Funding for treatment of mental illness crucial in Topeka
Since 2008, I have shared at the Crisis Intervention Team training for the Topeka Police Department.
CIT refers to special training for officers to deal with mental health crises. I was filmed with my mom, Claire, in a national documentary about mental illness, and it has almost 1 million views on Youtube. When I speak at the police department I share “Living with Schizophrenia: A Call for Hope and Recovery.” The officers love it.
Mental health crises happen every day and with much more frequency now. Police officers have to be ready to know how to deal with all kinds of situations. It’s a tough job, and CIT is a training that happens nationwide.
In “Living with Schizophrenia: A Call for Hope and Recovery,” Xavier Amador was also filmed. He is a clinical psychologist who taught at Columbia University for many years and who has traveled worldwide to train professionals and family members on how to help someone with mental illness accept treatment.
He has also been on major news networks and has been a consultant for many. He also has written a book titled “I’m Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help” on how to help a loved one accept mental health treatment.
I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Amador in Manhattan, New York, several years ago for a screening of the documentary for reporters (Sirius XM, Better Homes and Garden magazine, etc.) at the Benjamin Steakhouse. Dr. Amador is a kind person who truly helps people.
Drug addiction adds issues for someone with mental illness. I have thankfully never experienced a drug addiction, but many people wrestle with an addiction. They are trying to medicate their illness and they get into deep trouble.
The staff at Valeo have a huge job on their hands trying to help in this situation. Valeo works with the Topeka Police Department to help those in this situation.
I have received a bimonthly injection since February 2007. I have had more than 450 injections and I haven’t missed a single one. I have good health insurance, but this is a crisis for too many: They don’t have health coverage to get the medicine they need. They also don’t have insurance for counseling services.
Valeo provides services to clients who struggle with their ability to pay. That is why funding is so vital. The Medicaid cuts will hurt many, including Valeo and hospitals and clinics. It makes me sad. Kansas legislators like Sen. Brenda Dietrich, R-Topeka, truly care about helping those with mental health challenges.
Former Topeka Police Chief Bill Cochran served on the Valeo board of directors and he was instrumental in CIT, as well as advocate Dennis Bosley.
Let’s recognize the importance of funding for services for the treatment of mental illness. The challenges have become almost unbearable for professionals to deal with.
The time to care is now. Let’s see these people as God would see them — real people in need of care.
Rebecca Lyn Phillips is a published author, speaker and mental health advocate in Topeka.
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