October 25th, 2010
Please see below a series of articles that appeared in the Columbus Dispatch on Sunday 10-24-10 with the front page article entitled, “An Illusion of Treatment.” This series of articles does an excellent job of highlighting the decline of Ohio’s mental health system, and the consequences individuals with a mental illness and no medical insurance may face.
As we are in the middle of a very contentious election in Ohio we must ensure that Ohio’s Governor, State Senators, State Representatives and candidates see this article. Please take some time on Monday or Tuesday to write a letter about these articles to Governor Strickland, Republican candidate for Governor Congressman Kasich, your State Senators and Representatives and candidates in the upcoming election. Let them know that not only do you want them to recognize the decline of Ohio’s mental health system, it is your expectation that they work to help fix it.
If you need help finding an address for any of the above please contact any OACBHA staff member here or at 614-224-1111.
To read the articles in Sunday’s (10-24-10) Columbus Dispatch, go to:
Cheri L. Walter
Chief Executive Officer
Posted in CEO Minutes |
October 24th, 2010
Confused about how the new health reform law really works?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act were passed and signed into law in March of 2010. In the months since passage there has been a great deal of confusion about what is and what isn’t included in the health reform law. Are you confused about how the new health reform law really works? The Kaiser Family Foundation created this short, animated movie — featuring the “YouToons” – to explain the problems with the current health care system, the changes that are happening now, and the big changes coming in 2014. To watch the video, visit: http://healthreform.kff.org/the-animation.aspx.
Posted in Health Care Reform |
October 18th, 2010
On October 14th the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) released a report that shows that in 2008 accidental drug ingestions lead to more than 100,000 hospital emergency department visits with the vast majority of cases involving patients aged 5 years old or younger. According to SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “Poisoning is one of the most common childhood injuries. Most of the time it happens right at home,” To see the press release and access the study Emergency Department Visits Involving Accidental Ingestion of Drugs by Children Aged 5 or Younger, go to http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1010134336.aspx . This report shows how important it is for all of us to ensure that all medications are put away and safe from young children, and why it is best to dispose of any unutilized medications.
Have a great week, and keep all of your medications safe!
Cheri L. Walter
Chief Executive Officer
Tags: accident, child, death, Pamela Hyde, poisoning, SAMHSA
Posted in CEO Minutes |
October 14th, 2010
The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has developed a series of fact sheets to provide detailed analysis about components of the Affordable Care Act and its potential impact on Ohio. Several of these fact sheets are listed below:
For more information from HPIO about the impact of federal reform on Ohio, visit their new website at http://www.healthpolicyohio.org/.
Posted in Health Care Reform |
October 14th, 2010
This week, SAMHSA announced several grants which support a host of behavioral health initiatives. Congratulations to the following recipients in Ohio:
Tags: Catholic Charities, grant, Pathways, SAMHSA
Posted in Up to the Minute |
October 14th, 2010
SAMHSA is announcing the release of Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA’s Roles and Actions 2011–2014 – a detailed plan for achieving the goals of the Agency’s eight new strategic initiatives. These initiatives are designed to enhance the Agency’s effectiveness by focusing its talents and resources on the key elements of its mission – reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness in America’s communities. The eight strategic initiative categories are as follows: Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness; Trauma and Justice; Military Families; Health Care Reform; Housing and Homelessness; Health Information Technology and Electronic Health Records; Data, Outcomes, and Quality: Demonstrating Results; and Public Awareness and Support. SAMHSA is seeking both public support and suggestions. To read the full report, click here. And then provide your feedback, here.
Tags: eight strategic initiatives, justice, military families, preventsion, SAMHSA, truama
Posted in Up to the Minute |
October 14th, 2010
Absentee voting is already underway and Election Day is November 2. Please be sure to support your local behavioral health levy at the polls. Citizens in the following counties have the opportunity to support behavioral health this election cycle: Ashland County, Carroll County, Clermont County, Columbiana County, Mahoning County CMH, Marion County, Montgomery (Health & Human Services Levy), Richland County, Tuscarawas County, and Union County. Local levies comprise approximately 30% of all behavioral health funding in Ohio.
Tags: levi, mental health, Ohio
Posted in Up to the Minute |
October 12th, 2010
Sunday October 10th was World Mental Health Day, and what do we know? We know that even in the 21st Century when it is well documented that Mental Illness is a biological based brain disease, stigma still abounds. In a poll completed by the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities only 83% of individuals polled believe that Mental illness is a disease, and only 84% believe that individuals with a mental illness that receive treatment and medications as necessary will recover. What else do we know? We know that with appropriate treatment and medications, individuals with the following disease will recover as follows:
- Bipolar Disorder 80%
- Panic Disorder 70-80%
- Major Depression, 65-80%
- Schizophrenia 60%
- Addiction 70% (with involvement in a self-help group)
So take a minute this week and spread the news: TREATMENT WORKS AND PEOPLE RECOVER!
Have a great week, and comeback next week!
Cheri L. Walter
Chief Executive Officer
Posted in CEO Minutes |
October 8th, 2010
The Kaiser Family Foundation has rolled out a new, interactive website designed to provide the most up to date information on health reform. This site provides a wealth of information from basic education to research and analysis about state implementation and public opinion. To learn more, check out the site at http://healthreform.kff.org/.
Posted in Health Care Reform |
October 4th, 2010
Friday October 1, 2010 the Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force (OPDATF) submitted their final report to Governor Strickland and other Ohio leaders. The report includes 20 recommendations (including 5 that are treatment related) for the Governor and General Assembly to address the problems caused by the abuse of prescription drugs.
The Governor stated “I created this task force to assist law enforcement, public health officials, and lawmakers in our efforts to protect Ohioans from the scourge of prescription drug abuse.” Additionally, the Governor’s press release states that he will move quickly to work with the legislature to adopt recommendations that will help combat prescription drug abuse. To view the final report, please utilize the following link:
OPDATF final Report.pdf (5,747K)
Have a great week!
Cheri L. Walter
Chief Executive Officer
Posted in CEO Minutes |
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