What do teens want?  Sports related items like soccer balls and baseballs, movies, toiletries, curling irons, sweatshirts (hoodies), colored socks, lip gloss, chapstick, combs, brushes, books, gift certificates, board games, playing cards, colored pencils, sketch pads, inexpensive jewelry, scarves, cookies etc. MiKid will also accept cash donations for the purchase of necessary items.

MiKid is a 501(c)(3) organization and is affiliated with the Federation of Families for Childre3n’s Mental Health and their philosophy is that most families are multi-stressed, not dysfunctional.  When working with famlies, MiKid staff focuses on strengths, not flaws and believes that planning and obtaining of services should be a joint effort of family and professionals. MiKid staff know that parents know their child best.

To donate please call the MiKid office at 882-0142 or stop by with your donation during regular business hours from 8am to 5pm at 4500 E. Speedway, Suite 58.  The website is www.mikid.org

Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (January 10, 2011)—Mental Health America joins Americans in mourning the loss of those killed in Saturday’s tragic and senseless attack and expressing our wishes for the full recovery of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and fellow citizens who were injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and everyone who is affected by these horrific events. And we join in applauding the brave actions of individuals who prevented greater harm.

It will likely take many days to understand the reasons and motivations behind this national tragedy. Many have pointed to mental health as an issue.

It must first be emphasized that people with mental health conditions are no more likely to be violent than the rest of the population. And we have science-based methods to successfully treat persons with even the most severe mental illnesses. A very small group of individuals with a specific type of mental health symptoms are at greater risk for violence if their symptoms are untreated.

At the same time, we must recognize that the nation’s mental health system is drastically under-funded and fails to provide Americans living with mental health conditions with the effective community-based mental health services they need. Sadly, in the current environment of strained state budgets, mental health services have been cut drastically just as demand for these critical services has risen dramatically.

It is also important that, as a community, we assist persons with signs and symptoms of mental illnesses to seek treatment. Although rare, when a person becomes so ill that he/she is a danger to themselves or others state laws provide a way to get them help even if they don’t believe that they need it. The best strategy, however, is to have an accessible system of care that is easy to use.

Science has not developed tools to predict reliably individuals at risk for violence. But we can reduce the small risk of violence in those with certain mental health conditions by investing in proven intensive, coordinated community-based mental health services and making certain that they can access these services.

We do not know if the mental health system failed in this situation or if there were missed opportunities or if effective treatment might have averted this tragedy.

We do hope that we can find answers and create solutions that prevent this from ever happening again.

Mental Health America (www.mentalhealthamerica.net) is the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. With our century of service to America and our more than 300 affiliates nationwide, we represent a national movement that promotes mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation— everyday and in times of crisis.

The law included a six month extension of higher Medicaid federal matching funds for states – a major contribution towards some of the drastic slashes in mental health coverage in Arizona.

Recent budget slashes (I prefer that term over cuts as I feel it’s much more descriptive) in the state’s healthcare system for the poor have forced many people to search for alternatives to afford their medications. Some are going to Canada, while some have been fortunate to be able to get discounts directly from the pharmaceutical companies. I applaud the efforts of some of the drug companies to help and I wish they would all step up.

While illegal immigration and calls to enforce the border by sending in troops occupies the headlines, our state’s most vulnerable citizens are doing the best they can just to survive.  In my world they take priority over someone who has illegally crossed our borders to look for a better way of life.  Helping disabled and seriously mentally ill people is not only money well spent, it’s the “right” thing to do!

How Did Your Member Vote?

View the House roll call vote on final passage of HR 1586

Both McCain and Kyle voted no when the bill went through the senate.

Read further details on the provisions in HR 1586 designed to support state Medicaid programs into 2011.

Some have struggled for years to find the right medication “cocktail” and now the rug is being pulled out from under them. They won’t be able to afford the newer, more effective drugs that can cost thousands of dollars a month and they won’t have a therapist or case manager monitoring their changes.  Many are the “working poor” who make just a few too many dollars to qualify for the the state’s medicaid system, AHCCCS;  also  in jeopardy of loosing millions.

Yes, it looks like it could get even worse since  Congress may not extend the states Medicaid assistance. Medicaid assistance from the federal government was voted against by the U.S. Senate last week.  Without it, Arizona’s health care budget falls further into the red.  In a letter to Arizona members of Congress, Governor Brewer complained that “(I)t has become clear that Congress does not have the will to assist states in addressing the very problem that it created.” Based on her combative attitude displayed recently all over the media, I will be surprised if any “Fed” will pay attention.

I guess you can tell I’m angry, but instead of complaining, I wish she would use the same “take charge” attitude towards our state’s health care system as she does toward our illegal immigration issues where no expense spared is the mantra.  We’re soon to be using our local city and state law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws.  Plus, there always seems to be more money to build more prisons to house the additional “illegal immigrants.”  What about using money to house and treat some of our state’s most vulnerable citizens?

The Obama administration launched a new health care reform website yesterday that provides information to the public on “the full range of public and private health insurance plans” that fits their specific circumstances. Mandated by the health reform law, the site will show users how their options “will change in coming years” as the law takes effect. – The Progress Report, July 1, 2010

Extension of the 2009 Poverty Guidelines Until at Least May 31, 2010

[ Federal Register Notice, January 22, 2010, (initial extension of guidelines until March 1) — Full text ]
[ Prior Poverty Guidelines and Federal Register References Since 1982 ]
[ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ]
[ Further Resources on Poverty Measurement, Poverty Lines, and Their History ]

Congress has taken action to keep the 2009 poverty guidelines in effect until at least May 31, 2010.

Congressional actions on this matter have been in response to a decrease in the annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) for 2009, projected during 2009 and announced on January 15, 2010 (see http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi_01152010.pdf, Table 1A).  In the absence of legislative change, this decrease — the first since the poverty guidelines began to be issued in 1965 — would have required HHS to issue 2010 poverty guidelines that were lower than the 2009 poverty guidelines; that would have led to the “reduction in eligibility” referred to in the Congressional explanatory language quoted below.  Congress took several actions on this matter:

1.  On December 19, 2009, the Congress enacted and the President signed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-118), which included a provision affecting the poverty guidelines.  Section 1012 of this law (as originally enacted, before subsequent amendment) stated that:

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not publish updated poverty guidelines for 2010 under section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)) before March 1, 2010, and the poverty guidelines published under such section on January 23, 2009, shall remain in effect until updated poverty guidelines are published.

The Congressional Record (House) (December 16, 2009, p. H15370) provided the following explanation of this Congressional action in Pub. L. 111-118:

Section 1012 includes a provision to freeze the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines at 2009 levels in order to prevent a reduction in eligibility for certain means-tested programs, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and child nutrition, through March 1, 2010.

A Federal Register notice about this initial extension of the 2009 poverty guidelines was published on January 22, 2010. (See Federal Register, Vol. 75, No. 14, January 22, 2010, pp. 3734-3735.)

2.  On March 2, 2010, the Congress enacted and the President signed the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-144), which included a provision affecting the poverty guidelines.  Section 7 of this law amended Section 1012 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, by replacing “March 1, 2010” with “March 31, 2010”.  The effect of this was to extend the 2009 poverty guidelines until at least March 31, 2010.

3.  On April 15, 2010, the Congress enacted and the President signed the Continuing Extension Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-157), which included a provision affecting the poverty guidelines.  Section 6 of this law amended Section 1012 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (as amended by Pub. L. 111-144), by replacing “March 31, 2010” with “May 31, 2010”.  The effect of this was to extend the 2009 poverty guidelines until at least May 31, 2010.

We will provide updated information about the post-May-31 period when it becomes available.

The 2009 poverty guidelines figures that will remain in effect are given below.

NOTE:  The poverty guideline figures below are NOT the figures the Census Bureau uses to calculate the number of poor persons.
The figures that the Census Bureau uses are the poverty thresholds.

The 2009 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia
Persons in family	Poverty guideline
1	$10,830
2	14,570
3	18,310
4	22,050
5	25,790
6	29,530
7	33,270
8	37,010
For families with more than 8 persons, add $3,740 for each additional person.

2009 Poverty Guidelines for Alaska
Persons in family	Poverty guideline
1	$13,530
2	18,210
3	22,890
4	27,570
5	32,250
6	36,930
7	41,610
8	46,290
For families with more than 8 persons, add $4,680 for each additional person.

2009 Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii
Persons in family	Poverty guideline
1	$12,460
2	16,760
3	21,060
4	25,360
5	29,660
6	33,960
7	38,260
8	42,560
For families with more than 8 persons, add $4,300 for each additional person.

SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 74, No. 14, January 23, 2009, pp. 4199–4201

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Go to Further Resources on Poverty Measurement, Poverty Lines, and Their History

Go to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Return to the main Poverty Guidelines, Research, and Measurement page.

Last Revised:  04/19/10

ASPE Home | HHS Home | Questions? | Contacting HHS | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | FOIA | Disclaimers | No FEAR Act The White House | USA.gov | Flu.gov

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. – Washington, D.C. 20201

March 27, 2010 -  2805 E. Ajo Way 

 Sam Lena Park, Tucson

 CHECK-IN TIME: 7:30am ~ Opening Ceremony 8:30am

WALK START TIME:  9:00am ~  Entertainment 10:00-11:00am

• The NAMIWALKS – Changing Minds One Step at a Time, is a nationwide fundraising and mental health awareness program that is being held in more than 80 communities around the country in 2010 including right here in Tucson. It is projected that these walks will raise over 8 million dollars in 2010 for NAMI and the educational, support and advocacy programs it provides totally free of charge to thousands of families across the country.  The 2009 Southern Arizona Walk raised almost $178,000 and hosted approximately 3000 participants. This year the crowd is expected to be well over 3500 participants.
• There is no walker registration fee.  All participants are encouraged to collect donations from family members, friends, co-workers and business associates.
• All the funds collected by Walkers will be used to fund NAMI’s programs in Southern Arizona that include support, education, research and advocacy involving schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression), major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and severe anxiety disorders. 

All walkers raising $100 or more with receive a NAMIWALKS event T-shirt. 

• Companies, organizations and families are encouraged to organize teams of walkers made up of employees, organization members, relatives and friends to take part in the Walk. 

 NAMIWALKS – Changing Minds One Step at a Time is a rain or shine event.

For more information please call  NAMI Southern Arizona 520-622-5582 or

 NAMI Southeastern Arizona – Sierra Vista    1-800-380-2322  or

www.nami.org/namiwalks/AZ/Tucson

Governor Brewer wants to repeal the measures passed in 2000 requiring that all those below the Federal Poverty level be covered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state’s Medicaid System. If this is repealed, estimates of up to two thirds of the state’s citizens diagnosed with a serious mental illness will loose their coverage.

It’s obvious where they will go, or in worst case scenarios where these most vulnerable residents will be sent. Our emergency rooms will continue to be inundated with people seeking treatment for mild to serious symptoms and our prison system, already stretched to the limit will continue the latest trend as the nation’s mental health hospitals. Even the few lucky people that are able to afford an occasional visit to a private psychiatrist will have a difficult time paying for their medications. Many will have to make the choice between medication and food. Our homeless population already underserved and in crisis, will continue to grow.

Effective community based treatment is proven to be a more cost effective way to treat people living with mental illness. Hospitalizations and incarcerations are the most expensive, yet that seems to be where we are headed, especially now that the City of Tucson is also stopping funding for the mental health courts (another questionable cost saver). 

It seems like the dream of health care reform is turning into a nightmare.

A member of the family, we’ll call him the Father, was diagnosed with schizophrenia approximately fifteen years ago, but it wasn’t until this week that his sister was given that information.  They live across the country from each other and and don’t see each other often, but the sister has always know that her brother was “quirky.”  She knew he was brilliant and that he had scored very high on a IQ test while in high school and always considered him a genius.  Over the last several years she often wondered if her brother had a mental illness diagnosis, but no one else in the family thought it possible.  That is, no one besides her sister-in-law who finally shared the information after living with him for over twenty years and raising a family. 

The sister, who believes that mental illness should not be kept in the closet and needs to be spoken about feels frustrated and saddened by her brother’s family’s inability to share openly an illness that needs to be discussed.  It is the first step in reducing stigma.

All that can be done  is to encourage the family to be open.  This is an issue that they must come to grips with on their own, but here are some suggestions (some from the www.nami.org website) to anyone interested in reducing mental illness stigma. 

Use of Language is Most Important

•  Protest usage of single words like “crazy” “psycho” “wacko” or “loony” unless they refer directly to individuals struggling with mental illnesses or to the illness itself.
•  ”Schizophrenic” to describe a split decision made by Congress or any organization has become part of our cultural language. However, its misuse is being heard and corrected by many in the public arena.
•  Protest calling a person a “schizophrenic”: NAMI policy calls for PEOPLE FIRST: people, persons, individuals with a mental illness, schizophrenia, bipolar, clinical depression, OCD, panic disorder.

Above all else, get educated and know that mental illness, like any other illness is a biological disorder;  it can be successfully treated and recovery is more than possible, it’s probable.  Ignorance has caused people to abandon their family members and encouraged the person with the diagnosis to isolate themselves. 

Just like a person living with cancer or diabetes, a person with mental illness needs support and acceptance from their family and friends. 

There is a genetic predisposition, so everyone in the family needs to know what the symptoms and “red flags” are.  Sometimes is takes years, even decades before a person is diagnosed.  It is proven than the earlier a person receives treatment, the better the outcome.

Encourage our legislators to treat mental illnesses with parity so that insurance coverage is equal for mental illnesses with physical illnesses.

Bottom line is we need to accept people for who they are, with or without any illness and be there to support and encourage them as equal human beings.

If you believe, as I do, that mental illnesses are illness just like any other, than why was this man, who supposedly treated other people with brain disorders, not receiving treatment himself?  Did  anyone not notice how he was struggling?  According to the “God Blogging” post on this site, NPR interviewed others at Walter Reed who said he was. 

Which brings us back to the same problem, the same issues that continue to plague people with mental illness and their families.  Because of the stigma, because of the inattention by our health care system that doesn’t think the mind is part of one’s physical health, because of an overburdened mental healthcare system, because people suffering from a mental illness can feel isoloated and abandoned by their support structure, people with diagnosable brain disorders are falling through the cracks.  One again, as President Obama called this tragedy, “a horrific” catastrophe has occured in this country.

Who knows what was going on in Hasan’s head……Certainly listening to war stories from our returning Veterans experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was not an easy thing to do, but why is it that no one saw the signs, especially when he was set to deploy at the end of the month? Maybe Major Hasan will be able to shed some light on our questions.