m.Candle light vigil and Inspiration Walk closing ceremony
starts at MHACC office walk to Clock Tower at JCC Olean
campus.
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| What is a mental illness? |
| According to the National Alliance
on Mental Illness (NAMI), which is the best description I’ve
seen: “Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a
person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others
and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the
pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often
result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary
demands of life.” |
| What are some of the
misconceptions of mental illness? |
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Some misconceptions I am aware of in
general are:
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That individuals with mental illness are low functioning and
unable to live independently or hold jobs.
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That people affected by mental illnesses would be “ok” if
they would “choose” to “cheer up.”
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Mental Illnesses are commonly confused with developmental
disabilities and many times there are assumptions that
people with mental illness have a developmental disability.
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People with mental illnesses are dangerous or violent.
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People with mental illnesses have weak character and are
lazy.
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| What may someone do if
he/she feels they have a mental illness? Perhaps more
importantly, what may someone who is a caregiver or
friend/relative of someone he/she suspects has a mental illness
do to get this person help? |
| I would recommend contacting a
local advocacy or peer organization within their community.
Helping an individual get engaged with a peer right away will
not only help them get to the appropriate services but will also
help to alleviate some of the anxiety, fear and stigma involved
in seeking help. In addition, often individuals who are having
difficulties in this way are having other problems that can be
related, such as financial, school/work difficulties and etc.
A peer advocate can also teach the individual their rights and
help advocate for them in a number of life’s domains. |
| What happens if someone is
diagnosed with a mental illness? |
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Unfortunately a bad thing that happens
is STIGMA –
Although
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, the MHACC fights the
stigma that is attached to mental health issues on a daily basis
by promoting and supporting mental wellness.
For more
information about stigma and what you may do to prevent it, see
below. |
| How many people are
suspected of having mental illnesses? |
| According to the National
Institute of Mental Health about 1 in 4 adults Americans
experience a mental health challenge in a year and about 10% of
children have a serious mental illness. |
| Does insurance cover
treatment for mental illness? |
| Most have a provision for some
coverage now, but currently in New York State the co-pays are
much higher for mental illness treatments than medical
treatments. As an example: One may have very good coverage and
have a normal co-pay for medical of $15.00 and a mental health
co-pay of $30.00. |
| Does the health care reform
bill help in this regard at all? |
| There is hope it will but so far
in our state, there is no relief. We were hoping insurance
companies would voluntarily start moving toward it. |
| What is the most common
diagnosis? Do you know how many people are diagnosed with this
particular mental illness?
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| According to NIMH the most common
mental health disorder is Major Depressive Disorder (a mood
disorder) affecting about 20.9 million American Adults or about
9.5% of the population each year. For children ADHD is the most
commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder with 3 – 5% of school
age children being affected. However, a large scale study done
by Methods for Epidemiology of Child and Adolescent Mental
Disorders (MECA) suggest as many as 13% of children ages 9 – 17
suffers from an anxiety disorder. |
| Many folks think of
pharmaceuticals as treatments - are there other treatments?
Perhaps other treatments that may include natural or lifestyle
changes?
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There are other
treatments and an individual should research all the options
available to them but here are a few:
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Therapeutic Interventions: Individual, group, family and
etc… (it should be noted that most professionals believe
that pharmaceutical interventions partnered with therapeutic
interventions are the most effective in treating mental
illness)
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Electroconvulsive therapy
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Behavioral techniques such as relaxation and exposure
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Hypnotherapy
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Bio Feedback
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Peer Support and Counseling
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Skill Building
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Acupuncture
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Massage
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Religion (traditional faith involvement and faith-based
counseling)
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There are also a
number of herbal remedies that are sold over the counter, but an
individual should never take them without consulting with their
physician or psychiatrist. |
| Does it help that
celebrities come out and discuss their mental illnesses, whether
it be bipolar disorder or depression? On the same note, what do
people like Tom Cruise, do to the cause? |
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Over-all the
general feeling with those we work with is that it helps to
reduce stigma when people in positions of power and celebrity
discuss their mental illnesses openly. The concerns that come
from it, however, is when they speak out for or against
treatment options as the “only” option that works or as an
option that doesn’t work. Treatment effectiveness is very
individualized and person-centered. What works for me may not
work for any other person and these discussions narrow the focus
of treatment options and limit opportunity for recovery.
People who
speak out against acknowledgement of mental illness and specific
treatments set back the person-centered recovery movements
around the world by years. This talk strengthens and empowers
individuals who inflict stigma and prevents affected individuals
from seeking help. It’s my belief that this type of thinking
causes death by suicide every year. If one person decides to
keep his/her illness a secret and not get treated because of
something that Tom Cruise said in public, their life is at risk.
Our agency is
currently putting together a local Speaker’s Bureau that
consists of several peers who are willing to tell their story.
The group is getting free training from the local ToastMasters
Group. I find that when a person tells his or her own story, the
impact on the listening audience is much more noticeable then if
someone like me gets up and talks in third person form. When we
put a face to the illness we will go far to reduce stigma and
increase awareness. |
For more
information:
Mental Health Month
Toolkit to help Live Your Life Well - click
here.
Information about the
Mental Health Walk - click
here.
Online resources:
Other state and
federal resources include the following important resource links:
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Online
Depression Screening Web Site: The mission of this web site is
to educate people about clinical depression, offer a confidential
way for people to get screened for symptoms of the illness, and
guide people toward appropriate professional help if necessary. Also
a great site for those concerned over anonymity of themselves or
their child.
New York State
Links:
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Families Together in
NYS: Families Together, the statewide chapter of the Federation
of Families for Children's Mental Health, is a parent-run
organization that strives to establish a unified voice for children
with emotional, behavioral, and social needs. Its mission is to
ensure that every family has access to needed information, support,
and services. Information & Referral Line: 1-888-326-8644
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Mental Health
Association in New York State, Inc. is a voluntary
not-for-profit statewide association with 33 local affiliates
located in communities throughout New York State. MHANYS brings
together service recipients, families, professionals, advocates and
concerned citizens to address all aspects of mental health and
mental illness. 518-1-800-766-6177
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NYS Education
Department's Office of Vocational and Educational Services for
Individuals with Disabilities (VESID): a great resource for
information on special education, transition, and links to other
children’s agencies and organizations.
National
Links:
Other
Children’s Mental Health Links:
ANTI-STIGMA:
DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS? [From a publication of National Mental Health
Services Knowledge Exchange Network
www.mentalhealth.org]
Stigma is not
just the use of the wrong word or action. Stigma is about disrespect. It
is the use of negative labels to identify a person living with mental
illness. Stigma is a barrier and discourages individuals andtheir
families from getting the help they need due to the fear of being
discriminated against.
Do you know that
Stigma:
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Is not just the use of the wrong
word or action?
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Is about disrespect, and that
stigma is about the use of negative labels to identify a person
living with mental illness?
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Is a barrier and discourages
individuals and their families from getting the help they need due
to shame and fear of discrimination?
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Results in inadequate insurance
coverage for mental health services?
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Results in fear, mistrust, and
violence against people living with mental illness?
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Results in families and friends
turning their backs on people with mental illness?
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Keeps people from getting needed
mental health services and that people would rather tell employers
they have committed a petty crime and were in jail, than admit to
being in a psychiatric hospital?
Anti-Stigma
Do’s & Don’ts:
Do’s:
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Do use respectful language such as:
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Person who has schizophrenia
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Person with a psychiatric
disability
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Person with bipolar disorder
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Do emphasize abilities, not
limitations.
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Do tell someone if they express a
stigmatizing attitude.
Don’ts:
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Don’t portray successful persons
with disabilities as super human.
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Don’t use generic labels such as
retarded, or the mentally ill.
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Don’t use terms like crazy,
lunatic, manic-depressive, slow functioning, or normal.
IMPORTANT TO
REMEMBER:
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Every person’s mental health is
important
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Many people have mental health
problems AND, with proper treatment, live productive lives
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These problems are real, painful,
and can be severe
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Mental health problems can be
recognized and successfully treated
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By working together, caring
families and communities can help!
Medicare Rx -
Coverage Gap
"The Donut Hole"
What is the donut hole?
In 2005, one-third of seniors - individuals 65 and older
- said they had no drug coverage, but after enactment of the Medicare
Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act, or Medicare Part D
prescription drug benefit in 2006, the percentage of seniors without
drug coverage dropped to 20%, according to a study by the Kaiser Family
Foundation. It needs more work not only to reach more but to
better protect the people who are enrolled.
The term "Donut Hole" refers to a "coverage gap" within
the defined standard benefit under the Medicare Part D program.
Under the defined standard benefit package there is a gap in
coverage between the initial coverage limit and the catastrophic
coverage threshold. Within this gap, the beneficiary pays 100% of
the cost of prescription drugs before catastrophic coverage kicks in.
Every Part D plan sponsor must offer at least one basic
Part D plan. They may also offer enhanced plans that provide
additional benefits. Premiums for plans offering gap coverage are
roughly double those of defined standard plans.
According to Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 25% of
people who had joined Medicare Part D who filled any prescriptions in
2007 reached the coverage gap. People with chronic conditions,
such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and depression had a much higher
risk of reaching the coverage gap.
Not everyone is suffering under the new drug plan.
A report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research in 2006 finds
drug companies will make billions in excess profits under Part D.
The prices paid by Medicare insurers are more than twice as high as
prices paid by the Veterans Administration.
There are ways to fix the donut hole situation:
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The Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act (HR
752) would require Medicare to offer a drug benefit and negotiate
for drug discounts for enrollees sponsored by Reps. Marion Berry
(D-Ark) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill).
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The Medicare Prescription Drug Lifeline Act to
ensure seniors do not fall into the donut hole, sponsored by Ron
Wyden (D-Ore) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME).
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The Helping Fill the Medicare Rx Gap Act HR2058
would expedite Federal Assistance for beneficiaries with high drug
costs sponsored by Rep Rush Holt of NJ.
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Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator R.
Menendez (D-NJ) introduce the Honest Medicare Act of 2006 to monitor
the Medicare Part D donut hole and its effect on senior citizens.
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