[Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog] As The Boston Globe reported last week, Governor Patrick has "unveiled an ambitious and potentially costly plan" to reform the way the state’s criminal justice system handles mentally ill people. The … [Read more...]
Understanding and Compassion: Essential Ingredients to Mental Health Reform
In the wake of the devastating Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, mental health reform is back in the national spotlight. There are risks associated with mental health reform when it comes to crime prevention. These risks … [Read more...]
Prescription Drug Addiction: A Medical Condition, Not A Moral Failure
Close to Home Prescription drug abuse and addiction is prevalent in America yet it lurks in the shadows. We don't like to talk about it because of the stigma associated with it. But if you are still reading this, you probably know … [Read more...]
60% of the inmates at MCI Framingham suffer from mental illness; one commited suicide last weekend
One woman hung herself, and died at MCI Framingham last weekend. Two more tried to hang themselves. There is only one prison in Massachusetts for all female prisoners - whether for drug use or murder. 60% of the inmates at MCI … [Read more...]
Micheal Savage tells autisitic kids “Don’t act like a moron” – Stigma lives!
For a good site on Autism, I recommend the Autism Foundation: http://www.autism-society.org/... For the neurology of autism: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disor... Here is the Center for Disease Control site on … [Read more...]
Sopranos star goes public about his mental illness, and creates a foundation to fight the stigma
Joe Pantoliano says: "Why is it I'm discriminated against when I take the anti-depressants, but not when I take the Lipitor? The culture is OK with me taking an erectile dysfunction remedy, but not with the (anti-depressants)," said … [Read more...]
Open Letter to Howie Carr
In addition, in your column, you deliberately decided not to mention that Jim Marzilli was in physical danger that sunny day in Lowell, because his disinhibition was so severe, per the police reports which are available online [so I presume … [Read more...]
No one is immune – further comment on the sad deterioration of James Marzilli
Disinhibition, such as dashing through moving traffic, and the other observations of Marzilli's behaviors in the police reports so "thoughtfully" posted by Eabo looks like real deterioration and should receive hospitalization and a full … [Read more...]
Nothing has changed; mentally ill minority teens likely to be locked up rather than treated.
I know some of these kids. Most do not know who their fathers are - but that is hardly their fault or their problem, is it? When I meet with them, whether as a guardian ad litem or as their court appointed attorney, they are grateful … [Read more...]
New help ordered for mentally ill children – in their communities & at homel
On February 22, 2007, Judge Ponsor issued a Memorandum and Order in the Rosie D. case which effectively revanps how mentally ill children are to be cared for and treated in Massachusetts. The Boston Globe reports:Thursday's ruling … [Read more...]