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. You can e-mail us at reintegration @reintegration .com.

2008 Lilly Reintegration Awards

The application process for the 2008 Lilly Reintegration Awards is now closed. Applicants will be notified of status by mail.

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 12-year anniversary of the awards program.  In the past dozen years, over 150 individuals and programs have been honored.

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.

You’ve Got to Believe!

Is reintegration really possible? Can families, caregivers and mental health consumers have hope for better lives? Watch video clips featuring Ralph Aquila, MD, Executive Director for the Center for Reintegration, as he discusses how, working together, we can make reintegration a reality. Click here>>

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>>

Outrage!     

Once again in a nation where we have the finest medical facilities and the best-trained physicians in the world, we have figured out how to deny healthcare to our most needy citizens. The Medicare Part D plan that was supposed to bring state-of-the-art pharmaceuticals to people who couldn't afford them, has instead denied medicines to persons who were already getting them regularly through Medicaid. In a cost-shifting move, those persons who are dual eligible, Medicaid and Medicare were switched from Medicaid prescription coverage to Medicare Part D coverage, which basically means going into a managed care plan. Some of these plans have out right denied medications or have presented a co-pay of as much as $500.00 dollars. People are leaving their pharmacies without their desperately needed medication. In the case of persons with serious and persistent mental illness, that could result in a relapse and return to inpatient care costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Criminal, outrageous and plain mean are a few words that come to mind for the designers and implementers of this plan. 

There are many options to the plan, but it is extremely confusing and restrictive.  For those persons finding themselves in this situation, contact your treatment team and get them involved in trying to resolve this.  You can also contact Medicare directly at 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) or get information and forms online at www.medicare.gov.

We will add additional information regarding Medicare Part D to our website so check back with us soon.  Feel free to send us an e-mail with questions regarding this or just to tell us your story.

Setting the Record Straight: Responses to the Tom Cruise “Today Show” Interview  

It should have been a typical interview to promote Tom Cruise’s new movie, War of the Worlds. Instead, Cruise’s comments on the “Today Show” during an interview with host Matt Lauer on June 24^th became known as a ‘rant’ against psychiatric medication. Although Cruise is not an expert on psychiatry, his popularity as an actor gave his remarks widespread public attention, and, consequently, more than usual potential for widespread misinformation.  Read more>>

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>>

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>>

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>>