• Congresswoman Kay Granger for her support of a second earmark appropriation to MHA for the development of the School Based Mental Health Curriculum. This will enable MHA to complete and pilot course content for grades 6-12. Thanks also to the Amon Carter Foundation for the bridge grant that will allow us to continue the project during the lag between the first and second round of federal funding.
• Congressman Joe Barton supporting and guiding the recently passed Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act for Youth Suicide Prevention through his committee. This act will support many school suicide prevention programs, hopefully including the very comprehensive program being coordinated by MHA!

• Insurance Parity is still pending. It is time to pass this legislation to assure that treatment for mental illness is provided at the same level as other illnesses!
• Screening and treatment for youth has become a controversial topic. A small but vocal group continues to insist that youth do not have mental illnesses, and that they should not have screening, counseling or education about mental health in school. Congresswoman Granger and Congressman Barton continue to be vigilant to assure that this misinformed group are not allowed to pass bills or amendments that would restrict programs that have been scientifically proven to be effective in reaching thousands of young people and in decreasing the suicide rate. With suicide being the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 it is clear that we must take a public health approach to this critical issue.

• Mental Health benefits were restored in CHIP during the session
• Counseling services were restored to the Medicaid benefit package

• Medicaid provider reimbursement rates were not enhanced, and are among the lowest in the nation
• Peer-to-peer services have not yet been included in the Medicaid rehabilitation reimbursement package

• Restoration of broader definition of priority population
• Adequate funding for full implementation of the benefit package
• Integration of services to people with multiple disorders

• Better coordination of services at the state and local level
• State requirements for mental health services on school campuses
• Prevention of custody relinquishment to access services

• Suicide Prevention Programs (Evidence Based) on all school campuses
• Enhancement of Early Childhood mental health related programs
• Inclusion of mental health education in school curriculum

• Enhanced funding of pre-arrest diversion programs and resources
• Enhanced funding of court diversion programs
• Enhanced probation and parole services to prevent recidivism

• Elimination of discriminatory health and disability insurance practices

• Greatly enhanced supported housing resources
• “Housing First” policies at the state and local level
• Full continuum of options ranging from intensive supervised group homes to home ownership

Advocacy

The Mental Health Association is engaged in advocacy on issues which directly affect you. All MHA committees are open to any interested person. Mental Health consumers and family members are especially encouraged to participate.

• Suicide Prevention Initiative and Mental Health Education in Schools Project. MHA and our community partners have embarked on major initiatives to provide mental health education in schools and to provide a "Toolkit for Youth Suicide Prevention" The Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition meets monthly. Join us in coordinating suicide prevention initiatives such as SOS, Jason Foundation, Yellow Ribbon, and in organizing education efforts. Contact us to be placed on the list for either or both of these committees. See "Suicide in Tarrant County: A Joint Report to the Community from MHA and the Tarrant County Public Health Department" for information about suicide in Tarrant County. Go to MHA’s information & referral service for local resources and support groups.
• Justice Coalition on Offenders with Mental Impairments meets quarterly. Items being discussed include Pre-Sentencing Release programs, Mental Health Courts, Pre-Arrest Diversion, police training and Juvenile Justice. The next major initiative of JCOMI will be related to reintegration of people with serious mental illness who are being returned to the community from prison or lengthy jail sentences.
  • Special Report to the Community (2002)- "People with Mental Illness in the Tarrant County Criminal Justice System: Issues and Recommendations". Included in this report is a description of MHA's Special Needs Officer Program, which has provided training to over 3,000 law enforcement officers in Tarrant County and assists officers with diverting people with special needs from arrest into treatment.
• Mental Health and Aging Coalition meets quarterly at the MHA office. Educational opportunities are offered every other meeting, with the intervening meeting being a networking, discussion and general work session. The Coalition has developed and presents such programs as:
  • Suicide Prevention Planning
  • Depression and Aging
  • Understanding Depression and mental illnesses for long term care staff
  • Using federally mandated screening tools for nursing home residents
    who have mental illness (PASARR)
  • Minimizing relocation stress for older people

  Please call MHA if you would like to participate in the Coalition, would like to help in presenting the above programs to the community, or would like to have one of the programs presented to a group.

• Mental Health and Insurance Coverage: MHA takes an active role in advocating for issues related to Medicaid, managed care, and general insurance parity.
• Individual Advocacy: If you are dealing with insurance providers, schools or employers, MHA may be able to assist you with personal advocacy to overcome problems and barriers. Please contact us if you have questions or needs.