CAMPAIGN FOR THE MIND OF AMERICA

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NAMI MASSACHUSETTS LAUNCHED STATEWIDE "CAMPAIGN FOR THE MIND OF AMERICA"

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RELEASED NEW REPORT
ON ACCESS TO TREATMENT IN MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAID

WHAT: Launch of the NAMI Massachusetts Campaign for the Mind of
America; Release of The State of Mental Health Services in Massachusetts

WHO: Michael Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, NAMI National
      Paula Georges, Ph.D., Boston Public Health Commission, National Association of County    and City Heath Officials Public Health Commission
      Mark Pearlmutter, M.D., Chief of Emergency Medicine, Caritas Emergency Medical Group

WHEN: April  2004

WHERE:  State House, Boston,


NAMI Massachusetts  welcomed NAMI National's Executive Director,
Michael Fitzpatrick, and partner organizations forThe State of Mental Health Services in Massachusetts.  This brief report provides a snapshot of the statewide system of care for the nearly 185 thousand Citizens of the Commonwealth living with mental illness and
shows the results of the absence of a mental health system of care to the state.
The timing of this report coincides with the state budget process
underway with the Massachusetts administration and legislature as tough decisions are
being determined that will impact the state's future.

This event also marks the state launch of the "Campaign for the Mind of
America," a multi-year national and state-level initiative to increase
access to mental health treatment and services and show the effects of untreated
mental illness on every community.  The Campaign works to create unique
partnerships between those acting as the front line in the current
mental health treatment system crisis - education, law enforcement,
health care, and business.

NAMI leaders and partners will use findings from this report to meet
with administration officials and legislators to urge them to make
economically sound evidence-based decisions. Little or no real cost savings, even in the
short run, will result from Medicaid cuts that limit medication choice
and services for people with mental illness as emergency room visits and inpatient
hospital stays rise.. A report from the U.S. Surgeon General estimated
that untreated mental disorders cost the nation more than $70 billion annually to lost
productivity. When the diverted resources of those in law enforcement,
education, and health care are added, the cost rises to more than $100 billion per
year.