Gov. Beshear has appointed the following members to the Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy Board to serve for terms expiring Sept. 20, 2012.
Jennifer Hollifield, of Louisville, is a program manger for the American Lung Association of Kentucky. She represents the Kentucky Lung Association. The appointment replaces Michael P. Kuntz, whose term has expired.
Dudley J. Conner, of Frankfort, is the executive director of the Ky. Public Health Association. He represents the Kentucky Health Department Association. The appointment replaces Teresa L. Blankenship, whose term has expired.
Jamie Ennis Bloyd, of Lexington, is the advocacy manager of Kentucky for the American Heart Association. She represents the Kentucky Heart Association. The appointment replaces Tonya Chang, whose term has expired.
Betty Marshall, of Boston, Ky., is the family resource center coordinator for the Bullitt County School District. She represents the Kentucky Family Resource Youth Services Coalition. The appointment replaces Darlys Warren, whose term has expired.
Martha L. Cowles, of Mt. Vernon, is the program manager for the Christian Appalachian Project – Healing Rain Women’s Substance Abuse Recovery Center. She represents local tobacco addiction and substance abuse advisory and coordination boards. The appointment replaces William M. Mills, whose term has expired.
The governor has reappointed the following members to the board to serve for terms expiring Sept. 20, 2012.
Kenneth B. Bolin, of Manchester, is the pastor of Manchester Baptist Church. He represents local tobacco addiction and substance abuse advisory and coordination boards.
David M. Ptaszek, of Hopkinsville, is a health care administrator for the Pennyroyal Regional Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board, Inc. He represents the Kentucky Association of Regional Programs.
Donna J. Hillman, of Pleasureville, is the director of the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. She represents the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Margaret A. Pennington, of Louisville, is the program evaluator for R.E.A.C.H. of Louisville. She represents private community based organizations.
Pearl Ray Lefevers, of Corbin, is the administrator of Cumberland River Comp. Care. He represents private community-based organizations.
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Anger and Depression: Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help?
The possible beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids on brain development and mental health continues to be an exciting area of research. Certain fatty acids (linoleic acid and alpha-linoleic acid) are essential in our diets. Like vitamins, we need them but can't make them ourselves. We get them from our food or from dietary supplements. Good sources for these beneficial fatty acids are certain fish and plant oils.
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Monday, October 20, 2008
Gov. Beshear appoints commissioners and board members
Gov. Beshear has appointed the following members to the Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs.
Sherry Mays, of Morehead, is retired and is a part-time website designer and graphic artist. The appointment replaces Sherri L. Mosley, who has resigned. Mays shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term ending Dec. 20, 2008.
Kimberly S. May-Downey, of Pikeville, is an attorney in private practice. The appointment replaces Larry G. Gayden, who has resigned. May-Downey shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term ending Dec. 20, 2011.
Gov. Beshear has appointed the following members to the Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Research Board.
George H. Raque Jr., of Louisville, is a physician for Neurosurgical Institute of Kentucky. He represents the University of Louisville College of Medicine. The appointment replaces Henry D. Garretson, who is deceased. Raque shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 31, 2010.
Linda H. Gleis, of Louisville, is a physician for Louisville Veterans Administration Medical Center. She represents the Kentucky Medical Association. The appointment replaces Harold C. Cannon, whose term has expired. Gleis shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 31, 2010.
Allison Jones, of Covington, is a medical writer at Medpace, Inc. She represents members at large. The appointment replaces Deneda B. Grider, whose term has expired. Jones shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 31, 2012.
The governor has reappointed the following members to the board to serve for terms expiring Jan. 31, 2011.
David H. Allgood, of Louisville, is a community advocate with the Center for Accessible Living.
William R. Markesbery, of Lexington, is a physician at the University of Kentucky. He represents the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.
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Sherry Mays, of Morehead, is retired and is a part-time website designer and graphic artist. The appointment replaces Sherri L. Mosley, who has resigned. Mays shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term ending Dec. 20, 2008.
Kimberly S. May-Downey, of Pikeville, is an attorney in private practice. The appointment replaces Larry G. Gayden, who has resigned. May-Downey shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term ending Dec. 20, 2011.
Gov. Beshear has appointed the following members to the Kentucky Spinal Cord and Head Injury Research Board.
George H. Raque Jr., of Louisville, is a physician for Neurosurgical Institute of Kentucky. He represents the University of Louisville College of Medicine. The appointment replaces Henry D. Garretson, who is deceased. Raque shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 31, 2010.
Linda H. Gleis, of Louisville, is a physician for Louisville Veterans Administration Medical Center. She represents the Kentucky Medical Association. The appointment replaces Harold C. Cannon, whose term has expired. Gleis shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 31, 2010.
Allison Jones, of Covington, is a medical writer at Medpace, Inc. She represents members at large. The appointment replaces Deneda B. Grider, whose term has expired. Jones shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 31, 2012.
The governor has reappointed the following members to the board to serve for terms expiring Jan. 31, 2011.
David H. Allgood, of Louisville, is a community advocate with the Center for Accessible Living.
William R. Markesbery, of Lexington, is a physician at the University of Kentucky. He represents the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.
MORE
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Elyn Saks to visit Louisville this month
NAMI Louisville and the Brandeis School of Law present USC Law Professor Elyn Saks
DATE: October 26, 2008
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Strickler Hall, University of Louisville, Belknap Campus
MORE: Professor Elyn Saks will deliver her powerful presentation on being an academic and legal professional dealing with severe schizophrenia.
Saks is the bestselling author of The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness. Copies of Professor Saks' book will be available for autograps at the event.
This event is free and open the public, but reservations are encouraged. To reserve seats, call (502) 245-5287, or send an e-mail with your name and phone number to events@namilouisville.org.
DATE: October 26, 2008
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Strickler Hall, University of Louisville, Belknap Campus
MORE: Professor Elyn Saks will deliver her powerful presentation on being an academic and legal professional dealing with severe schizophrenia.
Saks is the bestselling author of The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness. Copies of Professor Saks' book will be available for autograps at the event.
This event is free and open the public, but reservations are encouraged. To reserve seats, call (502) 245-5287, or send an e-mail with your name and phone number to events@namilouisville.org.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Judge, Two Law Profs Decide Mental Illness Should not Be a Secret
From the ABA Journal:
Two law professors and a judge whose lives have been touched by mental illness are joining to fight the stigma surrounding psychiatric diagnoses.
One of the law professors, Elyn Saks of the University of Southern California, has written a book about her struggle with schizophrenia, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. The other, James Jones of the University of Louisville, suffers from bipolar disorder and has written articles about it in two publications.
The judge, Susan Gibson, contacted Jones after reading his articles. She told the Courier-Journal her husband, a prosecutor, committed suicide because he feared seeking treatment for depression would ruin him professionally. Both law professors also feared that revealing their mental health problems would hurt their careers.
Two law professors and a judge whose lives have been touched by mental illness are joining to fight the stigma surrounding psychiatric diagnoses.
One of the law professors, Elyn Saks of the University of Southern California, has written a book about her struggle with schizophrenia, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports. The other, James Jones of the University of Louisville, suffers from bipolar disorder and has written articles about it in two publications.
The judge, Susan Gibson, contacted Jones after reading his articles. She told the Courier-Journal her husband, a prosecutor, committed suicide because he feared seeking treatment for depression would ruin him professionally. Both law professors also feared that revealing their mental health problems would hurt their careers.
Parity
From the Washington Post:
An estimated 113 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands in the Washington region, will receive better insurance coverage for their mental health and substance abuse problems because of landmark legislation that for the first time requires mental and physical illnesses to be treated equally.
The law is a culmination of a decade of lobbying and negotiating among advocates for the mentally ill, the insurance industry, the business community -- including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce -- and doctors' groups. The change, which was included in the economic rescue package signed by President Bush last week, will take effect Jan. 1, 2010, for most plans. Businesses with 50 or fewer employees would be exempt.
For decades, insurance companies could offer less coverage for the treatment of depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder than of such diseases as cancer and diabetes -- so people with mental illness or substance abuse problems often had to pay for expensive treatment and medication out-of-pocket.
The new law bars companies from setting higher co-pays or deductibles for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Plans also will be prohibited from lowering benefit levels or restricting the number of outpatient therapy sessions or hospital treatment days. And if a health plan allows out-of-network visits for the treatment of physical illnesses, it will also have to offer identical out-of-network coverage for mental health care.
Advocates and experts said the change represents a fundamental shift in how the mentally ill are treated and could bring medical parity to tens of millions of people.
"This is absolutely milestone legislation for those people who have mental health and substance abuse problems," said Doug Walter, counsel for legislative and regulatory affairs at the American Psychological Association. "It ends the discrimination against people who have long needed the help."
An estimated 113 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands in the Washington region, will receive better insurance coverage for their mental health and substance abuse problems because of landmark legislation that for the first time requires mental and physical illnesses to be treated equally.
The law is a culmination of a decade of lobbying and negotiating among advocates for the mentally ill, the insurance industry, the business community -- including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce -- and doctors' groups. The change, which was included in the economic rescue package signed by President Bush last week, will take effect Jan. 1, 2010, for most plans. Businesses with 50 or fewer employees would be exempt.
For decades, insurance companies could offer less coverage for the treatment of depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder than of such diseases as cancer and diabetes -- so people with mental illness or substance abuse problems often had to pay for expensive treatment and medication out-of-pocket.
The new law bars companies from setting higher co-pays or deductibles for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Plans also will be prohibited from lowering benefit levels or restricting the number of outpatient therapy sessions or hospital treatment days. And if a health plan allows out-of-network visits for the treatment of physical illnesses, it will also have to offer identical out-of-network coverage for mental health care.
Advocates and experts said the change represents a fundamental shift in how the mentally ill are treated and could bring medical parity to tens of millions of people.
"This is absolutely milestone legislation for those people who have mental health and substance abuse problems," said Doug Walter, counsel for legislative and regulatory affairs at the American Psychological Association. "It ends the discrimination against people who have long needed the help."
“Visioning Forums” around the state
The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) has scheduled “Visioning Forums” to give individuals with disabilities, advocates, and other interested individuals an opportunity to provide feedback on the services OVR provides to Kentuckians with disabilities. Input from the visioning forums will be used to help develop the state plan that the agency is required to submit to the Rehabilitation Services Administration.
The visioning forums schedule follows. (All times local)
Louisville: 4 - 6 p.m., Oct. 21; Center for Accessible Living, Board Room, 305 W. Broadway, Suite 200
Lexington: 5 - 7 p.m., Nov. 5; OWL, 650 Kennedy Road
Florence: 4 - 6 p.m., Nov. 17; One-Stop Career Alliance of N. KY, Board Room, 8020 Veterans Memorial Drive
Kentuckians who are unable to attend a forum may send comments in any format (written, taped, phone call, etc.) to David Beach at 209 St Clair Street, Frankfort, KY 40601 or (800) 372-7172 by November 30, 2008. Comments may also be submitted through the Internet at http://www.ovr.ky.gov. If reasonable accommodations are needed for your participation at the forum, please call Veeta Bain at (800) 372-7172 (Voice/TTY) at least one week prior to the forum you wish to attend.
The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, an agency of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, assists Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve gainful employment and independence. For more information about services, call the office toll free at (800) 372-7172 or at (888) 420-9874 (TDD) or visit the OVR Web site at www.ovr.ky.gov.
The Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet coordinates learning programs from P-16 and manages and supports training and employment functions in the Department for Workforce Investment. For more information about our programs, visit www.educationcabinet.ky.gov or www.workforce.ky.gov.
The visioning forums schedule follows. (All times local)
Louisville: 4 - 6 p.m., Oct. 21; Center for Accessible Living, Board Room, 305 W. Broadway, Suite 200
Lexington: 5 - 7 p.m., Nov. 5; OWL, 650 Kennedy Road
Florence: 4 - 6 p.m., Nov. 17; One-Stop Career Alliance of N. KY, Board Room, 8020 Veterans Memorial Drive
Kentuckians who are unable to attend a forum may send comments in any format (written, taped, phone call, etc.) to David Beach at 209 St Clair Street, Frankfort, KY 40601 or (800) 372-7172 by November 30, 2008. Comments may also be submitted through the Internet at http://www.ovr.ky.gov. If reasonable accommodations are needed for your participation at the forum, please call Veeta Bain at (800) 372-7172 (Voice/TTY) at least one week prior to the forum you wish to attend.
The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, an agency of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, assists Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve gainful employment and independence. For more information about services, call the office toll free at (800) 372-7172 or at (888) 420-9874 (TDD) or visit the OVR Web site at www.ovr.ky.gov.
The Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet coordinates learning programs from P-16 and manages and supports training and employment functions in the Department for Workforce Investment. For more information about our programs, visit www.educationcabinet.ky.gov or www.workforce.ky.gov.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Kentucky is first state to launch Virgin HealthMiles program to employees
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear and Personnel Cabinet Sec. Nikki Jackson today announced that Kentucky is the first state in the nation to offer the Virgin HealthMiles program to its employees and other members of the Kentucky Employees Health Plan (KEHP) as part of the administration’s Journey to Wellness program.
“Today we are launching a wellness program that encourages employees to take an active role in their own health by competing to lower Kentucky’s high national adult obesity and chronic disease rates,” said Gov. Beshear. “A healthy workforce is not only a matter of quality of life for our teachers, state employees, and retirees; it is critical to government productivity.”
Christopher Boyce, CEO of Virgin HealthMiles, attended today’s kick-off to show support for the commonwealth’s implementation of the award-winning Virgin HealthMiles program. The announcement was held during the first of 18 benefit fairs conducted during health insurance open enrollment and featured a Virgin HealthMiles walk around the Frankfort Convention Center grounds, aimed to highlight the importance of preventive health care and the launch of new wellness initiatives for state employees.
“We are proud to partner with the commonwealth of Kentucky as they are the first state government in the nation to provide the HealthMiles program to all employees and plan members,” said Boyce.” It is truly an honor for Virgin HealthMiles and the Virgin Group to be working with innovative leaders, such as the good people of Kentucky, who have recognized how wellness programs can benefit their employees and, in turn, the citizens of the commonwealth.”
Beginning in 2009, KEHP members will be able to sign up to participate in the Virgin HealthMiles program. Employee participants will be provided a GoZone, a pedometer that will allow them to track their daily steps and other physical activity upload their data to their own personal LifeZone tracking program. To encourage employee participation, the program provides a variety of challenges and monthly sweepstakes for cash prizes, as well as opportunities to redeem cash they’ve earned and won on their personal LifeZone Web site. A participant's chance of winning the monthly sweepstakes is enhanced the more actively they participate in the program.
(read more)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Murder Victims’ Families Oppose Death Penalty for People with Severe Mental Illnesses
National Project Launch—October 3rd
Murder Victims’ Families Oppose Death Penalty for People with Severe Mental Illnesses
Washington, D.C.— Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights (MVFHR) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will launch a national project opposing the death penalty for persons with severe mental illnesses at a press conference in San Antonio, Texas on October 3.
The initiative builds on recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that raise questions about the capacity of individuals diagnosed with severe mental illnesses sentenced to death to understand why they are being executed or even that they will die. A national report on the issue will be released in June 2009, based in part on testimony from family members at San Antonio event.
WHAT: National project launch—press conference
WHEN: Friday, October 3, 2008 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
WHERE: University of the Incarnate Word
Bonilla Science Hall 129
Hildebrande—just west of Broadway intersection
San Antonio, Texas 78209
WHO: Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights http://www.mvhr.org/
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) http://www.nami.org/
Renny Cushing, MVFHR Executive Director
Ron Honberg, NAMI Policy & Legal Director
Bill Babbitt, brother of a Vietnam veteran, who was diagnosed with PTSD and schizophrenia, killed a 78-year old woman, and was executed.
Lois Robison, a mother whose mentally ill son was discharged from a hospital when his insurance ran out. A county hospital could not admit him unless he became violent. He killed five people. Instead of treatment, he got the death penalty.
Kim Crespi, mother of victims murdered by husband who suffers from mental illness.
Amanda & Nick Wilcox, parents of victim who was murdered by a person with mental illness.
Other family members of murder victims or executed persons from around the United States.
Susannah Sheffer for MVHR: 617-512-2010 (cell) or sheffer@aceweb.com Christine Armstrong for NAMI: 703-312-7893 or christinea@nami.org
MVFHR http://www.mvfhr.org/ is a national organization of family members of murder victims and families of the executed. NAMI http://www.nami.org/ is the nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by mental illnesses.
Murder Victims’ Families Oppose Death Penalty for People with Severe Mental Illnesses
Washington, D.C.— Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights (MVFHR) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will launch a national project opposing the death penalty for persons with severe mental illnesses at a press conference in San Antonio, Texas on October 3.
The initiative builds on recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that raise questions about the capacity of individuals diagnosed with severe mental illnesses sentenced to death to understand why they are being executed or even that they will die. A national report on the issue will be released in June 2009, based in part on testimony from family members at San Antonio event.
WHAT: National project launch—press conference
WHEN: Friday, October 3, 2008 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
WHERE: University of the Incarnate Word
Bonilla Science Hall 129
Hildebrande—just west of Broadway intersection
San Antonio, Texas 78209
WHO: Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights http://www.mvhr.org/
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) http://www.nami.org/
Renny Cushing, MVFHR Executive Director
Ron Honberg, NAMI Policy & Legal Director
Bill Babbitt, brother of a Vietnam veteran, who was diagnosed with PTSD and schizophrenia, killed a 78-year old woman, and was executed.
Lois Robison, a mother whose mentally ill son was discharged from a hospital when his insurance ran out. A county hospital could not admit him unless he became violent. He killed five people. Instead of treatment, he got the death penalty.
Kim Crespi, mother of victims murdered by husband who suffers from mental illness.
Amanda & Nick Wilcox, parents of victim who was murdered by a person with mental illness.
Other family members of murder victims or executed persons from around the United States.
Susannah Sheffer for MVHR: 617-512-2010 (cell) or sheffer@aceweb.com Christine Armstrong for NAMI: 703-312-7893 or christinea@nami.org
MVFHR http://www.mvfhr.org/ is a national organization of family members of murder victims and families of the executed. NAMI http://www.nami.org/ is the nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by mental illnesses.
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