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

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

The more I read about the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (gah, what a mouthful, yes?), the more I discover about the questions, concerns, and fears others have.

Why should I care about this? I don’t even have health insurance.

My company doesn’t have more than 50 people, so what do I have to be excited about?

If my current health insurance plan doesn’t already offer mental health coverage, do I still benefit from this legislation?

Just exactly how high are premiums going to skyrocket, now?

Do these echo some of your own thoughts, or is something else running through your mind you’d like to share? Or, maybe you have some knowledge about the legislation you’d like to share to help clear up confusion?

Post from: Blisstree

Mental Health Parity: What’s Your Biggest Concern?

And, because it’s located at THOMAS (The Library of Congress’s site), the links are usually temporary so I’m giving you directions instead:

1. Visit THOMAS.
2. Click on Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 : H.R. 1424 at the top of the page. (I don’t know how long this will remain at the top.)
3. Once you’re on the page for H.R. 1424, click on Printer Friendly Display.
4. After that page loads, scroll down until you see SEC. 512. MENTAL HEALTH PARITY (it will be in the center of the page, near the bottom) or do a search for it using your browser’s “Find” option.
5. Read.

I’ve stumbled across a very important question regarding this legislation, but I want to give you a chance to read over the text before I ask it.

Post from: Blisstree

Read The Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008

So, by now you’ve undoubtedly heard Congress passed Mental Health Parity. Actually, Congress passed the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, and they did so right along with the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (HR 1424) and a bunch of other stuff, I hear.

There’s some slight controversy surrounding the bill, how it was passed, and the fact that it was passed at all. Around the ‘net I’ve read complaints that the bill isn’t fair, it shouldn’t have been thrown in with the bailout bill, and – my favorite – “Now our premiums are going to go up.”

Here’s the deal:

No, the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 isn’t 100% fair. It doesn’t include businesses with fewer than 50 employees, so, that really sucks for those employees. And, to my understanding, it also doesn’t include individual health insurance policies either. It’s not perfect – very few things are on the first go ’round – but even with these flaws, it’s a step in the right direction. It has taken six years for this to pass – can you imagine how long it would have taken to pass a more comprehensive version (i.e. one that benefits more people)? So, the way I see it, once we have this in place, we’ll have a solid launching pad for moving forward.

Yes, the Senate folded it in with other legislation before passing it all on to President Bush. People are upset, but really, they should stop acting surprised. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Is it a good or bad thing? I don’t know; I’m not an expert. I am, however, glad it’s gotten this far – regardless of the means.

Premiums may indeed go up in order for businesses to be able to provide all this extra equal coverage. And…did you expect anything else? Additional services generally cost additional money. It’s just common sense. Again, it’s not perfect (especially during these hard economic times), but very few things are in the beginning. If you’re ticked off about possibly having to pay higher premiums, I have two things to say to you:

1. Your brain is an organ, just like your heart, and mental health is a part of overall health. If your current health insurance policy doesn’t cover mental health services, or offers inadequate mental health coverage compared to physical health coverage – newsflash – you’re kind of getting screwed. You wouldn’t be happy with health insurance that didn’t cover heart-related problems, or stomach problems, or kidney problems, would you? Why be happy with something that doesn’t cover mental health?
2. If you’re upset about possibly having to pay extra for coverage you think you don’t need…well, hello, chances are you’re already doing that. Isn’t that kind of what health insurance is? Paying into coverage that you may need at some point? You’re not in a car accident right now, but your health insurance policy probably covers such emergency services. You’re not having a heart attack right now, but your policy undoubtedly includes the care to keep you alive. So, even if you’re not experiencing mental health problems right now, statistically one in every four Americans meets diagnosis criteria for a mental illness during any given year. If the day ever comes that your mind (or your spouse’s or child’s or parent’s) decides to split right down the middle, you’ll be glad this legislation is in place.

So, what do you think about this mental health parity legislation? Happy? Upset? Indifferent?

For more news about Congress passing the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, check out:

• Mental Health America Hails Approval of Federal Parity Legislation
• Congress Passes Historic Mental Health Parity Bill
• Congress Passes Mental Health Parity Legislation
• Senate Folds Mental Health Parity Into Wall Street Bailout Bill

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Here’s The Deal: Congress Passes Mental Health Parity Legislation

I’ve been fairly stressed out this week.

The state of the American economy, the housing market, health insurance (or lack thereof), my yet-to-be paid off student loans – in other words, money (or again, lack thereof) – all have me freaking out just a bit about my future and my country’s future.

I didn’t used to worry about things like this. Of course, I don’t remember a time in my life when things ever seemed this bad.

Anyone else feeling the stress? Have some suggestions for mellowing out? I’d love to hear them.

In the meantime, let’s check out what’s going on in the world of mental health.

This week at Mental Health Notes, I told you about National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month and our blogging event to raise awareness, as well as shared my two spins on the second and ninth steps. I also pointed you in the direction of an article about pharmacists’ secrets, told you where you could get free, condensed summaries of health books, asked you what you thought of electronic medical records in light of Practice Fusion’s new program, and shared a funny.

Regarding mental health advocacy, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has made it easy for us to urge Congress to get moving on Mental Health Parity, the Consumers Union shared the story of Kim, a lady who struggled to get health insurance because she dared to use the mental health coverage her former policy offered, and Mental Health American released its Fall 2008 issue of The Bell.

In the world of mental health news, Ireland campaigners believe their government is seriously lacking resources for suicide prevention strategies, researchers claim pregnant women who experience even moderate amounts of stress are putting their babies at risk for lowered intellectual development, more teens are putting their brain development at risk with a rise in oxycodone and hydrocodone abuse, and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) is developing self-guided, computer-based depression treatment.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, many of my fellow bloggers participated in our little event for National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Check out b5Media Salutes National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month to check out what they had to say!

Enjoy your Saturday (and if it’s anything like mine, i.e. rainy beyond belief, you’ll appreciate all the reading material).

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Stress Abounds

Feel like taking part in a nationwide mental health movement today? Don’t have much time for anything other than a phone call?

Then you’re in luck.

According to Mental Health America, today is National Parity Call-In Day, a day that we’re all urged to call our U.S. Senators and our U.S. Representative and urge them to bring mental health parity to a vote.

With Congress back in session this week and only a short time left, it must pass mental health parity legislation. This is the moment to remind lawmakers that parity legislation is critical, unfinished business.

Never in the almost two-decade fight for parity have we been closer to victory. If Congress fails to bring parity to a vote before adjourning later this month, we must restart the push for parity in 2009.

The number to call is 1.866.parity4 (1-866-727-4894) and the message Mental Health America suggests is:

“I’m calling to ask the Senator/Representative to press congressional leaders to bring mental health parity legislation to a vote. It’s critical that Congress pass parity legislation this year.

Pretty simple, yes?

And when you’re finished, head over to Contest: Win A Copy Of Surviving Ben’s Suicide By C. Comfort Shields for your chance to win a copy of this moving memoir!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Today Is National Parity Call-In Day!

Boy, when I fall into a blogging slump, I really fall into a blogging slump, huh? This is the second week in a row I’ve not offered up more than one post a day here at Mental Health Notes and, honestly, that blows.

However, in my defense (what little bit of defense I have), I have been dealing with work-related matters, surprise visitors, and doing some housekeeping here at MHN, which includes putting an excellent editorial calendar together for the coming weeks here at MHN.

And do I have so great things lined up for y’all!

In the meantime, let’s take a look at what’s been going on in the world of mental health this week.

This week at Mental Health Notes, I talked about going green for your mental health at Daily Tomorrow, talked about an interesting study regarding visual impairment and suicide risk, started a conversation about the idea of compassionate release for brain cancer patient and former Manson Family member Susan Atkins, introduced you to the Health & Wellness Channel’s newest blog about fitness, and passed along an update about Mental Health Parity.

In the world of mental health news, researchers at Yale believe there’s a connection between bullying and suicide (I believe it), researchers at Cambridge believe they can measure brain activity to help identify people at risk for obsessive-compulsive disorder, a couple of doctors whose names I can’t pronounce have found a partially shared genetic profile between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, new research suggests tricyclic antidepressants increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and getting enough sleep is still good for your mental health – unless you count strokes as, you know, bad things.

Regarding mental health advocacy, Mental Health America provides updates on both the 2008 Annual Conference Hill Day and the Inaugural Promotion and Prevention Summit, both held back in June, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance published the DBSA e-Update July 2008, which contains more information about the Facing Us 2008 Music Contest and the addition of another speaker at the 2008 National Conference, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness announced the appearance of two NAMI members on The New York Times’s Patient Voices.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, it’s giveaways and contests galore! Both Healthbolt and Alzheimer’s Notes are hosting book giveaways this week, Daily Tomorrow is offering a chance to win a “Learn to Create a Healthy Home” CD, and Fertility Notes is having a drawing for a free Fertility Scope. Of course, there’s plenty of news, too. Kendra discusses the heart health benefits of being optimistic, and good ol’ Scott tackles the prevalence of eating disorders among men.

Of course, the best news of all is…Angela at Breastfeeding 1-2-3 has given birth to her baby girl! Head on over and congratulate her!

And, that’s the end of another Saturday Sanity. Remember, if you have anything mental health-related to share for next week’s edition, send it my way. (You may want to include “Saturday Sanity” in the subject line so I’ll make sure to save it.)

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Slow Week For Mental Health Notes, But Not For Mental Health News

What better way to end the work week than congratulating our representatives on phasing out a 50% copay requirement on outpatient mental health treatment for Medicare consumers, and urging them to complete their work on mental health parity legislation, um, now?

None that I can think of, so I’m passing along this Mental Health America Advocacy Alert to help you readers do just that.

Visit Mental Health America’s Take Action Now Web page, choose the Featured Action Alert (”It’s a Matter of Saving Lives, and It’s Long Overdue”), and get to sending those letters.

And don’t forget to stay tuned for tomorrow’s edition of Saturday Sanity!

Image source.

Post from: Blisstree

Update: Medicare Parity Victory, Employer-Provided Insurance Still Needs Attention

It’s been a fairly slow week here at Mental Health Notes, and I can’t quite put my finger on one particular reason why. We had thunderstorms almost every day this week, and so when I wasn’t working (which kept me fairly busy), I was taking advantage of the writing inspiration (and snooze-inducing effects) thunderstorms always seem to give me.

I also found out early in the week I’m going to have to work extra hard to keep my local NAMI affiliation going, which caused a bit of stress, but I was happy to find I’ll have support.

Oh, and I’ve been re-reading the Harry Potter series in anticipation for November 21, 2008. A bit early, yes, but I’m also trying to squeeze in a re-watching of Prison Break seasons one, two, and three before September.

However, my slow (and, at the same time, busy) week doesn’t mean the rest of the mental health world has slowed down. Read on for this week’s Saturday Sanity!

This week at Mental Health Notes, I shared my thoughts about pzizz, passed along the news of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance’s new music contest, laughed at Sharon Stone, applauded Jenifer Lewis, and issued a call for pictures of the Lamictal rash.

In the world of mental health news, as reported by The Boston Globe, Marylou Sudders, president and chief executive of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and a former state mental health commissioner, claims that mental health parity will only add minimal costs to insurance, while Dr. Marylou Buyse, president of the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, is iffy about it all given the current economic situation. Several states away, The Columbus Dispatch reports that a plan “designed to reduce Medicaid spending on costly psychotropic drugs could actually cost the state money in the long run.” Denis Paré, professor at the Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience at Rutgers University in Newark, studies the amygdala and has helped identify brain cells related to fear which could help lead to better treatment for anxiety disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder, and we may all soon be able to tell exactly how stressed we are simply by getting dressed.

Regarding mental health advocacy, Mental Health America is applauding the Senate’s action on Medicare, and is asking us to ask President Bush not to veto Medicare Parity. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has also spoken out regarding the death of a psychiatric patient in Kings County, New York, and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance wants to know how computers are used during your mental health care.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, Marijke at Womb Within is hosting a prenatal vitamin giveaway, and Ruth at Eating Fabulous is holding a contest to win a copy of Juicing, Fasting, and Detoxing for Life. Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes lists 13 summer projects for Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers, and loved ones, and Kristina at Autism Vox discusses therapy animals. Liz at Healthbolt shares some news about potentially life-saving medical tattoos, and Hope at Weighting Line shares some thoughts on the Emotional Freedom Technique.

That’s it for this week’s Saturday Sanity news. If you have any news, announcements, or just interesting stuff related to mental health that you’d like to pass along for next week, shoot me an email!

Image Credit: Me

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: And The Thunder Rolls