Text Box:   MID WEEK ALERT   January 18, 2008     Text Box: Index Text Box: Call To Action From the ED’s Desk In the News Legislative Update About MHAV Upcoming Events Contact Us

Text Box: CALL TO ACTION!!! Text Box: Contact Information Text Box: Mental Health America of Virginia 3212 Cutshaw Ave, Ste 315 Richmond, VA  23230 Office:  804-257-5591 Fax:  804-257-5593 Toll Free:  1-866-400-6428   Paula Price Executive Director    

Text Box: Upcoming Events Text Box:   MHAV Legislative Briefing Dinner:  January 20 Call MHAV 1-866-400-6428                                                        Consumer Rally:  January 21St. Pauls Church9th & Grace St., RichmondClick here for Rally Flyer                                                    SENATE JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE on MENTAL HEALTH JANUARY 23 7 pm Virginia Legislatuer                                                        CELT Tidewater:  Feb 25-29 NOVA I:  Apr 22-25 NOVA II:  June 2-5 Info @ mhav.org                                                        General Assembly Regular Committee Meetings   House of Delegates   Courts and Justice MWF 1/2 hour after adjournment House Room C   Health Welfare And Institutions MT -8:30am House Room D   Educations M -9 House room C W -8:30 Appropriations Room   SENATE   Courts and Justice M-9  W-2 Senate Room A   Education Th -8:30 Senate Room B   For subcommittees go to http://legis.state.va.us/

Text Box: Attend the  MHAV’s Dinner and Legislative Briefing Learn about what to expect from the 2008 Virginia General Assembly by attending MHAV’s dinner and Briefing on Sunday January 20, 6:00-8:00 pm at the Omni Hotel in Richmond. Speakers from the Dept. of HHS and the legislature.  RSVP to 804-257-5591 Dinner $45  Briefing at 6:30 no cost.   Attend the Rally for mental health at the state capitol Join hundreds of others concerned about mental health legislation.  Learn About the Issues.  Meet With Your Legislators and Tell Your Story.  Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church Southwest Corner of 9th and Grace Streets.  For more information call 804-257-5591  

Text Box: IN THE NEWS Text Box: Mental health bill vetted by panel Charlottesville Daily Progress - Charlottesville,VA,USA ... RICHMOND - A House subcommittee acted Friday to somewhat loosen and redefine Virginia’s current standard for involuntary mental health commitments. ... See all stories on this topic Loudoun Representatives Praise, Criticize Kaine™'s Speech WTOP - Washington,DC,USA Associated with the issue of gun control is the issue of mental health care. Kaine proposed legislation to increase funding for mental health care statewide ... See all stories on this topic Va. Considers Mental Health Law Changes The Associated Press - It was the first of many mental health-related issues to come before legislators as they try to reform a mental health system that has come under increased ... See all stories on this topic Where Virginia Falls Short on Mental Health Care Washington Post - United States The gross underfunding of mental health programs in Virginia is one problem; another is the great decrease in the number of hospital beds for psychiatric ... See all stories on this topic VA General Assembly Talks Mental Health WMDT - Salisbury,MD,USA By WMDT STAFF -- WMDT 1/11/2008 Virginia's mental health system is a big topic at the state's General Assembly Session. Emergency Room physicians urged ... See all stories on this topic The Winchester Star Winchester Star - Winchester,VA,USA McDonnell said on Tuesday that his legislative agenda has proposals to reform Virginia’s mental health laws, combat illegal immigration, ... See all stories on this topic Fixing Mental Health Reston Connection - VA,USA The problems in Virginia’s mental health system attract advocates to public meetings each year as state legislators prepare to leave for Richmond. ... See all stories on this topic Virginia Attorney General McDonnell Announces 2008 Legislative Agenda All American Patriots (press release) - Taeby,NA,Sweden The package of bills, highlighted by proposals to reform Virginia’s mental health laws, combat criminal illegal immigration, improve the prisoner reentry ... See all stories on this topic More Work To Be Done Springfield Connection - VA,USA "I'm not Nostradamus, but I put a bill in last year dealing with mental health treatment for people who were not considered imminent dangers to themselves ... See all stories on this topic NC panel recommends gun permit changes for mentally ill FayObserver.com - Fayetteville,NC,USA The system has mental health information but it typically isn't revealed unless a gun permit applicant signs a waiver. Such a law could prevent people with ... See all stories on this topic What Stops the Crazies? About - News & Issues - New York,NY,USA Virginia is the leading state in reporting disqualifications based on mental health criteria for the federal check system, the statement said. ... See all stories on this topic Kaine wants legislators to address mental health, end abuser fees Bluefield Daily Telegraph - Bluefield,WV,USA Kaine outlined his strategy for addressing the problems in the state’s mental health system and called on the General Assembly to address those challenges. ... See all stories on this topic

Text Box: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Text Box: ABOUT MHAV Text Box:   NEW SENATE JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH   A new joint subcommittee on mental health has been formed in the Virginia Senate.  The committee is made up of members common to the Senate Courts of Justice, and Education and Health Committees.  The subcommittee members are Senators Howell, Lucas, Edwards, Quayle and Hurt.  The meeting of the committee will be Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM for public comment on mental health issues.   BILLS OF INTEREST Click here for summary of bills introduced to date in the Virginia State legislature that are of particular interest to MHAV.  The Governor has introduced an omnibus mental health bill, HB 499 and SB 246.   Many of the issues in bills introduced previous to the omnibus bill are included in the governor’s bill.  Therefore we do not include them in our list of bills but will include the Governor’s omnibus bill. MHAV will either support, oppose or watch designated legislation.  MHAV’s positions will be made public by January 22.      

Text Box: The 2008 Virginia Legislative session is in full, frantic swing.  There are a plethora of mental health bills in both houses.  The Senate has formed a new mental health sub committee (see below for meeting times).  Because of the bipartisan support he has gotten for his mental health budget and omnibus bills, the Governor told me last night that he is optimistic that with some amendments his bill and budget will pass.   There is much concern over the changing of the definition for criteria for commitment. Current law reads “imentent danger”, the HB 499 and SB246, the governor’s omnibus bills changes the language to “substantial likelihood” .  The good news is that mental health is THE issue this session.  Kaine said, mental health is not often a priority so this year, when it is,  we have to make as much progress as possible. Progress of course is in the eye of the beholder.   However, it is an old truism in politics is that the perfect is the enemy of the good.   Hang on, it will be a wild ride!

Text Box: FROM THE ED’s DESK Text Box: Our Mission Mental Health America of Virginia, and its fourteen affiliates around Virginia are nonprofit, nonpartisan, advocacy organizations affiliated with the Mental Health America.  Our mission statement: To promote mental health, develop services to prevent mental illness and assure the proper care and treatment of mentally ill children and adults.   What does MHAV Do?  MHAV is a thoughtful voice of reason advocating for public and private sector services and financing to ensure adequate and appropriate detection, treatment, housing, and rehabilitation programs. Teaming with consumers, families of consumers, mental health professionals, providers and the public we ensure that the members of the Virginia assemble and members of Virginia’s Congressional delegation are aware of the concerns and needs of people with mental illness. MHAV educates the public about mental health and mental illness to eliminate the stigma which prevents people from obtaining the help they need.   MHAV promotes and provides programs to meet the needs of individuals suffering from mental illness, to improve mental health, and to reduce conditions which impede the attainment of mental health.   Find back issues of Mid Week Alerts on our web page mhav.org   Contact Us:   3212 Cutshaw Ave, Suite 315  * Richmond, VA 23230   804-257-5591