| |
Moving Mountains
She leaned back and laughed at the suggestion of equality. “Are
you kidding, up until the last decade the NIMH (National Institute
of Mental Health) was administratively outside the NIH (National
Institute of Health). Isn’t that amazing! For years, the National
Institute of Mental Health didn’t receive funds from the National
Institute of Health. We were the poor orphans.”
What is amazing is the energy and optimism that resides in Diane
Weaver. She advocates tirelessly for families living with mental
illness. I had the pleasure of spending part of a morning with her
and learned more than this column can relate. Her passion for educating
the public to the treatability of mental illness and removing the
stigma is profound. “Whole body health” is her mission
and comes from a personal place.
“The whole reason I’m doing what I’m doing is
because of the struggles in our family. It awakened me to the gap
between scientific knowledge and public understanding of these issues.
The lack of equitable funding is so immense. Our family could easily
be homeless now and we used over half of our retirement savings
because of the current insurance system. It is devastating to see
your relatives transformed by this illness, not to mention the secondary
losses, financial, and often losing friends and being cut off from
your relatives.”
Fortunately we now live in a time when medical research has opened
a large door to understanding. New imaging technologies have dispelled
the myth that mental illness is a purely psychosomatic event or
a spiritual deficiency. It is biology, not a character flaw that
initiates mental illness. Like the rest of the body, the mind is
a physical organ subject to physical weakness. Refusing to acknowledge
mental illness as a legitimate physical ailment along with a lack
of funds for treatment has caused untold suffering to millions.
According to the November newsletter from the National Alliance
for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), “Untreated mental illness now
accounts for a larger share of our nation’s disease burden
than cancer and diabetes. So, while effective treatments exist,
most people who need them won’t get them.”
That is what frustrates Diane Weaver--effective treatment is not
available to everyone who needs it. And the need is great. One out
of five families has a member with a severe and persistent mental
illness. Here in Henderson County we have mental health services
available at Pardee Hospital, Park Ridge Hospital, Trend Community
Mental Health Services, private providers, group homes, the rescue
mission, the Clubhouse and a small after school program. Even with
these services, there is much that is needed. Diane explains:
“We do not, in my opinion, have an appropriate school program
for children with mental illness who cannot function in the regular
classroom. There is no day treatment for children, not enough group
homes and assisted living for adults, (young, physically active
adults with severe mental illness are often inappropriately placed
with frail elderly people due to Medicaid rules) and no assertive
therapy program that identifies, educates and makes treatment attractive
to those who unknowingly have mental illness. And the reality is
that hospitalization and out-patient therapy is only available for
three classes of people—the wealthy, those with health insurance
that includes adequate mental health coverage—many policies
do not--and the poor who qualify for Medicaid. The cost of therapy
and medications is prohibitive for a large percentage of the population.”
Is all of this too great a mountain for her to move? She brightened
altogether when I asked her, “What is your wish list?”
Without a moment’s hesitation she reeled off six including
public acceptance, insurance parity, more community services for
families and school health classes teaching about mental illness.
“Now they teach about mental health and that is good. But
they need to know the warning signs of mental illness and that these
illnesses can be effectively treated. They also need to know to
have compassion for people with mental illness rather than making
fun of mental illness. Education is the key.”
Diane Weaver along with Renée Kumor and Terri Wallace wants
you to know about a very special event coming up here in Henderson
County. The Pardee Foundation’s Women Helping Women is presenting
a day long program entitled, “Moving Mountains, Mental Health
from a Women’s Perspective” on Saturday March 2. Registration
and continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 followed by seminars
on topics ranging from Menopause to Depression. “Moving Mountains”
is an educational event where people will learn more about mental
health conditions and treatment advances. The keynote speaker will
be the dynamic Ann L. Weber, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, UNC-Asheville.
Of course there will be childcare and it is free with advance registration.
To register, just call Caryl Dean at the Pardee Hospital Foundation
at 696-4666 or caryldean@pardee-med.org. The registration fee of
$15.00 includes breakfast and lunch. (If you are able, you might
consider underwriting a registration for a sister less fortunate.)
Caring compassionately for those less fortunate is Diane Weaver’s
life’s work. She love’s being a family advocate for
NAMI because “…If families are strong, the children
can thrive.” Children need to be where they are loved.”
So do we all. Come and help us move “mountains” as we
yank mental health out of the closet and put it back into whole
health where it belongs. “In a way, it’s like the civil
rights movement, it’s getting this population back into the
human race.” (Diane Weaver)
To my readers: If you ever wonder if I get
comments on these columns, I do occasionally. What are your thoughts
on the matter?
Email
Eva
 *The
opinions stated in this page are those of Ms. Eva Ritchey and do
not necessarily represent the views of CyTech Computers & Internet
Solutions, Inc. |
