Study — Consensus Statement—
Mental Health in Shawnee Co., a Local Study

Provided by Judy Moler, Chair, Study Committee, this document was adopted at the annual meeting in April, 2008.
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History of Study:

For the past 18 months the Local Committee on Mental Health Issues has interviewed, studied, as well as had guest speakers for LWV Tuesday Topics. These aforementioned persons included advocates, providers, and community leaders. After a presentation by Dr. Roy Menninger, it became apparent that Topeka was once a highly esteemed mental health community, can no longer make that claim. It appeared to the committee that the closing of state mental health hospitals was premature and resulted in many patients falling between the cracks. The committee was struck by the lack of community accountability as we looked at the local and state mental health system as it currently exists.

Findings:

The committee discovered from their study that Capitol City High needs LWV support. The committee was impressed with the services provided by Capitol City High and the level of commitment of the staff. Steps need to be taken to expedite help to troubled kids by breaking through the public and private bureaucracy.

After study, committee thinks that the mental health system is funded adequately; however, it appears that the monies are not always well spent and there is too little accountability of how and where funding is spent at both the local and state level.

The NAMI report gave a failing grade to the mental health system statewide. There was a rebuttal from the Community Mental Health Association which appeared to be somewhat self-serving.

The Rescue Mission and local jails have become “de facto” mental health providers. This is not appropriate, and they are not staffed to perform this function.

Breakthrough House provides an entire menu of services, but at budgeting time they are always mentioned for budgetary cuts or are actually cuts.

Consumer speakers brought to the committee’s attention that they are the last considered for opinions and fiscal matters.

Statement of Position:

The League of Women Voters of Topeka/ Shawnee County affirms the statement of positions forwarded by the State Mental Health Committee adopted by the state LWV on April 28, 2007.

As it relates to patient care and outcomes, it is felt that the system would benefit from a greater and continued oversight at the local and state level. This oversight could be by an independent group such as the LWV. If the oversight function is to be effective, they will need the ability to look at basic reports and records of the local mental health center(s). It seems that the system of care is broken. Providers do not appear to be working to establish a consumer driven, accountable system. It is difficult for patients to negotiate the system. Careful review of the Mental Health Act found at KSA 39-1601 et seq. should be conducted and used as a measure of the mental health services offered in Topeka/Shawnee County.

The League of Women Voters of Topeka/Shawnee County believes that inpatient care for all ages in essential in the community mental health system. The option is needed whether or not the patient is a danger to themselves or others, but also for those who need stabilization.

The League of Women Voters of Topeka/Shawnee County believes the mental health system should be consumer driven.

Submitted by the Topeka Shawnee County League of Women Voters Mental Health Study Group 8/30/07

--Approved at VOICE meeting 10/18/07

See background, Mental Health in Kansas

Crises Intervention Team andthe League of Women Voters
by Lois Scibetta, PH.D., R.N.

Fresh from serving on the LWV Mental Health Committee, a notice came across my desk from NAMI, of a Crisis Intervention Training Summit, meeting to be held here in Topeka, in January 2007.

The issue and focus was on the mentally ill in the community, and how to handle crisis situations related to them safely and more effectively.

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is an innovative first responder model of police based intervention with community, health care and advocacy partnerships. The first CIT model was developed in Memphis, Tennessee. The model provides for crisis intervention training for police officers to assist those with mental illness in the community. The training improves safety for the individual, the police and the community.

The Summit meeting held in Topeka was excellent. Various models of training the intervention were shared, as well as, stories from families dealing with mental illness. The meeting clearly identified a need for CIT here in Shawnee County. Planning meetings were arranged.

Gwen Elliott and myself attended several planning sessions for several months. The meetings were held under the able leadership of Dennis Bosley, board member of NAMI.

The second CIT Summit meeting was held in January 2008, and was attended by Dr. Scibetta. The format was very similar to the first Summit, and considerable progress had been made in terms of planning the actual CIT training sessions here in Topeka. The League has been involved since the beginning, with a focus on our advocacy role. It should be noted that the LWV were welcomed and encouraged to participate in the planning.

The first five-day CIT training sessions were held in the VA hospital, here in Topeka in April 2008. Thirty-three officers attended the sessions, many from Topeka, and around the state. Gwen and I attended several of the classes, which were excellent and very well received. The Topeka LWV was noted as a sponsor, although we did not contribute financially, they felt our interest and support was very helpful.

At the recent state LWV meeting, the Topeka League spoke about our involvement with this program, and now the Wichita League is also involved. We hope other Leagues will become involved in this program.

Interested in getting involved? More details in October, 2008, Tuesday Topics presentation by Lois Scibetta, Gwen Elliott and Dennis Bosley.

—from July/August 2008 LWV-TSC VOTER

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