PLEASE INCLUDE SMI IN YOUR PLATFORM by Dede Ranahan


Hi Mental Health for US

Just discovered you and your platform asking 2020 political candidates to talk about mental health in their campaigns. I see no specific mention of serious mental illnesses (SMI) such as schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, bipolar disorder, etc. Some people are not able to recover from SMI and languish in prison, in solitary, in not-so-good care homes or in their parents’ back bedroom for years and years.

I belong to a dozen Facebook groups of families of the SMI. Their stories are horrific and from across the nation. They’re not able to find help anywhere.

I want to support your efforts. I’ve been sending letters to candidates and calling on Facebook and on my blog for 2020 candidates to step up, speak about, and put forth national plans for SMI that do the following: Reform HIPAA, repeal the IMD exclusion, do brain research into these insidious brain diseases, provide for long-term care and short-term outpatient services, improve access, provide housing, supported education, and family supports. Not simply mental health. Not simply drug and alcohol addiction. Serious mental illness.

Would Mental Health for US be willing to expand its platform to include SMI - specifically spelling it out, not simply lumping it into mental health?

I hope your answer is yes.

You can read stories about SMI individuals and families — across the US - that I’ve been posting for 31/2 years on my website and blog. You can also read my own story in my book about my and my son’s struggles for over 25 years to get help for his SMI. He died in 2014 on a hospital psych ward. He was transferred, without my knowledge, out of county (lack of beds), his records weren’t forwarded with him, and I couldn’t get doctors to talk to me (HIPAA) even though I was on my son’s Advance Care Directive.

I unwittingly captured the last year of Pat's life in my book which, among other things, includes his story and many stories of individuals and families being failed by the system.

I will sign on and volunteer to help you once I’m satisfied that this undertaking includes SMI and specifically mentions it in your platform.

Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Dede Ranahan

www.soonerthantomorrow.com
A Safe Place to Talk About Mental Illness in Our Families

Sooner Than Tomorrow — A Mother’s Diary About Mental Illness, Family, and Everyday Life
By Dede Ranahan with Patrick Ranahan
http://www.bit.ly/soonerthantomorrow

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https://www.mentalhealthforus.net Please read this platform and send a message asking that it include SMI. Thanks.

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TRAVIS & ME - OUR JUNE PRISON VISIT by Dede Ranahan

On Sunday, I visited Travis. I didn’t see him in May because our visiting day fell on Mother’s Day which I spent with family. He walked into the visiting area and, at first, I didn’t recognize him. His hair’s been shaved short — for summer — and he’s growing a beard. He looked great. I told him, “I really like your haircut. And your beard.”

We hugged and Travis said, “I finished reading your book.” (His mother, Kathy, sent him a copy.) Then he said the most perfect thing, “I love Pat. I love all his Facebook posts. He’s so funny. And smart. I think he’ll be an influencer for our generation. I copied the list of his favorite books. I’m going to read all of them.”

Travis’s eyes filled with tears as he spoke. My eyes filled with tears as I listened. Travis was clearly moved. “I totally get him,” he said. “I like him so much.” More tears.

I’m getting such heart-felt reactions to Sooner Than Tomorrow. In reviews, in emails, in cards and letters. Many have commented about Pat and his sense of humor. But, hearing about him from Travis, in person, with tears in his eyes, was mind-blowing for me.

I reached for his hand. “Thank you,” I said.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began reading your book. And then I couldn’t put it down. You’re such a good writer.”

Travis is reading other books, too. He’s taking a college health class during the summer. “It’s really interesting. I’ve read the first three chapters. It’s about physical health, mental health, emotional health — about keeping everything in balance. I’m ready for these college classes. I wasn’t ready for them before I was sent to prison. My self-esteem is much better now. I know I can study and learn.”

Travis was also pumped about a basketball tournament he took part in on Saturday. His team (“We were the ‘crazy’ team. All of us have psych issues.”) beat five other “normal” teams. “We were champions for the day. We never played together before and we just clicked. Sports are important to me. I ran 10 miles (around the prison yard) for the soldiers who died on D-Day. To honor them. I’m in the best shape of my life.”

I asked Travis if there had been any more discussion about transferring him to a prison closer to his family in Southern California. He said, “They’re not going to move me right now. My psychiatrist and my psychologist are going to take me off lithium. It’s affecting my thyroid. Then I won’t be taking any medications. They want to watch me and see how I react. We’re all hoping I can function okay without meds.”

Travis likes his medical team. He thinks they’re competent. He thinks they care about him. “They like me,” he said. “I tell them about my feelings and my emotions. Not every client is open with them and they appreciate that I am.”

“I’m growing,” Travis continued. “I’m making the most out of my time in prison. I’m working out. I’m reading. I’m writing songs for our church service. I’m a better person than I was.”

“Travis, it sounds like you’re focusing on the positive aspects of being here. Do you think other inmates do that?”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to judge anyone else. Probably not everyone does. There are fights and other bad stuff happens. Being here is forcing me to know how to interact with others. It’s not always easy living with my cellie, but I’m learning about relationships. I was kind of a recluse before I came here. I managed a motel in the mountains and I spent a lot of time by myself.”

It feels like our conversations are evolving. Travis asked me questions, too. “How are you doing, Dede?” (good) “How’s your mom?” (good) “How’s The Jazz?” (good) “What books are you reading?” (Mama’s Last Hug by Frans De Waal, I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott, Another Rubber Chicken Dinner by Bev Chinello)

Visiting hours ended. It was time to leave. “Have a good month, Travis. I’ll see you in July.”

I always turn to wave at Travis as I walk away. He’s always waiting. And he waves back.

Travis & me - before his haircut.

Travis & me - before his haircut.

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I'M PAST ANGER. I'M IN COMPLETE DESPAIR by Linda Rippee

I’m struggling. I’m not sure I’m the advocate for serious mental illness (SMI) that I need to be. I’ve not been successful. I see no change in my brother's life. Another advocate suggested I not focus on the horror's of Mark’s story. I know nothing else. My husband thinks I keep pushing, pushing, pushing the ball up the hill and every time the ball slips back down. Crushing me.

I offer suggestions to others, but what do I know? Really? I’ve not been able to help my own brother In three decades. What good advice could I give? None.

Two weeks ago, several people witnessed Mark in the middle of the street. He was delusional, screaming, beating his makeshift cane in the middle of traffic with injuries to his face, eye socket, and hands. I rushed there and called Adult Protective Services (APS). I don’t know if they responded. Three weeks ago, Solano County deemed my brother "competent". 

Two days ago, more people notified me that my brother was in bad shape. He appeared to have been injured or beaten. I called APS, again. They said, “Don't call us. Call Vacaville Police Department.” I did. The dispatcher said, “We could send an officer to check on him, but if he doesn’t want medical treatment or help, that’s his right.”

After all my advocating, I still can't initiate a welfare check on my brother, let alone a 51/50. People contact me and my twin and expect action. I may be inadequate for this task. The county has given us their final word. I’m lost right now. I can’t find the words anymore to make a difference. Love hasn’t changed anything. My love is not enough to change Mark’s life or the world he lives in.  

Some people seem to be amused, skeptical, and doubtful that anosognosia exists as part of SMI. This is why we need HIPAA reform. Not to take away everyone's rights, but to allow families of the SMI to get proper treatment for the loved ones who cannot comprehend decisions or consequences with their own brains.

I’m exhausted trying to open and change minds on this matter. I’m past anger. I’m in complete despair. I can’t accept that this is my brother’s life, and people are okay with that. That alone weighs me down. We’re desensitized as a society.

Solano County says change must come from the state of California or from the federal government. Serious mental illness and brain diseases affect more people — professionals and the general public — than other diseases. It’s insidious. Society cannot afford to ignore it. Serious mental Illness will not be ignored. It doesn’t care what political party you favor. It doesn’t matter if you have the most loving family or what race or religion you are. It will infect you and has no qualms about affecting all who love you and come in contact with you.

I'm exhausted trying to open and change minds. The only minds we touch are of the families who already know the despair and pain of members they love with SMI. The ugly truth is, if people don’t have loved ones with SMI, they can’t hear us. It’s like we’re speaking a different language.

Society, we don’t need more awareness. We need more action!

Linda’s brother, Mark. Linda says, “Mark’s face and head are held together with wires and metal plates. He lost both eyes, but they had one eye still connected by a sliver, so they tried to save that globe. It didn’t work and he’s 100% blind. Mark’s…

Linda’s brother, Mark. Linda says, “Mark’s face and head are held together with wires and metal plates. He lost both eyes, but they had one eye still connected by a sliver, so they tried to save that globe. It didn’t work and he’s 100% blind. Mark’s head was split T-shape across his face and eyes and he lost most of his frontal lobe. Through 55 other surgeries, he lost further brain matter. He has a metal rod from crotch to ankle. Most say he looks like Frankenstein. I still look at him, directly, — where the eyes to his soul used to be.”

Note: AB 1769 — This bill just died in committee. It would have appropriated money to be used to plan, construct, and operate two integrated mental health residential facilities adjacent to the county’s existing health and social services campus. There’s no mental health facility for Solano County.

MY POINT IS, SPEAK OUT ALWAYS by Pamela Armstrong

Sometimes people amaze me. As a social worker and drug counselor, I find that most people are kind, but every now and then, I run into people who are clueless and sometimes down right cruel.

There is one man in my building who has been homeless twice and who is dying and who is a born again Christian. He hates the homeless with a passion. There is another resident here who told me he wished that all of the homeless would die. There have been three tent cities across the street from me. They were quiet. They picked up their rubbish and all three were made to move. Folks, I am sure it was because of the complaints of many of the seniors who live in my building and are on food stamps and section 8 housing. We are all here because this is senior affordable housing.

Now, I have also run into two other homeless people who have put the homeless down. One man had been an addict for 20 years and got clean and sober, and finally got into housing. He said, “I’m sick to death of addicts. I am sick of these homeless bums.” Wow, I thought.

Then I worked with a nurse who didn’t become one until later life. For 20 years, she had to rely on food stamps to feed her kids, and other public resources. Then she married a very rich doctor and, all of a sudden, she grew intolerant of poor people and those with mental illnesses. At the time, I was so depressed and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I was being subjected to terrible verbal abuse from my mom while helping her through her illnesses. The nurse’s daughter's life was a mess. She, too, was crippled with on and off depression and severe mood swings. The doctors told this nurse that her daughter had bipolar, but she didn’t believe them, and neither did her daughter. She didn’t want her daughter to take meds. So, I guess suffering was okay for both of them.

This same nurse told everyone I was just a weak person. Three people in the office bullied me and all were social workers. This really got to me so I retired early and this contributed to my nervous breakdown. I was furious for many years. Well, up until three years ago. I was furious over every single thing. I’m not sure how I got to the place I am, today, but I think it has to do with my own suffering. And seeing so much suffering in my clients, in the homeless, and in the world. For some reason, since I was in elementary school and growing up in the South, where black people were treated like scum, I got it pretty early. Now, I have learned to count my blessings and I have great support from both of my sons who live in Seattle.

My point is, speak out always. Don’t be afraid to say you have a mental illness, and write your politicians. My motto in life is, if not us, who? I try to lay down my anger as quick as I can, but note it took me a long time. Take as long as you need. Frankly, I use my anger, now, to motivate me into action. Yes, some things still make me furious.

Pamela

Pamela

TODAY, WOW! TODAY I ACCOMPLISHED THIS by Allilsa Fernandez

In 2011, after becoming severely ill and entering recovery, I asked a therapist, "Will I be able to return to school and finish my bachelors?" She looked at me with pity and said, "I think you should focus on therapy right now.” I insisted, "Yes, but what about down the line?” She continued to look at me with pity and this time she said, "Look, your condition just won't allow it. You need to focus on getting SSI. You may never work again nor go to school and that is okay.”

I felt so horrible. I then was assigned another therapist and a psychiatrist and I asked them the same question, "Would I ever be able to go back to school?" They both told me “no” and the psychiatrist went as far as telling me, "You are going to have to mourn this loss. Eventually, you will have to let go of this idea. Of this dream. It just isn't for you given your condition.”

I felt so little, so worthless, and I began to process the loss of my dream to go back to school. Therapy offices closed, some therapists moved, and for various reasons I switched therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists and every single time I asked the same question because there was this longing in my heart to go back to school. Each time I was told to forget about it and settle for less.

Against all odds, I entered school again. The first semester was my worst. I had a breakdown and no therapy. When I asked my advisor for help she looked me in the eye and said, "Fill out this form.” I asked, "What is this?" She said, "It's a form to drop out of school. People like you, people with your condition, just can't make it in a highly academic school like this one.” I was so offended but I believed her. I believed all the professionals and I felt like a total failure at that moment.

Crying, I went to my professor and asked him to sign my paper so that I could drop out. That professor saved my life. He chose to believe in me. He said, "Get that paper out of my face. You are going to go to a counselor on campus. You will get accommodations via the disability department and the dean of students. You are one of my best students. I am telling you, you are not allowed to quit.”

It took one person to change my life forever in a positive way. From there on, I learned my rights on disability, I sought help and found an amazing therapist who I’ve been with for almost four years. I found how to study and work with my condition and today, wow! Today (May 24), I accomplished this. Today, I graduated with a Bachelor's in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude, from Stony Brook University. 

My hat represents the struggle with psychosis. The many times I was told I couldn't pursue my dream because of it. The many times I heard voices during an important test. The many times I had a crisis but I had understanding professors who worked with me. It was not easy, but it also was not impossible, as some professionals made it seem.

About my photo: The radio represents the voices I usually hear. I usually hear radio voices rather than one solid voice. I love sharks. Anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with sharks and their conservation. I love them. On my graduation cap, the background has sharks in white and grey swimming in blue water. There are gold letters that read, "I did it with psychosis.” There are two colorful boomboxes around it. In the bottom it reads "#endthestigma.”

Allilsa

Allilsa

A LETTER TO SHARE OR TO COPY AND PASTE by Dede Ranahan

TO ALL 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES:

I often hear discussions about mental health awareness, but don't hear discussions about serious mental illness (SMI). 
With SMI, (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD), some people do not recover and cannot work or live independently. Some are so sick they don't realize they're sick (anosognosia), don't respond to treatment (if they get it), and end up incarcerated, homeless, missing, suicidal or dead.

The SMI population represents roughly 5% (10million) of the mentally ill in the US. And ten times as many people with SMI are incarcerated as are hospitalized. These individuals don't get the attention they deserve and consistently fall to the bottom of the proverbial heap.

If it "takes a village to raise a child," it takes a country to help a "child" with SMI -- parity in mental health care, IMD exclusion repeal (beds), HIPAA reform, housing, hospitalization instead of incarceration, brain disease research, supported education, and on and on. So far, our country is not stepping up. A serious mental illness system does not exist.

The presidential candidate I'll support will have the courage and insight to raise SMI issues and to create a plan to deal with them on a national scale. 

What is your plan for SMI? (Not mental health. Not drug addiction.) I would like to read about it on your website. Thank you for your prioritization of SMI issues.

If you agree, please share widely. Or copy and paste.

#seriousmentalillness #SMI #schizophrenia #schizoaffectivedisorder#bipolardisorder #depression #OCD #parityinmentalhealthcare #IMDrepeal#HIPAAreform #braindiseaseresearch #treatmentnotincarceration#soonerthantomorrow

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