The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) Department of Psychiatry presented its 26th Annual Public Sector Psychiatry Conference last month, jointly sponsored by the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society. This year's title was "Young Adults in the Extended Mental Health Systems of Massachusetts in the 21st Century." 
 
Following welcoming remarks from Commissioner Leadholm; Dr. Douglas Ziedonis, chair of the Department of Psychiatry; and Dr. Jeffrey Geller, Chief of the Division of Public Sector Psychiatry, Dr. Jeffrey Arnett from Clark University provided an informative and entertaining perspective on the "new life stage of emerging adulthood." He described the sometimes unrealistic optimism of emerging adults and noted an overall improvement in mental health. However, the prevalence of mental disorders increases, half of these disorders being substance-related.
 
Dr. Maryann Davis, of UMMS Center for Mental Health Services Research, discussed ways to more effectively help transition age youth to deal with the impending changes in their autonomy, legal status, eligibility, and social roles. She stressed the importance of learning about other systems and resources to assist this population from the potentially difficult transition from child to adult services. 
 
The theme of working more effectively with the TAY population was echoed in presentations by Dr. Caroline Fisher, of the UMMS Department of Psychiatry, and Ruth Osterman and Beth Griffin from the Genesis Club. Dr. Fisher provided some practical strategies to address young peoples' reluctance to take psychiatric medications and suggested the use of Psychiatric Advance Directives to engage youth in their own treatment. The team from Genesis Club provided a particularly striking example of how a clubhouse and the TAY population challenged and changed each other for the benefit of both.
 
DMH's Susan Wing, Area Director of the Northeast-Suburban Area, discussed with the audience the concept of "doing more with less."  Apart from sharing the astonishing statistic that a search on Google netted 174 million responses in 0.16 seconds for how to do more with less, Ms. Wing provided some helpful guidelines. Specifically, she noted that focusing on a few important goals and focusing on the customer is key: What do TAY consumers want, how would they like things changed and what are the little things that make a big difference?
 
Dr. Geller closed the program with a presentation on transition age youth and fire-setting, correcting some myths and reviewing specific treatment interventions. It was a riveting way to end a highly successful conference. Here's to looking forward to the 27th Annual Public Sector Psychiatry Conference next year!

The Board of Trustees from Taunton State Hospital and The Friends of Taunton State Hospital awarded three $1,000 college scholarships to hospital staff and children of staff. The awards were based upon the submission of an application that includes an essay on the applicant's educational goals and making a contribution to the community.  The three recipients are Rachel Bergevin, Tamara Thomas and Katie Goldrick.  Two recipients will pursue health care careers and one will study business.
 
The Department congratulates this year's winners and wishes them well in their future endeavors. The awards were presented by Hospital Trustee President John Brennan and Friends of Taunton State Hospital representative Carol Simmons.
 
The Run for Ricky Memorial Road Race is now in its 12th year. This community wide activity was created in memory of a hospital staff member, Richard Silvia, who on a snowy day in Taunton sacrificed his life for a youth who was struggling when fell through an icy pond.  In memory of his sacrifice, the Hospital Trustees and Friends of Taunton State Hospital established the 5K road race and one-mile walk held every Columbus Day weekend.  Hundreds of walkers and runners come to the hospital for a morning of friendly competition and fun. Lots of food and prizes are given out along with entertainment that make the day memorable.
 
This year's race will be held on October 9 at 10 a.m. on the hospital grounds. A new 5K route is being planned. For more information call Sandy Epstein at 508-977-3127 or at sandy.epstein@dmh.state.ma.us.

Pictured left to right: Loretta Goldrick; scholarship winner Katie Goldrick; Roberta Guez, Chief Operating Officer of Taunton State Hospital; President of Friends of Taunton State Hospital Carol Simmons; Kenny Willette; and scholarship winners Rachel Bergevin and Tamara Thomas.

The Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL) released a report that details the barriers that families have faced in getting behavioral and mental health treatment for their children at their annual stakeholder meeting last month. PAL Executive Director Lisa Lambert was joined by parents, advocates, providers and state agency staff. The program for this annual event held at the Marlboro Holiday Inn included presentations by Emily Sherwood, Director of Children's Behavioral Health Interagency Initiatives at EOHHS; Joan Mikula, DMH Assistant Commissioner of Child and Adolescent Services; and a panel of providers, youth and parents representing community perspectives.

The event also included a presentation to Senator Karen Spilka, recipient of the Children's Mental Health Champion Award for her unwavering support and advocacy of children's mental health.
 
PAL's REPORT
In November 2008, Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL) invited parents whose children had emotional, behavioral and mental health needs to participate in a survey. The primary goal was to listen to families in Massachusetts and better understand the barriers they identified when accessing needed treatment for their child. The 16-question survey queried families on a wide range of topics, including ability to coordinate care for their child, respite care, access to school services, effects of stigma and resources and treatments that were most effective.
The survey was completed by 471 parents (and a few professionals) over a six-week period.
 
One of the most striking findings was the impact of out of pocket expenses on families as a result of their child's mental health care. Parent comments echoed a 2008 study by The Center for Studying Health System Change, which reported that there is very little cushion in most family budgets for health care costs.
 
Respite care is another important area often highly valued by families. However, many parents responded that they had never heard of respite care. Many families identified multiple barriers (aside from out of pocket expenses) to accessing treatment and services for their child. These obstacles ranged from getting a clear diagnosis to delays in services.
 
The report found that parents value resources and information that can assist them with accessing services, reducing their isolation and helping them make the best decisions they can for their child and family. And while many parents who responded said they struggle to access services and treatments for their children, many families also reported that the services they finally received were effective.
 
To read the full report, visit the PAL website at http://ppal.net