Advocacy
Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma
In November of 2004, then Acting Governor Richard J. Codey signed the executive order that created the Governor's Task Force on Mental Health. This task force was formed to investigate New Jersey's mental health system and develop solutions to the obstacles that currently face those with mental illness and their families. One of the recommendations of the Task Force was the establishment of a Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma.
The mission of the Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma is to combat mental health stigma as a top priority in New Jersey's effort to create a better mental health system. Through outreach and education, the Council will send a message that mental health stigma must no longer be tolerated.
The issue of mental health stigma is one whose time has come and one that is impacting our lives on local, national and global levels. The NJ Governor's Council on Mental Health Stigma will champion this issue and work steadfastly to raise awareness and promote respect, understanding and change.
The campaign to educate and enlighten the public about mental health stigma is paramout to their efforts. Mental illness does not discriminate, but stigma does. When we discriminate against those with mental illness we are discriminating against our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, friends and neighbors. Embracing mental health and learning more about mental illness will enrich and strengthen the communities in which we live.
For more information and additional resources go to:
http://www.nj.gov/mhstigmacouncil/
Home to Recovery Plan-CEPP Plan The Department of Human Services has proposed a smoking ban, inside and outside, on the campuses of its five psychiatric hospitals, Greystone, Ancora, Hagedorn, Trenton Psychiatric and Ann Klein Forensic hospitals. The bill sponsored by Senator Joseph Vitale to ban smoking at state psychiatric hospitals was approved in January by the Health and Human Services Committee and awaits a Senate vote.
The Division of Mental Health Services (DMHS) announces the release of the Home to Recovery Plan- CEPP Plan. Consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision, this document describes DMHS' plans to decrease the length of stay in state psychiatric hospitals through the development of supportive housing and other community supports.
Over the next six years, DMHS' goal is to create annually 200 new supportive housing opportunities for patients ready for discharge and 100 new supportive housing opportunities for those in the community at-risk of hospitalization and/or homelessness. These new opportunities will result in shorter lengths of stay for patients on Conditional Extension Pending Placement (CEPP) and fewer admissions to the state hospitals.
CEPP status occurs when a person no longer meets civil commitment criteria and remains in the hospital until an appropriate community placement is available.
The full Home to Recovery Plan can be read at:
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhs/CEPP_1_23_08_FINAL.pdf.
Proposal to ban smoking at state psychiatric hospitals
Testimony of Kevin Martone, Assistant Commissioner Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health Services to the Assembly Human Services Committee
More Mentally Ill Being Diverted from Jail
"Additional staff and and more mental health screenings at the Essex County Correctional Facility have allowed inmates with mental illnesses to be identified more quickly and diverted from state prisons. Al Ortiz, deputy director of the county jail, estimated 500 men and women a year who are arrested and taken to the jail are ultimately diverted from state prison and sent to hospitals or other appropriate treatment center through screenings."
For the full story click here.
State Unveils New Psychiatric Hospital
Governor Jon S. Corzine, Senate President Richard Codey and Department of Human Services Commisioner Jennifer Velez unveiled the new Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital during a ceremony that also served as a farewell to the historic facility that has treated patients since the 19th century.
"This new, state-of-the art facility will be a shining symbol of the evolution of our state metnal health system," Commissioner Jennifer Velez told the hundreds of people who attended the ribbon-cutting. "I am glad to share this historic day with all of the people who worked so hard to make it happen. Today marks a new beginning that goes far beyond just bricks and mortar."
Greystone Opening Delayed
Patients will not likely move in to the new Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital until mid-winter due to construction delays.
For more information read here:
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/morris/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1196833927296950.xml&coll=1
