NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) graded the states in 2006. Our country as a whole got a D. Are you surprised? I’m not, I’ve lived it. I actually checked it out before I moved. I moved from a C+ state (Michigan) to a D- state (Indiana). It wasn’t that big of a loss, although as far as I can tell Indiana has no state program. I did however find a better treatment plan here and even though I’ll never be able to pay it all off they seem okay with that.
In Michigan I was in the mental health program since I returned in 1996. Basically I saw a therapist and psychiatrist on a regular basis, between my many hospitalizations. One month when I couldn’t get it together to pay my rent someone decided I should be in the HOP (housing outreach program). My therapist came to me, I had a bill payer, a med giver, even a cleaning person once I reached my medicaid spenddown limit for the month.
They closed that program and put me in a dual diagnosis program. That means people with mental illness who have addictions too. I had an intern ask me if I started using again when I got depressed. I said using what? Cigarettes? Mountain Dew? Aspirin? Duh, couldn’t be bothered to read my chart I guess. That was a very bad program for me to be in. My therapist suggested I liked feeling this way. They treated people like naughty irresponsible children. I won’t even go into what a fiasco my bill payer was.
The big difference was the HOP program treated us like worthwhile human beings and when you are already guilt ridden that you couldn’t hold it all together that was hugely important. Sometimes I feel like a chameleon, if people like me and think I’m great, I start believing it. If people treat me like a worthless child, well, that’s a role I’m a natural at.
I moved in 2006 because my daughter graduated and I no longer got SS money for her. I couldn’t find any place I could afford to live up there. All told, this move was a good thing. I’m paying my own bills and haven’t been late once (thank God for online banking!), I am buying a house and I’m getting some great help.
Intersting post and valuable information that I’ll be passing on. My daughter was contemplating a move prior to this last episode of psychosis (brought on by side effects of medication) because of the change of care recently in this state (AZ). The ethics in the field has been sadly lacking with the new company given the state contract last November. It appears that in her case it would be a wise choice apparently. I am continually appauled at what is done or not in the care of those in need of help with a mental illness. It’s been a most unpleasant learning experience. I’m really glad things have worked so well in your favor;O)
Wow, I found your essay very captivating reading. Makes me want to read more about you.
Carol
It is no surprise to me that my state received a D grade, primarily, due to the disparity in regional services. That cascade mountain range running down the middle divides the state on some many issues from politics, to weather, to finances, that it makes sense that the mental health services vary as well. But it is not only the cascades that divide us. For several years I was an HIV/AIDS Case Manager for a rural county, just an hour out of Seattle. I had patients die before their name moved up on waiting lists to be seen by a mental health therapist. In desperation, I recruited my friends in the mental health field to each take on one of my patients pro-bono. Housing? Supposedly my patients had priority, but many of them died in rickety, leaking trailers on some ones back 40. I didn’t have difficulties getting emergency confinements when my patients were in crisis, but in 72 hours they were out and unattended for lack of available services. My colleagues in Seattle boasted their large network of therapists, not one but two inpatient facilities and a Day Health program! The best that I could offer some of my patients while lucid was encouragement to move south to the land of mental health plenty.
I left a message on your graphics site. I got so carried away looking at your fantastic Bryce stuff that I forgot that message wasn’t posted here. Rather than re-write it here you can see it on that page. I also registered at 3D commune and have gotten so sidetracked with looking looking looking, I have not done my homework. This is not a complaint.
“Never complain, Never Explain”
Noel Coward
It’s good news to hear that after the tough times you are seeing the light at the other side and good things are occuring. Keep it up.