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Mental Health Programs
About CMHS
CMHS National Advisory Council Subcommittee
on Consumer/Survivor Issues
Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Bethesda, Maryland
May 20-21, 2001
May 20-21, 2001
Meeting Notes
Monday, May 21, 2001
At 9:05 A.M., acting chair Juli Anne Lawrence called the meeting to order.
Dates for the next Subcommittee meeting:
- Sylvia Caras pointed out that Monday, September 3, 2001 is Labor Day. This holiday might raise some problems regarding attendance.
- Jon Brock moved that the Subcommittee travel on Tuesday, September 4, 2001, and meet on Wednesday, September 5, 2001, and Thursday, September 6, 2001. The motion was seconded and approved.
Budget Update:
Anita Sweetman, Administration Liaison for CMHS, indicated that there were five phases to the budget. These phases were described in a handout she provided to Subcommittee members. She pointed out that SAMHSA's budget is annual, and October 1 through September 30 is the term of the fiscal year. Ms. Sweetman distributed another handout describing the tentative 2002 Presidential budget proposed by the Administration. It includes a $16 million reduction in funding.
Research Panel (Future Direction/Roles of Consumers/Survivors):
- Neal Brown, Larry Rickards, Crystal Blyler, and Betsy McDonel Herr joined the meeting to brief the Subcommittee on current CMHS research.
- Neal Brown described the Knowledge Development and Application (KDA) process. Mr. Brown pointed out that Programs of Regional and National Significance (PRNS) budget line are now encompassing KDA.
- Crystal Blyler reported on the Employment Intervention Demonstration Program. She stated that there are eight (8) sites working with subjects being followed up for two (2) years. Seventeen (17) interventions have been studied. She indicated that one interesting result was that substance abusers did not do worse than non-substance abusers in the programs.
- Betsy McDonel Herr reported that they are in the third year of a four (4) year program comparing the relative effectiveness of traditional mental health treatment with consumer operated services. She also reported that they are conducting studies into aging and primary care. This latter project is called PRISM, and it is concerned with ascertaining the best ways to serve the elderly who have mental health problems and/or substance abuse problems. CSAP and CSAT are co-involved in this project. Additionally, HFCA and HRSA are involved.
- Larry Rickards, reported on research being conducted related to homeless families. The fundamental question is what constellation of services is necessary to promote movement out of the homeless situation. Consumer involvement in this program is important.
Items that were addressed included adequate salaries for consumers, employer discrimination, the needs of youth and education
President Bush's New Freedom Initiative:
- Andrew J. Imparato, JD, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, indicated that his background is in Civil Rights. He discussed the history of the New Freedom Initiative. He also reported on the National Council of Disabilities (NCD).
- Mr. Imparato distributed copies of the New Freedom Initiative document to the Subcommittee. He read parts of the document to the panel and pointed out that there are four policies regarding the Initiative and that these were listed in the document. They are Increasing Access to Assistive and Universally Designed Technologies; Expanding Educational Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities; Integrating Americans with Disabilities into the Workforce, and Promoting Full Access to Community Life, with the swift implementation of the Olmstead decision. Regarding the Olmstead decision, he pointed out that there is no middle ground: one is either too disabled to work or else one is not disabled; additionally, disabilities must be visible to others.
Working Luncheon:
Sylvia Caras chaired the Subcommittee at 1:15 P.M. in order to conduct a working luncheon where process issues were discussed.
Discussion of Process Issues:
- Items Addressed included Attaining agendas earlier;
- Meeting in the same location as the National Advisory council;
- Having scent and smoke free meetings and including this on the agendas; and,
- Being clear that public participation is reserved for public comment section.
Russell Pierce announced that he is joining the CMHS as staff. He will therefore resign as NAC member, and Subcommittee member. The Subcommittee congratulated him on his new employment.
Discussion of Possible Recommendations to Be Made to CMHS-National Advisory Council:
Three recommendations were passed:
- That consumer/survivors will be included on the proposed National Mental Health Commission that is part of the New Freedom Initiative.
- That CMHS support a consumer-operated web-site to evaluate on-line mental health information.
- That CMHS conduct KDA efforts for young adults and on supported education.
Public Comment:
- Laurie Ahern, Co-director of the National Endowment Center (NEC), indicated that the NEC looks at a person as a whole person, with psychological and physical components. She stated that she was labeled "mentally ill" when young, and that under such circumstances hope is missing. She reported that her organization receives many hits on its web-site related to support. Consumers are asking her organization how to get into the mental health system, get better, and get out.
- Laurie Ahern indicated that people need trust in the system. Ms. Ahern distributed to the Subcommittee copies of an article she had co-authored with Daniel Fisher regarding Personal Assistance in Community Existence (PACE) in the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing.
- Kathy Muscari, Educational Consultant at CONTAC thanked the Subcommittee for its activities.
- Elizabeth Edgar of The National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that NAMI is developing consumer-to-consumer educational courses. They are also working on revising PACT standards.
- Lea Holtzman introduced herself to the Subcommittee as being part of a National Mental Association Health in Alexandria, Virginia.
- Ron Thompson reported on a major protest in Manhattan regarding forced ECT.
- Kathy Muscari of CONTAC stated that regarding the APHA conference, the Subcommittee needs to be physically there especially in the mental health section of the meeting.
- Brian Coopper stated that more research should be conducted into empowering individuals with the diagnosis of mental illness. He indicated that CMHS should provide more funding in this area.
Next Steps and Closing:
- Juli Anne Lawrence indicated that ECT should be a Subcommittee issue on the next agenda.
- Sylvia Caras suggested that it might be beneficial to have a media breakfast to explain the differences between public health and medical models.
- Sharon Yokote stated that some issues, such as children's issues, come up regularly in Subcommittee discussions and should be on the schedule.
- Caroline Kaufmann advocated putting the issue of aging and mental illness on the agenda. Kevin Fitts agreed, and suggested adding special populations to the agenda.
- Kevin Fitts stated that P & A system accountability should be discussed, in addition to block grants, the issue of privacy, and Medicaid and managed care.
- Sharon Yokote advocated including Olmstead on the agenda.
Meeting Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 P.M.
Back to Sunday, May 20, 2001
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