ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. CODEY QUESTIONS STATE ON CLOSURE OF HAGEDORN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
2. FORUM DISCUSSES NEW STATE AGENCY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS
3. ANGELINI AND RIBLE SUICIDE PREVENTION BILL CLEARS COMMITTEE
4. A CALL FOR TAX CREDIT FOR VETERANS’ PSYCHIATRIC
5. VETERANS PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM BILL CLEARS COMMITTEE
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CODEY QUESTIONS STATE ON CLOSURE OF HAGEDORN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
After hearing more than two hours of testimony, the Assembly Human Services Committee and state Sen. Richard Codey (D-27) are questioning the state Department of Mental Health Service’s recommendation to shut down a state-run psychiatric facility. The controversial bill, A2880, sponsored by Committee Chair and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, (D-37), would authorize the Legislature to avoid closing state psychiatric hospitals or developmental centers.
According to Codey who served on the Task Force of Mental Health Facilities – the bill gives the legislative body oversight over the state’s decision to shut-down any respective institution.
“We are talking about human life and human beings whose population is vulnerable and I do not think we can put a price tag on that,” said Huttle in reference to the rumors that the state is looking to shut down Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital in Hunterdon County in an effort make budget cuts.
Read more:
http://www.politickernj.com/44802/codey-questions-state-s-numbers-supporting-closure-hagedorn-psychiatric-hospital
Watch Zachery Fink’s NJN coverage (7:04):
http://www.njn.net/news/watch/thursday.html
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FORUM DISCUSSES NEW STATE AGENCY FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS
For years, individuals struggling with the dual challenges of mental health disorders and addiction have been at risk for falling through bureaucratic cracks, unable to find comprehensive treatment because of the state's separation of mental health and addiction services.
That will change this year, said Vikki Fresolone, an assistant to the deputy commissioner for the new Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, at a meeting Tuesday with individuals most affected by the merger last year of the former divisions of Mental Health Services and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services. It was the first of eight such meetings to be held around the state in the coming months. Administrators in the new division are seeking the views of individuals and providers on how to best meet the needs of people with "co-curring" mental health and addiction disorders.
Read more:
http://www.app.com/article/20110208/NJNEWS/102080342/Forum-discusses-new-state-agency-mental-health-addictions
See the schedule of upcoming forums:
http://www.naminj.org/events/upcoming/MHACFflyer.pdf
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ANGELINI AND RIBLE SUICIDE PREVENTION BILL CLEARS COMMITTEE
Legislation sponsored by Assembly Republican members Mary Pat Angelini and Dave Rible calling for the development and implementation of a statewide youth suicide program was unanimously approved today by the Assembly Human Services Committee. While New Jersey operates three crisis centers as part of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network, Angelini said the state’s efforts regarding suicide prevention are in need of improvement. She was prompted to sponsor the legislation following a cluster of suicides by Manasquan High School students that occurred between January 2008 and May 2010.
Read more:
http://www.politickernj.com/44807/angelini-and-rible-suicide-prevention-bill-clears-committee
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A CALL FOR TAX CREDIT FOR VETERANS’ PSYCHIATRIC
A hearing for discussion-only on bill A353 was brought before the Military and Veteran’s Affairs Committee this on Thursday. The legislation would allow for a tax credit to be available for unreimbursed psychiatric treatment provided to a veteran who has been honorably discharged from active military service and is a resident of the state. The total cost for the credited treatment would be capped at $10,000 and the cost of per-hour treatment could not exceed $85.
The State Senate approved its version, S-1026, in December.
Learn more:
http://www.politickernj.com/44792/call-tax-credit-veterans-psychiatric-care
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VETERANS PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM BILL CLEARS COMMITTEE
Linda Bean, mother of U.S. Army Sgt. Coleman Samuel Bean, who committed suicide in September 2006, said both she and her husband know all too well how crucial Veteran to Veteran Peer Support Programs are to soldiers. This is why she and members of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran’s Affairs and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey have partnered to see fiscal appropriations for bill S1731/A2616 before another soldier like her son goes unheard in their most desperate time of need.
The bill – the Veteran to Veteran Peer Support Program (Vet2Vet) - was released by the committee Thursday morning.
View the story:
http://www.politickernj.com/44788/veterans-peer-support-program-bill-clears-committee
