ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. SENATE PANEL APPROVES CODEY BILL TO CLOSE GAP IN MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES
2. COMMISSIONER NAMES DEPUTY
3. AWARENESS, TRAINING, KEY TO PREVENTING SUICIDES BY LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
4. FOCUS ON SOUTH ASIAN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
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1. SENATE PANEL APPROVES CODEY BILL TO CLOSE GAP IN MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES
A bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey
(D-Essex) that would create an Involuntary Outpatient Commitment
(IOC) program in the State of New Jersey was approved by
the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today. Bill
S735 would amend the state's civil commitment law to allow
involuntary commitment to treatment in an outpatient setting
as an alternative to current law which allows for involuntary
inpatient commitment for people who are established to be
dangerous in the reasonably foreseeable future to themselves,
others, or property.
Read the full report:
http://www.politickernj.com/sciortino/27744/senate-panel-approves-codey-bill-close-gap-mental-health-services
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COMMISSIONER NAMES DEPUTY
DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez today announced Kevin Martone
as Deputy Commissioner responsible for the Divisions of
Mental Health Services (DMHS), Addiction Services, Deaf
and Hard of Hearing and the Commission for the Blind and
Visually Impaired. Prior to this appointment, Martone was
Assistant Commissioner of the DMHS since 2005. During his
tenure, he has been instrumental in transforming the Division
by improving and expanding programs that help people throughout
the state recover from mental illness.
Deputy Division Director Jon Poag will assume the role
of Acting-Assistant Commissioner of DMHS.
Read the Press Release:
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/Press-2009/deputy_martone.htm
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AWARENESS, TRAINING, KEY TO PREVENTING SUICIDES BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICERS
A task force created by Governor Jon S. Corzine to address
concerns over the number of suicides by law enforcement
officers today recommended improving awareness by officers
and supervisors, providing broader access to counseling
services, and combating the reluctance of officers to seek
help. There were 55 reported suicides of New Jersey law
enforcement officers from 2003 to 2007, which includes police,
corrections, and retired and disabled officers. The number
of law enforcement suicides exceeds the number of officers
killed in the line of duty in the state.
Read more:
http://www.politickernj.com/governors-press-office/27740/awareness-training-key-preventing-suicides-law-enforcement-officers
The full report is available online at www.nj.gov/oag/library/njpstf-report.html.
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FOCUS ON SOUTH ASIAN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
South Asians affected by mental illness now have a broader
support system in central New Jersey. South Asian Mental
Health Awareness in Jersey (SAMHAJ) is a program of the
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of New Jersey.
It guides immigrants on how to access mental health services
and provide an inclusive, culturally sensitive environment
for families to get the community support they so desperately
need.
In support of its mission, SAMHAJ is organizing "DISHA
- A Journey of Hope," a concert by the Hidden
Gems and a performance by classically trained dancers from
4-7 p.m. March 22 at North Brunswick High School.
Learn more:
http://newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2009/0218/front_page/023.html
