Yesterday, I watched a speech given by Senator Creigh Deeds of Virginia. He was on C-Span for a speech given at the National Press Club. If you don't remember Senator Deeds, his son committed suicide after knifing his Dad. Gus Deeds was mentally ill. And in crisis. He was discharged from an emergency hold after a few hours because there were supposedly no beds available at the level of help he needed. So, he was released even though he was clearly dangerous. Here is the article that I'm basing my comments on: http://bit.ly/1hxpz4Y.
Here is what I learned from his speech. Instead of being overwhelmed by his grief, Senator Deeds has taken a role in reforming the system in his state. He was instrumental in the creation of a law which would increase the number of hours required to keep a mentally ill person in crisis on an emergency hold. Now, Virginia will have 72 hours to assess, stabilize, and find a program. No longer will someone like Gus Deeds be released or "streeted" during a dangerous episode. In addition, Virginia will create an online resource that will list available beds, and thus avoid the situation that led to the release of Gus Deeds when it was thought that there were no beds available. What an incredible start to reforming the system and changing the way we handle mental illness.
Of course, there is much more that needs to be done, as acknowledged by Senator Deeds. There are many issues in the way we handle the mentally ill. One of the biggest issues is that onset of mental illness is common in young adulthood. And parents have no legal right to assist as their adult child spirals out of control. In addition, this is one state. How many states have the same problems as Virginia does? How many states regularly "street" people even when they are dangerous? How often is the system set up to cohesively provide services?
While I understand that Senator Deeds is working to improve the services in Virginia, I think he will eventually have an impact on a national stage. We are going to increasingly recognize the impact that ignoring mental illness has on all of us. And Senator Deeds has personal and intimate experience with how big a price we pay when we don't face reality. I am so thankful for his courage and advocacy. What about you? And how can we help? Let me know what you think.
Here is what I learned from his speech. Instead of being overwhelmed by his grief, Senator Deeds has taken a role in reforming the system in his state. He was instrumental in the creation of a law which would increase the number of hours required to keep a mentally ill person in crisis on an emergency hold. Now, Virginia will have 72 hours to assess, stabilize, and find a program. No longer will someone like Gus Deeds be released or "streeted" during a dangerous episode. In addition, Virginia will create an online resource that will list available beds, and thus avoid the situation that led to the release of Gus Deeds when it was thought that there were no beds available. What an incredible start to reforming the system and changing the way we handle mental illness.
Of course, there is much more that needs to be done, as acknowledged by Senator Deeds. There are many issues in the way we handle the mentally ill. One of the biggest issues is that onset of mental illness is common in young adulthood. And parents have no legal right to assist as their adult child spirals out of control. In addition, this is one state. How many states have the same problems as Virginia does? How many states regularly "street" people even when they are dangerous? How often is the system set up to cohesively provide services?
While I understand that Senator Deeds is working to improve the services in Virginia, I think he will eventually have an impact on a national stage. We are going to increasingly recognize the impact that ignoring mental illness has on all of us. And Senator Deeds has personal and intimate experience with how big a price we pay when we don't face reality. I am so thankful for his courage and advocacy. What about you? And how can we help? Let me know what you think.
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