MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO WATCH THE
KICKOFF EVENT
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May is Mental Health Month is underway. We kicked off this important month of awareness on April 29th at noon by honoring our 2021 Mental Health Hero of the Year, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. As a result of COVID-19 restrictions we were not able to celebrate this important event in person. However, Senator Whitehouse sent along a recorded message to accept his award. Additionally, Barbara Morse from WJAR interviewed Senator Whitehouse and also shared her own family's experience with mental illness. We heard from other members of our Congressional Delegation as well as MHARI's Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director. If you were not able to join us or would like to view a full list of May is Mental Health Month events, click the buttons below. |
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THEME SPONSOR, RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE,
RECORDS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE HONORING
FRONTLINE MENTAL HEALTHCARE WORKERS
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Members of Rhode Island College's Clinical Mental Health Counseling's Program got together and recorded a heartfelt message to honor frontline mental health workers and their dedicated service during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, frontline workers provided support, understanding, compassion and contributed to the healing process.
Thank you to the Rhode Island College Community for the work they are doing in educating the next generation of frontline mental healthcare workers and their support of this year's May is Mental Health Month theme - Mental Healthcare for All: Equity Requires Action.
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Use Your Voice.
Exercise Your Power as a Constituent.
Have you had trouble finding the right mental health professional for your needs?
Have you been on a long wait list for an available appointment?
Had to wait weeks or months for a screening or evaluation for yourself, your child, or loved one?
If so, please take action!
Our legislation won’t move out of Committee unless we make some noise.
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) continues to advocate for mental health consumers and providers at the State House. We are tracking 100+ pieces of legislation, and we have testified on several bills so far. Below are some of the most important bills this session.
Behavioral Health Provider Reimbursement Rates (House Bill 5546, House Bill 6268 and Senate Bill 591)
These bills require insurance companies and Medicaid to increase the reimbursement rates paid to behavioral health providers. Rhode Island has a shortage of outpatient providers, especially psychiatrists, because of low reimbursement rates. If passed, these bills would incentivize providers to participate in insurance networks, so that patients won’t have to go on long wait lists to see a provider. All three bills were heard in committees, but we need YOUR help to move them to a vote on the House and Senate Floors. Please, call your legislators and ask them to help pass these bills, so that every Rhode Islander who needs help can get it when they need it most.
Youth Suicide Prevention (House Bill 5353) - This bill requires student and school staff to receive training on suicide awareness and prevention. In RI, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15-34. About 15.9% of high school students report having considered suicide and 10.5% report that they have attempted suicide. Often, students are afraid to ask for help and often feel isolated in their crises.
Mental Health Services in Schools (House Bill 5076) - This legislation allows schools to be reimbursed by Medicaid for mental health services. 50% of all cases of mental illness begin by age 14, and the sooner we address an illness, the better the patient’s outcome. Mental illness is extraordinarily common, and no one should feel ashamed. In fact, one in five (19.0%) children ages 6 to 17 has a diagnosable mental health problem. Older teens struggling with depression are more than twice as likely to drop out. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in youth ages 10 to 14.
Mental Health Treatment Court - Senate Bill 678 and House Bill 6025 create within the district court a dedicated calendar offering treatment and sentencing alternatives to eligible defendants deemed to suffer from serious and persistent mental illness. This will help hundreds of Rhode Islanders with serious and persistent mental illness avoid incarceration. MHARI will testify in favor of these bills when they are heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee and House Finance Committee.
Budget Article 16 - Housing - MHARI submitted testimony to the House Finance Committee in support of funding affordable housing in Rhode Island. Housing is recovery. Housing is food security, education, and employment. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) considers the four pillars of recovery to be: health, home, purpose and community. Safe, stable housing is the foundation of all the good things in our lives.
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OLMSTEAD COMMITTEE
Our relentless advocacy continues. We will not stop until Rhode Island establishes an Olmstead Plan for people with disabilities. As many of you know, MHARI chairs the Olmstead Committee, which is a sub-committee of the Governor’s Council on Behavioral Health. This group’s purpose is to persuade Rhode Island’s leaders that we need to establish, fund, and implement an Olmstead Plan in Rhode Island for people with Disabilities. Olmstead refers to a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which affirmed a state’s legal obligation to ensure that people with disabilities are not unnecessarily institutionalized. The ruling noted that states could demonstrate their wish to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act by enacting a comprehensive and effective plan. Rhode Island is one of only seven states that has not enacted any such plan.
An Olmstead Plan would improve the lives of people with serious and persistent mental illness; developmental and intellectual disabilities; physical disabilities; and older adults and youth at risk of institutionalization.
A Plan would assess the supply and demand of housing options, community services, and treatment for people with disabilities. It would establish a comprehensive, renewable plan to coordinate all these resources. And it would put permanent, reliable funding streams in place to support them.
An Olmstead Plan would cover:
- Supervised/supportive housing options
- Affordable housing for people who live independently with SSI/SSDI benefits & housing vouchers
- Home modification
- Educational and employment supports
- Transportation
- Assistive technology & durable medical equipment
- Full continuum of treatment options
- Community and home-based services
- Workforce development
- Criminal justice reforms to divert people with disabilities from arrest/incarceration
- Policy, legislative and regulatory solutions
To date, under MHARI’s leadership, this Olmstead Committee has conducted a statewide survey of health and human service professionals; conducted three virtual Town Halls to gather community input and discuss Olmstead Plans; published three editorials in the Providence Journal; shared our proposal with councils, agencies and organizations and collected official endorsements; testified in the Senate Finance Committee; and met with staff from the Attorney General’s Office, Governor McKee’s Office, and Senator Louis DiPalma.
What can you do to help move this issue forward?
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Ask us to provide an Olmstead Plan presentation to your group, and then endorse our proposal to establish an Olmstead Plan in RI. Contact info@mhari.org.
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You can submit a letter to the Governor's Office asking for an Olmstead Plan. Constituents’ voices are powerful. Share your story. Explain what an Olmstead Plan would do for you or your loved one.
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Reach out to your legislators as well to ask for an Olmstead Plan.
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You can submit a letter to the Rhode Island Foundation’s “Make It Happen” Steering Committee. Urge them to formally recommend using American Rescue Plan relief dollars to fund an Olmstead Plan. Contact arpideas@rifoundation.org. Learn more about the Make It Happen initiative.
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FROM THE DESK OF OUR PARITY PROGRAM MANAGER
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KAREN MALCOM
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We’re in the midst of May is Mental Health Month and the RI Parity Initiative is busy bringing information and training to the public.
On May 11th we hosted a virtual session of our Know Your Rights to Mental Health Parity workshop to empower patients and providers with an understanding of state and federal mental health parity laws.
A lack of mental health parity in insurance coverage is a form of discrimination that people with mental health and substance use disorders continue to experience. Many aren’t aware that, if a plan includes behavioral health benefits, insurance companies are required to provide coverage for behavioral healthcare, including substance use disorder services, at the same level they cover physical health services.
To help combat this discrimination, we partner with the RI Parent Information Network to offer patients, family members, and providers an overview of their rights and how to spot and respond to potential parity violations. In the training, we talk about how to advocate for yourself, a family member, friend, or a patient to get the insurance benefits they need to cover treatment and services that will help them move forward towards emotional wellness.
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COMMUNITY NEWS & RESOURCES |
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DO YOU NEED HEALTH COVERAGE?
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There’s still time to enroll! HealthSource RI is excited to announce that they are offering a New Enrollment Period (NEP) which began on February 15, 2021 and goes through August 15, 2021. This comes after President Biden’s Executive Order, issue on Thursday January 28, which gives everyone more time to sign up for 2021 health coverage.
This enrollment period is open to all eligible Rhode Islanders. Lawfully present immigrants (green card holders, asylees, refugees) can apply for coverage. Coverage starts the first of the month following a complete enrollment.
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DOWNLOAD A FREE WELLNESS E-BOOK |
Local therapist extraordinaire Jane Mizrahi, LICSW has generously offered to donate free copies of her newly released e-book, “Choreograph Your Wellness: Learn How to Effectively Manage Stress, Live in the Present, and Find Joy.” To claim your free copy, click “Download E-Book” and use the coupon code MHARI when checking out. And please stay tuned! Jane has offered to participate in a virtual workshop later this summer to discuss her book and tips and tools for wellness.
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SEE YOU ON THE COURT!
Grab your tennis racquet and get ready for our 2nd Annual Fall Tennis Tournament. MHARI will once again be partnering with USTA RI for a doubles round robin style tournament. All are welcome to play. Don't have a partner? Don't worry, we will match you up with one.
Details to come! Be on the lookout!
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Consider starting a fundraiser for us in honor of May is Mental Health Month. Help create positive change in the RI mental healthcare system. Your fundraiser will help us to advocate, educate and aid in policy development that increases awareness about mental health issues and removes obstacles to treatment for all Rhode Islanders. |
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