Bestselling Author and Mental Health Advocate
Pat Milam, one of the everyday heroes mentioned in my blog last week, was interviewed on his local Louisiana station. I want to share that news story with you. Since his son’s suicide, Pat has been a voacl advocate, telling his story on this blog, testifying before Congress and now sharing his family’s experience via local television.
What’s your view about HIPAA?
http://www.fox8live.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=91047
About the author:Pete Earley is the bestselling author of such books as The Hot House and Crazy. When he is not spending time with his family, he tours the globe advocating for mental health reform.
Pete Earley is the bestselling author of such books as The Hot House and Crazy. When he is not spending time with his family, he tours the globe advocating for mental health reform.
As a former reporter for The Washington Post, Pete uses his journalistic background to take a fair-minded approach to the story all while weaving an interesting tale for the reader.
Our 29 year old son lives with us and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2007. He’s had several manic episodes since, the most recent of which he is recovering from now.
HIPPA has proven to be a block to our getting access to his treatment team many times, when he is so psychotic that he refuses to sign the paper for them to talk to us. It is our contention that we ARE the treatment team when he is out of the hospital, and a major part of it the rest of the time, and should be treated as such by the doctor, social worker and counselor.
The fragmentation of the mental health system has grown increasingly worse over the years we have been involved. Long term care is virtually non-existent, but at the same time is essential to our son’s recovery when he is in crisis.
Thank you for your work.