THIS IS A NEW BLOG-PLEASE STICK WITH US AS WE GEAR UP IN COMING MONTHS...TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE FOR OUR MENTALLY ILL IN THIS STATE-WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Here are some photos from our participation in theState-wide NAMI Walk recently. We raised 1,140.00
to be used in Jackson and Hillsdale County for education/training.

Hi,

I am Kevin's mom, Lois. Over the last two months I have learned so much about the systems in which many of our mentally ill have been thrown into, with little or no hope for rehabilitation or treatment. I am especially alarmed about what I have learned in regards to the youth in Michigan. My son only stands a chance at making it through this system, because I have been an extremely strong advocate for him. I have seen first hand the evidence, if I stay silent and do not work to get him proper care and treatment, he possibly would never make it through or out of this system. Meeting Timothy Souder's mother was plenty of proof for me. He died two years ago in the prison system due to lack of care. I work to help others I meet along the way as well. Some, Kevin has begged me to help, because he sees they stand no chance and their families are unaware of the situation they are in. The stories are horrendous. I will begin to share some of these stories with you. They are heart wrenching. I hope you will find compassion in your heart, and become involved with us as we work together.

Some facts you need to know:

• Michigan has the highest incarceration rate of all 50 states.
• The highest budget line for Michigan's State budget is...Michigan Department of Corrections
• Our county jails are overseen by Michigan Department of Corrections
• The number of incarcerated has more than doubled in the last 10 years (many are mentally ill).
  

My question to you is this:

If we do not work to rehabilitate those within the system, or care or treat the mentally ill, most will one day reach their "max-out date". When they are released, what can they offer us? What good has it done? Have we gained a thing?? Or are we more at risk??

I would like to list some of my goals, both personally and for this group to be involved in the coming months. We will add to these goals as we go along and learn more of what we need to do. It will take tenacity, persistence, diligence, energy and time. If you have any of these qualities, or would like to keep informed about our progress and work please jump on board. Give us your information and we will be contacting you as we begin this most important work. Be patient with us as we build this site, and we set our goals in the coming months, its all new to us!!

GOALS:

1. Letter writing campaigns to state senators and representatives regarding the lack of mental health treatment for our youth in the adult prison system. Something must be done quickly for these youth who are not getting mental health treatment, education, or medical care when needed, including medication for their mental illness. Frankly, if we as parents were treating our children in this manner, we would be prosecuted and put in prison. It is called neglect and abuse.

2. Letters, phone calls, attend coffee-meetings with legislature, and testify before committees in Lansing, to discuss needed changes in sentencing guidelines and laws regarding the youth in Michigan.

3. EDUCATION/TRAINING: I want to see training programs put in place through organizations such as ACHM(Association For Children's Mental Health), NAMI(National Alliance ON Mental Illness), MACED (Michigan Association for Children with Emotional Disorders), and others. We have found there is NO or LITTLE training in working with mentally ill. These are people who on a daily basis are dealing with mental illness, but have no training in how to handle the mentally ill. I have experienced it first hand in every one of the listed areas below.

• EMTS
• Police Departments
• Juvenile Homes
• Treatment facilities where courts are sending youth, but no mental health treatment is available
  
• Jails
• Prisons

Probation workers, probation supervisors, prosecuting attorneys and judges all need to be educated about what our state does NOT have for the mentally ill within these systems. We must work to find better solutions. Together we can and will make a difference. Thank you for your interest in helping to make Michigan a better place to live.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done, and will do in the coming months for these children in Michigan. I thank you on behalf of Kevin also, for your letters, prayers, and thoughts sent his way as we journey on this path with many unknowns that lie ahead. It means the world to him to have this support.

Lois DeMott