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29 Feb 2012

CPC updates county board on mental health reform

published online: 2/29/2012



State continuing effort to revamp delivery system.

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By CHRISTINIA CRIPPES
ccrippes@thehawkeye.com


County officials reiterated concerns with the state’s efforts to redesign the mental health and developmental disability delivery system, despite the changes lawmakers have made to the proposed bills.

“There’s certainly a lot of changes coming if any of this legislation passes, even if they do away with regionalization,” said Ken Hyndman, Des Moines County Central Point of Coordination administrator, referring to the Iowa House proposal that would leave county jurisdiction in place.

Hyndman will take his list of concerns, recommendations, and a few compliments, to the Statehouse this week.

Hyndman updated Des Moines County Board supervisors during its meeting Tuesday on those issues and the proposals currently being debated in the House and Senate. While Hyndman finds things to like in both – the local jurisdiction in the House bill and leaving the county levy in place in the Senate version - neither fully addresses his desired path forward.

“It’s still a work in progress. (The Iowa Association of Counties) has submitted recommendations for changing the legislation some more, and I hope they take those and make some changes,” Hyndman said.

The bill versions are House Study Bill 630 and Senate Study Bill 3152.

Hyndman is worried about the speed with which the redesign would begin to be implemented, the possibility of lowering the county’s funding level and its eligibility standards, and a new top-down approach rather than starting with addressing the needs of the customers who use the county’s mental health and developmental disability services.

In a draft letter Hyndman plans to distribute at the Capitol, he concludes by writing, “We work closely with Iowans receiving services through local stakeholder meetings, satisfaction surveys, and in other ways through the CPC process today in each county in Iowa. Let’s continue to work together and find ways to keep the best parts of the system, while we strive to improve the parts that need modernized.”

Hyndman said the current proposals could result in the county losing two-thirds of its MH/DD funding. He acknowledged that the reform might result in winners and losers in the system, but he hoped the state would give those who lose the county support more time to find an alternative.

Hyndman said as many as 1,000 people who get services through the county could lose access by July 1, if the state plan goes into place.

Board Chairman Tom Broeker said the state proposal may result in additional services but less county revenue.

The House version would have the state buy up the county funds over several years so the state ultimately funds the MH/DD services. The Senate version would have the state take up some funding of services but leave the county levy intact should the county desire to have supplemental services that are not state funded.

Hyndman said either bill will reduce his ability to access local dollars, while it would still be required to provide local services. He said the local tax levy dollars also provide stability, whereas he worries the state dollars could fluctuate from year to year.

“It’s going to make for a tight budget,” Hyndman said, adding he also is watching what the state will allow as far as administrative costs.

Hyndman also noted the bill does not include some additional services counties had wanted, like addressing the lack of subacute care in the state and adding crisis services across the state.

He said the state may be looking to access some additional funds that could be available through the federal health care reform law.

Des Moines County Jail Administrator Duane Worthy said he’s been keeping an eye on the legislation too, because if there is a cut to services, it could lead to more mentally ill people in jail rather than getting the help they need.

While Hyndman is working to make the final bill better, Supervisor Bob Beck is not optimistic.

“For some reason, I think I feel the knife starting to slip into me,” Beck said, adding that he wonders where the money would come from to provide additional MH/DD services if the state is trying to limit local government growth.


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29 Feb 2012

Cameron says Labour should ‘turn back’ donations from Unite after McClusky¿s …

  • PM calls on Labour to return the million of pounds from its largest financial backer
  • ‘Red Len’ McCluskey branded ‘unpatriotic’ and ‘appaling’ for calls to disrupt the Games
  • Labour leader says action targeted against Olympics is ‘totally unacceptable and wrong’

By
Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:32 PM on 29th February 2012

David Cameron insisted that Labour should start ‘turning back’ donations from the Unite union after its general secretary called for civil disobedience during the London Olympics.

Labour leader Ed Miliband described Len McCluskey’s comments, also threatening strike action during the Games, as ‘totally unacceptable and wrong’.

But the Prime Minister said Mr Miliband’s intervention, in a message on Twitter, was not enough given Unite’s financial support for the Labour Party.

Labour party leader Ed Miliband speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London.

Prime Minister David Cameron speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London.

Clash: Labour leader Ed Miliband, left, was put on the defencive by David Cameron, right, over his party’s links to Unite

Mr Cameron said during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons: ‘Unite is the single biggest donor to the party opposite, providing around a third of their money, and had more role than anybody else in putting the Right Honourable Gentleman (Mr Miliband) in his place,’

‘It’s not good enough for them just to put out a Tweet, they need to condemn this utterly and start turning back the money.’

He said Tory MP Richard Graham, who said Mr McCluskey’s remarks would ‘damage the reputation’ of the UK, represented the views of ‘the whole country’.

Downing Street earlier denounced the threat of strikes to disrupt the Olympics as ‘completely unacceptable and unpatriotic’.

Mr Miliband said: ‘Any threat to the Olympics is totally unacceptable and wrong.

‘This is a celebration for the whole country and must not be disrupted.’

Mr McCluskey told The Guardian that unions could stage industrial action as part of their campaign against Government cuts and called for the public to engage in civil disobedience to defend public services.

Disruption: 'Red Len' McCluskey threatened a year of industrial strife and said Unite would be prepared to break the law 'to defend our basic rights'

Disruption: ‘Red Len’ McCluskey threatened a year of industrial strife and said Unite would be prepared to break the law ‘to defend our basic rights’

Earlier Nick Clegg had demanded
Labour leader Ed Miliband ‘rein in’ the Unite union chief, following his
comments urging civil disobedience during the summer Games as a way of
defending public services from Government cuts.

Mr
McCluskey, whose union has given more than £5million to Labour since
the election in 2010, said Unite would stage illegal protests if
necessary.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he believed people would be ‘gobsmacked’ and ‘appalled’ by Mr McCluskey’s declaration.

Rebuke: Nick Clegg said the public would be 'gobsmacked' and 'appalled' by Mr McCluskey's comments

Rebuke: Nick Clegg said the public would be ‘gobsmacked’ and ‘appalled’ by Mr McCluskey’s comments

‘I just think people will be
gobsmacked, appalled, that someone thinks that at a time when we are
finally hosting one of the greatest events in the world, he is calling
for civil disobedience,’ he told ITV Daybreak.

‘I know he is the sort of paymaster of the Labour Party but I hope Ed Miliband will rein him in.’

Mr McCluskey had said no precise plans had been drawn up for action during the London Games, but added that they ‘absolutely’ could include strikes.

‘The attacks that are being launched on public sector workers at the moment are so deep and ideological that the idea the world should arrive in London and have these wonderful Olympic Games as though everything is nice and rosy in the garden is unthinkable.

‘Our very way of life is being attacked,’ he said.

‘I believe the unions, and the general community, have got every right to be out protesting.

‘If the Olympics provide us with an opportunity, then that’s exactly one that we should be looking at.’

Mr McCluskey said his union had not yet discussed ‘the specifics’ of how workers could target the Olympics, but said they were looking at what ‘leverage points’ the Games offer – such as bus services.

He added: ‘Now nobody has made any decisions yet and, of course, it would be nice if we were able not to disrupt such a prestigious event as the Olympics.

‘But by the same token, people have to understand that we are fighting for our heritage here.

‘Our parents and our grandparents, having defeated fascism in Europe, came back determined to build a land fit for heroes.

‘They gave us the welfare state, the National Health Service, universal education.

‘All of that is being attacked.

'Chaos': Mr McCluskey said action during the Olympics would bring his 'grievances to the attention of as many people as possible'

‘Chaos’: Mr McCluskey said action during the Olympics would bring his ‘grievances to the attention of as many people as possible’

‘I, for one, am not prepared to stand by and have my children or grandchildren say to me, ‘What did you do when this was being taken away from us?’

‘When you say what can we do, and the likes of the Olympics, I’m calling upon the general public to engage in civil disobedience.’

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg urged Mr Miliband to ‘rein in’ the union boss.

‘I just think people will be gobsmacked, appalled, that someone thinks that at a time when we are finally hosting one of the greatest events in the world, he is calling for civil disobedience,’ Mr Clegg told ITV Daybreak.

‘I know he is the sort of paymaster of the Labour party but I hope Ed Miliband will rein him in.’

Conservative Party co-chairman Baroness Warsi said she too was ‘shocked’ by Mr McCluskey’s comments and called on Mr Miliband to act.

‘This is an appalling display of naked self-interest by Labour’s biggest financial backer,’ she said.

‘The London Olympics will be a great occasion for this country.

Countdown: The Olympic rings mounted on a barge pass under Tower Bridge as London counts down to the games

Countdown: The Olympic rings mounted on a barge pass under Tower Bridge as London counts down to the games

‘It is disgraceful for a trade union boss to be calling for mass disruption when the eyes of the world will be on Britain.’

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: ‘The TUC and Britain’s unions have been strong supporters of the London Olympics.

‘This was reflected in the agreement we reached with London 2012 in 2008, which included proper procedures for the speedy resolution of any disputes, should any arise during the Games themselves.

‘Unions have engaged constructively with the Olympic authorities throughout the whole project to ensure the good working conditions that are helping deliver the Games on time and on budget.

‘We also want to see a great Games that delivers a proper legacy of jobs and regeneration.

‘Of course, unions seek fair reward for the extra work and long hours that will be required during what will be the busiest ever time for public transport and other public services, and not all such negotiations have been concluded.

‘But, of course, unions want a Games of which we can all be proud.’

VIDEO: Shadow Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell gives her opinion on Len McCluskey’s comments 

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.

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If Labour were to return the donations from McCluskeys union thy would end up in Debtors prison.
Beside the unions own Ed Ms soul

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WOW Lembit Öpik has aged a lot recently

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Striking in 2012 in the uk, who in the 70′s would ever have thought it. Union leaders from over the decades have one purpose in life, preserve jobs and promote employment. Show me someone in government who has the same drive to push down unemployment. Ask anyone out on the street who has no money in their pocket which they would rather have, a world class Olympic show or a steady reliable job with a decent pay or a decent days work. With a government who will enforce decent conditions. Oh no we have got one that is rinsing away our pay rises our jobs and our pensions, hey but don’t go on strike during the olympics, what next ?? Don’t strike on the golden jubilee, I know don’t strike on any day that ends in a “y” Cameron and Clegg I’m ashamed of you, not the strikers
- Chris Wynn, Upholland Lancashire , 29/2/2012 19:27
Why blame Clegg Cameron the Olympics are a Labour shambles.

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Not the best way to get the long suffering public on side Len.
Just goes .o prove the days of alright Jack are not dead in the fanatsy world that is public sector trade unionism .

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Unite are the most poisonous, odious, rabble rousing union in the UK, there answer to every dispute is strike regardless of the consequences to any non-Unite staff.
They are pre-historic militants, who in my experience couldn’t organise a pi$$ up in a brewery; formerly the TGWU now Unite try typing unite.com / co.uk / org / net into your browser and you get nothing. Who changes their organisations name when the web site is not available?
labour should be ashamed to be associated with them.

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and just how many thousands of pounds per week is he on?, plus of course his fat pension.

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Someone has to stand up to this pathetic government!!!…………………………………..

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Striking in 2012 in the uk, who in the 70′s would ever have thought it. Union leaders from over the decades have one purpose in life, preserve jobs and promote employment. Show me someone in government who has the same drive to push down unemployment. Ask anyone out on the street who has no money in their pocket which they would rather have, a world class Olympic show or a steady reliable job with a decent pay or a decent days work. With a government who will enforce decent conditions. Oh no we have got one that is rinsing away our pay rises our jobs and our pensions, hey but don’t go on strike during the olympics, what next ?? Don’t strike on the golden jubilee, I know don’t strike on any day that ends in a “y” Cameron and Clegg I’m ashamed of you, not the strikers

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One thing is certain, ‘Red Len’ McCluskey must be shaking with fear now that Millipede has had a tweet.

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LIZZIE WINDSOR AND THE, 60 YEARS OF ABJECT FAILURE., 29/2/2012 16:11
———————————–
What a depressing chracter you are. I bet you are a wow at parties

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29 Feb 2012

Meryl Streep Donates To Two Of Viola Davis’ Charities

Meryl Streep may have given a selfish but funny acceptance speech when she won her latest Oscar for Best Actress on Sunday night, but just because she was tickled pink about winning yet another award, it does not mean she lacks a big heart. The following morning, Streep gave an award to a struggling school in Rhode Island and college prep program Upward Bound in the name of longtime friend and fellow Best Actress nominee, Viola Davis.

A charter school in Central Falls, Rhode Island, the town Davis herself grew up in has been struggling to stay open for a while. The school, known as the Segue Institute for Learning, has had trouble raising the money to buy the building housing the school, which was put up for sale due to financial difficulties in the city. Now in a buy or shut down market, the money from Streep will get the ball rolling on a project that is expected to cost the school $1.2 million dollars.

The money for the Segue Institute for Learning came from Streep’s charity, the Silver Mountain Foundation for the arts. According to Reuters, the charity dropped a $10,000 check off at the school Monday, leaving director Angelo Garcia in a state of excitement.

“We’ve just been screaming from the rooftops.”

The Upward Bound program in Rhode Island also received a second $10,000 dollar check, the largest check written for the organization in its history. There is still a long way for Central Falls, Rhode Island to go, but with Davis and Streep as spokespersons and partial benefactors, things are certainly looking up.


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29 Feb 2012

Ontario Shores Expands Adolescent Mental Health and Education Program in Toronto, Waterloo and Thames Valley

TORONTO, Feb. 29, 2012 /CNW/ – Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health
Sciences (Ontario Shores) today announced the expansion of its
Adolescent Mental Health Literacy Program to four additional Ontario school boards and two private schools: Thames
Valley District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board,
Toronto District School Board, Waterloo Region District School Board,
St. Clement’s School and Upper Canada College.

More than 300 teachers, educators and allied staff took part in this
week’s training to help bring mental health curriculum into schools.
The curriculum and training will support education and awareness, help
identify youth with mental health struggles and reduce stigma.

In Canada, approximately 20 per cent of adolescents suffer from some
sort of mental disorder, but very few receive the care they need.
Without support and specialized treatment, these youth can face
struggles that create the possibility for failure at school, social
isolation, self-harm and/or suicide.

As a leading provider of specialized mental health care, Ontario Shores
knows that a lack of understanding and mental health stigma are key
factors as to why so many youth are not identified or do not get the
help they need. Education and reducing the stigma of mental illness are
vital in order to change those numbers.

Seventeen schools from Durham, Peterborough and Northumberland area
school boards piloted the program in October 2011 with great success,
sparking overwhelming interest from schools and school boards across
Ontario and showing there is a great need for this initiative.

“One in 5 children and youth suffer from a psychiatric illness yet the
majority are not getting the care required,” says Glenna Raymond,
President and CEO of Ontario Shores. “By bringing mental health
curriculum into our schools, training educators and supporting it with
anti-stigma tools we hope to see earlier identification of mental
health issues and care for all those young people in need.”

Based on the work by Dr. Stan Kutcher, a world leader in adolescent
mental health, and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), the
program curriculum provides a complete set of educational tools to
increase understanding of mental health and mental illnesses among
teachers, educators, students and primary healthcare providers; with
the goal to eliminate stigma and promote early identification and
treatment.

“When young people, their teachers and their health providers are
literate about mental health and mental disorders they can: educate
others; change the stigma against mental disorders into understanding
and support; provide best evidence-based care and together move the
health and wellbeing of young people in a positive direction,” says Dr.
Kutcher. “It is a privilege to be part of this important movement.”

Ontario Shores partnered with Dr. Kutcher to deliver the program that
consists of four key components: a best practice mental health
curriculum to better equip educators to teach about mental illness; a
teacher training workshop that trains educators on how to best use the
curriculum in their classrooms; a gatekeeper training program which
trains key school personnel to identify young people who may have a
mental illness, and how to appropriately triage and refer; and, a
primary health care provider training program  that addresses the four
most common mental illnesses in adolescents.

The four components together ensure an integrated program geared to
support adolescents at all levels: with increased mental health
awareness amongst their peers and their teachers; the encouragement to
seek help if needed; educators trained in early identification tools;
and appropriate access to treatment and care.

The program is an excellent example of healthcare partnering with
education to achieve positive results and true impact. “Ontario Shores
has done an outstanding job in working with school boards and other
involved participants to energetically and significantly bring
fundamental components of mental health literacy into Ontario secondary
schools and to primary care health providers,” said Dr. Kutcher.

This brings the total training to more than 450 people. Moving forward,
Ontario Shores anticipates continued expansion of the program.

Ontario Shores is also enhancing its “You’re Not Alone” awareness
campaign, which is carefully designed to serve as a booster to the
program activity in the schools, with a documentary about adolescent
mental health currently in production. The campaign uses print and
multimedia online, in schools and at targeted Mac’s Milk convenience
stores to increase awareness of mental illness and decrease stigma
amongst youth.

Additional Comments: Please find attached quotes from our new program partners.

About Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores):
Ontario Shores is a leader in mental health care, providing a spectrum
of specialized assessment and treatment services for people living with
complex mental illness. Patients benefit from a recovery-oriented
environment of care, built on compassion, inspiration and hope. Ontario
Shores engages in research, education and advocacy initiatives to
advance the mental health care system.

For more information on the You’re Not Alone campaign or to see how your
school can get involved visit http://www.ontarioshores.ca/education/highschoolandelementary/


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29 Feb 2012

Mental Health America Offers Tips for Coping with Shooting at Chardon, Ohio …

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 28, 2012 — Statement of David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America:

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – ”Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of the Chardon, Ohio, shootings.  It is still too early to know yet why this individual took a firearm to a school and shot students.

“We do know that events like this will impact students and families in Chardon and the nation. Many students may feel at risk and may experience feelings of anxiety and fear. Parents may be groping with how to discuss these and similar events with their children.

To guide discussions about the shooting, Mental Health America offers the following suggestions for teachers and parents as they communicate with young people in the area and across the nation:

  • Talk honestly about the incident, without graphic detail, and share some of your own feelings about it. It is important that students feel informed.
  • Encourage students to talk about their concerns and to express their feelings, and validate the young person’s feelings and concerns.
  • Limit television viewing. It can be difficult to process the images and messages in news reports.
  • Empower young people to take action about their own school safety. Encourage them to share their concerns about school safety with university officials.
  • Recognize what may be behind a young person’s behavior. They may minimize their concerns outwardly, but may become argumentative, withdrawn or allow their school performance to decline.
  • Keep the dialogue going even after media coverage subsides. Continue to talk about feelings and discuss actions being taken to make schools and communities safer.
  • Seek help when necessary. If you are worried about a young person’s reaction or have ongoing concerns about his/her behavior or emotions, contact a mental health professional at their school or at your community mental health center. Your local Mental Health America Affiliate can direct you to resources in your community.

Mental Health America’s website has a number of additional resources on its website to help provide support and perspective to those directly affected by the tragedy and the nation as a whole (http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/coping-with-disaster.)

Mental Health America (www.mentalhealthamerica.net) is the nation’s largest and oldest community-based network dedicated to helping all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives. With our more than 300 affiliates across the country, we touch the lives of millions—Advocating for changes in mental health and wellness policy; Educating the public providing critical information; and delivering urgently needed mental health and wellness Programs and Services.

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Mental Health America


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29 Feb 2012

Cameron: Labour should hand back Unite donations over Olympics threat

David Cameron has said Labour should start handing back donations from the Unite union after its general secretary called for civil disobedience during the London Olympics.

The prime minister seized on Labour leader Ed Miliband‘s reaction to comments given by Len McCluskey in an interview with the Guardian, in which he said attacks on public sector workers were so deep and ideological that targeting the Games would be justified. McCluskey also urged the public to engage in “all forms of civil disobedience within the law” in the campaign against cuts.

The union leader’s comments prompted a cross-party backlash. The TUC also appeared to distance itself from the call.

Miliband tweeted his own displeasure earlier on Wednesday, saying: “Any threat to the Olympics is totally unacceptable and wrong. This is a celebration for the whole country and must not be disrupted.”

But Cameron told MPs it was not good enough to send a condemnatory message on Twitter, given Unite’s financial support for the Labour party.

Speaking at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, he said: “Unite is the single biggest donor to the party opposite, providing around a third of their money, and had more role than anybody else in putting the right honourable gentleman [Miliband] in his place.

“It’s not good enough for them just to put out a tweet. They need to condemn this utterly and start turning back the money.”

He said the Tory MP Richard Graham, who said McCluskey’s remarks would damage the reputation of the UK, represented the views of the whole country.

Earlier in the day, the Labour deputy party leader, Harriet Harman, went on air to condemn the union leader’s comments. She told the BBC: “I’ve already actually spoken to Len McCluskey this morning and said that both Ed Miliband and I think he’s wrong and we think that he shouldn’t even be floating the prospect.

“We all need to be rallying behind the Olympics … we want to make a great success of it, and I’ve already had the opportunity of saying to Len that I think that he was wrong even to raise this.”

The leader of the country’s largest trade union told the Guardian that no precise plans for action during the event had been drawn up, but added that action could include strikes.

“If the Olympics provide us with an opportunity, then that’s exactly one that we should be looking at,” he said.

He also said any attempt by ministers to tighten anti-strike legislation would lead to unions deliberately breaking the law.

McCluskey’s comments came as the RMT union increased the pressure on the London mayor, Boris Johnson, to deliver a strike-free event by declaring a formal dispute after rejecting an Olympics pay deal for London Underground staff.

Earlier on Wednesday, Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, said people would be appalled by McCluskey’s call for the public to engage in civil disobedience to defend public services during this summer’s Games.

Before Harman and Miliband’s comments, Clegg had seized on Unite’s funding link with the Labour party, telling ITV Daybreak: “I just think people will be gobsmacked, appalled, that someone thinks that, at a time when we are finally hosting one of the greatest events in the world, he is calling for civil disobedience.

“I know he is the sort of paymaster of the Labour party, but I hope Ed Miliband will rein him in.”

Lady Warsi, the Conservative party co-chairman, said McCluskey’s comments were “an appalling display of naked self-interest by Labour’s biggest financial backer”.

“The London Olympics will be a great occasion for this country,” she said. “It is disgraceful for a trade union boss to be calling for mass disruption when the eyes of the world will be on Britain.”

McCluskey’s comments also received short shrift from the TUC.

Brendan Barber, the TUC general secretary, said Britain’s unions wanted a Games of which “we can all be proud”.

“The TUC and Britain’s unions have been strong supporters of the London Olympics. This was reflected in the agreement we reached with London 2012 in 2008, which included proper procedures for the speedy resolution of any disputes should any arise during the Games themselves.”

He added: “Of course unions seek fair reward for the extra work and long hours that will be required during what will be the busiest ever time for public transport and other public services, and not all such negotiations have been concluded. But of course unions want a Games of which we can all be proud.”

McCluskey said industrial action over government plans to cut the value of public sector pensions would “drag on and on” and involve “all forms of different protest and action”.

Though some unions have scaled back their opposition to the proposals since staging the biggest strike for three decades in November, Unite is among those planning to fight on.

“The attacks that are being launched on public sector workers at the moment are so deep and ideological that the idea the world should arrive in London and have these wonderful Olympic Games as though everything is nice and rosy in the garden is unthinkable,” McCluskey said.

“Our very way of life is being attacked. By then, this crazy health and social care bill may have been passed, so we are looking at the privatisation of our National Health Service. I believe the unions, and the general community, have got every right to be out protesting.”

McCluskey said his union represented London’s 28,000 bus drivers and staff, who are involved in their own row about extra payments during the Olympics.

The bus workers want £500 in supplementary pay for the Games, in line with deals at Network Rail, Virgin Trains and London Overground. “They will be examining what leverage points we have, and the Olympics will clearly come into play,” he said.

McCluskey said that, because of the seriousness of the issues, he was encouraging the public to engage in “all forms of civil disobedience within the law” in the campaign against cuts.

The next strike over public sector pensions is expected to take place on 28 March, with Unite’s health workers, civil servants in the Public and Commercial Services union and the National Union of Teachers contemplating combined action.

More than 1 million public sector workers took part in the national walkout on 30 November, but numbers could be lower next month because the country’s largest public sector union, Unison, is focusing on settlement talks.


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29 Feb 2012

Cancer Charity Launches Urgent Funding Appeal

Temp: 12°C



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29 Feb 2012

Mental health facility in Princeton Township sued

leal_m.JPGMichael Leal

PRINCETON TOWNSHIP — A man charged with murdering his roommate in a township mental health facility last year has sued the facility for failing to protect him while he was committed for psychiatric treatment.

Michael Leal, 20, of New Brunswick is accused of fatally beating 69-year-old James Dunlavy as the older man lay sleeping in the room the two shared at Princeton House Behavioral Health in Feb. 2011.

Leal allegedly told police he beat Dunlavy with his fists, knees and feet because he felt guilty for having sex with the man earlier that night.

In a civil complaint filed earlier this month, Leal alleged Princeton House Behavioral Health “failed to supervise its patients” and its doctors, nurses and employees were negligent by failing to provide him with “safe and appropriate treatment.”

Attorney Steven Blader, who filed the suit on behalf of Leal, said Leal and Dunlavy never should have been placed as roommates.

“You have a 19-year-old young man who was hallucinating and worried about people trying to kill him, and he’s certified to be a threat to himself and others, and you place him in a room with a 69-year-old man who has been schizophrenic since the age of 12 who has been acting out sexually,” Blader said. “That’s a prescription for disaster, which is exactly what happened.”

The suit alleges that the facility’s “failure to adequately assess, treat, supervise and monitor plaintiff’s safety and well-being resulted in plaintiff fatally wounding his roommate.”

Leal, who is being held on $500,000 bail, is under indictment on murder charges and awaiting trial in Mercer County Superior Court. A defense-ordered psychological evaluation recently found Leal mentally unfit to stand trial, Assistant Prosecutor Brian McCauley said Tuesday. McCauley, who is trying the case against Leal, said the state has ordered its own evaluation which is expected to be completed next month.

Blader said Leal had no history of mental illness but was “quite psychotic” and hallucinating when he sought help at a New Brunswick hospital emergency room shortly before he was transferred to Princeton House. The only available room was with Dunlavy, whose roommate had recently left because of his “inappropriate conduct,” Blader said, quoting hospital records.

“Putting them together was like putting a bomb in a room with a large flame. It’s a set-up for disaster,” he said.

Leal first told police he had beaten Dunlavy because the older man had made unwanted sexual advances on him, but he later admitted they had engaged in consensual sex and that Dunlavy had fallen asleep afterward, McCauley said.

Leal said he began reading the Bible and started to feel guilty and began stabbing Dunlavy with a pen and beating him with his fists, knees and feet, McCauley said. He also admitted stabbing Dunlavy with a straight pin he had found in a nightstand drawer, the prosecutor said.

Dunlavy, who lived in public housing in Highland Park, died of blunt force trauma to the head.

After the beating, Leal put a pillow over Dunlavy’s face so he wouldn’t have to look at him and went out to a common lounge area to watch television, McCauley said.

Dunlavy’s body was discovered by staff members investigating why Leal’s clothing was bloody, McCauley said.

Blader said the suit is about ensuring that Leal, who is stabilized on medication, receives the psychiatric treatment he needs.

“He needs a lot of help. That’s what we’re seeking,” Blader said. “He’s much more damaged after being admitted to Princeton House than before he went in there.”

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29 Feb 2012

Mental health scheme to get cash boost

An extra £22m is to be provided for a special scheme to help young people who “suffer in silence” from mental health problems, Nick Clegg will announce on Wednesday.

As figures show that one in 10 children between the ages of five and 16 experience mental health problems, the deputy prime minister will say that the new money will be used to expand new psychological therapies.

The new investment Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) project will also help extend training for people working with youngsters in schools and youth groups.

Clegg said: “Too many young people suffer in silence with mental health problems. This is vital investment that will give children the very best tailored treatment to restore them to good health, so that their illnesses are not simply swept under the carpet.

“With one in 10 young people suffering from a mental health problem, we cannot let this issue drift or rely on adult services as a cure-all. The money we are investing today will work specifically for children on therapies that are proven to work.

“Mental health must have the same priority as physical health. Giving children the treatment they need as soon as they need it will help ensure that millions of children suffering from a mental health problem will have a fairer opportunity to succeed in life.”

The new money comes on top of the £32m announced last October when the government expanded the IAPT project as part of the Mental Health Strategy. The new money will be spent on:

• Providing greater access to a range of psychological therapies or treatment for adolescent health problems such as eating disorders, depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and self harm.

• More training to develop the skills in the NHS of those who work with young people such as teachers, social workers and counsellors.

Paul Burstow, the Liberal Democrat care services minister, said: “Half of those with mental health problems first experience symptoms by the age of 14, and three quarters before their mid-20s. This pioneering work will focus on early and effective treatment.

“We know psychological therapies work. Our aim is to transform existing mental health services for children so our children get the best treatment possible, from services that are more responsive to their needs.”

Sarah Brennan, chief executive of YoungMinds, said: “We are delighted that the government has committed to further extending IAPT services for children and young people. Intervening early when a child or young person starts struggling to cope is proven to reduce the likelihood of that young person developing much more severe and entrenched mental health problems.

“By 2030, the World Health Organisation predicts that more people will suffer with depression than any other health problem. It is vital that we invest in children and young people’s mental health in order to prevent a generation of children suffering entrenched mental health problems as adults.

“Children and young people tell us they want to play a central role in making decisions about their care. Children and Young People’s IAPT is a shining example of putting the voice of children and young people at the heart of design and delivery of services. As the programme expands we hope this continues.”


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29 Feb 2012

Chardon High School victim Demetrius Hewlin donated organs by choice

demetrius hewlinView full sizeWKYC Channel 3Shooting victim Demetrius Hewlin. 

CHARDON, Ohio — Students who knew Demetrius Hewlin have recalled how the teen often worked out in the Chardon High School gym and liked to build up his body.

But others will remember 16-year-old bodybuilder, one of three students fatally wounded in shootings Monday at the high school, for the hope his harvested organs will give to people in need of them.

The families of Demetrius and fellow student, Russell King, made the donations Tuesday through Lifebanc, a Northeast Ohio agency that matches organs, eyes and tissue with patients awaiting transplants.

Demetrius, who had a driver’s license, was an organ donor by choice, said Lifebanc spokeswoman Haddie Bartholomew. But because he was under 18, his family had the final say.

She said one organ donor can save up to eight lives and can enhance the lives of 50 people through tissue donations.

“We feel privileged to honor the wishes of both Demetrius Hewlin and his family to give the gift of life during this most tragic time,” Lifebanc Chief Executive Gorden Bowen said in a statement.

Chardon Police Chief Tim McKenna said Demetrius died at MetroHealth Medical Center at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. McKenna did not specify where the teen was shot.

Trees in Demetrius’ neighborhood were lined with red ribbons and flowers. He lived in a white, multi-level house near the school. The family issued a statement after his death asking that everyone respect their privacy.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: sdonalds@plaind.com, 216-999-4885


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