A Whirlwind Week…Who’s listening?
 

Welcome to another edition of An Advocate’s Perspective, a series of perspective papers and letters on behalf of the Mental Health Association in NC.  These papers are designed to be a starting point for conversations among policy makers, advocates, and consumers and their families.

Wow…what a week!  To say that it has been a whirlwind within the mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse community would be a dramatic understatement.  We have seen a startling array of stories and editorials from media outlets across the state, most notably, the week-long series by the Raleigh News & Observer.  We have also seen the sudden retirement of the Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.  Subsequently, we have seen the naming of his replacements, the first pair of Division Directors in our state’s history.

Through all of this, there are some additional facts that have not been widely reported.  Hundreds of thousands of individuals and their families do continue to get mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services – something you may not have been able to tell from this week’s reports.  It is true that much is not where it needs to be in our service delivery system, however, much is on target as well.  Lives are being changed and lives are being saved each day by incredibly talented men and women across our state.  These men and women are often consumers themselves.  They are family members as well as people who have dedicated their professional lives to the service of others rather than the pursuit of personal riches.

As our already fragile system is highlighted in the newspaper, we have seen some off-point commentary.  One columnist who has covered mental health/mental illness issues for some time, made an extremely troubling comment, indicating that individuals with mental illness could not get better.  Few statements are as untrue and stigmatizing as this one.  People with mental illness can and do get better.  We have made amazing strides in our research, care, and treatment of individuals with mental illness.  Recovery from a mental illness is more than just a possibility, it is a reality, but quality services and supports are needed to make it happen.  To portray it any other way does a miserable disservice to those that strive to overcome mental illness in their own lives and the lives of their family members. 

Additionally this week, the mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse advocacy community experienced a significant first in the political arena.  On Monday, February 25, ten of the twelve major candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor met with mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse consumers, families, providers, and advocates throughout the day at Raleigh’s RBC Center. Despite the scoffs of some media outlets, including the Raleigh News & Observer (who was not in attendance), those that were in attendance saw it as a dramatic turning point in the history of advocacy.  Candidates shared their perspectives, experiences and hopes regarding mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services, especially the hope they see in new leadership for the Department and Division.  Many even shared personal stories of loved ones experiencing these illnesses, conditions, and disabilities.  Some of the candidates also outlined their own positions and plans for this area. 

These candidates have already taken considerably more time than our current Governor has ever taken to meet with the mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse communities, even in the midst of Reform.  Despite the scorn of some of the press, many feel this marks a new beginning of leadership for our state that could begin a dialogue we have never seen before.

So, where do we go from here?  If all we take from this week is a whirlwind of media coverage, then we have done a grave disservice to those in our state that experience these conditions, illnesses and disabilities.  Although it took six years to gain this attention (and despite developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and child mental health being largely overlooked), we must ask: “Who is listening?”  We need a renewed sense of direction and clarity for our state, Local Management Entities, and service providers so that in the end we have the best possible services and programming for our citizens.  We must take the candidates’ statements, stories and realities to heart and have them make a meaningful difference in policy as we move forward.  After all, if a significant change is not what we accomplish, then this week’s whirlwind has been nothing more than just that.

John Tote

Executive Director, MHA/NC

Post Script…

After the writing of ‘A Whirlwind Week,’ Governor Mike Easley held a press conference of the topic of mental health reform – a first for the Governor.  While it must be noted that this was a topic of seeming priority for the Governor after the recent series of news reports, the event did leave much to be desired. 

While the Governor did have proposals for the system, what will be remembered was the finger-pointing blame game that ensued.  Most notably, the Governor blamed the Legislature and the LME’s, while stating that his Administration ‘vigorously opposed’ reform as it was proposed.  While many believe this is revisionist history, the fact is that there is plenty of blame to go around with reform – from its inception to now.  The Legislature and LME’s can share part of it, but so can the Governor and his Administration.  Those in the advocacy and provider communities can share some of the blame as well – as I said, there is much to go around.  However, at this moment in time, finger-pointing won’t get our system on track, and it definitely won’t help a consumer get the services he or she needs. 

So…we find ourselves back here again, asking: “Who is listening?” and “Where do we go from here?”  Well, we must go forward.  We must look ahead and stop pouting over the past and attempting to re-write history.  We must establish a plan and clear a path for our system.  There must be clear lines of authority, as well as clear lines of boundaries.  We need a system that does not force people to look over their shoulder or to look ahead for their next job.  We need to give the system time to stabilize, and we must set specific attainable priorities and meet those benchmarks in order to create a solid foundation on which to build. 

Yes, much was disappointing about the Governor’s press conference – the finger-pointing and the lack of taking responsibility, but it is time to look ahead and move forward.  It is time for everyone to listen.  It is time to act and it is time to make a difference.  We can, we must, and we will!