Connecticut Makes Medicaid Money Available for Community-Based Mental Health Services - (Media dis&dat - 4/1/09)
Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that Medicaid funding will become available to support community-based services to help people with serious mental illness avoid long stays in Connecticut nursing homes.

Mental Health Parity and Health Reform (Health Reform Watch - 2/1/10)
The Interim Final Rules on mental health parity were issued last Friday by the various agencies responsible for the administration of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). The rules provide interim permanent answers to some of the interpretive questions raised by the MHPAEA. I’ll provide a couple of early reactions to the rules, and briefly describe why the parity rules in no way lessen the need for broader reform for the benefit of people with serious mental illness.

Ohio Supreme Court Bars Death Penalty for Mentally Retarded Man (ABA Journal - April 10, 2008)
The Ohio Supreme Court has struck down a death sentence for a convicted double murderer because of his mental retardation, despite evidence that he could play video games, pay bills and drive a car.

Supportive Housing: The Most Effective and Integrated Housing for People with Mental Disabilities (Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law)
A growing body of evidence confirms that supportive housing works for people with mental disabilities, including those with the most severe impairments.

Take Control of Your Discharge Planning (Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service)
Discharge planning should begin as soon as you are admitted to a facility. If you are being hospitalized for psychiatric reasons, your Community Mental Health (CMH) agency should be involved. Ideally, the CMH worker should attend planning meetings at the facility and should be communicating with you and others to find out what you want and need upon leaving the facility.

Two Moms Uncover Plot to Deny Mental Health Services to Children (Examiner - 1/31/10)
The California Department of Education investigated and found multiple violations where children who needed mental health help were systematically denied the services they were entitled to.

Accommodation Ideas for Persons with Bipolar Disorder (Job Accommodation Network)
When considering accommodations for persons with psychiatric disabilities it is important to remember that this process must be conducted on a case by case basis with input from the person with the disability. This publication also provides several helpful related links.

Inpatient Mental Health Care with Medicare
If you are in the Medicare Plan and have Medicare Part A, Medicare helps pay for mental health services given in a hospital that require you to be admitted as an inpatient.

Kaiser Foundation Reports Aimed at Informing Debate on Health Care Reform
Three new reports and a video examine the range of health care needs and costs that people face today and the scope of coverage that may be available to them under health reform. One of the reports, Individuals With Special Needs and Health Reform: Adequacy of Health Insurance Coverage, is particularly relevant to people with serious mental illnesses. This and other reports can be accessed at the link above.

Mental Health & Addiction Services for Children, Youth & Adults with Developmental Disability
Planning guidelines from British Columbia.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
The alliance can help you find a local support group. The website has six discussion boards, including a friends and family forum for those with loved ones suffering from mental illness.

Depression Screening
Offers a free (and confidential) online screening test.

Healthy Minds
Offers information on a wide range of mental illnesses, including eating disorder and phobias. The website features video testimonials from real people.

Internet Mental Health
Website offers online psychiatric diagnosis in the hope of reaching the two-thirds of individuals with mental illness who do not seek treatment.

National Alliance on Mental Illness of New Jersey (NAMI)
A statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families who are affected by mental illness.

National Alliance on Mental Illness
Advocacy in helping people with severe mental illnesses.

National Mental Health Information Center
Info and links to helpful resources and publications.

Psychiatric Service Dogs
Providing information for persons disabled by severe mental illness, who wish to train a service dog to assist with the management of symptoms.

The JED Foundation
A comprehensive resource developed in collaboration with leading experts in higher education law, administration and mental health.

Documenting Our Presence (NAMI New Jersey)
A compassionate, hopeful look at the experiences of people of diverse backgrounds, affected by serious mental illness.

Grading the States - A Report on America's Health Care System for Serious Mental Illness (NAMI)
From the National Alliance on Mental Illness: Click on your state to view its report card.

Judge David L. Bazelon's Center for Mental Health Law
This organization's mission is to protect and advance the rights of adults and children who have mental disabilities.