Spring 2006 Newsletter

See Schedule for upcoming meetings.

Nation's Mental Healthcare System Gets "D" Grade
Grades Reflect Choices Between Recovery, Early Death

Washington, D.C. The United States gets a D grade in helping adults with serious mental illnesses, according to the first state-by-state report on the nation's mental healthcare system in more than 15 years.

Grading the States: A Report on America's Health Care System for Serious Mental Illnesses, funded by the Stanley Foundation, was released by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

The 230-page report, including individual state narratives and scoring tables, is available online at www.nami.org/grades. A list of state grades is included at the end of this release. The report calls on states to make smarter investment choices through proves, cost-effective practices, and to link taxpayer funding to performance and individual outcomes.

"Grades are more than report cards," said NAMI executive Michael J. Fitzpatrick. "They reflect standards that help people recover, and choices being made by governors and legislatures every day. States doing well in the report have developed a common vision and political will to move their treatment systems forward."

For the first time, the report confirms in detail what a presidential commission appointed by President George W. Bush has called "a system in shambles" and what the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences recently called a "chasm" between promise and practice. Grades were calculated by scoring 39 criteria, based in part on a survey of state mental health agencies conducted in October - December 2005.

Only five states received grades in the B range: Connecticut, Maine, Ohio, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. Eight states received Fs: Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

"Treatment works, if you can get it, and if states get it right," said NAMI medical director Ken Duckworth. "Unfortunately, too many states are willing to risk or tolerate premature deaths."
Millions of adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression, depend primarily on state public mental health systems for treatment and support services.

Duckworth warned that Ds are unacceptable and Cs cannot be considered a passing grade. If you need heart surgery, you don't want a surgeon who only get a C in medical school.
The same principle applies in helping people with mental illnesses."

"Too many states are behind the curve. They are not keeping pace by moving toward a recovery-oriented health care system, based on proven, cost-effective practices. They are selling taxpayers short by settling for pieces of systems that are largely obsolete."

The NAMI report makes several recommendations:

• Invest in proven, cost-effective practices ( i.e., evidence-based practices)
  
• Increase funding tied to performance and recovery
  
• Improve data collection
  
• Increase access to information
  
• Involve consumers and families at all levels
  
• Eliminate discrimination
  

The report particularly criticized Illinois. Besides being the only large, populous state to receive an F grade, the state ranked 46th in the nation in a "Consumer and Family Test Drive" of information accessibility through the state mental health agency's Web site and telephone system. In one instance, an Illinois agency employee told a consumer: "No, I don't want to help you."

"Getting help means getting access to information," Duckworth said. "When 40 states can't pass a top quiz on providing basic information to the people whom they are supposed to serve, then the system is in trouble."

States that received excellent "Test Drive" scores were Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Michigan and West Virginia.

Fitzpatrick predicted the report will have policy consequences.

"Consumer and family advocates will use it as a tool for change. Governors and legislators should use it as a check list. The goal is to raise the level of awareness, dialogue, and creative action," he said.

The impact may extend to national debate. Iowa is a prime example. It gets an F overall. Eighty-nine out of ninety of its counties are classified as rural, but the state lacks a strategy for addressing distinctive rural needs. Tell that to presidential contenders in 2008 who plan on visiting the state."

New Hampshire, he noted, was once considered to have one of the best mental healthcare systems in the nation. Today, it is one of 19 states that received a D.

Two states, Colorado and New York, declined to participate in the survey and were graded U for unresponsive. Legislative oversight committees in those states will be encouraged to seek answers to the report's questions for themselves.

GRADE DISTRIBUTION:
B Connecticut, Ohio
B- Maine, South Carolina, Wisconsin
C+ Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon
C California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Texas
C- Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Vermont,
D+ Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania
D Alaska, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma,
Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming
D- Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada
F Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota
U Colorado, New York

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What to do if someone with severe mental illness becomes assaultive

• Don't underestimate the risk. People who are acutely psychotic, especially if also delusional and abusing alcohol or street drugs, are capable of extreme violence and are not predictable.
  

• Discuss the situation with the person's case manager, social worker, and/or psychiatrist. Make sure they are aware of the person's threatening or assaultive behavior. If possible put your concerns in writing to them: Written notification is much more difficult to ignore.
  
  
• Safe-proof your house or apartment. Have a room to which you can retreat if needed; it should have a secure lock and a telephone. Do not allow firearms in the house.
  
  
• Clearly spell out the consequences for the person if he or she become assaultive (e.g., no longer being able to live at home). Be prepared to carry out these consequences.
  
  
• Minimize alcohol or street drug use in whatever ways are possible. Substance abuse is often a trigger for assaultive behavior.
  
  
• If threatened by someone with manic-depressive illness (bipolar disorder), remain calm, keep conversation to a minimum, and exit the situation. If threatened by someone with schizophrenia, stay calm, remain physically distant (give the person lots of space), do not look directly into his his/or her eyes, sympathize, try to find something on which you can both agree.
  
  
• Do not allow your self to become trapped; remain physically between the person and an open door.
  
  
• Do not hesitate to call the police.

Adapted from Surviving Manic Depression: A Manual on Bipolar Disorder for Patients, Families, and Providers (E. Fuller Torrey, M.D. and Michael B. Knable, D.O., Basic Books, January 2002) and Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Consumers and Providers (E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., Quill, May 2001).

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DO YOU OR A LOVED ONE SUFFER FROM SCHIZOPHRENIA?

We are currently seeking volunteers to participate in a research study using a supplement vitamin combination
All study-related procedures, medication and evaluations are provided at no expense
Reimbursement for transportation available
You may be eligible if you are:

• 18-65 years of age
  
• Have a diagnosis of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder
  
• Are not currently pregnant or nursing

If you meet the above criteria and are interested in participating in this study or would like more information, please call : The Nathan Kline Institute Outpatient Research Program
At (845) 398-2184

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Huge Increase in Alzheimer's, Dementia Predicted

(The New York Times News Service) - Experts are now predicting that the global incidence of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia will soar in the next few decades, especially in developing countries.

That predication is made by an international group of 12 experts, two of them American, who were provided with "a systematic review of published studies on dementia" by Alzheimer's Disease International, a London-based organization.

"We estimate that 24.3 million people have dementia today, with 4.6 million new cases of dementia every year," The number of people (with dementia) will double every 20 years, to 81.1 million by 2040," they added.

The number of cases will double by 2040 in developed countries such as the United States, but will more than triple in India, China and other countries in South Asia and the western Pacific, the experts wrote.

"We believe that the detailed estimates in this paper constitute the best currently available basis for policymaking, planning and allocation of health and welfare resources," they said.

The prediction is very much in line with forecast made two years ago for the United States by the Alzheimer's Association, says Maria Carrillo, the organization director of medical and scientific affairs.

"We have 4.5 million cases now," Carrillo says. "We predict a huge increase, to 6.5 million in 2025. That will overwhelm our economy and health care system, and needs addressed in the next five to 10 years by research."

The Alzheimer's Association is currently seeking a $300 million increase in its funding for dementia research, she says.

The exact causes of Alzheimer's disease remain unknown, although it is to be related to a gradual build-up of amyloid beta protein plaques within the brain. Cerebrovascular changes have also been linked to increased risk for Alzheimer's, and stroke is a major contributor to other forms of dementia.

The Alzheimer's Disease International experts are recommending public health measures that focus on reducing risk factors for cerebral blood vessel damage, such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and cholesterol. The U.S. Alzheimer's Association agrees with that approach, Carrillo says.

"A lot of research has shown that leading a healthy lifestyle can help preserve mental function," she says. "You should be physically active, mentally active and socially active."

Mental activity is an important element, but physical activity counts as well, says Coin Milner, chief executive officer of the International Council on Active Aging, based in Canada. "" Learning a foreign language, juggling, playing Ping-Pong - - you need to engage your body," he says.

The numbers in the Lancet paper "aren't really a great surprise, because people aren't living healthy lives," Milner says. "Look at diabetes. They're predicting a 165 percent increase over the next five to 10 years. You need to be aware of the impact that not doing something can have on your mind and body."

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NEW SELF HELP GROUPS
IN THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY

"BACK TO WORK"

Are you someone who has had personal experience in the mental health system? Are you currently working in the community? Are you looking for other people to discuss issues and concerns related to getting back to work? Join this self-help support group. It can offer you support and encouragement as you return to work!

When: 1st Wednesday of every month
Time: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Where: Calvary St. Andrew's Church
95 Averill Avenue
Rochester, NY

For more information call Gary at (585) 262-2176

"VOICES GROUP"

Do you hear voices? You are not alone. Come to the Mental Health Coalition's peer -run wellness management group. Share experiences and coping skills used in your day-to-day life.

- NEW LOCATION - GROUP NOW MEETS AT ROCHESTER REHABILITATION CENTER,
1000 ELMWOOD AVE. ( enter at door 5!)

Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m.

2006 Dates:

• May 11th, 25th
  
• June 8th, 22nd
  
• July 6th, 20th
  
• August 3rd, 17th, 31st
  
• September 14th, 28th
  
• October 12th, 26th
  
• November 9th
  
• December 7th, 21st

For more information call the Mental Health Coalition at 325-3145 ext. 44

NEW GROUP FOR YOUNG ADULTS FORMING AT NAMI

The purpose of this group is to meet once a month and to talk about our experiences with mental health problems and how we can do better our quality of life dealing with mental illness. The purpose of this group is also to find a social network of friends where we don't have to hide our mental illnesses, every month at our once a month meeting we will decide on days and times that we can meet socially throughout the next month until the following meeting.

Next meeting: March 27th, at 6:30-9pm
Place: Reformation Lutheran Church
Where: 111 N. Chestnut St.

For more information contact NAMI Rochester 585-423-1593 or write NAMI@eznet.net

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Child Adolescent Mental Health News

Key research findings show family therapy is an effective treatment tool for children. Family-based treatments are effective for substance abuse and conduct disorders in children and adolescents, according to a new, ten-year research review-published in the Journal of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry. The study found evidence that two types of family-based treatments are effective for conduct disorders, which may cause children or teens to be aggressive, destroy property or otherwise violate established rules. The first, Parent Management Training (PMT), teaches parents techniques to promote good behavior in their children. These may include using positive reinforcement, awarding points for good conduct or working with children to develop problem-solving skills. Studies have shown that PMT can be effective for conduct disorders for as long as 14 years. Behavioral Family Therapy (BFT) is similar to PMT but also includes methods to reduce family factors that may contribute to a child's disruptive behavioral, such as stress in parents' lives or the child's personality.

Family therapy also has been shown to as good or better than other types of treatment in reducing drug use and related behavior problem among children and adolescents with substance abuse. Though the treatment doesn't seem to help much with core ADHD symptoms, such as difficulty staying focused, the study's co-author stated that family training in stress, anger management, communication and school advocacy can reduce the behavior problems normally associated with the condition. More research is needed to prove family therapy's effectiveness for disorders like depression and anxiety, but the outlook is promising.

Emergency department physicians often don't diagnose mental disorder in teens - U.S. hospital emergency departments often under-diagnose mental disorders in children and young adults being treated for deliberate self-harm, researchers reported in the October issue of the journal Archives of General Psychiatry. The study of the patients 7 to 24 years old found that just 56 percent of those went to emergency departments to be treated for deliberate self-harm were diagnosed with a mental disorder and admitted to the hospital. " In addition, only 29 percent of the visits resulted in outpatient care referral; 5.8 percent resulted in referral to the emergency department for continuing care, and follow-up care was unspecified in 3.4 percent of the visits," wrote researchers from Columbia University Medical Center, in New York City. Dr. Olfson, from Columbia University Medical Center in New York pointed out that assessment needn't take a lot of time, since instruments have been developed to facilitate rapid screening for mental health problems, such as the PRIME MD recently adapted for children, and the Columbia DISC Predictive Scales.

Monroe County, New York is the recipient of a $1,000,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to enable ACCESS (Achieving Culturally Competent and Effective Services and Supports) to develop infrastructure, service delivery and financial reforms need to support the efforts of the Monroe county Office of Mental Health and transform all aspects of mental health care for children and youth having severe emotional disturbance. This grant will be used to implement a "Systems of Care" approach to services that is based on the premise that the mental health needs of children and adolescents can be best met within their home, school, community and families and youth should be the driving force in the transformation of their own care.

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Protein Linked to Depression
January 5, 2006

(The New York Times News Service) - Researchers have identified a protein that seems to play a key role in fighting depression.

The protein, called p11, appears to help regulate signaling of the brain chemical serotonin. A target of the antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which include Prozac, serotonin has been linked to depression and anxiety disorders, the study notes.

"Mice deficient in this protein, called p11, display depression like behaviors, while those with sufficient amounts behave as if they have been treated with antidepressants," study author Paul Greengard, a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist at Rockerfeller University in New York City, says in a prepared statement.

The experiment with mice revealed how p11 works with the serotonin receptor 5-HT1B, which has also been associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, drug addiction, anxiety and aggression, as well as depression.

The findings apear in the Jan. 6 issue of Science.

"P11 can be viewed as a protein that links the pathophysiology of depression with serotonin system," says lead study author Per Svenningsson, from the department of physiology and pharmacology at the Karolinska Institute, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Depression is often treated with compounds such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which increase levels of serotonin. "The released serotonin acts on 14 serotonin receptors, some which mediate therapeutic actions and some of which mediate side effects," he adds.

The researchers studied one specific serotonin receptor, the 5-HT1B receptor, and found that it interacts with P11. "The protein is depleted in tissue in so-called "helpless" mice, which exhibit behaviors similar to depressed humans. It's also depleted in the brain tissue of depressed patients, the researchers say.

"Mice that over-express p11 are hyperactive, and act as if they are on antidepressant medication," Svenningsson says. Conversely, mice that have no p11 "act as they are somewhat depressed and show less responsively toward antidepressant medications," he adds.

While there's no immediate clinical application for this finding, Svenningsson says, "this study emphasizes that the 5-HT1B receptor, with its interaction with p11, may be linked to depression. It may turn out that future antidepressants could target these receptors. Hopefully, such antidepressants will have fewer side effects."

One expert agrees that p11 might become a target for antidepressants in the future.

"While p11 is a potential source of new therapies, unfortunately at the moment we do not know enough about p11 to target it selectively with drugs," says Trevor Sharp, a reader in pharmacology at the University of Oxford, Great Britain, and author of an accompanying perspective article in the journal.

"However, p11 is functionally linked to a serotonin receptor, and there are a number of drugs in the development that act selectively on this receptor, and some of these drugs show antidepressant potential in laboratory models," Sharp says. "We will know in a antidepressant treatments that we already have."

The Future of Depression Treatment

Depression is very common problem. Many new approaches are being studied. There is plenty of reason to hope that the coming years will bring new and exciting treatments:

• New Drugs
  
• Alternatives To Electroconvulsive Therapy
  
• Complementary And Alternative Medicine

New Drugs

One problem in developing new drugs to treat depression is that we're only beginning to understand depression's specific biological causes.

Most antidepressant aim to enhance the functioning of nerve pathways involving two of the brain's chemical messenger, serotonin and norepinephrine. As good as this treatment can sometimes be, these two chemical messengers are only a small part of the story. There are other chemical messengers that probably influence mood. One of them, dopamine has a role in the brain's reward system, contributing to pleasure and motivation. Drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine stimulate that system, which is one of the reasons these drugs are so addictive.

The chemical messenger glutamate and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) may also play a role in the up and down of moods, making them potential targets for future drug therapy.

The stress-response system is also under study. When you are stressed physically or emotionally, your body response in depressed people tends to be overactive, similar to a car that is revving too high. Researchers are searching for a way to retune this system.

The real future of depression treatment may be better understanding of the chemical reactions inside cells (as opposed to the chemical communication between them)> The genes inside every cell control the production of proteins that can trigger a cascade of chemical reactions that may ultimately lead to a change mood.

A great hope is that new discoveries about what genes do (genomics) and the function of each protein that genes produce (proteomics) will help scientist identify biological causes of depression. With any luck, this will lead us to more specific treatment.

Alternatives to Electroconvulsive Therapy

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. In recent years, health-care providers have tried using strong magnets to treat depression. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation involves passing a magnet over scalp, directing a magnetic field to small part of the brain. There is no need for anesthesia, as there is no pain or discomfort. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation takes less than an hour. It is done daily for about 10 day s. Although there have been some promising results, the treatment is still being standardized, and it does not appear to be as effective as Electroconvulsive therapy. But the treatment has yet been standardized. It is not clear how many treatments are required or what part of the brain is best treated with the magnet.

Vagus-nerve stimulation. The vagus nerve is a very long nerve that starts in the brain and travels through the chest to the diaphragm, the muscle at the base of your chest that allows your lungs to expand during breathing. The vagus nerve is linked to parts of the brain that control mood and anxiety. In 1997, a process to treat seizures was approved that uses a small pacemaker likes device to stimulate the nerve. Researcher noticed that stimulation also improved mood in some people. A few studies have shown vagus nerve stimulation to be effective in treat depression, through more research is needed. A major downside to vagus nerve stimulation is that it requires surgery to install the device. Some specialists now recommend the procedure and device for selected people who have treatment-resistant depression. But it is still rarely use because it is a relatively untried procedure.

Deep brain stimulation. In this technique, ultra-thin electrodes are implanted deep in the brain in order to stimulate a specific region. The technique has been used to treat neurological illnesses such as Parkinson's Disease, tremor and seizures. In recent years, researchers have offered it to a small number of severely depressed people who have not found relief with any other treatment. Some have improved, but research is in it earliest stages, so it is difficult to say how helpful this treatment might be. As with vagus nerve stimulation, surgery is required with deep brain stimulation.

Complementary And Alternative Medicine

There has been enormous interest in the herbal remedy. St. John's wort. Although this herb may be somewhat helpful in people who have mild depression, it is probably not as effective as standard treatments for severe depression.

Fish have also caught researchers' attention. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in tuna, salmon and other fish, are an essential part of the diet because the body cannot produce them. Because these fatty acids are component of nerve-cell membranes, some scientist believe that absorbing more of them may help support nerve function. Can eating more fish help people with mood problems? There is no clear evidence yet that it is good treatment for depression. To treat mood disorder, you would probably need to take large doses of omega-3 fatty acids as fish oil or pill form.

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Finding A Mental-Health Provider

For a variety of reasons, it is not always easy to get the treatment you need. It may be hard to find a mental-health provider (a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, counselor, etc.) with the right skills. Finding the right match is also tough. You need to feel comfortable with a lot of phone calls before you find someone who has a schedule opening. Even then, you may have to wait for an appointment.
If you feel uncomfortable with the first person you see, trust your impressions. If you meet several people and come away disappointed each time, it may be worth picking the best of candidate and giving the relationship some time to develop.

How do you find someone who who can help?

• Your doctor can provide basic information. He or she can begin treatment and refer you to a specialist.
  
• Many schools, colleges and university health service or counseling services that can provide care.
  
• Your company may have an employee-assistance program you can use.
  
• Local hospitals, particularly those connected with a university or medical school, provide many services. They often have departments of psychiatry, psychology, nursing and social work, each with its own specialist.
  
• Your insurance company may be able to suggest someone.
  
• Religious institutions often provide pastoral counseling and may know about treatment resources in your community.
  
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has support groups in every state.
  
• Professional organization s- for example the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association - often has referral services. Their Websites also have information for consumers.
  
• The American Association of Suicidology has a National Hopeline Network. You can contact them by calling 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433). Their Web site lists crisis centers and support groups.
  
• Because depression is so common, a trust friend may know about resources in your community.

Information About Programs Licensed By NYS Office Of Mental Health Now Available Online

Sharon E. Carpinello, RN, Ph.D., Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), announced that detailed information about licensed inpatient, outpatient and residential mental health programs in New York State, is now available online at the OMH websites, www.omh.state.ny/omhweb/licensing.

"OMH is responsible for the oversight of more than 2,500 mental health programs operated by local government and private agencies across New York State. We hope that this new website will make it easier for people to get the information they need about licensed programs and services in their home communities," said commissioner Carpinello.

As New York's public mental health authority, OMH sets standards for the quality and adequacy of facilities and programs that provide treatment services to New Yorkers with a mental illness. Before opening a program, a service provider must obtain an operating certificate or license issued by OMH, and must continue to meet OMH's standards in order for the program to maintain licensure. To ensure that quality services are provided, OMH inspects all licensed programs for compliance on a regular basis.

Visitors to the new web site can now search for licensed mental health programs by county, or use an advanced search to search by program type, program name, city and/or zip code. Search results display a program's name, address and phone numbers, as well as the program type and capacity, the age group(s) of individuals served, and the duration and status of the most recent license.

To protect the privacy of individuals living in community residences, only the county and phone number of the operating entity will be displayed for those programs.

"One of OMH's priorities is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers though public education and advocacy," said Jayne Van Bramer, OMH director of quality Management.

"Access to current and accurate information is part of OMH's quality agenda."
The new web pages also describe the steps of the licensing process for mental health services providers.

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Gene Links Schizophrenia with Bipolar Disorder

Variations in a single gene may play a role in the development of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, new research suggests.

Researchers led by Nick Craddock with the University of Whales College of Medicine in cardiff studied 529 people with bipolar I disorder and more than 1000 "healthy" people, specifically looking at the influence of the neuregulin (NRG) 1 gene. This gene, which lies on chromosome 8p12, has been shown to influence schizophrenia susceptibility, they said.

The researchers said their findings, which were published in June issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, add to the increasing genetic evidence consistent with the involvement of NRG 1 in the development of psychotic illness. They said NRG 1 might be first gene identified for increased susceptibility to mania and mood-affected psychotic disorders.
Further research is necessary, they said. (from Schizophrenia Digest, Fall 2005)

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LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Congress Clears Legislation Funding Mental Illness Research and Services Below Current Levels, Across the Broad cut Expected; 1996 Parity Law Extended

December 22, 2005

In its final action prior to adjournment for the year, the Senate gave final approval yesterday to legislation allocating FY 2006 funding for labor, health, and education programs including mental illness research at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and mental illness treatment and services at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health services Administration (SAMHSA). The legislation (HR 3010), known as the FY 2006 Labor-HHS Appropriations Conference Report, represents the final agreement between the House and the Senate setting funding levels for all discretionary health, labor, and education programs (over $142 billion in discretionary funding for FY 2006).

Overall, the legislation holds most programs at their current levels. However, an expected across-the-board cut of one percent on all discretionary programs will result in nearly all of these programs being funded below their current levels for FY 2006. It is important to note that this one percent across-the-board reduction will apply to other critical discretionary federal programs serving people with serious mental illness including housing. However, the across-the-board reduction exempts veteran's medical care.

The House passed the final bill December 14 by a narrow 215-213 margin. The Senate passed the bill by voice vote last night - allowing the bill to move on to the White House, where the President is expected to sign it into law. The FY 2006 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill has been the subject of controversy for weeks in the House and Senate. On November 17, the House rejected a nearly identical bill, 209-224. In the interim, congressional leaders agreed to add back $90 million in funding for rural health programs, there by securing the votes necessary to pass the House.

Mental Illness Research - First Reduction in Funding in More Than 20 Years

The final version of HR 3010 fund mental illness research at $1.418 billion. This is only $6 million above current levels - well below the $48.2 million increase contained in the Senate version of the legislation. The expected one percent across-the-board reduction will result in at least a $14 million budget cut to NIMH - not only wiping out the very modest $6 million increase, but actually leaving the agency as much as $8 million below its current FY 2005 funding base.

Mental Illness Services - Most Programs Frozen, Suicide Prevention Funds Boosted

The final agreement on HR 3010 holds most programs at SAMHSA at current funding levels. This includes the Mental Health Block Grant ($432.8 million), PATH (services for homeless individuals with mental illness) ($54.8 million), Jail Diversion ($7 million), Children's Mental Health ($105.2 million), and protection and advocacy ($34.3 million). As with NIMH, all programs at SAMHSA (and the Center for Mental Health Services, CMHS) will be subject to a one percent across-the-broad reduction.

The only activity at CMHS to receive a substantial increase in the final version of the Labor-HHS bill is youth suicide prevention and campus mental health programs authorized under the Garret Lee Smith Act. Specifically, the bill increase funding for suicide prevention programs by $10.5 million, to $27 million. This is a remarkable accomplishment in the current budget environment, particularly considering that these programs at CMHS were funded at only $3 million just three years ago. NAMI is extremely grateful for the leadership of Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) in pushing for this increase in federal investment in youth suicide prevention.

The final agreement on the Labor-HHS bill also continues the State Incentive Grant (SIG) program at $26 million for FY 2006. This will allow states that successfully completed for Mental Health transformation planning grants to access a continuation of funding in FY 2006.

Additional details on the FY 2006 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill can be found on the NAMI Website.

1996 Parity Law Extended

Yesterday, the Senate also passed legislation extending the Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA) for an additional year. This law requires health plans to meet a standard parity for mental illness by having equal annual and lifetime for all mental health benefits (i.e., they cannot impose lower dollar limits on annual or lifetime basis for mental illness that do not apply to all other health benefits). The original MHPA (passed in 1996) has required renewal every year since 2001. The legislation passed by the Senate yesterday (HR 4579) extends the MHPA through 2006. The house passed the bill on December 18 and the President is expected to sign the measure. NAMI is continuing to work with the sponsors of full federal parity to bring forward separate legislation to ensure that health plans are not able to impose discriminatory duration treatment limits, cost sharing, and deductibles as applied against treatment for mental illness.

NAMI E-News Alerts are electronic newsletters provided free of charge as a public service. With more than 1,100 state and local affiliates, NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses. Contributions to support our work can be made online at www.nami.org/donate.

Pataki veto rolled back

Legislators unanimously reject governor's stance, require state to pick up drug costs not covered by Medicare plan

By JAMES M. ODATO, Albany Times Union February 8, 2006

In a remarkable rejection of Gov. George Pataki's wishes, the senate Tuesday unanimously joined the Assembly in a veto override, putting every member of both houses against the governor on a measure to safeguard prescription drug coverage for the elderly.

The Senate overrode Pataki's veto by a 58-0 vote without any debate. On Monday, the Assembly voted 141-0 in the same swift manner.

The override means the Legislature's law takes effect immediately. It calls for the state to pick up costs for medications not covered under Medicare D, the federal prescription drug program that started Jan. 1, but has several "glitches," according to Health Commissioner Antonia Novello.

Novello on Tuesday defended Pataki's veto, pointing out technical problem with the Legislature's measure. She said governor already approved picking up the tab through March 8 for an estimated 600,000 people who, for various reasons, aren't showing up on Medicare rolls. They include people who were on Medicaid, health program for the poor, but were supposed to be automatically transferred to Medicare D.

Pataki also called for picking up costs through July 1 for people in the system whose health plans aren't recognizing certain prescriptions.

Pataki's aides said the Legislature's moved smacked of politics. Spokesman Kevin Quinn said the legislative fix is "an expensive election-year placebo that doesn't offer any new relief to our seniors and ultimately lets the federal government off the hook."

However, lawmakers said their action was necessary to assure senior citizens that they'll be able to get their prescriptions for as long as it takes to end the problems with the federal program….

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PEOPLE , PLACES & EVENTS

New Members

Welcome these new members to the NAMI Family !!

• Odette Proudfoot
• Gail Philips
  
• Maria Nichols
• Debra Sullivan
  
• Allison Tomkinson
• Edward & Kathryn Aman
  
• Nate Baker
• Georgette Lesnak
  
• Kenneth & Joan Capozzoli
• Donna Long

Ballots for the 2006-2007 NAMI Board of Directors Candidates are coming in the mail. Only members in good standing ( current dues paid) can vote. Please return your ballots to the NAMI office by April 20th, 2006. The new Board will be introduced at the annual dinner on April 24th, and the officers will be elected by the board at the May board meeting.

NAMI/NYS 2006 Legislative Conference Day (Report)

On Feb. 7th, a contingent of thirteen NAMI Rochester members traveled to Albany for the legislative conference day. They heard from key legislators, including Assemblyman Peter Rivera, chair of the Mental Health Subcommittee about the NAMI 2006 Legislative and Budget Item Priorities. Afterwards they visited local legislator's office including Senator James Alesi, and Assemblywoman Susan John and Assemblyman Bill Reilich and David Koon. The main budget priorities discussed were for housing and research and the legislative priorities include the "boot the shu" law, ( to ban the use of prison "special housing units) "; Timothy's Law ( mental health parity), and a law to ban the use of state psychiatric hospitals as holding pens for violent sexual predators released from prison.

Thanks goes to those who made the long trip to Albany: George & Sue Campbell,
James & Anne Coone, Judy Lundgren, Jodie and Joanne Terhune, Skip Wade, Sherlaine Shelley, Judy Watt and Pat Sine.

2006 Cares/RPC 9th Annual
Lisa Swigert Memorial Charity Golf Tournament

$10,000 Hole-in One Super Cash Prize
Plus, Hole-in One Prizes for Other Par 3 Holes, including:
Dell Computer Ben Hogan Irons Base Radio/CD Player
Special Treat "SILENT AUCTION"
Friday, June 9, 2006
Deerfield Country Club
$75.00* Donation P.P.
Includes: Lunch, Golf, Cart, Dinner, Silent Auction, and Prizes!

CARES is celebrating its 20th year of providing direct financial support to research projects at Strong Memorial Hospital and Rochester Psychiatric Center, as well as for education and community events.

For golf information and to sign up, please contact: Jack O'Connor 585-533-2476 or Event information call Bob Riley @ 585-241-1345 or John Delehanty @ 585-787-1834

FUTURE CARE PLANNING FOR FAMILIES COPING
WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

FREE - 4 PART PLANNING SEMINAR

This seminar will be offered for free by staff of Future Care Planning Services and will cover :

• Benefits and Entitlements
  
• Maneuvering in the Medicaid System
  
• Social Security and planning for people with disabilities and their caregivers
  
• Legal aspects of Planning
  
• Understanding Supplemental Needs Trusts
  
• Accessing Services in our Community
  
• Letter of Intent

Dates: Thursdays, June 8th-June 29th
Place: NAMI office, Reformation Lutheran Church,
Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Registration limited, please call or fill out and return the form below as soon as possible to NAMI, 111 N. Chestnut St., Rochester, NY 14604. Call 423-1593 or write NAMI@eznet.net for more information.

NAME:_______________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________________

Phone_________________________________________________________________________

LAST REMINDER - MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS FOR 2006 DUE NOW !!!!!!!!!!
IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN TO MAIL IN YOUR DUES FOR 2006, THIS WILL BE YOUR LAST NAMI ROCHESTER NEWSLETTER. YOU WILL ALSO MISS RECEIVING THE NAMI/NEW YORK STATE AND NAMI NATIONAL (THE ADVOCATE NEWSLETTERS)

Please call the NAMI office 423-1593 or write NAMI@eznet.net if you are not sure if you are a current member.

Otherwise, thank you for your support !!!!!!!!!

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