Thursday, July 31, 2003

Treatment for Addiction: Advancing the Common Good
A 1998 report (in Adobe Acrobat format) at the Join Together web site - "This policy panel report discusses six recommendations from a Join Together panel on treatment and recovery. The panel was convened in 1998 to identify key problems and some of the appropriate solutions to provide adequate treatment for the nation's four million people with addictions. The panel's six recommendations offer a valuable foundation on which communities can fashion their own local strategies for overcoming substance abuse."  
  

A Survey of County Jails in Tennessee: Four Years Later - A Descriptive Study of Services to People with Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Problems
A report (in Adobe Acrobat format) released earlier this year and currently highlighted at the NAMI web site - "The Survey of County Jails in Tennessee was released earlier this year providing a real picture of the scope of the crisis in our jails due to gaps in mental health treatment in communities across the state."  
  

Consumer Supporter News: June / July 2003
The most recent edition of the newsletter of the National Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Center. Articles include "NMHA Launches Bipolar Disorder Campaign, " "Group Recommends Self-Determination Initiative," and "Elimination of Seclusion and Restraint Championed."  
  

U.S. Senate Confronts Criminalization of People with Mental Illness
Press release from the Campaign for Mental Health Reform at the NMHA web site - "Our nation is failing an inordinate number of Americans with mental disorders who too often come into contact with the justice system because of a lack of appropriate services in the community, according to testimony by the Campaign for Mental Health Reform to be heard by a Senate committee today. The Campaign will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on S. 1194, legislation introduced by Senator Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) to authorize funding for collaborative grant programs between mental health and justice systems aimed at avoiding incarceration of people with mental disorders. In its testimony, the collaboration of some of the nation’s leading advocates for people with mental illnesses applauds the Committee and the sponsors of the legislation for highlighting the need to address the growing number of people with mental illnesses in the criminal and juvenile justice systems...." See also the web site of the Campaign for Mental Health Reform.  
  

Three Organizations Coordinate Efforts To Promote 9/11-Related Mental Health And Substance Abuse Services
American Red Cross press release reprinted at InteliHealth - "The American Red Cross, The September 11th Fund and The Mental Health Association of New York City are announcing a collaborative outreach effort to encourage people affected by the 9/11 attacks to take advantage of financial assistance for confidential mental health and substance abuse assistance. Nearly 5,000 people are currently enrolled in the coordinated 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program, which was announced by the agencies last year. The unprecedented program helps people who may be experiencing problems such as anxiety, depression, headaches, trouble sleeping or drug and/or alcohol abuse as a result of the attacks. The agencies hope to assist a projected 15,000 over the next three to five years..."