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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NLFAmerica on September 15, 2001, at 11:32:04
Ive already discussed the idea of formally merging psychiatry with Neurology as the only way to truly solve the problem of severe mental illness. I came across this website which I think discusses this problem well. A big part of the problem in mental health is the way in which we think of mental health. In other words that too many people still think of it as a mysterious "psychological" or "emotional" problem when in fact its a brain function or neurological problem ie; a physical illness of the brain and CNS.
The key message I want to carry forward in this weeks newsletter is that which was recently given in a speach by Dr. E. Fuller Torrey on ways to fix the mental health system. "We have to divorce mental health from mental illness."
This message is echoed in the following "Business Week" magazine article on Senator Pete Domenici's efforts and is one of the key reasons for the passing in the USA of a crucial health insurance parity bill. There is a fundamental difference between the rather nebulous concept of "mental health" and serious "mental illness." As Dr. E. Fuller Torrey has said:
"Too much of our resources are being diverted from NBD to cures for "wood allen syndrome," "Alien abduction studies," and social reform issues like ending poverty, curing rascism, etc. In order to facilitate the divorce of biologically based illnesses from social programs: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) should unite in a National Institute for Brain Research. State departments of mental health should be abolished and merged with state departments of health. We should merge academic departments of psychiatry and neurology. And we should prioritize services so the most ill get the best treatment."
If you are ever looking for big ways to help those with mental illness I believe the answer lies here.
If you want to see the website this came from, go here:
http://www.schizophrenia.com/newsletter/newsI13p1.html
NLF of the American Mentally Ill
Posted by akc on September 15, 2001, at 13:59:13
In reply to Ways to fix the mental health system, posted by NLFAmerica on September 15, 2001, at 11:32:04
I know this poster has been blocked (see PBA), but without getting into a long discusion of the theoretically concepts behind the idea, the idea of separating "health" from "illness" seems illogical to me. I've read the Surgeon General's report on Mental Health. One of the strong points of the report is that we need to focus in the country on mental health -- on mental well-being. To help people before they develop a serious mental illness. To teach people behaviors that assist them in remaining healthy. To intervene in homes to remove some of the destructive influences that hurt people when they are young. But then the report goes on to talk about treating those who have a mental illness. How we have so many tools in the arsenal and are gaining new ones each day to treat mental illness -- to bring folks back to mental health. Just as with physical health and illness, are not these concepts intertwined? Are they not the opposite sides of the coin?
So the early quote of this article by the poster makes no sense to me -- that we must "divorce mental health from mental illness." The rest of the article -- I believe the author is good hearted -- the ideas behind it are at heart the idea that mental health/illness have for so long been under a horrible stigma. But as with the earlier posts, I don't see it necessary to role all disciplines into one -- nor all lobbys.
In fact, I think a multifaceted approach is probably healthy. What insights might we gain because different disciplines are studying the problem? What progress might we make in Congress because different groups are approaching congressional leaders and members? What educational opportunities are we given because there are many local organizations working to end the stigma and to bring help to those who need it?
Should these disciplines/groups work more closely together? Definitely. This week only proves how deadly differences can ultimately be. While philosophies may differ, it is time to share research and ideas, not defend turf.
And most of all, it is sure time to give up this idea that there is only one way.
akc
This is the end of the thread.
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