NAMI Day In Olympia

More than 250 NAMI members from across the state gathered in Olympia on January 17 to discuss with legislators our concerns regarding health care for the mentally ill. In the past two years, we've come in great numbers and with such passion that our legislators now know what NAMI stands for. They've learned that with appropriate treatment, people with mental illnesses can recover. And they know that we will no longer sit quietly while government agencies overlook, stigmatize, punish, or misrepresent persons who suffer from brain disorders.

Fortunately for us in Whatcom and Skagit counties, our legislators in both parties are knowledgeable and supportive. That's partly because our active NAMI groups work together to advocate and to educate about mental illnesses. More than thirty from Skagit and sixty-five from Whatcom counties filled the Legislative Hearing Room to speak to our legislators. Special thanks to representatives , and for their willingness to listen to our issues and our stories. They are leading supporters of mandated parity in insurance that, when funded, will cover mental illnesses at the same rates as other physical illnesses. They support access to medications for persons who need them, such as the working poor and those released from hospitals and jails.

They also support our proposed pilot project for Whatcom County called PACT Plus which stands for Assertive Community Treatment, a program that has been highly successful at treating the most severely ill in other communities.

We informed them about our concerns over a new policy by the Medical Assistance Administration which sets executive policy for Washington's Medical Program. It will require physicians to get prior authorization before prescribing new medications, and thus will delay effective treatments for many. You can imagine that this policy is disfavored by patients who suffer through inappropriate treatments and by physicians who feel a great loss when government agencies get between them and their patents.

Most sadly Governor Locke continues to be unavailable to NAMI and to the one in five families who suffer with mental illnesses throughout the state. However, our inability to speak to the Governor did not diminish our hope that he'll take a leadership role in curing the state's mental health system's failures. Our optimism is due to the camaraderie, resilience, and wisdom we share when we advocate for our family members.

Contact Governor Locke

In order to change the mental health system, Governor Locke must be convinced that the public wants improvement. Please contact the Governor and tell him to support NAMI's legislative agenda. Contacting him is easy. You can E-mail him at: http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/govemail. htm. Or write to Governor Gary Locke, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504-0002. Or fax him at 360-753-4110. Or most simply and effectively, call his office at 360-902-4111. The Governor keeps a Top Ten List of phone calls and responds to those that make the Top Ten. We need all who care about the treatment of people with mental illnesses to call the governor and ask him for his leadership through support of NAMI's proposals.

Keep a Paper Trail

As family advocates, sometimes we can be overwhelmed by bureaucrats, politicians, anyone in “charge.”

We may have watched our beloved relative deteriorate and been unable to do anything about it. One thing that we can do is to keep a paper trail. Keep a notebook beside the phone. Put down name, telephone, address, and e-mail of the person you are talking to. Repeat to the official what they have said to you, saying, “This is what you said, right?”

Each time you communicate with anyone about your relative, keep a written record flowing, by e-mail, by regular mail, or by fax. Telephone conversations are difficult to prove. If your loved one has been evaluated and you feel that the evaluation was handled sloppily, or if the CDMHP has insulted you, or refused to see you (both against the law) write the whole story down; tell the officials that you will hold them personally and financially responsible should your loved one commit suicide or homicide. Despite their response, remind the people in charge that their evaluation is not complete without the family's input and that of professionals who have previously treated the family member.