ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. CHRISTIE ANNOUNCES $2.2B IN BUDGET CUTS
2. MENTAL ILLNESS, REDEFINED
3. UNIVERSITY CONSIDERS OUTREACH TO COMBAT SUICIDE
4. EDUCATION, ALLIANCE HELP FAMILIES DEAL WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
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CHRISTIE ANNOUNCES $2.2B IN BUDGET CUTS
Gov. Chris Christie seized extraordinary powers to shrink
the state budget today, infuriating Democratic lawmakers
ahead of an even bigger fight during the next spending plan
and laying the foundation for unprecedented changes in the
way all New Jersey governing bodies operate.
In an executive order and speech to both houses of the
Legislature, Christie said he would close a $2.2 billion
budget hole, saying New Jersey is on “the edge of bankruptcy.”
He revoked funds from local school districts, hospitals,
human services and NJ Transit and declared a “state
of fiscal emergency,” forcing more than 500 school
districts to spend their surpluses in place of state aid.
Read the Star Ledger Report:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/nj_gov_christie_announces_stat_1.html
See a list of the budget cuts:
http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/budget/FY2010BudgetSolutions.pdf
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MENTAL ILLNESS, REDEFINED
Mental-health experts wrestling with how to fit temper
tantrums, hoarding and even Internet addiction into the
current understanding of mental illness are proposing changes
to the field's primary reference for diagnoses. The draft
revisions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders unveiled Wednesday could have effects that ripple
through mental-health care.
A number of conditions proposed by international experts
and consumer advocates are still being considered. One new
diagnosis: hoarding, where people have significant difficulty
discarding personal possessions can lead to significant
distress, and including it in the DSM is expected to increase
public awareness. Another diagnosis recommended for inclusion
is "temper dysregulation disorder with dysphoria"
for children with severe tantrums and irritability.
The draft revisions are open for public comment until April.
The final version, after further changes, will be published
in 2013.
Read more:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704182004575055363825943790.html
View the proposed draft:
http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx
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UNIVERSITY CONSIDERS OUTREACH TO COMBAT SUICIDE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates
that at least 1,350 college students commit suicide each
year. Student affairs professionals participated in a dialogue
Monday at Rutgers to talk about how community-based approaches
can help identify and prevent suicide. Attendees from University
Residence Life, Student Life and various Deans of Higher
Education packed the Busch Campus Center for “A Community
Approach to Suicide Prevention in Higher Education.”
“We want students to know we are here to assist them,
not scare them or get them in trouble, and that we really
care,” said Dean of Students Timothy L. Grimm.
Read more:
http://www.dailytargum.com/university/university-considers-outreach-to-combat-suicide-1.2150756
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EDUCATION, ALLIANCE HELP FAMILIES DEAL WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
More than seven years had elapsed from the time the family
first noticed his symptoms until he was accurately diagnosed.
They struggled with a stream of labels such as OCD, ADHD,
split personality and suicidal disorders. At one time, psychiatrists
had prescribed eight different medications. Still, nothing
seemed to help until the couple attended some NAMI-NJ (National
Alliance on Mental Illness) classes recommended by a friend.
Read the full story:
http://www.app.com/article/20100209/LIFE11/100209018/Education--alliance-help-families-deal-with-mental-illness
