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SAVING LIVES, SAVING MONEY

With policy decisions being made regarding preferred drug lists, please read TSPPs publication, “Saving Lives, Saving Money: The Case for Open and Unrestricted Access to Mental Health Medications.” Click here

 

INSANITY DEFENSE CONFERENCE

In February 2003, TSPP conducted a conference on the Affirmative Defense of Insanity in Texas. Joining TSPP as hosts were the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Texas District and County Attorneys Association, the State Bar of Texas Committee on Legal Services to the Poor in Criminal Matters and Committee on Disability Issues, and the American Journal of Criminal Law. Read the transcript of this conference which had a faculty composed of national experts on the insanity defense. Click here

 

PRESIDENT’S NEW FREEDOM COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH

On July 22, 2003, the President’s Commission on Mental Health released its report, “Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America,” commissioned by President George W. Bush by Executive Order 13263 on April 29, 2002. The Executive Order charged the Commission to study the mental health service delivery system, and to make recommendations that would enable adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbance to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their own communities. In announcing the Commission, President Bush said, “Americans must understand and send this message: mental disability is not a scandal – it is an illness. And like physical illness, it is treatable, especially when the treatment comes early.” Click here

 

SURGEON GENERAL’S REPORT ON MENTAL HEALTH

On December 13, 1999, the US Surgeon General released the first-ever Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health. The report, commissioned by Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala, documents that although there is a range of effective, well-documented treatments for mental illnesses, nearly half of all Americans who have a severe mental illness fail to seek treatment. The report also focuses on the connection between mental health and physical health, barriers to receiving mental health treatment, and the specific mental health issues of children, adults and the elderly.

US Surgeon General David Satcher, MD said, “Over the last two decades a revolution in science and service delivery has broadened our understanding of mental health and illness, and improved the way in which mental health care is provided. Safe and effective options are available to treat the mental disorders that affect one in five Americans per year.”
To read, “Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General,” Click here

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