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SENATE PRESIDENT THERESE MURRAY AND PAUL E. DREW TO BE HONORED BY MAMH
The Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, Inc. (MAMH) has named the Hon. Therese Murray, President of the Massachusetts Senate as the recipient of its Spirit of Compassion Award and John E. Drew, Founder and President of Drew Company, Inc. as the recipient of its Friend and Leader Award. In addition, a special recognition will be given to Astrid Desrosiers, M.D. John Drew, Senate President Therese Murray and Dr. Desrosiers at an evening reception on Thursday, May 6, 2010 (6:00 PM -8:30PM) at the Seaport Hotel/Plaza Ballroom in Boston. All proceeds from this event will benefit MAMH, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
- Senate President Therese Murray has consistently lent her good name, energy, visibility and credibility to efforts on behalf of those populations - the poor, the disabled, the young and the elderly – whose quality of life depend heavily on services provided or funded by our Commonwealth. She has advocated to protect and advance the rights of the disabled and to increase and improve their access to treatment, housing, health insurance, employment and education. As President of the Senate, she guided and secured passage of the Children’s Mental Health Act, which provides the blueprint for the transformation of the Commonwealth’s mental health system for children and adolescents, the Mental Health Parity in Health Insurance Act of 2008, which represented the most significant expansion of mental health parity in the Commonwealth since 2000, by eliminating artificial distinctions created in the 2000 Act, and also extending parity to substance abuse disorders. As chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means she consistently crafted budgets that treated human services fairly, and met the constitutional mandate of being balanced.
- John E. Drew is founder and President of Drew Company, Inc and previously served as President and CEO of the Seaport Companies, which includes the World Trade Center Boston and Seaport Hotel. Under his leadership, the Boston Business Journal named Seaport Companies, “The Best Place to Work in Massachusetts.” John began his career in state government at the Welfare Department and later received a Masters in Social Work from Boston University, where one of his teachers was Professor David Liederman, past Executive Director of Child Welfare League of America. Throughout his storied career, John has always recognized that successful developments require community partnerships with government neighbors. His development company, Drew Company, Inc., is internationally known for its innovative real estate projects, and John is recognized as one of our region’s top authorities on public-private partnerships and development. John’s civic and community commitments include Chairman Emeritus for Caritas Christi Health Care System in Boston and serves on Cathedral High School and Stonehill College boards.
- Astrid Desrosiers, M.D., M.P.H. is receiving a special recognition for her professionalism, resiliency and continued dedication to adult psychiatry following a tragic incident in her clinic last year. In addition to providing outstanding clinical care and serving as a faculty member in the Bipolar Clinic and Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Desrosiers conducts research in health disparities and the impact of multicultural issues on patient care. A native of Haiti, she is a graduate of the State University of Haiti, School of Medicine and Pharmacy and she completed her training in Adult Psychiatry through the Harvard Medical School Consolidated Training Program: Harvard South Shore Training Program and Cambridge Hospital. Dr. Desrosiers is an instructor at Harvard Medical School. She is a Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the Harvard University School of Public Health.
Those interested in learning more about the Friend & Leader Award, the Spirit of Compassion Award and the May 6th reception honoring Senate President Murray, John Drew and Dr. Desrosiers should contact Bernie Carey at 617-742-7452
MENTAL HEALTH LEGAL ADVISORS COMMITTEE OFFERS $6000 SUMMER FELLOWSHIP FOR LAW STUDENT
The Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee (MHLAC) is seeking applicants for its Chief Justice Edward F. Hennessey Fellowship, which provides $6,000 to a law student to work 10 weeks in the summer with MHLAC. They are seeking applicants with a commitment to public interest law and mental health in particular.
Application deadline: March 15, 2010
Decision date: April 15, 2010
For more information visit MHLAC website at www.mass.gov/mhlac
JUDI CHAMBERLIN, MENTAL HEALTH VISONARY, PATIENT ADVOCATE, AND AUTHOR DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS
Judi Chamberlin, a visionary psychiatric survivor, patient advocate and author died Saturday January 16, 2010 after a long illness. Often described as “irreverent and fearless,” Chamberlin wrote On Our Own: Patient-Controlled Alternatives to the Mental Health System, which became the cornerstone of the “Mad Pride” movement among mental health patients.
Massachusetts Mental Health Commissioner Barbara Leadhom, issued the following statement following announcement of Judi’s death:
Most of us in our lifetimes never get the chance to meet a true pioneer, a true visionary, someone whose time on earth has had and will continue to have a profound impact on the lives of others. Judi was that person.She never allowed her psychiatric illness to limit her, to control her or to define her.
More than 40 years ago, well before individuals with mental illness were given a say in their treatment, Judi's own experience in the mental health system sparked the movement that has changed everything. At a time when treatment for a psychiatric illness often meant a life sentence to an asylum or state hospital and to a life of hopelessness and isolation, Judi talked about, promoted and advocated for the concepts of recovery, consumer involvement, consumer run and directed programs, independence and dignity.
She put that basic thinking into a book called "On Our Own," which was published in 1978. In it she argued that, as she had experienced, just the ability to have some say in your own treatment was critical in
making that treatment work. And because of Judi's courage, dignity and refusal to accept that mental illness would ever limit her or anyone else, the consumer and recovery movement was born.
Because of Judi's extraordinary advocacy and conviction, recovery from mental illness has become real. We are all so fortunate to have had Judi Chamberlin touch our lives, change our course and most of all, leave us the legacy and the guidebook that will keep mental illness out of the darkness and consumers and their families in a place of hope and dignity.
Late Saturday night, she died as she wished: at home, in her favorite
chair, surrounded by friends and family. Her passing is a great loss to
the mental health community and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family, friends and the many lives she so eloquently and elegantly touched.
For more information about Judi visit:
http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2010/01/patients_rights_1.html
MAMH AND OTHER ADVOCATES URGE GOVERNOR TO END BUDGET CUTS AT DMH.
MAMH and other mental health advocacy organizations delivered a letter to Governor Patrick on Friday, January 15, 2010 urging that his House 2 budget submission not impose any further cuts at the Department of Mental Health (DMH). The letter, endorsed by 19 organizations stated in part:
“As a result of lowered budgets and multiple 9C cuts, DMH has terminated services, reduced others, and laid-off direct care and other staff. In December 2009 the State House News reported that approximately 600 mental health workers at DMH would be laid off, take a voluntary lay-off or retirement in the next few month. Those still working at DMH will be asked to do more with less for the rest of FY 2010 and throughout FY 2011. Meanwhile, clients and family members are on waiting lists for even the most basic of services, and a state hospital and a mental health center are closing.”
For the full text of the letter: FY 2011 Advocates Letter to Governor Patrick
STATE TAX REVENUES ON THE REBOUND
State tax revenues appear to be bouncing back, according to a report in the December 17, 2009 Boston Globe. The improved revenue estimates, coupled with one-time tax settlements, probably means there will be no further budget cuts during the current fiscal year.
However, while some, including David G. Tuerck, executive director of the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University, are declaring, "The recession is over," others say deep budget cuts are in store for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010. The reason is that state budget makers have to make up for federal stimulus funds and other one-time revenue that were used to bolster the budget over the past year.
THALEIA TSONGAS SCHLESINGER NAMED NEW MAMH PRESIDENT
Government and Community Relations specialist Thaleia Schlesinger was named MAMH Board President at the 96th Annual Meeting this past November. Schlesinger succeeds Thomas P. Glynn, Chief Operating Office of Partners HealthCare, served as Board President the past two years.
Schlesinger is President of Schlesinger & Associates, a public affairs consulting firm founded in 1986, specializing in strategic planning and communications; marketing; government, community and media relations and crisis management.
Ms Schlesinger has been involved in local and national politics for the past three decades. She campaigned actively for her twin brother, former Senator Paul Tsongas’s presidential, congressional and senatorial campaigns. She served as press secretary for Congressman Barney Frank’s 1980 campaign and as Chair of his 1982 reelection campaign. She has been a delegate to the 1980, 1984, 1992 and 2008 Democratic Conventions. She was chair of the Massachusetts Delegation for the 1992 Democratic National Convention.
Ms Schlesinger’s extensive community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Boston Center for the Arts, the Conservation Law Foundation, the Medical Foundation, the Mass Association of Mental Health and Northeastern University’s School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. She has also served on boards of national organizations such as People for the American Way.
NIMH LAUNCHES NEW ANTI-STIGMA CAMPAIGN
On October 21, 200 a national anti-stigma campaign was launched: BringChange2Mind. Its mission is twofold:
- to provide people with misconceptions about mental illness quick and easy access to information that combats stigma
- to provide people with mental illness, and those who know them, quick and easy access to information and support.
The information will be offered via a user-friendly website portal, directing
visitors to the critical resources they need.
Film Director Ron Howard donated his time in directing the organization’s first
PSA featuring Glenn Close and her sister, Jessie Close. John Mayer generously
donated his song, “Say” which serves as an anthem for this movement.
The campaign has the support of major mental health organizations, including
the Active Minds, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP),
International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO), the Jed Foundation, Mental Health America (MHA), National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), NARSAD, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
For more information visit http://www.bringchange2mind.org
MAMH BOARD MEMBER BARRY WHITE NAMED AMBASSADOR TO NORWAY
The United States Senate has confirmed long time MAMH board member and former President, Barry White, as Ambassador to Norway. Mr. White, is an attorney and former managing partner at Foley Hoag in Boston. Mr. White presented his credentials to the King of Norway on November 5, 2009 and assumed his duties on that date.