Message from the Executive Director

2010-03-11T20:24:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,
As part of our mission is to educate, we work to raise awareness of
mental health problems and erase stigma. In the past few months, I
have written letters to Survive Institute, the Catholic Telegraph, and
The Cincinnati Enquirer to do just that.

Most recently, The Cincinnati Enquirer featured a front page story
on February 11 with the headline "Suit claims mentally ill untreated-
Prison a 'revolving door' for many, attorney claims."
It reported that a federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in
Cincinnati "asked a judge to order the Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation and Correction and the Ohio Department of Mental
Health to provide the care necessary to help keep mentally ill
offenders from returning to prison."

The article points out that the two departments are not providing for
the follow-up care, as listed in their policies, needed to prevent
mentally ill offenders from returning to prison. The response I sent
to The Enquirer has not been published and it appears below.
The reason I'm including this is to reinforce the fact that we should
all be vigilant for opportunities to educate the public and to reduce
stigma. Although it takes time and effort, "stigma busting" will
ultimately help our cause. NAMI National offers tips to become a
"StigmaBuster" on a link from our website or by visiting
www.nami.org and linking to "Fight Stigma."

Thanks to all who are fighting stigma. Let's keep on keeping on.
Best wishes for a warm and sunny spring with dispositions to
match!

Judy

NAMI CLERMONT COUNTY NEWS

Message from the Executive Director