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Being Part Of A Community/
October 15, 2007 The whole thrust of the mental health movement since the 60’s has been to move folks out of institutions into the community. Closing state hospital beds is still the buzz word. Being in the community is the goal. But what does that mean?
Does that mean sitting in some room alone most of the time because you have no friends? Does it mean being able to do very little in the community because you are forced to live in poverty on a disability check? How does a person who has spent months or years in a hospital ever become part of the larger community again?
When I first moved to south Florida in the early 90’s, I spoke out at a public meeting against the idea of closing South Florida State Hospital. Other consumer advocates were mad at me, but I was boiling with anger inside. I was angry at folks who did not understand the anxiety it produced to be told you were going to lose your home. Yes for many people South Florida State Hospital was their home.
I could give a speech to a crowd of 3,000 people, but I was afraid to go shopping for myself or go to a restaurant. I understood fearing the world. Anxiety disorders go along with many other mental illnesses along with paranoia and with the reality of abuse which most of us have suffered at one time or other in our lives. The world is not such a friendly place to us. Being in the community does not have the same meaning for some of us as it does for the people designing the grand plan.
Yesterday being in the community was grand. My wife and I joined the Glen Alpine United Methodist Church. The entire church filed by and welcomed us into the church family. I got more hugs yesterday morning than I have in years. I felt part of a community of faith. What a wonderful feeling.
Then in the afternoon I was invited to speak at the women’s meeting at the Snow Hill United Methodist Church on Mental Illness and the Church. My wife went with me. They had their business meeting then I did my presentation. Afterwards they asked us to stay and share a meal with them. Again I felt part of a community.
I have been locked away on a mental ward. I have lived on the streets hungry and alone. Yesterday, God’s people made me feel like I was part of a community. What a wonderful day.
I got a number of replies to my last blog about how to advocate. Here they are without any further comment from me.
CLARK REPLY
Mr. Cooper:
Have read your recent comments concerning follow the money in the N C Mental Health system. In 1983 I retired as career N C State employee from
The N C Department of Human Resources. Since that time I have operated my own business in the private sector dealing with people from all walks
Of life.
I served also as a N C State Senator 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998 serving on the health and human services appropriation committee. It didn’t take
Me very long in starting to pursue the various money trails in the mental health system after I received numerous complaints from mental health
Clients that direct services dollars were going to “bricks and mortar” in lieu of services. I was one powerless State Senator against the entire political
Power structure!
One needs to follow the money trail from the time the mental health reform legislation was introduced which forced the local regional mental health
Entites to dispose of their bricks and mortar empires. A major question in my mind is was this done above board. I think not!
The N C State Senator from Buncombe County who sponsored the mental health reform legislation resigned his Senate Seat under an ethical cloud.
These are just a couple thoughts on my experiences with the mental health system in N C. As the majority of people know the reform has been a
Total disaster.
Regards,
R L Clark
2 Quail Cove Rd.
Asheville, N C 28804
828-645-3548
Mumpower Reply
Mr. Cooper,
I appreciate the continuing opportunity to speak to our failed state mental health delivery system. May I respectfully suggest that after 6+ years of dysfunction, paralysis, and recycled harms, some sense of urgency and action around this issue might be appropriate?
Like yourself, I value the opportunity to cooperate and work with others. If, on the other hand, while doing so we are standing on the backs of people in pain, this cooperative effort might speak more to self service than an authentic concern for those we purport to serve.
It would be my continued suggestion that a recall initiative against the elected officials who have repeatedly failed to uphold their charge with our state mental health system might be a productive action step toward affecting improvements.
Yours,
Carl Mumpower
You can reach me directly at [email protected]
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