• $5.5 million increase for services children & adolescents;
• $10 million increase for services for adults;
• And thanks to Reva Stein and the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition, an additional $500,000, which represents the first increase in ten years.

Now the state budget moves to the Senate where we expect a Senate budget to be released in the middle of this month.

We are asking NAMI members to raise awareness of this effort by writing a letter to editor of their local newspaper using this letter template provided by FundMentalHealth.org and please personalize by adding some of your own words.  We don’t have a lot of time so please send in your letter to editor today.  Dear Editor FUND MENTAL HEALTH (Word document)

The letter to the editor meets most paper standards of less than 250 words. You can go to your local papers online version or to the opinion page to get the address or email to send letters to the editor. Simply mail or email the letter to the editor to your local paper, identifying your name and contact info (they will likely want to verify this before they print it).

On May 12, 2012, come sign with us, we can get 5,000 signatures. Support funding for high quality mental health services, Increase DMH budget by $30.0 M.  It is the right thing for individuals, families and the Commonwealth.

Taunton State Hospital Closure

NAMI Massachusetts has a four point position:

1. NAMI is calling for an extensive and independent study on the impact of the impending relocation of continuing care beds from Taunton State Hospital to the new Worcester Recovery Center, on our loved ones, families and the community.  We must ensure the Southeast, and all communities, have the appropriate amount of continuing care beds and supports needed for recovery.  We are calling to have a study completed in 60 days; it must be prior to scheduling relocation of our loved ones from Taunton State Hospital.
2. NAMI is calling to preserve the 45 continuing care beds, scheduled to move to Tewksbury, to remain in the Southeast area rather than transfer beds to out of the area. The burden of extensive travel for families from the Cape and Southeast, would make it difficult maintain the continuum of family and natural supports.
3. NAMI calls for any re-use of these lands (or money if sold) must be dedicated to people living with symptoms of mental illness.
4. NAMI calls for increased funding for the full continuum of publicly funded mental health services and joins with FUNDMENTALHEALTH.org

Find and sign this petition at the FUND MENTAL HEALTH table at the NAMIWALK!

DMH-FUNDED CLUBHOUSES SEEK $3.5 MILLION AMENDMENT: Officials from 33 clubhouses that provide services to 8,300 people with mental illnesses say they’ve been flat-funded for 12 years are pressing House leaders this week to add $3.5 million to the annual state budget bill to address “near constant” staff turnover and cutbacks in evening and weekend services. Asked if the pending House budget lived up to Rep. Brian Dempsey’s claim that it maintains essential services, Reva Stein, executive director of the Clubhouse Coalition, told the News Service Tuesday morning, “This is not maintaining essential services.” Clubhouse clients say services they’ve received have helped them avoid being hospitalized and hold down jobs.

Call the State House switchboard at 617-722-2000 and ask to speak to your House Representative. You can also write or email him/her. Click here to find their contact information. If you don’t know who your house representative is, click here to enter your address and find out.

Amendments 551 and 553 to House of Representatives budget would increase funding for community-based mental health services

Please ask your State Representative to co-sponsor these amendments

Representative Ruth Balser has filed 2 amendments to the House budget to increase funding for adult and children’s community-based mental health services.

Amendments 551 and 553 would further restore funding to important community-based mental health services.  The House will begin budget debate Monday, April 23^rd.

A recent report issued by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found Massachusetts has cut funding for mental health services by more than $55 million since Fiscal year 2009

The House Ways and Means budget released last week makes additional progress to restore these cuts and provide services to those living with a mental illness and we thank the House for their efforts.  As a result, more children, adolescents, adults and seniors will begin the journey to recovery – - but many are still waiting.

Amendments 551 and 553 would make additional and much needed progress to provide critical community-based mental health services.

Please use the link below to contact your State Representative and ask them to co-sponsor Amendments 551 and 553 for community-based mental health services funding.

Click or paste the link below into your browser to log in and send your message:
http://www.votervoice.net/groups/ABH/advocacy/?IssueID=28483&AdminPreview=True&SiteID=-1

NAMI has been working with the Association for Behavioral Health, and we are pleased to inform you that Representative James O’Day (D) West Boylston, has officially filed a budget amendment to the House FY2013 budget on our behalf. This amendment would create a municipal grant opportunity to fund CIT/Jail Diversion programs throughout Massachusetts. As you know, this has been a top priority of NAMI’s, and we are grateful to Representative O’Day for championing this important initiative.

Representative O’Day is joined by Representatives Coakley-Rivera of Springfield, DiNatale of Fitchburg, Golden of Lowell, Mahoney of Worcester, Malia of Boston, Provost of Somerville and Swan of Springfield in support of Amendment # 276, titled the Jail Diversion Community Safety Initiative. Text of the amendment can be found by clicking here:

Please take a moment NOW to click on this link to find your legislator’s contact information and then send an email directly to your Representative.  It is important to personalize the email, particularly if you know your representative by name.  ASK HIM OR HER TO SUPPORT AMENDMENT # 276, and tell him/her of the importance of this program to the mental health community. Tell your own story if it is applicable.

If you have the time, please CALL your representative as well at 617- 722-2000 or 1-800- 304-6763 and repeat your message.

By Andy (“Electroboy”) Behrman

When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I believe I slipped further and further into the dark abyss. I thought I would never come back and lead a normal life.

For more than ten years, I was misdiagnosed with depression by more than eight mental health care professionals. It all began with my first visit to a therapist who termed my condition “adolescent depression,” and from there I met several doctors along the road who continued not only to diagnose me with depression, but to treat me with medication for depression. Needless to say, this was a disaster, as the medication only served to fuel manic behavior. It wasn’t clear to me at the time, but I was being diagnosed improperly because I only visited these doctors during dark periods of depression and I was not accurately presenting the symptoms of my illness. or honestly answering questions about my condition. In retrospect, had I shared more information with them, perhaps it would have been easier for these doctors to diagnose me correctly and treat me more quickly.

And certainly, I would have suffered for so many less years.

But this is all water under the bridge now.

When I was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder (or what was referred to manic depression at the time), I was shocked by both the diagnosis and the label “manic depression.” I was officially a manic depressive. What did that mean?

First, I didn’t know anyone else with the illness, and I panicked because I thought the illness was degenerative. “Will I make it to my next birthday?” I asked my doctor.

I was reassured that I would, but that I would also need to begin a regimen of medication to control my symptoms. Yes, the common ones, which I had not only taken for granted to be “normal” but which were slowly destroying my life. These included a roller coaster of racing thoughts, insomnia, overspending, sexual promiscuity, poor judgment and drug and alcohol abuse which always ended in outbursts of rage, deep depression, suicidal ideation and at times, complete paralysis. How could I live on medication with my raging personality tamed? Would I become dull and boring? After all, I had always been “Mr. Fun,” the guy standing with a lampshade on his head, a margarita in each hand and doing the merengue at parties.

Treatment finally began. In the course of the next decade, I would try more than 37 different medications to control my bipolar disorder and experienced almost every possible side effect from each medication: muscle stiffness, headaches, agitation, sleeplessness and grogginess, to name a few. Ultimately, when my doctor realized that no combination of medication was going to work for me, I opted for the last resort – electroconvulsive therapy or ECT to pull me from the depths of my depression. Without a doubt, ECT provided me with some relief in the beginning (but there was the side effect of short term memory loss) until I relapsed three months after the last treatment. It was then that my doctor ordered me to continue “maintenance treatment.” I had a total of 19 electroshock treatments, until I realized I had become addicted to the premedication of the procedure and asked my doctor to bring the treatment to a halt.

Needless to say, these were trying years and I was without hope. I wasn’t working, I was collecting disability and receiving financial assistance  from my friends and family, and basically I was a “shut in” living in my apartment in New York City. I never imagined a life outside this 600 square foot area again. And I had been a highly functional public relations agent and art dealer (albeit my illness had landed me in prison for a brief six month stint for counterfeiting).

Now I was barely capable of taking care of myself (cooking and showering were exhausting because of my depression) and could only watch television. I didn’t even have enough focus to read or write.

But about fifteen years ago, there appeared a light at the end of the tunnel for me. My doctor had found a combination of medications that kept me relatively even-keeled  and I was able to get back to a more normal life. I was working again and I had reestablished a social life.

I was even able to take care of myself. But there was a five-year block of time when I was completely disabled and I can’t think of any accomplishments during this period of time, any memorable events or any happiness.

Of course, as soon as I become “even-keeled” and was functional again, I was certain that my bipolar disorder had gone away – simply vanished.

I was wrong. Now I was coping with the illness, and I was tested nearly every day. I must admit that I still take each day as it comes. I’m always prepared for a crash or a relapse Even though I have ten years “under my belt” of being relatively “episode free,” I’m always on alert.

I’m resigned to living with my mental illness for the rest of my life.

The fear and shame are gone; I speak about my illness openly with both family and friends and have even ventured out into the public arena, sharing my story of my battle with bipolar disorder in “Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania,” published by Random House. This was probably the hardest thing I had to do with my illness – to go public. But I did it because I wanted people to know that there were millions of people suffering with depression and bipolar disorder in this country – and millions more undiagnosed. And I thought that my sharing my story – a very personal story – would bring people out of the closet to seek treatment, help family members in understanding their loved ones, and also help mental healthcare professionals in treating their patients.

Since my diagnosis, educating people about mental illness has become my mission, and it’s been a long journey for me, but a very rewarding one.

Learning to cope with the illness has been tremendously satisfying for me, and passing on my knowledge of my coping skills is the most important thing that I can do with my life. And every day I remind people suffering, that there is hope – - you will get better.

BIO: Andy Behrman is the author of “Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania,” published by Random House. His book has been translated into seven languages. He is a mental health advocate and speaker who promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention, speaking to college audiences, mental health care professionals and local and national mental health support groups. His writing has appeared in “The New York Times Magazine,” “New York Magazine” and he is a frequent contributor to mental health websites. He has appeared on Anderson Cooper 360, NPR Radio and on the cover of Bipolar Magazine. He was interviewed by Stephen Fry for his documentary, “Secret Life of a Manic Depressive” which aired on the BBC. Behrman maintains a website at http://www.electroboy.com and can be found on Twitter @electroboyusa He lives in Los Angeles with his two daughters who are five and seven where he is waiting for the feature film of “Electroboy” to go into production in August 2013.

by Jennifer, also known as the Always Sick Chick

Dysthymia (dysthymic disorder, chronic depression) is a form of “mild” depression that is ongoing, lasting 2 years or more in adults or 1 year or more in children and teens, and affects 10.9 million Americans aged 18 and up.

Like many of the different types of depression, dysthymic disorder can have crippling effects on the sufferer and her family Why did I say, “Her?” because dysthymic disorder affects women much more often than it affects men.

Symptoms of Dysthymic Disorder

Do you have dysthymic disorder?  If you are an adult and have had the following symptoms for at least 2 years, you may be suffering from dysthymia:

• Feelings of  worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness
• Persistently low self-esteem
• Changes in appetite, whether it’s eating significantly more or less
• Loss of Interest in life, self, things that once interested you
• Persistent Feelings of Guilt
• Sleeping Issues, sleeping too much or not enough, Insomnia
• Chronic Fatigue,
• Loss of Motivation (everything feels like a chore)
• Hard time making decisions, even minor ones
• Difficulty Concentrating, Dysthymia is often misdiagnosed as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
• Anxiety & Panic Attacks
• Persistent and unexplained aches and pains
• Thoughts of death or suicide.

What Causes Dysthymic Disorder?

As with most conditions of depression, the causes of dysthymia can vary from person to person.  While some doctors look life stressors as the main culprit, others focus on changes in brain chemistry and serotonin.  Still others look at a combination of the two.

People living with dysthymia have trouble coping with change, especially if that change is a metaphorical curve ball that smacks them in the face.  Recovering from such a blow is difficult for sufferers of dysthymic disorder.

Life stresses that can cause dysthymic disorder or make its symptoms worse include:

• Medication
• Chronic Illness (self or a loved one)
• Work Issues
• Relationship Problems

Why Dysthymia or Chronic Depression is also called “Mild” Depression?

Mild depression is misleading when describing dysthymia.  However dysthymic disorder isn’t as severe as major depression that keeps a sufferer from completing most daily tasks on a regular basis.  People living with dysthymia may lack energy and motivation, but are generally able to handle their day-to-day talks and obligations for the most part.  Of course, some days are better than others.

Dysthymia patients have been described as people who function fairly well on a daily basis but are consistently unhappy.

What are the Treatments for Dysthymia?

Dysthymia, like most forms of depression, are treated in the following ways:

• Lifestyle Changes
  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Spend more time outdoors
  • etc
  • Therapy
  • Medication
  • Socializing
    • Time with friends
    • More time with supportive family members
    • More time doing the things they love

I was in therapy for several years, off and on. However, I am not currently in any form of therapy.

To treat my dysthymic disorder, I have tried various lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, spending more time outdoors, and getting more sleep to ensure.

I socialize as much as I can (not online).  I take my kids out to play dates with people we enjoy spending time with.

I currently take Prozac and Effexor.  I have also tried Paxil.  Different medications work for different people, so a discussion with your doctor and some trial and error will occur during treatment if you decide to pursue medication for depression.

Do you think you have Dysthymic Disorder?

Make an appointment to see a therapist or doctor as soon as possible.  If you are currently contemplating hurting yourself or ending your life, call 9-1-1 immediately and contact a friend or family member.

Bio: Jennifer, also known as the Always Sick Chick, has lived with dysthymia for 15 years.  She writes about her trials and tribulations with anxiety, depression, and other chronic health conditions on her web site Always Sick and Tired.

Here is a comment left on the SpeakEasy Stage Blog about the 4pm performance on March 10, 2012:

I attended “Next to Normal” with my mother today and was completely blown away by the authentic and genuine performance. My older brother is 31 and has struggled with bipolar disorder long before he was officially diagnosed 10 years ago. While today’s performance was extremely difficult to get through since it hit so close to home, I have to aplaud the entire cast and crew for doing an amazing job of showing the intense and dynamic struggles that effect any family touched by mental illness. While I was a bit too emotional to raise my hand during the Q&A session after the show, I really wanted to let the cast know that both my mother and I thought they really ”hit the nail on the head” and honestly made me feel like I was watching a mirror image of my own family. Its a daily struggle and one that, no matter the medications or therapies my brother is on at any given moment, we have to remind ourselves, nothing is permanent or consistent. Some days are great, some make you feel like you can’t handle it any longer. But this play; the actors, the music, the message, spoke to me and made me realize  that maybe…”next to normal” is normal…maybe more families go through this than we realize. And attending this show and watching the emotional responses of those in the audience gives me hope that people are open to learning more about this difficult disease. I thank the entire cast for a beautiful and gripping performance that touched me more than I ever expected (I should have brought more tissues!!!!) Keep up the amazing work and I will be sure to recommend this show to everyone!

If you’re interested in finding out more visit their website here.

By Charity C

Just over 18 months ago, we welcomed a third daughter, Patrice, into our family and had to recognize another new family member, postpartum depression and anxiety.

The first 12 weeks of Patrice’s life, included needing to move, be busy, go, do.  I loved being with my girls, but fought a desire to run, to escape.  I remember going to a luncheon at church one day and thinking, I could just disappear.  The older girls were in a class, a wonderful lady in the church was holding the baby.  They would be safe.  I could run.  All these months later, I feel the intensity of the desire to run, coupled with an inability to even be away from my girls.  I couldn’t bear to leave the baby at all.  I felt safe when I had my kids with me.  I felt like I had to get away when I had my kids with me.

The Friday before I was supposed to return to work from maternity leave instead found me at my midwife’s office sobbing and begging her to take my baby home and love her.  I figured my hubby could handle the other two if my midwife, and friend, would take the baby.  I knew my girls would be loved and safe.  And I could disappear.

Thankfully my midwife saw this as a cry for help.  I was hospitalized.  The time in the hospital was awful.  The doctors told me I didn’t have postpartum depression or anxiety.  They took me off my medication and sent me home with no referral.  My midwife again saved the day, she found me a postpartum depression specialist who was able to help me while allowing me to continue to breastfeed my baby.

The ensuing 12 months+ have found me doing well, and back in the depths of despair.  I have tried several medications, changed my diet and done transcranial magnetic stimulation; I tried toughing it out.

I was ready to die.  I was ready to be done.  I was ready to escape the damage I was doing to my girls by being such a rollercoaster.  Now mind you, I am the daughter of a mother who tried to commit suicide several times in my life, so I do know the damage that does.  But all I could see was my tears and pain and perceived my girls’ tears and fits as internalizing what they were seeing from me.

But enough of me kept fighting.  I loved my life.  I didn’t really want to escape.

In late December I found a new doctor who does both medication management and psychotherapy.   With his help, I have found a workable medication combination and realized several things:  I am not damaging my girls by being depressed, I am worth fighting the depression and lastly, the depression is not an isolated incidence—it may very well be an ongoing issue.

Just surviving until the depression leaves is not an option.  I must face it.  I must fight.  I must reach out.  I must find my place amidst the darkness.  I must find what joy there is to be found in breakthroughs and growing.  I enjoy the times the darkness lifts while preparing for the times when it descends again.

There are moments that are hard.  There are moments that are easy.  There are moments that just are.  And in all of them, I find me.  I find a desire to help others, the strength to lean on others when I need to.

It’s not the me I used to be.  I don’t think that it ever will be again, but it is me, surviving ‘til I’m thriving.

If you’d like to read more by Charity C , check out her blog at www.gigglesandgrimaces.com A blog about family, faith and mental health

National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Association for Behavioral Healthcare

Call for expansion of criminal justice diversion for people with mental illness

Report highlights social, economic benefits of diversion programs

Boston, February 2, 2012 – The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI Massachusetts) and the Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH) today called on the state to “decriminalize mental illness” and update behavioral health services in order to divert individuals struggling with mental illness away from the criminal justice system.

At a State House press conference to present a report on the intersection of the mental health and criminal justice systems, the two groups urged lawmakers to adopt a series of recommendations that will steer individuals struggling with mental illness away from the criminal justice system.

“Mental illness is not a crime, and it’s time we stopped treating it that way,” said former State Senator Robert A. Antonioni of Leominster, who is a board member at NAMI Massachusetts. “The Legislature needs to embrace changes to the system that will prevent pointless charges being brought against people who need treatment rather than a jail cell.”

“Building Alliances between the Mental Health and Criminal Justice Systems to Prevent Unnecessary Arrests” was prepared by DMA Health Strategies and funded by The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. The report highlights several approaches for statewide implementation of programs aimed at preventing individuals living with mental illness from becoming involved with the criminal justice system.

“Police officers know first-hand that jail is the wrong place for many people who get arrested,” said Deputy Police Chief Craig Davis of Framingham. “We need more cooperation between the mental health and criminal justice systems to make sure people get the help they need.”

Among the report’s recommendations: increase funding for local jail diversion collaborations and specialized police training; expand court diversion options; expand Emergency Service Programs, community-based psychiatric intervention that keeps people out of emergency rooms and jails; and maintain a strong mental health services network.

“This report, combined with the daily challenges of our partners in law enforcement and those dealing with mental health issues, only increases the urgency of strengthening the linkages between our criminal justice and mental health systems in a person-centered, cost-effective approach,” said state Sen. John F. Keenan (D-Quincy). “Here in Massachusetts, we’ve already built the framework for accomplishing these goals; now it’s time to redouble our efforts to achieve them.”

Several legislators and community leaders attended in support of the call for the development of more diversion options across the state. Speakers included former State Senator Robert Antonioni, Deputy Chief Davis, Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Co- Chairs Senator John Keenan and Representative Liz Malia, Committee member Representative James O’Day, Laurie Martinelli, Executive Director of NAMI Massachusetts, and Vic DiGravio, President/CEO of ABH.

“Diversion programs not only work but they save money and we must continue to invest in them,” said state Representative Liz Malia (D-Boston).

According to the report, approximately 42% of jail inmates across the state struggle with a mental illness. With appropriate treatment and services, the state will not only succeed in diverting people with mental illness from becoming involved with the criminal justice system, but will also dramatically lower the growing costs straining the state’s correctional system. Currently, some Massachusetts communities have implemented significant efforts to divert people with mental illness from the criminal justice system. However, without a unified statewide strategy these programs are not sustainable.

About the National Alliance for Mental Illness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI Mass) is a nonprofit grassroots education, support and advocacy organization. Founded in 1982 and obtaining 501(c) (3) status in 1999, the state’s voice on mental illness, NAMI Mass, with 21 local affiliates and over 2,500 members is comprised of individuals with mental illness, family members and others in the mental health community.

Association for Behavioral Healthcare

For over 30 years, the Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH) has been the leading advocacy organization in Massachusetts’ mental health and substance abuse arena. Fighting for high-quality, community-based care for families and individuals with mental illness, addiction and substance-use disorders, ABH provides leadership and statewide coordination on important public policy, financing, preferred clinical models and quality assurance issues.

Building Alliances Between Mental Health and Criminal Justice System (PDF)   Position Paper

Representative Jim O’Day Speaks at ABH & NAMI Press Conference http://youtu.be/Ea18NjRZs74

Representative Liz Malia speaks at ABH & NAMI press conference http://youtu.be/NYBkdRe5cIk

Senator John Keenan speaks at ABH & NAMI Press Conference http://youtu.be/Ce8geHUI3xU

Framingham Deputy Police Chief Speaks at ABH and NAMI Position Paper Press Conference http://youtu.be/ZiWSdHb5FjU

PRESS COVERAGE:

Advocates of Mentally Ill Want More Training for Boston Police – WGBH

Study: Police need more training for dealing with mentally ill - Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Jail inmates suffer from mental illness – OnPolitix 22 News WWLP.COM

Mentally ill need treatment, not jail – OnPolitix 22 News WWLP.COM