Advocacy E-News May 9, 2016
May 9, 2016
PRINCE HARRY AND GEORGE W BUSH MAKE CASE TO END MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA FOR VETERANS AT OPENING OF THE INVICTUS GAMES
Prince Harry, who created the games for veterans in London in 2014, shook hands with Bush and spoke as part of the same panel. Giving veterans jobs and talking openly about mental health issues is a priority according to Harry. Bush suggested removing the last letter from ‘PTSD’, calling it post-traumatic stress and treating it like an injury instead of a disorder
OPINION: IMPROVING THE LOT OF SOME OF NEW JERSEY’S MOST-OVERLOOKED CITIZENS
Recent actions by the Christie administration are giving significant momentum toward improving the lot of many vulnerable New Jersey residents — people with persistent, disabling mental illnesses, addictions, and chronic homelessness. Integrating the treatment of debilitating mental-health problems and physical care can help relieve suffering and reduce some of the burden on the healthcare budget
Go to Joel Cantor’s opinion piece
NEW JERSEY MEDICAID SELECTS SEVEN PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS TO OPERATE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOMES
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced the expansion of state funding to allow seven additional organizations to operate Medicaid behavioral health home (BHH) initiatives. The BHH initiatives will be focused on individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness who are at risk for increased utilization of services, and who live in Atlantic, Cape May, or Monmouth counties. The provider organizations selected include: Cape Counseling, Meridian, Jewish Family Services, CPC Behavioral Healthcare, Easter Seals NJ, Helping Hand Behavioral Health, and Atlanticare.
The expansion will be effective during state fiscal year 2017.
INVEST MORE IN MENTAL HEALTH
Mental illness made my brain irrational and frighteningly dominant. It did not allow me to focus on the positives in my life. I was fortunate to have a bit of rational thought miraculously break through, making me realize I needed help. I was also fortunate to know where to go and to have insurance that covered a good portion of it. For others who have Medicaid or no insurance, there are nonprofit, community-based providers dedicated to serving this population. All mental health and substance use services need to be sufficiently funded to be provided. In the state’s managed Medicaid, fee-for-service system, some services are proposed at levels that fall far short of what providers need to deliver these vital services.
MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES IT IS A ‘STIGMA-FREE CAMPUS’
Montclair State University is affirming the wellbeing of people on campus who have suffered or could be suffering from mental illness. MSU President Susan Cole, faculty members, and students this past Tuesday joined with state Sen. and former Gov. Richard Codey to unveil a sign declaring the university to be a “Stigma Free Campus.” After the event ended, Codey told The Montclair Times that a number of colleges in New Jersey have joined this campaign, but he is optimistic that all colleges in the state will embrace it.
FIND YOUR LOCAL NAMI
