Jean P. Earley
April 1919 to December 2013
The best mom a son could have.
“Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well? My mother”
-Ann Taylor
My Mother Jean Earley
by
Dr. Torrey Questions New NAMI Director About Her Views On Closing Hospitals
by
The new director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness doesn’t take command of our nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization until January 2nd, but Mary Giliberti already is being grilled by long-time NAMI activist Dr. E. Fuller Torrey.
Torrey, who has been critical of NAMI lately, has fired off a letter demanding the new director publicly state her views about the closing of state hospitals. Torrey and his followers are suspicious of Giliberti because she once worked for the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, a driving force behind “deinstitutionalization.” Bazelon also strongly opposes the passage of Assistant Outpatient Treatment laws, which Torrey endorses.
I warned readers earlier this year of a split that was forming between NAMI members. NAMI was formed by parents who were frustrated with the mental health system, but in recent years more and more consumers have joined its ranks and some of them are opposed to issues that NAMI has traditional supported.
My Son’s Rap About Mental Illness For Upcoming Anti-Stigma Show
by
My son, Kevin (known by his middle name Mike in my book) has written a rap song and made a video to promote an upcoming local show that will feature individuals with mental illnesses and their families speaking about stigma and recovery.
I recently wrote that Jennifer Killi Marshall was using Kickstarter to finance the May 18th production in Arlington, Virginia, of This Is My Brave. The name reflects the moment when individuals decide they will speak openly about their illnesses without shame or fear. (You can still contribute at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thisismybrave/this-is-my-brave-opening-up-about-mental-illness)
Going public takes courage, says Ms. Marshall, who has written a blog about her life since she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She has been hospitalized four times in the past five years.
In addition to this song, Kevin writes and performs rap music on other topics. (WARNING: A shameless plug by his father: I think his albums are amazing and worth every penny and I’m not a fan of rap! You can read more about him and his work at www.getthatworm.com)
I also want to share some sad news with those of you who know me personally or who have supported my advocacy and writings. My 94 year old mother, Jean, went from being fine two weeks ago, to becoming bedridden and unresponsive. She is under hospice care in our home, having been diagnosed with bone cancer. Because of this, I have not been able to follow up on several mental health issues that I wish to explore more fully, such as NAMI’s selection of a new executive director and Rep. Murphy’s bill. I hope to do this in future blogs and appreciate your patience and kind thoughts.
Rep. Murphy’s Bill Would Shift Focus: Make Major Changes In Mental Health Care
by
Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) introduced legislation today that would make significant changes in our nation’s mental health care system.
Spurred by the mass killings in Newtown, Murphy’s proposed bill, The Mental Health Reform Act, would slow the current push in the mental health community toward self-determination at any and all costs toward a more paternalistic view.
For advocates such at Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, who played a key role behind the scenes in helping shape the legislation, passage would be a major victory. For the Bazelon Center For Mental Health Law and other consumer activists that have guided much of the government’s recent mental health thinking, it would be a set back.
Murphy, who is the only psychologist serving in Congress and has an inside working knowledge of our mental health care system’s successes and faults, is proposing changes based on testimony at several hearings that the Energy Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held during this year. His bill targets 12 areas for major reform. Each is important and several are controversial.
Brave, Honest, Shouldn’t Be Attacked: Reader Says
by
I am in the midst of a health crisis with my 94 year old mother and not in my office, but wanted to post this email from a reader. It is one of several that I have received this morning.
The South African interpreter with schizophrenia disclosed himself worldwide as receiving treatment
and has discussed publicly his symptoms, including tendancies
to become violent.
What a brave, honest, and trusting person!
In return, NBC news reporters commented that he has no right to be around government officials because of possibility for violence.
Is this a “Mandela Moment” when truisms of mental illness, the willingness of mentally ill to be open about their shortcomings,
and the responsibility of all peoples to be tolerant and fair, might
be highlighted across the world?
Is this a moment when mental health leaders need to speak out?
–Mary
A Trip To Cuckoo’s Nest Museum And Reminder Of How Far We Have To Go
by
Dean Brooks at museum opening. Nurse Ratched (Actress Louise Fletcher in white behind him.)
A light snow was falling and motorists unfamiliar with slick conditions were moving slower than usual as I headed from Portland, Oregon, on Friday to nearby Salem to meet with Dr. Dean Brooks’s three daughters.
My friend, Dr. Brooks, died in July at age 96, after spending much of his life advocating for persons with mental disorders. He was best known for being the superintendent at the Oregon State Hospital when the movie, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, was filmed there. Dean played himself in that classic film.
I was meeting with Dennie Brooks, Ulista Jean Brooks, and India Brooks Civey to tour a new museum that opened at the state hospital, in large part because of their efforts. More about the museum in a moment. First, I want to mention what I heard broadcast on the local National Public Radio affiliate as I was driving.
Several local reporters were discussing news events and because snowfall is unusual in Portland, one mentioned that the city only had 1,000 emergency shelter beds for the estimated 2,500 homeless persons living on its streets. She then mentioned that many homeless individuals were refusing to go into shelters despite the cold.
