ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1.NEW JERSEY MUST NOT TURN ITS BACK ON PATIENTS AT HAGEDORN
2. HOLT INTRODUCES MILITARY SUICIDE PREVENTION BILL
3. NEW STATE SALARY CAP HAS LITTLE IMPACT ON NON-PROFITS
4. NEW JERSEY'S MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM: IT'S WORKING
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NEW JERSEY MUST NOT TURN ITS BACK ON PATIENTS AT HAGEDORN
Imagine that you have an elderly family member who suffers from a serious and debilitating mental illness, and that they are currently — and fortunately — receiving the care and treatment that they need in a well-run state psychiatric hospital. Now imagine how you would react if the state suddenly announced that, as part of its attempts to balance its budget, that same well-run institution would be abruptly shut down and there was no viable plan in place for relocating patients like your loved one.
That is what happened when Gov. Chris Christie announced that Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital, a 310-bed facility that specializes in caring for the aged, would be closed by June 2011.
Read the Star Ledger Op Ed:
http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2010/06/new_jersey_must_not_turn_its_b.html
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HOLT INTRODUCES MILITARY SUICIDE PREVENTION BILL
Citing a critical gap in the military’s suicide prevention efforts, Rep. Rush Holt has introduced a measure named for a New Jersey soldier who took his own life after serving two tours of duty in Iraq. The proposed legislation — named for Army Sgt. Coleman Bean, targets the tens of thousands of service members who make up the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Under Holt’s bill, every member of the IRR who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan would be contacted by a trained counselor at least once every 90 days.
The counselors would be required to assess the emotional, psychological, medical and career needs of the service members and to provide guidance and help. Those service members deemed at risk of hurting themselves or others would be immediately referred to the nearest military treatment facility or to another mental health provider.
Read more:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/us_rep_rush_holt_introduces_mi.html
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NEW STATE SALARY CAP HAS LITTLE IMPACT ON NON-PROFITS
Amid Governor Christie's campaign to rein in salaries for public workers, his administration has issued regulations capping how much the state will pay toward executive salaries at social-service non-profits.
But a review of the rules by The Record shows they will have a very limited effect in North Jersey. The review of the non-profits' tax returns and interviews with organization leaders shows that, of the 74 agencies affected, only three will be required to reduce salaries.
"That's looking at the glass as half full, isn't it?" said Governor Christie's spokesman Michael Drewniak.
Read the Bergen Record report:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/95205599_Non-profit_pay_capswill_have_little_effect.html
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NEW JERSEY'S MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM: IT'S WORKING
New Jersey's Mental Health System is working. 3 compelling stories about how New Jersey's mental health services saves lives everyday.
Watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a2UWVHRaJ8
