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A recent assessment of mental illness by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) places the overall United States at a D. My own state, Kentucky, is graded with an F.
In my state, here are the big needs:
1) Beds for Emergencies
In Layman's Terms, to have hospital beds on hand so people don't hurt themselves or someone else. There is a waiting list for these beds; would you believe that?
2) Leadership, Political Will
The "We Don't Talk About It" system of dealing with uncomfortable things is very much alive and well, including not talking about what is acceptable to talk about, including "physical" illness. (I think you can find old-fashioned "Disappointments Rooms" where they hid children from society in the area.)
3) Investments in Community Services and Evidence-Based Practices
Facing a 400 million dollar deficit, Recovery Program services have been slashed to smithereens, making what was once a good, palpable practice an average session of group therapy.
Fortunately, peer run "clubhouses" are coming to light to adress this need.
4) Workforce Deployment, Especially Psychiatrists
This one needs no explanation. We need workers. High-grade workers, especially.
BUT, what we also need are workers who will adress a person as a person, not as just a disease. What is so wrong with calling a person by their name?
5) Supportive Housing
There is a movement to supply places to live IN THE COMMUNITY, not to lock them up in hospitals and let them die there. How helpful is that? Of course, funding is a huge problem, but there is a shift coming.
We will get through these tough times.
To Find what grade Your State has, go to: NAMI: Grading the States 2009
 lSailor Elizabeth Swannl · Sat Mar 14, 2009 @ 05:59pm · 0 Comments |
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Well, well, well, if there isn't rampant ignorance concerning Autism on this site! I should have known there is so little known about it. I mean, there is only 1 in 166 families. Not like there's any reason to raise an alarm about it, when that's only 54,667 of us statistically.
Okay, ranting over. Here is a poem to describe what Autism is like from the inside:
Every sight is much brighter
So I shield my eyes.
Every sound is much louder
So I shield my ears.
Every smell is much stronger
So I close my nose.
Every taste is much tastier
So I cannot stop until it is done.
Every touch is much stronger
So I lose my focus.
Every emotion is much stronger
So I get my legs stuck.
Every voice is much harsher
So I avoid talking.
Every poke is much sharper
So I fly or fight.
Every cut in my heart is much deeper
So I stay away from everyone,
For everyone has knives.
I am a slave to my sensations.
Will somebody help me out of slavery
So I can be free at last?
lSailor Elizabeth Swannl · Mon Mar 09, 2009 @ 04:20am · 0 Comments |
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