Comments on: openness http://www.amyleblanc.com/2008/10/openness "The future depends entirely on what each of us does every day; a movement is only people moving." --Gloria Steinem Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:15:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Steven Hussein D. http://www.amyleblanc.com/2008/10/openness#comment-28222 Steven Hussein D. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:04:42 +0000 http://www.amyleblanc.com/?p=2804#comment-28222 tossed into r2.0 of the $700 billion Bailout Bill was another $160 billion (if i recall correctly) of "earmarks" so that John McCain's party would support it (go figure). "hidden" in the bill, along with millions to protect things like an archery arrow manufacturer's monopoly, was a clause stating that mental health must now receive budgeting on a par with more general health care. this, i would say, is a HUGE step forward in this country, since the number of people affected by maladies that fall under the mental health umbrella is MUCH higher than we ever hear about. for years i did some volunteering discussing what is now called "panic disorder," a flavor of anxiety, for the media in New York City. without fail, everytime i would visit the health care facility on the morning after one of these discussions aired, the phone would be ringing off the hook from people identifying with the condition. Panic disorder is easily and inexpensively treated, and it's a shame so many people become agoraphobic and lose years, sometimes decades, "hiding" in their homes, afraid of being frozen by an anxiety attack on the street. i met one woman who'd been essentially housebound for 32 years with the problem, and it was gratifying to all who knew her the day she got on a bus--by herself--to indulge once again in her favorite pasttime, gambling in Atlantic City! (fortunately, there's help for compulsive gambling now, as well.) so hopefully we've turned some sort of corner for the people Amy spoke of in her terrific post--that the ones who need care will finally receive it, and the ones who just need a bit of understanding with get it from us. tossed into r2.0 of the $700 billion Bailout Bill was another $160 billion (if i recall correctly) of “earmarks” so that John McCain’s party would support it (go figure). “hidden” in the bill, along with millions to protect things like an archery arrow manufacturer’s monopoly, was a clause stating that mental health must now receive budgeting on a par with more general health care. this, i would say, is a HUGE step forward in this country, since the number of people affected by maladies that fall under the mental health umbrella is MUCH higher than we ever hear about. for years i did some volunteering discussing what is now called “panic disorder,” a flavor of anxiety, for the media in New York City. without fail, everytime i would visit the health care facility on the morning after one of these discussions aired, the phone would be ringing off the hook from people identifying with the condition.

Panic disorder is easily and inexpensively treated, and it’s a shame so many people become agoraphobic and lose years, sometimes decades, “hiding” in their homes, afraid of being frozen by an anxiety attack on the street. i met one woman who’d been essentially housebound for 32 years with the problem, and it was gratifying to all who knew her the day she got on a bus–by herself–to indulge once again in her favorite pasttime, gambling in Atlantic City! (fortunately, there’s help for compulsive gambling now, as well.)

so hopefully we’ve turned some sort of corner for the people Amy spoke of in her terrific post–that the ones who need care will finally receive it, and the ones who just need a bit of understanding with get it from us.

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