Mental illness

With the Senate passing of NJ S-2861-3081: Requires health curriculum for public school students in grades kindergarten through 12 to include instruction on mental health. (Corrado, Kristin M.  as Primary Sponsor, Codey, Richard J. as Primary Sponsor, Vitale, Joseph F.  as Primary Sponsor, Ruiz, M. Teresa  as Co-Sponsor, Gopal, Vin as Co-Sponsor)

This bill will provide education to students to help recognize mental illness and help spread awareness and try to fight the stigma attached. No one likes to look at “That crazy homeless man” or “that beggar on the street” or “that nutty woman who stands there talking to herself”.

In the United States alone, 1 out of 5 people suffer from some sort of mental illness. (source: https://www.nami.org/) Many suffer in silence. What causes it? Some scientists and physicians believe that many of these conditions (such as bipolar, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, etc.) are genetic.

Many of those who are afflicted often do not seek help because of the stigma attached to it. They do not want to be labeled as “Crazy” or “Nuts” or “Demented” or the many other labels given to those afflicted. That person could be you or a loved one. It’s difficult to see the warning signs and be aware if something is wrong. Such organizations as NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/) offer information on what resources are available. (IN A CRISIS? CALL THE NAMI HELPLINE: 800-950-6264 OR TEXT NAMI TO 741741)

Then there is the flipside of the coin. Many family members try to get help for their loved ones, but it is unavailable. One of the most provocative books I ever read on mental illness is by New York Times Best Seller List Author and 2007 Pulitzer Prize finalist Pete Earley: Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness. The book recounts the experience of Earley’s son who suffers from a mental illness, and how the entire mental health system in America is flawed. Earley writes about how the mentally ill are criminalized and treated as such by the justice system in the United States. He now is an advocate for strong mental health reform on the public stage. He also is a highly sought out inspirational speaker.

People with mental illness are often cast aside. Even if a family member wants to help their loved one, it’s often difficult. Many times, there are only so many beds available in treatment centers and hospitals are overwhelmed. 

“1,300,000 persons with SMI (serious mental illness) languish in prison – often in solitary confinement. 350,000 persons with SMI rot on our urban streets. Many are shot by police. Most die 20 years sooner than expected. And their families must stand by helplessly and watch this happen.” (source: Shattered Families: Collapse of our Mental Health System, Stephen Seager MD, Psychology Today 9/13/15)

There are many types of medication available from licensed health care providers which can help someone who is suffering. Unfortunately, many of these medications have side-effects and many who suffer refuse to take them even though the medication can help them. Many of these medications are also expensive. If one’s insurance does not pay for them, many pharmaceutical companies offer programs that offer these medications for a reduced fee or for free if one qualifies.

In Perth Amboy, we are fortunate to have the Bay Behavioral Health at Hackensack Meridian and the George J. Otlowkski, Sr. Center for Mental Health Care on Lee Street. 

By the Senate passing of NJ S-2861-3081, the first step in a long journey to helping the mentally ill will begin. It’s a difficult subject that many people do not want to even think about. It’s easy to look the other way. It pains me to see so many individuals who are suffering that so many would rather forget. 

It is my hope that one day there will be a permanent cure for all categories of mental illness. I implore all lawmakers to provide funding for research to develop a permanent cure of these disorders (not just medication management). It is my opinion that many of these types of mental illnesses are diseases of the brain and should be treated as such (as a physical illness).

Imagine a world without mental illness. So many who suffer in silence would be free of their invisible chains. K.M.