Our recent newsletter included a Q and A on SNBC enrollment that incorrectly described the opt-out procedure.  To remain on Fee for Service Medical Assistance (Traditional MA), you must return an opt-out form.  Doing nothing will result in being placed in a managed care plan.

We apologize for the confusion, we based our report on information provided by the Department of Human Services. Please note that that “Guide to Special Needs BasicCare Enrollment” found on the SNBC main page of the DHS site describes benefits/regulations as they are now, but does not apply to the new expansion.

For more information, visit the “Expansion Outline” found here.  The Disability Linkage Line is a great resources for asking questions about this transition: 866-333-2466.

How can you help MHAM improve the lives of people with mental illnesses? On November 16th, Give to the Max Day, you can! Go to MHAM’s page on GiveMN.org anytime on Wednesday, November 16th to make your donation. Your dollars will go a long way to help us in our mission to enhance mental health, promote individual empowerment, and increase access to treatment and services for persons with mental illnesses. Thank you for your support!

MHAM relies on individual donations from people like you to support our mission to enhance mental health, promote individual empowerment, and increase access to treatment and services for people with mental illnesses. Since 1939, MHAM has made a difference in improving the lives of people with mental illnesses. On November 16th, you can make a difference too!

Last year, more than 42,000 donors logged on to GiveMN.org and gave over $10 million to Minnesota charities in 24 hours during Give to the Max Day. This year, GiveMN’s annual Give to the Max Day amplifies your giving impact in a number of ways:

> The MHAM Board of Directors is providing a $10,000 matching grant. (Please note that this match applies only to funds raised for MHAM through GiveMN.org on November 16.)

> A $1,000 “Golden Ticket” will be given to a random donor’s charity every hour. Are you a night owl? Early bird? Donate anytime during the 24 hours on November 16 and you could be that donor!

> $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 prize grants will be awarded to the top three small nonprofit organizations – with budgets under $750,000 – which receive the most dollars on Give to the Max Day. Help MHAM get “on the board!”

Please show your support for MHAM by making a donation on Wednesday, November 16th through MHAM’s GiveMN webpage.

A study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, found that one in five adults experienced mental illness in 2009. Yet, the majority of individuals that have these types of health conditions do not seek treatment because of cost, fear of stigma, and lack of knowledge of the treatments that exist.  By educating the workforce on mental health issues, an organization can create a supportive climate that can break down the barriers of stigma and lead to steps that promote better health. The following are ideas on implementing mental health into existing health promotion and communications efforts at work.

Partner with community mental health agencies and existing benefit providers: These agencies often provide training and educational materials to community members, including area businesses.

•  Training can include formal presentations on common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress in the workplace. If you have an employee assistance program (EAP), training or educational seminars may be part of your contracted service or may be available for an additional fee.
•  Educational materials can include brochures, booklets, and training and resource manuals that can approach a variety of topics relating to mental health. These services are often provided at a low cost or, in some cases, free of charge.
•  Incorporate mental health into your company’s health or wellness fair. EAPs and community agencies often provide information for employees at these events.

Add mental health information to your existing communications: Newsletters, payroll stuffers, post cards, e-mail blasts, and other communications can all help initiate your organization’s commitment to mental health.

•  An internal newsletter can provide a great opportunity to talk about health issues. Your EAP, health care provider, or local community mental health agency may be able to provide material or assist you with the article.
•  Payroll stuffers and post cards provide another option for reaching out to employees and their family members.
•  Placing literature in inconspicuous areas of the workplace is also important. Instead of placing brochures in a break room or busy hallway, provide these materials in a subtle and inconspicuous place for employees, such as restrooms.
•  Make sure that toll-free numbers and websites for the company’s EAP and health care provider, and/or the community mental health agency, are included in all mental health educational materials. Also, be sure that information about mental health benefits available from your EAP and health insurer is easily accessible on your company’s website. Promoting your benefits will create awareness and utilization.

*This information was adapted from “Mental Health at Work: A Resource Manual for Minnesota Employers.” To obtain a copy of this manual and other MHAM workplace publications, please visit the Workplace Publications Page.

According to findings from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), approximately 38% of American adults used some form of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) and spent about $33.9 billion on CAM services and products. The increased use of CAM shows that individuals are seeking ways to enhance their health and wellness; however, the effectiveness and safety of many CAM therapies are relatively unknown.

To gain a better understanding of the effectiveness and safety of CAM, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health, sponsors and conducts research using scientific methods and advanced technologies to study CAM practices. On the NCCAM website, there are several health topics and studies that address CAM practices, including mental health. This information can help guide informed decision-making among individuals and healthcare professionals.

It’s important to talk to your doctor if you decide to use CAM practices, especially if you have existing health conditions, using prescription medications, or over-the-counter medications. The following tips, provided by NCCAM, can help you talk to your health care providers about CAM.

> When completing patient history forms, be sure to include all therapies and treatments you use. Make a list in advance.
> Tell your health care providers about all therapies or treatments—including over-the-counter and prescription medicines, as well as dietary and herbal supplements.
> Don’t wait for your providers to ask about your CAM use. Be proactive.
> If you are considering a new CAM therapy, ask your health care providers about its safety, effectiveness, and possible interactions with medications, both prescription and nonprescription. (Download the Steps to Wellness Medication Form to keep track of your medications, including dietary and herbal supplements)

For more information, please visit the NCCAM website at www.nccam.nih.gov

All session long, we’ve been talking about connecting with your legislators and telling them what matters to Minnesotans with mental illnesses.  We always need to try to stay visible when so many different things are competing for their attention.  But the “off season” is a great time to connect and really lay the groundwork that helps them understand why mental health matters.

This fall and winter, the Mental Health Legislative Network will be hosting or facilitating meetings where we can tell our stories, explain what really helps, and why service cuts have been so devastating.

To be connected with a town hall or house meeting in your area, contact us.  If there isn’t one scheduled, maybe you’d think about helping us get one started?  We have materials and support; but we need a constituent to call up their legislators to say, “This is important, and I think you should come hear more about it!”

To find out more, visit our legislative update this week.

As Minnesota continues to digest just what the budget deal will mean for us, we have gotten a few new pieces of news.

Moody’s has downgraded the state, stating that our reliance on one time cuts and borrowing meant that investors should be more worried about our ability to repay bonds.

American Crystal Sugar has locked out workers over increased health care costs.

Austin, MN has just released their property tax levy: they will have to seek 15% more than last year.

We were all told by legislative leaders this year that if we could avoid increases to income and state taxes, that job creators would be freed up to increase prosperity.  But it just seems so clear to us that not only is a lack of new revenue hurting people around the state who have lost services, it isn’t even preventing tax hikes or job losses.

As Moody’s told us, we face a structural deficit.  We can cut spending such as LGA or the grants to counties that fund mental health services.  But those choices have costs.  In good times, we lowered taxes instead of saving for a rainy day.  Now, the bank is empty, and we face difficult choices.  But we think that it is increasingly apparent: we can’t cut our way out of this mess.

As always, please see our website for full details, or to sign up to get our updates via email.

The legislature has spoken for this biennium: setting the priorities and policies that will shape mental health services in our state.  So now is a good time to think about talking back.  What would you say?  What do these cuts mean for you?

This week’s update has more details on the budget as well as information on a couple of community events designed to connect you with your legislators.  Hopefully, there will be more announced soon.  Are you interested?  Let us know, and then have your say!

Which of these treatments is most effective?  This is a question that doesn’t always have a clear answer.  Antidepressants have become the most frequently prescribed drug in doctor’s offices and outpatient clinics today.  In fact, between 1996 and 2005 the number of people in the United States taking antidepressants has doubled in size.

In a recent study, “Psychotherapy Versus Second-Generation Antidepressants in the Treatment of Depression”, researchers attempted to find a more clear answer to this frequently asked question.  This study when compared to past research focused more on comparing the “newest” drugs (i.e. Paxil, Zoloft, and Prozac) to psychotherapy administered by a “qualified” provider.  A majority of previous studies were comparing older drugs to psychotherapy which left an incomplete picture of the comparative effectiveness.

This study was a meta-analysis, meaning they looked at data from 15 studies of similar topics.  In the process of choosing these 15 they had to eliminate studies that were using inadequate treatment methods. This would include studies that included untrained psychotherapists or variables that affected treatment quality such as:  switching of treatments, changing of dosages of medication and/or changing frequency of psychotherapy.  Another factor taken into consideration was the level of depression of the participants.  Depending on severity of depression (mild, moderate, or severe) outcomes and effectiveness of medication and psychotherapy may vary and treatment recommendations may differ.  To improve accuracy this study focused only on participants that were diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

The result of this study found that psychotherapy can be just as effective in the treatment of depression when compared to the newest of antidepressant medications. It was also noted that in the long run psychotherapy showed slightly better results.

So the question is; did they come up with a clear answer?  When comparing risks, benefits, and cost the course of treatment is ultimately up to the individual and their providers.  Some questions to discuss with your doctor might include:

• How severe are my symptoms? How long have I experienced these symptoms?  In what ways do they impair my goals for my health?  Other research has indicated that anti-depressants are most effective for depression that is severe and/or chronic.
• Are their side effects that are more concerning to me?
• What are barriers to me following a treatment?  Can I remember to take medications as directed?  How will I get to appointments for therapy?  Do I have a plan for what to do if I relapse?

We still need more research to be completed that focuses on the effectiveness of these treatments.  Depression today is the fourth leading cause of disability in the United States and it is predicted to be the second by 2020.  It is essential for people with mental illnesses to understand the facts so they can make educated decisions with their doctors about which treatments are most suitable to their specific needs.

This post was written by MHAM Intern Jahna Sandkamp.

In more ways that one, the recent budget settlement is about going back to work.  The state government ordered employees to report as normal this morning, and will be bringing back functions and services as able.  For the politicians, they now go to the task of explaining, spinning, selling their actions to their constituents.  For us?  It means trying to fully understand where the impacts of this budget will be felt, and setting the stage for next year.

Because Minnesota borrowed money to patch the budget, it is very unlikely that we have hit bottom in terms of service cuts and reductions.  State grants to counties have been cut, something that we tried very hard to avert.  Much like in the years leading up to the successful reforms of 2007, we find ourselves with a mental health system with less and less capacity to foster recovery and support people in the community.  What will it take to get another victory, and start investing in mental health again?

But there are bright spots, as well as concerns.  Counties will still have spending requirements for mental health services (known as maintenance of effort).  This has been a major point of contention, and we are very relieved to see this.  The efforts to repeal the expansion of Medical Assistance were turned back.  And some of the crisis grants that help get people to treatment instead of taxing the 911 system were preserved.

This is a very mixed verdict, and one that will be difficult for many of us.  MHAM is more determined than ever to make the case at the capitol for community mental health.  We are so grateful for everyone who called, wrote, and pushed their legislators to consider the impacts.  We hope you will stick with us over the break (we will update as needed, but less often than in session) as we get ready for another chance to make things better.

For more details, please read our update on the website.