2010 Lilly Reintegration Scholarship

The application process for the 2010-2011 school year is now closed.  Please visit this site in October 2010 for the 2011-2012 school year application.

The Lilly Reintegration Scholarship was established 13 years ago to help people with severe mental illness offset their tuition, books and lab fees. The program is designed to help persons with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and related schizophrenia-spectrum disorders acquire the educational and vocational skills needed to reintegrate into society.   

Click here for more information about the Lilly Reintegration Scholarship. 

 2009 Lilly Reintegration Awards

The application process for the 2009 Lilly Reintegration Awards is now closed. 

Applications for the 2010 Lilly Reintegration Awards will be available May 2010. Please bookmark this page and visit again in May.

The awards honor mental health professionals and individuals with severe mental illness for their outstanding contributions and achievements in the mental-health community, specifically treatment teams, programs and services offering care and support to people with severe mental illness; as well as individuals with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia who are a source of hope and inspiration to their peers.  

This year marks the 13-year anniversary of the awards program.  In the past thirteen years, over 160 individuals and programs have been honored.

Click here for information about the 2009 Lilly Reintegration Award Recipients.

New Decade, New Opportunity?

 2010 has begun, we have completed a decade in this new century. Little progress has been made on the hype of a new millennium/century for better services and opportunities for person with serious and persistent mental illness. There has been some innovation, but a fundamental issue that remains is the disconnect between top medical centers around the country and quality psychiatric rehabilitation programs. There are numerous quality inpatient facilities that deal with the acute symptoms of serious and persistent mental illness, but what is missing are the wrap around services for long term quality outcomes of schizophrenia and related disorders. Outcomes such as employment, higher education, independent quality homes… We continue to struggle with such basic concepts as the belief recovery from schizophrenia is possible. Many prominent academic sites in the nation along with many thought leaders have not embraced the notion that reintegration can be an outcome for all patients with schizophrenia. As the Health Care debate rambles on little attention has been given to mental health, even less has been given to identifying better outcomes for the millions suffering with serious and persistent mental illness. Mental health programs must be reimbursed based on quality outcomes! We continue to stress the notion that Reintegration, remains the ultimate goal!

An Unusual Farm

High Point Farm is a beautiful working farm at the northern most tip of New Jersey. It is set in five hundred acres of forest and lakes and abuts the State Park of the same name. The farm is home to a growing herd of alpacas and a flock of productive chickens as well as vegetable fields and fruit orchards.  What may come as a surprise is that the farm is also the setting for an innovative professional self help program for people suffering from mental ill-health, being part of New York City’s ‘Fountain House’. 

 Read more >>

PSYCKES: New York State Policy?

Published with permission from the Morning Side Westside Bulletin

Click here>>

The Rehablitation Alliance:

How Do You Take Your Coffee?

Tom Malamud, George Santos, Ralph Aquila 

 The interaction between doctors and their patients has historically been seen as a key to success in the treatment of illness and an important factor   in social-vocational rehabilitation.  The “therapeutic” alliance, however, often has been insufficient in meeting the needs of persons with serious and persistent mental illness - medication non‑compliance being a major culprit, as documented in the recently published CATIE study. 

While the severity of the disorder or lack of response to an adequate therapeutic regimen also poses a serious challenge, the therapeutic alliance is often adversely affected by the personal experiences of consumers and mental health providers.  Brief impersonal encounters, limited diagnostic information, focus on psychopathology and symptom management, narrow‑vision of possibilities, lack of community support and opportunity, fragmentation of services: all these factors can combine to avoid focusing on life goals, strengths, hopes, persistence, creativity, courage, and compassion that are the essential ingredients for building alliances leading to recovery.

The “rehabilitation” alliance refers to the network of relationships that needs to develop over time to support people with disabilities in their pursuit of recovery. It includes the consumer, the clinician, and at least one significant other. While a variety of combinations are possible, at Fountain House in New York City, the alliance typically consists of a clubhouse “member”, a psychiatrist, and a staff or another member.  Currently, at Fountain House there are 50 such alliances.  Fundamental to them all is the mutual respect, trust and seriousness of purpose that develops as the triads engage each other: stabilizing, restoring, and enhancing the ability of members to function consistently, to regain control of their lives, and to become valued and contributing parts of the community.  

While the rehabilitation alliance focuses on health, strengths and life goals; it acknowledges problems and clinical needs.  It supports hope, without denying pain or sorrow.  It is persistent, recognizing the non‑linear nature of the recovery process.  It is creative, identifying opportunities for people to reach their goals.  It is courageous, encouraging risk‑taking.  It is compassionate, practical and humane.  As the work unfolds, the alliance is challenged and strengthened.  In a remarkable way, it invites all participants to co‑evolve. 

Implications for Practice

The rehabilitation alliance differs from other models with respect to the role that each participant assumes.  The member evolves from being a passive service recipient of services to an active participant in the treatment process, a co‑team leader.  The life goals of the individual become primary to the rehabilitation process, and the objective of treating symptoms as an end unto itself disappears.  It should come as no surprise, that one of the observed results of these alliances has been the near perfect medication compliance (almost always involving atypical anti-psychotic drugs) and marked reduction in co-morbid physical side effects.

The role for each practitioner also broadens from one of service provider to collaborator in the joint treatment‑rehabilitation plan.  This broadening is only possible when the myth that those with serious and persistent mental illness cannot work is dispelled. Clearly, persons with serious and persistent mental illness can choose, get and keep a job, increase their education, have a circle of friends, pursue a career, have their own living space (given support, opportunity and time).  Special mention is made of the importance of the increasing familiarity gained over time.  Many of the alliances at Fountain House have existed for more than two years.

While the purpose of the rehabilitation alliance is to support the recovery of members, clearly the interaction also benefits the other participants. Doctors grow when they perceive the intelligence and personality of their patients emerge as the illness comes under control. Additionally, the alliance with the clubhouse gives psychiatrists opportunities to humanize their professional roles.

What is less easy to see, but is equally profound, are the benefits accruing to the third person, i.e. the clubhouse staff/other member. For that person not only are the relationships to the other two participants deepened and strengthened, but in addition the role of being an influence in that process is, itself, enhancing to the personal and professional development of that person. 

Lastly, in establishing the alliance as an evidence-based best practice, we are evaluating the effects alliances have on outcomes, and thus, are carefully documenting: length and type of employment, educational improvement, physical health, medication compliance, relapse rates and duration for future analysis and information-sharing as both numbers and time accumulate.

Jury Duty for Persons with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness  

A search of the literature for jury duty and mental illness shows the how’s and why's of getting out of jury duty.

However, there is no data that points out the frequency and adherence of persons with serious and persistent mental illness serving as jurors. In most mental health settings, both public and private, it is almost a knee jerk response to excuse persons with illnesses, such as schizophrenia, from taking on their responsibilities as citizens.

We believe, as part of Reintegration, persons in recovery from illness’s such as Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder disorder should participate in jury duty.

If anyone has any information on jury duty participation from persons with serious and persistent mental illness please let us know. 

My Child Has Schizophrenia 

What Should I Do?

People with schizophrenia typically exhibit their first symptoms during adolescence or young adulthood, and thus are likely to be living with their parents. When parents first learn their child has schizophrenia, they usually experience a range of strong emotions - shock, confusion, dismay, sadness, and even anger. Parents often search frantically for answers that may not exist. They may even deny their child's illness or blame themselves or their circumstances for the illness. Read more>>

Journey into the Brain with Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D., was a 37-year-old Harvard-trained and published brain scientist when a blood vessel exploded in her brain. Through the eyes of a curious neuroanatomist, she watched her mind completely deteriorate - she could not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. Because of her understanding of how the brain works, her respect for the cells composing her human form, and an amazing mother, Jill completely recovered her mind and body. In My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey, Jill shares with us her recommendations for recovery and the insight she gained from having this ironic and unusual voyage into, and back out of, the silent abyss of a wounded mind.

You may purchase Jill’s book through her publisher at http://www.lulu.com/content/458594.

Helping the Mentally Ill and Homeless in Harlem Find a Home

Weston United Community Renewal, is a not-for-profit organization that has been meeting the needs of the mentally ill and homeless in Harlem since it began its work two decades ago. Its award-winning programs, in particular its housing programs, have been gaining widespread recognition ever since. Read more>>

Thresholds Program Helps Break the Cycle of Incarceration and Hospitalization

Before coming to Chicago’s Thresholds Jail & Prison Program four years ago, William Riley, 53, says he had “given up on life.”  Managing schizophrenia for most of his adulthood, Riley lived on the city streets and spent nearly every winter in jail; mostly to get out of the cold, but also to get mental health services. Since becoming part of Thresholds, Riley has not been behind bars at all and has not been in a psychiatric hospital in more than a year.  He is stable, has his own apartment, and for the first time, Riley sees a future for himself. Read More>>

Portals Celebrates 50 Years

PORTALS, one of the nation’s leading mental health rehabilitation agencies, celebrated its 50^th anniversary on May 18, 2006.  Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa served as Honorary Chair for the gala celebration, and literary and entertainment icon Sidney Sheldon served as Event Chair.  The event honored five recipients of the Golden Bell Awards. Read more>>

People Say I’m Crazy is the first documentary on schizophrenia that was crafted by someone who lives with the illness.  John Cadigan produced the film to gain a better understanding of how his schizoaffective disorder—a combination of schizophrenia and depression—impacts himself and his family. Read More>>

Hearing Voices (Speaking in Tongues) by Michael Mack

Few works of art are as forceful a commentary on severe mental illnesses and how they affect individuals and their families than Michael Mack’s one-man play, “Hearing Voices (Speaking in Tongues).” The play’s subject: growing up with a mother who has schizophrenia.  Read the review>>

Kristy Worthen:  A Beacon of Light

She was the sweet, quiet girl who recoiled when asked to speak in front of class – but somehow her artwork spoke volumes.  We all knew someone like her back in elementary school – but today, Kristy Worthen is definitely one-of-a-kind.

Now, Kristy regularly speaks to large groups.  She shares with them her life experiences - because this shy little girl grew into a troubled young teen, complete with mood swings and depression; then things got worse, the delusions began.  While neither Kristy nor her family knew it, she was battling bipolar disorder. Read more>>

I Don’t Need To Take Medicine

The symptoms of diseases such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorders are both scary and devastating. The good news is, all of these symptoms can be greatly reduced or eliminated by the recently developed, so-called atypical antipsychotic drugs that have fewer of the problematic side effects. But the bad news is half of all consumers with these serious mental diseases stop taking their drugs, leading to a greater risk of relapse.

So why don’t many consumers take their medications? Many reasons are given by consumers including cost and side effects. But one commonly recurring theme is that many consumers simply don’t believe they are ill. Why would anyone take a medication they don’t need?

Read more>>