Last Friday morning a small group of NAMI-Montana members had an opportunity to participate in the NAMI Adult Issues Conference Call with NAMI's Medical Director, Dr. Ken Duckworth. The guest was Dr. Peter Buckley, Dean of Georgia Health Sciences University and one of this country's leading researchers on schizophrenia
Dr. Buckley shared the most important aspect of treating schizophrenia, and where the current emphasis is placed, is on the early detection and treatment of the illness. On average it takes one year after the onset of the illness to initiate treatment. We know that schizophrenia is not preventable. But, with early detected and intervention, cognitive deficits can be prevented and long term disability can be minimized. The goal is secondary prevention to prevent relapse and promote recovery.
Many think that schizophrenia is the most debilitating of the serious mental illnesses. Our treatment dollars are spent on crisis management and hospitalization. If we could save treatment dollars for recovery services instead of crisis services it would be a better world.
I asked Dr. Buckley what he thought would be the best policies to prevent relapse, rehospitalization and reincarceration. Without hesitating he said, "PSYCHIATRIC ADVANCED DIRECTIVES and ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT (AOT). The wonderful thing is that these two policies have already been legislated in Montana.
PSYCHIATRIC ADVANCED DIRECTIVES: Legislation just passed the 2011 Montana Legislature which would promote Psychiatric Advanced Directives. This legislation was developed by those people who live with serious mental illnesses to be a part of their treatment for their illnesses. Nobody knows better what medications and therapies work best for the treatment of their individual mental illnesses than the people receiving treatment. For too long their input and wishes have been ignored. Now, the real test will come. Can Psychiatric Advanced Directive be implemented in such a way that they are useful, helpful and meet the needs of those individuals who so desparately wish to participate effectively in their treatment?
ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT: Assisted Outpatient Treatment, or Community Commitment has been a part of Montana law since at least 1999. The problem is that mental health professionals and county attorneys rarely use it. For fear of laws suites from civil rights lawyers this effective treatment is underused. Studies in New York and North Carolina, which have AOT, have shown that it reduces relapse and recidivism at state hospitals, jails and prisons. This is the treatment families desperately need when their loved one suffer from anosognosia, are not compliant with their treatment and become "frequent flyers" in the revolving doors on the mental illness treatment system.
So, if one of our country's leading researchers feel that PSYCHIATRIC ADVANCED DIRECTIVES and ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT of the most effective programs to reduce relapse,recidivism and disability, why can't they be implemented in Montana to improve our mental illness treatment system?
Individuals living with serious mental illnesses want effective Psychiatric Advanced Directives.
Families of individuals who deny their illnesses need Assisted Outpatient Treatment for non-compliant family members.
Who is going to be our champion!
Dr. Gary Mihelish, President
NAMI-Helena
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Finding a reputable insurance agency can be a hard thing. People should always do there research and even try to compare different quotes and benefits if possible. Also choosing the right type of insurance whether it is Life Insurance or Long Term Disability.
ReplyDelete