Police say Ervin Lupoe faxed a letter to KABC saying he and his wife had been fired from their jobs at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, and they had planned the killings together.

According to the school where Lupoe’s children attended, the father pulled three of his kids from their classes about a week and a half ago. He told her the family was moving to Kansas.

With the state of our economy, there are no doubt, more and more people losing their jobs and who might be feeling such an overwhelming level of desperation.

As easily as it can be said, most all of us should do what we can to prepare for the uncertainty that can follow with the loss of a job.

If you know someone who has lost their job and has a family, you might make an extra effort to check in on them more often and try to help them as best you can. Sometimes just being a sounding board while they talk through their anxiety and stress can help.

If you had a friend who lost their job and had a family, what would you say to them or what resources would you recommend they try to get a leg up when they feel so down?

My sincerest thoughts and prayers to all those who may be struggling so much during such difficult times. They say it will get worse before it gets better – but the good news is, it will get better!

Post from: Blisstree

Recession, Depression and Desperation

Earlier today, I brought up a discussion with my husband, a veteran of Desert Storm. I’ve never held my tongue when it comes to my feeling as though the veterans of the U.S. military are some of the most neglected individuals around.

I’ve watched uncles who served in Vietnam and Korea suffer from ailments that were linked to their service, go without treatment because they couldn’t afford it.

I’ve watched many a soldier come back from Iraq to a country that appreciated them while they were there, but shelved them and forgot them when they returned to normal life.

But what is the normal life they come back to? What is their normal? What did they see and endure while there? Isn’t that worth a little something besides flag waiving, anthem playing and a pat on the back one day and a “we’re sorry but your not worthy” the next when they seek medical treatment for the night terrors, night sweats and unexplainable mental anguish.

It may be hard pressed to present them with a Purple Heart for their service – but by God these guys (and women) deserve far more than what we are giving them.

Personally I think they deserve a Purple Heart – but according to my husband, that’s an honor that is bestowed on a soldier that has not only suffered physical disability of some sort – but they suffered it during a time they were saving the lives of other soldiers. So that I can see – but what I don’t see is, if they aren’t worthy of a Purple Heart, then what are they worthy of?

Care to share your thoughts?

Image credit: Wikimedia.org

Post from: Blisstree

PTSD Not Worthy of a Purple Heart

Back before we headed to the polls, I shared with you an email I received regarding now President-elect Barack Obama’s stance on mental health parity.

Well, now I’ve received an email from Mental Health America urging me to send an electronic postcard to Obama to urge him to keep healthcare reform a top priority during his first year in office.

From the email:

As he prepares to take office, President-elect Barack Obama faces many pressing issues. And some will urge him to defer efforts to achieve healthcare reform, suggesting that it will be too costly, too difficult, or not a sufficiently high priority. Click the link to send the digital postcard to President-elect Obama and tell him that you want him to make healthcare reform a top priority in 2009.

Naturally, I did. And I’m passing it along so that all of you can do the same! Simply visit Mental Health America’s page Send a Postcard to President-elect Obama, enter your info, and click “send.”

So easy.

Do it now.

Post from: Blisstree

Send An Email To Barack Obama: Keep Healthcare Reform A Priority

In case you haven’t heard, Lori Drew – the 49-year-old woman who played some role in creating a fake MySpace page to harass 13-year-old Megan Meier (harassment that eventually ended when the “fake” MySpace user told Meier the world would be a better place without her, and the already depressed Meier committed suicide) – was not convicted of felony charges related to the case. She was instead convicted of three misdemeanor charges of accessing a computer without authorization.

I don’t even know what that means. I mean, was the woman not using her own computer? Apparently it had something to do with the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Again, that’s why I’m not a lawyer.

Anyway, for each misdemeanor she could get a year in prison and have to pay a $100,000-fine.

I don’t know anything about a sentencing date (or if she’s already been sentenced) – nothing I’ve read has indicated anything, so, feel free to update me if you know.

In the meantime, now that the conviction process is over, what do you think? Did Lori Drew get off easy, or was her conviction fair? Or, do you feel like her attorney, who isn’t satisfied with the jury’s decision and feels no charges should have been brought forth at all?

Converse!

Image: Newscom

Post from: Blisstree

Update: What Do You Think Of Lori Drew’s Misdemeanor Convictions?

Several years ago, a soldier I once knew told me about the time he had to dig graves for children who’d starved to death in a country most of us have never been to. It wasn’t a war zone; these children simply didn’t have enough food to stay alive. He and his fellow soldiers dug the graves while family members stood looking on.

This experience stayed with him for a very long time.

I’ve written about America’s service men and women more than a few times here at Mental Health Notes, so it’s no surprise I’m doing it again today. It is Veterans Day, after all.

However, rather than provide you with a list of resources for veterans – something that’s pretty characteristic of me – I’m providing you with ways you can provide resources for veterans. Specifically, mental health resources.

That’s right, you can take the reigns. Two pretty big mental health groups are making it possible. Both Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness have donation sites set up where you can donate money to help veterans, someday-veterans, and family members obtain the help they need to deal with reentry more smoothly.

MHN is accepting donations through their program Operation Health Reunions, and NAMI is accepting them through their Veterans Tribute Honor Roll. (And, while you’re over at NAMI, don’t forget to check out their new 14-page brochure on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PTSD and depression, anger and violence, substance abuse, suicide – these are all things many of America’s returning soldiers and veterans deal with from day to day. Sadly, there seems to be a lack of adequate resources for these men and women, as well as a trend in both active military men and women and veterans not seeking the help they need. If today’s the day you can donate to help, do so.

And, take a few minutes to visit Mary Emma Allen’s Veterans Day Memories in Alzheimer’s World and contribute your own memories.

Post from: Blisstree

Help Veterans Obtain Mental Health Resources

Wow, what a week it has been, my friends. The weather here has been sunny and in the upper 60s/lower 70s (which Chopper loved), I found a ridiculously inexpensive and surprisingly potent scented oil while wandering aimlessly around Wal-Mart (mmm, Christmasy cinnamon), and I finally found the name of the song on one of the new Blackberry commercials (it’s “Live the Proof” by Jim Boggia, if anyone’s interested. It’s great. Seriously.).

And, of course, we Americans elected our leader for the next four years. Something I (but not Chopper) found even more exciting than the rest of it.

So, what else went down this week?

This week at Mental Health Notes, in addition to questions about physician-assisted suicide and a review of Lumosity, quite a few famous names were the topic of discussion, including William Shatner, Brooke Smith, Maurice Benard, and Barack Obama.

Regarding mental health advocacy, educational opportunities abound. It may be too late to attend the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance’s 3rd Annual Rebecca’s Dream Gala, but the DBSA is currently accepting registrations for both the Peer Specialist Training 5-Day Course and the next Peer Specialist Continuing Education (CE) Webinar, “Trauma-Informed Care: What the Peer Specialist Needs to Know.” Too, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is promoting the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) free teleconference training, “Children’s Mental Health Problems and the Need for Social Inclusion.”

In the world of mental health news, 92% of the 1,137 people who took a ComPsych Corp survey claim economic woes contribute to their sleeplessness, depressed African-American heart patients are less likely than depressed Caucasian heart patients to be on antidepressants, and young ADHD patients are more likely to become addicted to nicotine. But, there’s some good news, too: Kidney transplants may improve mental performance (keep in mind this is good news for patients with kidney disease and related cognitive impairment – so, not something any ol’ body should go rounding up friends and scheduling a kidney domino theory over.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, my fellow bloggers are chatting it up about lots of interesting stuff:

• Mark gives a list of important A.A. history dates for November at A Dozen Steps.
• Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes has a guest post from Dee regarding easy finger foods for Alzheimer’s patients.
• Kristina talks about two studies regarding autism genetics at Autism Vox.
• Cherie rounds up a list of giveaways at Diabetes Notes.
• Grace tells us about how seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is linked to a mutation at Genetics & Health.
• Scott talks about bullies (and his method for handling them, ha) at Health and Men.

That’s all for this week’s Saturday Sanity!

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: What A Busy Week!

That’s the question my local news reporter asked last night. Naturally I a) hung around on the couch long enough to hear the answer, and b) thought I would hear something related to Obama’s stance on mental health legislation.

Instead, what I heard was a local therapist discussing the stress-reducing benefits of Obama’s motivating and inspiring speeches.

Curious.

The overall idea was that, during such depressing and discouraging times, Obama’s talks about change help Americans feel more hopeful and at ease.

I’ll admit that I’m one of the many Americans who feels a bit more mentally (and even physically) relaxed when I listen to him talk; however, there’s only one man in this world whose words have the power to really calm me down – with no questions asked – and Barack Obama ain’t him. I need to see these changes before my stress will really leave; until then, Obama’s smooth words are just Band-Aids. Maybe Band-Aids with a dose or two of Prozac in them, kind of like those Band-Aids that have antibiotic oinments in them. Haha, get it?

Anyway…

What do you think? Has listening to Barack Obama’s speeches helped alleviate any of your stress? Do his words calm you and make you feel hopeful for the future, or are you grateful for his optimism but still holding out for results?

Post from: Blisstree

How Is Barack Obama Reducing Stress?

I am certainly anxious to find out the results to what has undoubtedly been the most exciting and intense election of my lifetime.

Unless I count the high school senior class election of 1999. Ha.

Happy Voting!

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Election Day 2008

With only a few days until the 2008 presidential election, we’re getting down to the nitty gritty here in America. Like many Americans, I’m quite anxious. The race is close, and I’m looking forward to its finish. I’m looking forward to knowing who our next leader will be. I’m looking forward to seeing if he can pull us out of this economic slump.

I’m also looking forward to no longer receiving campaign emails and enjoying a full week of prime time television without debate interruptions.

Despite how close Election Day is, nearly 6.4 percent of the voting public is still undecided. And, given the number of Americans with mental health issues, I’m willing to bet a good percentage of those undecided voters could use some more information about the candidate’s health care platforms. Fortunately, they don’t have to go very far. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) launched its online Election Center, MI Vote Counts, to help them out.

From helping consumers understand the importance of voting and providing information about mental health legislation to informing them about registering to vote and exactly how to go about voting, the DBSA’s MI Vote Counts is a portal for all things election.

I was able to chat with Gloria Pope, the DBSA’s Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, about why MI Vote Counts is so important – specifically, the story behind MI Vote Counts, the importance of staying current with the candidate’s platforms, and the spark that sets the DBSA’s Election Center apart from all other online tools.

Read on!

Mental Health Notes: What prompted the DBSA to create the Election Center (EC)? What was the driving force behind it?

Gloria Pope: For the past two years, DBSA has been building a phenomenal network of online advocates. We started out by doing a couple of trainings on “Advocacy 101” with a few of our chapter leaders. Then soon after, we began to send alerts out when we needed action on a piece of legislation. We started with a small distribution list but through word of mouth; now distribute to more than 8,000 “constituents.”

Our goal for this upcoming election was to get our folks to register to vote, vote and encourage family and friends to do so as well. Our mantra – in all of our advocacy efforts has been – To be an advocate means you are empowered; and to be empowered means you are an advocate. The name of the center, “MI Vote Counts,” speaks for itself – and has been the message we’ve been trying to communicate throughout the year.

The EC will give our advocates a chance to truly be empowered by making their voices heard on November 4. To accomplish this, we needed to provide the tools and resources and make it quick and easy to find the information they would be looking for. All of the resources are need are in one place. The site with its colorful landing page has links such as, “Why Vote,” “How to Vote,” and the “Role of the Government,” will guide them to what they are looking for. Additionally, the homepage takes them directly to our Legislative Action Center (LAC), information on DBSA-endorsed legislation and an advocacy center, where they can learn how to be an advocate.

The EC will enable them to:

• Research the candidates and their platforms on healthcare.
• Find out if they endorsed or opposed mental health legislation throughout the year.
• Register to vote (day or night from the comfort of your home).
• Obtain an absentee ballot in case you may not feel well enough to vote.
• Learn about other legislators who are up for election.

We even made the center easy to find. Visitors can type dbsalliance.org/vote in to their search engines and go directly to the center.

MHN: Why do you feel it’s so important for mental health consumers to stay up to date with the presidential candidates’ platforms?

GP: We encouraged our advocates to go into the voting booth, armed with the best information possible. Throughout the past few months, we asked them not to be a part of “personality politics” – voting for a candidate because of their looks or personality. We wanted advocates to listen to all of the candidates’ platforms so that they could decide who would be the best candidate. Our advocates have the option of listening to what the candidates’ have been saying and then going to the LAC to see how they have voted in the past year on these same issues. We have found that some candidates’ support an issue on the campaign trail, but when you look at their voting record, it tells a whole other story.

MHN: And finally, what do you think makes the DBSA’s Election Center stand out from other advocacy groups’ similar election/candidate-focused informational websites?

GP: The EC gives our constituents everything they need to know right at their fingertips. They don’t have to search our site for different information. They can do everything from learning about the legislative process to reading about the importance of voting. – all in one place. We also have been finding an increase in letters sent to legislators by constituents who initially started out in the EC and then moved on the Legislative Action Center (LAC).

DBSA is extremely proud of our advocates. In 2006, approximately 500 letters were sent through the LAC. In 2007, the number increased to 10,300. This year, with two more months to go, more than 43,000 letters have been sent – making us one of the strongest grassroots networks of online advocates.

Personally, I’ve been browsing through MI Vote Counts since I first learned about it, and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s just now learning about it. It’s too late to register to vote in most states (except for those states that offer same-day and late registrations like New Hampshire and Montana), but keep in mind that is only one of the resources MI Vote Counts offers.

If you’re undecided, check it out.

If you’ve already decided, check it out anyway.

And don’t forget to thank Gloria for this insight into MI Vote Counts!

Post from: Blisstree

MI Vote Counts: The DBSA Helps You Decide

It’s almost time to vote for America’s next leader, and if you’re anything like me…well, you’d be quite pessimistic, jaded, and apathetic. (Well, let me take that back. I’m not really that apathetic. I care quite a bit. I just have a bad feeling about both directions, and rather than stress myself out even more…I’m just going to wait and see what happens.)

However, even if you are feeling like me, you should still vote. Given how important the issue of health care is in all elections, and given a national mental health parity finally passed this year, it’s actually crucial for mental health consumers to make – and continue making – their voices heard.

We can’t expect change if we don’t advocate for change, after all.

Despite all the commercials, debates, articles, blogs, radio advertisements, billboards, and yard signs we’ve seen and heard this election year, some folks are still undecided about their picks for the next President of the United States. Fortunately for us, three major mental health advocacy organizations have created online election centers to help us.

Read on!

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides Bringing Mental Healthcare to the Ballot, which information about making our voices heard (might be a bit too late for some of those suggestions at this point, but there are still some good questions we can ask ourselves), information about the democratic and republican platforms, materials that shed light on the importance of mental health issues, and a list of nonpartisan websites for further information.

Mental Health America offers Vote for America’s Mental Health in 2008, which gives a ton of election resources, including the candidates’ reform proposals, the party platforms, and information about voter registration.

And, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) launched their Election Center: MI Vote Counts, which is a handy group of interactive tools that help explain the role of the government and why it’s important to vote, helps folks register to vote and explains how to vote, and includes information about mental health legislation and advocacy.

If you’re still undecided this election season, don’t be like the millions of Americans who are either going to forgo voting, or vote for whomever their family members or friends tell them (yes, I just made that statistic up – but it sounds pretty reasonable). Spend some time perusing these resources before election day, and make your voice heard November 4.

Post from: Blisstree

Mental Health Consumers: Make Your Voices Heard