TTWS Policy
I love the fact that this blog even has a policy. I feel so official! But I want to clarify some things.
1. If you say anything personal about another … person, I will not publish it. Tit for tat doesn’t interest me.
2. If you say anything racist or homophobic, I will not publish it. Oh, or sexist. Or anti-Semitic, now that I think about it. You get the idea.
3. I do not publish anonymous submissions. If you leave a comment with your name and a valid email address, but don’t wish to use your real name, that’s fine. I understand that some of these issues can be sensitive, and privacy is absolutely allowed. But I have to verify that you exist, you know?
I guess that’s all for now. Three policies is kind of weak. I’ll think of more soon.
liz | 1:00 PM | Uncategorized
First Person, Singular: Regarding Men (and Everything Else)
Thanks to this submitter, who prefers I don’t use his name, for sharing himself with us. Keep sending ‘em in!
Liz, the reason I wouldn’t normally write about my male experiences with mental illness is because it’s so, for lack of a better word, refreshing, to read about the experiences of others and to realize I’m not alone. Kind of like being gay (which adds an interesting spice to the soup).
There must be a gene in my family which predisposes us to mental illness. My father and his niece (my first cousin) both lived or are living with depression. I have not been in touch with my cousin for 20 years because I really don’t want to know what might be in store for me. Not that I’m worried, mind you – I’ve jumped from DSM IV-TR 296.33, “Major depressive disorder, recurring, not psychotic” to 296.xx, “Bipolar Disorder I or II”.
Working:
I’m working. Thank God. In about 14 months, I’ll vest in a pension plan which will give me medical, dental, and vision care for the rest of my life. I don’t care so much about the money in the plan. I just want access to decent medical care. And with my diagnosis, anywhere I go I’m a “parity” case and am not limited to 20 psych visits a year. My job also gives me lots of vacation and other leave, and I’m working very hard on accruing as much vacation and sick leave as I can so that if I have to go on disability retirement after I vest, there will be something accruing.
The benefit and pension issues are huge. Most people are not as fortunate as I am. I got into the workforce early and got two government jobs, both of which paid into Social Security as well as a traditional pension plan. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of people paying into some kind of retirement plan or working for a company (OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY!) which provides for workers at some point in the future. My age (over 40) has played in my favor.
[Image (not of the author) by DirgeElucidatr via Flickr. Sorry if it's depressing, when this entry is not. But I think it's a beautiful photo of a man.]
liz | 9:38 AM | Uncategorized
When Google News Alerts go awry
Hocking’s Ribbed Depression Glass Patterns at Cat Lady Kate’s Glass
I thought it was about hoarding.
liz | 8:24 AM | Uncategorized
“Nailed down”?
This headline seems weird to me, but then again, I’m weird. Why am I feeling a Jesus reference? I’m not even Christian. Anyway, it seems an oddly colloquial use of words to summarize a scientific study.
But the important thing is: It’s chromosome 2 that’s the problem when it comes to suicide attempts. Remember that the next time you’re feeling down.
Genetic Link to Suicidal Tendencies Nailed Down
liz | 6:43 PM | Uncategorized
Internet addiction treated with ECT
If there’s any question that communism doesn’t work, one need look no further than China. Thanks to SAchin for sending this along. It’s a heartbreaking chronicle of overzealous mental health treatment–if indeed you can even call surfing the web a lot (ahem) a disease. Then again, it sounds like some of the people treated–one kid spent four straight days at an Internet cafe, not eating or drinking–need intervention of some kind, but is the so-called addiction really the problem? Or are they trying to escape from something larger? It’s maladaptive social behavior, to be sure, but it seems it would be best addressed in, oh, every other imaginable way possible before using ECT.
China treats Internet ‘addicts’ sternly
liz | 3:46 PM | Uncategorized
What are you doing on Tuesday, Feb. 27?
Come on, PA/NJ/DE residents. Show your spirit:
Congressman Joe Sestak (D-PA) invites you to a hearing on the issue of mental health parity. The 7th Congressional District will host this forum to highlight the need for and issues with health insurers to cover mental illness at the same level as they cover physical illness. Joining Congressman Sestak at the event will be Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-MN), authors of bipartisan legislation to close the loopholes that allow plans to charge higher co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket limits and impose lower day and visit limits on mental health addiction care.
Where: Elwyn Media Campus/Corporate Office, Administration Building on the 3rd Floor Conference Room, Room 317, 111 Elwyn Road, Elwyn, PA 19063
When: Tuesday, February 27, 2007, from 8:30 am until 10:30 am
Hoo, that’s a little early. But kudos if you get out there by then.
liz | 1:11 PM | Uncategorized
And they’re goooooone
You gotta sing that headline to the tune of “She’s Gone” by Hall & Oates.
Prevention group helps shelve suicide commercials
liz | 9:43 AM | Uncategorized
All you need to know to get pissed off
From an article about a father who feels like he has to give up his parental rights so his child, Cassidy, can get help:
The situation was further complicated after Congressional cuts to Medicaid last year took most of the funds available to pay for Cassidy’s professional care. Congress cut $12 billion to Medicaid over five years.
Father may be forced to abandon son
liz | 8:12 AM | Uncategorized
Thursday’s International: Poor mental health care in Texas
Folks, I lived in Texas for several years, and I can confirm that it is, indeed, a separate country. Oddly, I have very warm feelings about it, despite the rampant bigotry, gun love, anti-Semitism and conservatism I was exposed to there. There’s something about Texas … it kind of bewitches you, like a bejeweled Jezebel.
But the mental health care could be better. The Navasota Examiner has a blistering column by editor Steve Snyder about the state’s shortfalls in this area. Good for him.
The state of Texas’ mental health care: It’s criminal
[This photo is of Texas flag shower hooks. You can get anything with the Texas flag there, or in the shape of the state. Er, country.]
liz | 4:34 PM | Uncategorized
My two passions come together
Prisons and mental illness. It’s always a party in my brain. Thanks to EVS for sending this link:
An Rx to thin California prison population
liz | 2:50 PM | Uncategorized
