After attending the forum hosted by the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona last week I am no less concerned about what is going to happen to the covered benefits for the huge population of adults with serious mental illness that do not qualify for the state’s Medicaid system (AHCCCS) after July 1st.  The Assistant Deputy Director from the Arizona Health Services Division of Behavioral Health Services explained some of the impact the cuts would have and offered a few suggestions on how the impacts might be minimized.

“Thinking outside the box” was a phrase heard repeatedly and for many attending that answer was not enough to calm their fears. For a population accustomed to difficulties  finding appropriate mental health care that particular phrase has become a mantra.

One question about how the non-title XIX residents will be covered if they are currently in the Arizona State Hospital was never answered.

Of major concern to me is the misguided thought by some in Phoenix that people that are currently taking some of the more expensive, newer anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers and anti-depressants  can now be administered some of the older, less expensive drugs to save money.  What he forgot to say when talking about the older, less expensive medications is that they don’t work for some people.  Hence the reason for being prescribed the newer, more effective medications. Plus, the newer medications don’t have some of the debilitating side effects  that the older medications cause.  (Although, I must admit all of these medications do have some sort of negative side effect)

Even when a certain medication is successfully treating some of the symptoms today,  next week, next month or next year it may loose it’s efficacy and a new medication will need to be introduced; most likely a newer drug.

The state’s crisis system which had up until recently seen some positive advances is now experiencing limited funding as well.   It was suggested at the meeting that family members “step up” to the plate and do what they can to cover the shortages like manning all night crisis phone lines, etc.  on a volunteer basis.  Hum…….I guess that might work if their loved one isn’t in a crisis because their newly prescribed medication is working!

Last Saturday, March 27th over 3500 particpants gathered at Sam Lena Park in Tucson to celebrate the realilty of mental health recovery and to reduce stigma for people with mental illness.  The Opening Ceremony began with the Presentation of Colors by the Air National Guard.  Then Betsy Bruce and Mike Rapp introduced Honorary Chair Rodney Glassman who sang the National Anthem.  Councilwoman Karin Uhlich also greeted the crowd with words of encouragement and Judy Johnson from the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona spoke about the importance of proper treatment and the success of Southern Arizona’s single biggest awareness building event, NAMIWalks.

Mark Stein from KOLD News 13 cut the ribbon and the walkers were off to the sounds of the Seven Pipers Scottish Society Bagpipe members.

Almost 100 volunteers assisted in organizing and implementing the huge event including NAMI Southern Arizona and NAMI Southeastern Arizona volunteers, members from local Kiwanis clubs, Rincon High School, Pima and Cochise Colleges.  Mental health provider services provided information and several local restaurants donated food and refreshments. The crowd was also entertained with Karaoke, Japanese Drummers and Folklorico Dancers. Over fifty local businesses and organizations proided sponsorships of cash and in-kind donations.

Local mental health providers CODAC and La Frontera had super size walking teams of over 300 particpants each.  Other huge teams were in attendance from University Physicians Healthcare, COPE, Intermountain, and the University of Arizona’s Health and Wellness Center.  Some teams walked in memory of a lost one or in recognition of a family member living with a mental illness.  Community College teams participated as did teams from local churches, law enforcement agencies including the Pima County Attorney’s office and the Veteran’s Administration Healthcare.

NAMIWalks Southern Arizona is the single largest fundraising event for the local NAMI affilliates in Tucson and Sierra Vista.  The event has enabled the organizations to increase the programs and services tenfold over the last four years.  NAMI services include educational classes, support groups, advocacy, Crisis Intervention Training, Speakers presentations and resource specialistists in English and in Spanish. Total donations for 2010 are down from last year, but participation is still growing increasing awareness and building the National Alliance on Mental Illness profile in our communities. One in four families are affected by mental illness and NAMI is here to support them. 

All services offered by the non-profit are totally free of charge.  Donations of support are still being accepted at the Walk website at www.nami.org/namiwalks/AZ/Tucson or by calling the office direct at 520-622-5582.

When I wrote the blog about Major Hasan, the soldier who went on a rampage at Fort Hood I received a tremendous amount of response decrying my belief that the man might have a mental illness.  Most responders believed he was a “Muslim terrorist” and that mental illness had nothing to do with his act.

With yesterday’s accused “Pentagon Attacker,” Joseph Bedell, the link seems more clear cut. His family had struggled for years to get him into treatment.  But, as so often is the case unless he displayed an obvious threat to himself or others, they were limited in what they could do to help.  Even the law officer that stopped him for a moving violation in Texas could tell he needed to be in a hospital, but he wasn’t able to get him admitted. Mr Bedell was a threat to himself and others and no one paid attention.

There were so many red flags.  Like so many people in our country he was agitated with our government.  Like so many of us that are tired of the activities or in-activities of our legislature, he was frustrated and angry.  But, unlike most of us, he wasn’t able to contain his anger and acted out in the most savage way he could. 

As an advocate for people with mental illness, his tragic story reminds me once again how far we need to go when it comes to treating our fellow human beings that are suffering from brain disorders.  Inflammatory rhetoric and inexcusable callousness does not further growth as a species and can have a devastating effect on some of our most vulnerable.   Compassion and understanding have positive effects. Pushing those living with mental illness aside and pretending they don’t exist, that they are “terrorists,”   or that they are someone else’s problem has consquences.