Albany, NY - This week marks the first anniversary of "Timothy's Law," which guarantees mental health insurance for New York children. The law requires employers to provide as much coverage for kids' mental and substance-related illnesses as they do for purely physical injuries and disease. Shelly Nortz with the Timothy's Law Coalition says Year One has gone surprisingly smoothly.
"For a law that applies to literally millions of New Yorkers, there've been relatively few glitches. The Spitzer administration has been making sure that it's implemented well, and I think New York's mental health is better as a result."
The law came into effect last January 1st, after then-Governor Pataki signed the bill in late December. A rush to implement it caused some early problems, but most of those wrinkles have been ironed out over the past year, according to industry sources.
Timothy's Law has eased the ballooning burden of insurance for families by reducing average mental health costs to $1.26 per person, per month. Nortz says the law also shields small businesses from catastrophic hikes in employee insurance plans.
"There were fears that small employers would drop insurance coverage. New York stepped up to the plate and said, 'We're going to cover the entire cost of the mental health mandate.' We think it's a rather extraordinary feature in New York law."
The law is named after 12-year-old Timothy O'Clair of Schenectady, who committed suicide in state custody after his parents were unable to afford mental health insurance. "Timothy's Law" expires a year from now, unless renewed by the legislature.
Additional information about Timothy's Law is available at www.timothyslaw.org and www.ftnys.org.
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Boulder and Broomfield County residents can now access mental health services the same way they can access urgent medical care.
Dr. Nadia Haddad, medical director of mental health services with Mental Health Partners, said all too often, people can't get help unless they are already connected with an outpatient provider, and many have months-long waiting lists. She said if people have to wait for care, their situation can get worse, and what might have been a manageable issue can turn into a crisis.
"They are going to the emergency room or going to a psychiatric hospital. And so what we're trying to do is fill that gap so that people can get connected with services when they need it, on a walk-in basis," she said.
Mental Health Partners, a community mental health center serving Boulder and Broomfield counties for 60 years, recently launched UrgentPsych Mental Health and Substance Use Urgent Care. The walk-in program provides immediate, in-person support for urgent mental health and substance use needs for anyone, regardless of their ability to pay, whether or not they are an existing client, or speak English. For more information about the 24-hour facility in northeast Boulder, call 303-443-8500.
Mental Health Partners' new Intensive Family Services program provides in-home therapy for K through 12 youth with disruptive behaviors who are at risk of being placed in foster care or the juvenile justice system. The urgent care facility is also available to people of all ages.
"That's another really challenging part of seeking out services. Care for children and adolescents is often even more challenging to find. There are fewer child psychiatrists out there," she said.
Both new programs were created in part to get people the services they need to avoid hospitalization. But Haddad said when people do reach a point where they need 24/7 monitoring and daily visits from a medical provider, it is essential that people can access hospital-level care.
"The vast majority of people who are dealing with mental health-related issues do not require hospitalization. If we can change people's trajectories earlier, we can prevent mental suffering, and they may not have to go through the hospital," she explained.
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This is National Library Week, honoring the many roles that libraries play in their communities.
In central Texas, a pilot program is using the public library system to expand mental health services in rural areas.
Residents in four counties can get assistance at their local public library through the Libraries for Health program.
Trained mental health peer specialists evaluate clients and refer them to clinics for additional help if it's needed.
The program is funded through the St. David's Foundation, working to advance health equity in Central Texas.
The foundation's Senior Program Officer Abena Asante said the initiative works in tandem with the mental health community.
"It's in no way taking the place of clinical-directed psychologists," said Asante. "It's just one community response in addressing the lack of mental wellness resources in rural communities."
Asante said libraries are trusted and accessible gathering places for people living in rural areas. The libraries tailor programs to meet specific local needs based on feedback from the residents.
Data collected during the 3.5-year pilot program will be used to evaluate its success. The nonprofit Via Hope trains the peer specialists who work in the libraries.
Dr. Sandra Smith, vice president of Via Hope, said the staffers use their own life experiences to help them relate to the clients.
"They have to have had a mental health challenge at some point in their life," said Smith. "We don't ask them any specifics about that, we don't ask diagnoses - it's a self-disclosure."
The Libraries for Health program operates in eight libraries in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays and Williamson counties. If successful, it could be implemented in other parts of the state.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported one in 36 children around the U.S. has autism spectrum disorder. Rates are much higher than a decade ago and support organizations hope Wisconsin communities do more to make individuals feel welcome, including adults on the spectrum.
April is Autism Acceptance Month. Not only do advocates want to empower those with a diagnosis to live their fullest possible lives but they also ask those around them to learn more about it.
Katie Hess, executive director of the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin, said there are some key practices to keep in mind.
"Really, what we're looking for is for people just to be open-minded and patient, and understanding," Hess explained.
Acceptance does not happen only at home or school. Workplaces also are encouraged to foster more inclusiveness, with nearly 60% of people with autism now employed after receiving vocational services. Their advocates said they have many strengths and asking them about their needs creates a better environment for them.
Symptoms of autism can vary widely for each person on the spectrum, including how they interact with others. Hess noted whether individuals are considered "high need" or "low need," having the public pay more attention to the evolution of this disorder is vital.
"We're learning new information all the time, so certainly reach out to your local chapter, your Autism Society," Hess urged. "Ask questions."
Her chapter will soon begin offering a training program to organizations about how to become more autism friendly, including being able to identify a person on the autism spectrum and how to best offer ways to help if they disclose their diagnosis.
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