VA Tech/Mental Health

Commentaries On Virginia Tech & Mental Health

Helping Troubled Students

Suggested Mental Health Policy for Colleges

by Elia Powers

One of the major ques- above scenario and others. The In dealing with cases of tions to emerge from policy, which Bazelon officials troubled students, the report the Virginia Tech hope colleges use as a model, says that colleges should make shootings is whether colleges calls on institutions to stay clear all counseling options are prepared to handle a situa- away from rigid rules that and allow them to voluntarily tion in which a student with could discourage students decide whether to seek help. mental illness is identified as from seeking treatment but that Colleges should suggest that posing a potential threat to still allow campus officials to students visit a counseling cencampus. intervene when necessary. ter when it learns that the stuAn advocacy group for people “One of our goals here is to havioral difficulties that “apwith mental disabilities says send a clear message to stu- pear to be due to depression or there is no consensus among dents that they can seek help another mental health condicollege leaders on how to re- early on and not be penalized,” tion,” or when the student has spond. Many campuses have said Robert Bernstein, the been known to have contemfree counseling services, but center’s executive director. plated suicide. when a student’s behavior dent shows academic or beraises red flags, colleges often Late last month, center offi- If a referred student doesn’t worry about legal liability, lack cials said they were troubled proactively seek the help, the a comprehensive plan or hav- by the response to Virginia center officials should then ing a plan that is overly puni- Tech, which Bernstein called reach out. As state law pertive, according to officials at a “hunger for quick fixes and mits, colleges may seek inthe Bazelon Center for Mental quick legislation” instead of a voluntary treatment of the stuHealth Law. closer look at what could have dent in “exceptional circumbeen done to treat the gunman stances,” which the report In a new report, “Supporting long before he attacked. (The doesn’t define, in order to “enStudents: A Model Policy for center began work on its policy compass a range of behaviors,” Colleges and Universities,” the before the Virginia Tech trag- said Karen Bower, senior staff center outlines what it de- edy, although Bernstein said attorney at Bazelon. As a last scribes as best practices for that event makes the recom- resort, a college can consider colleges when dealing with the mendations “timely.”) Policy - cont. on p. 13

The VA Tech Tragedy

Distinguishing Mental Illness from Violence

statement of Ken Duckworth, NAMI Medical Director

The National Alliance mental illnesses—what they tions. They are different from on Mental Illness are and what they are not— sociopathic disorders. (NAMI) extends its with regard to symptoms, treatsympathy to all the families ment and risks of violence. Acts of violence are excepwho have lost loved ones in The U.S. Surgeon General has tional. the terrible tragedy at the Vir- reported that the likelihood of ginia Polytechnic Institute. We violence by people with men- Treatment works, but only if a are an organization of indi- tal illness is low. In fact, “the person gets it. viduals and families whose overall contribution of mental lives have been affected by disorders to the total level of Questions must be answered serious mental illnesses. violence in society is excep- about whether the mental tionally small.” More often, health care system responded Despite media reports, Cho people living with mental ill- appropriately in this case. We Seung Hui, the shooter in the ness are the victims of vio- know that Cho Seung Hui was tragedy, may not actually have lence. referred to a mental health fahad a serious mental illness cility for assessment. Did he relative to other diagnoses. But Severe mental illnesses are receive the right treatment and the possibility opens the door medical illnesses. They are follow-up? If not, why not? ■ for reflection on the nature of different from episodic condi- [April 18, 2007]

Forced Treatment Has Undesired Side Effects

by Ron Ungar

Many people imagine that a mental health treatment system that relies on force will be more effective, for example, at keeping people from hurting themselves or others. Typically, people think of a situation where someone refuses treatment, but then is a danger to themselves or others: they imagine it going much better if the system is allowed to force treatment on the person. But from a “whole systems” viewpoint, we have to look at all the consequences of forced treatment, and then wonder if we are really creating more safety in the overall picture.

Forced treatment has many undesired “side” effects, such as: •Many people are traumatized by coercive treatment. This may well have aggravated his trauma contributes to future mental health problems which in turn contribute to future suicidality. The system doesn’t keep people forever, so they just commit suicide sometime after being released. (Like my partner’s flute teacher, who was not only coercively treated but also with unnecessary rudeness, and then killed himself shortly after he got out.)

•Clients who have been coercively treated in the past, or those who are aware of the system’s capacity for coercion, are likely to avoid the mental health system. They won’t reach out for voluntary treatment because they know they could lose control of what treatment they get. Lack of treatment can then lead to suicide (as with my brother, tiveness of mental health serwho avoided the system after seeing what it did to his older brother).

•When treatment is forced, people often end up on medications they don’t really want. So when they get out, they quit the medications suddenly. This causes withdrawal reactions that can lead to more instability than was ever present to begin with. (Also, of course, people often end up on medications that increase suicidality, though this seldom gets noticed; it is just attributed to their “mental illness.”)

With all these negative effects related to the use of force, the overall suicide (and other complication) rate may be going up due to the use of force,

Mental Health Services And The VA Tech Massacre

by Nathaniel S. Lehrman

More mental health strengthening and reassuring services, and even them. Medication, often with involuntary mental little or no meaningful human health screenings, have been contact, has now almost enproposed to prevent repetition tirely replaced that older care of the Virginia Tech massa- pattern. And that’s what Cho cre. But mass murderer Cho got. And anti-depressant Seung Hui did get mental drugs, like those he was given, health care in a hospital. He can themselves intensify suithen rejected further treatment. cidal and homicidal thoughts The drug-only treatment he got and behavior. disturbance. When considering the effecSide Effects - cont. on p. 15

Good mental health care is vices, we should recognize that based on continuing, caring in the fifty years since drugs human contact: knowledge- began to be psychiatry’s main able people helping troubled treatment modality, there has people with problems, while been a five-fold increase in the fraction of mentally disabled in the population. Before hurrying to expand mental health services, we should examine more critically the results of current treatment methods. ■

Nathaniel S. Lehrman, Roslyn NY, is former Clinical Director, Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, Brooklyn NY; former Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein and SUNY Downstate Colleges of Medicine

This letter was first published in Newsday.

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Thoughts On Why The Virginia Tech

going to have ten thousand joys ing at Red Lake or the two at using an outside crisis outreach team to contact the student.

Shooting Happened Bower said the policy addresses the two areas that are by Pete Feigal confidentiality and student The toughest part of my job as a speaker is that I’m often called into a other. They are all gifts, teachers and meditations in our lives, wanted or not. I’ve learned kindness is weakness, honesty is foolishness and cruelty is entertainment. And to struggle leaves of absence. The report says that in almost all cases, the counseling center should school or community after now that there are often no to have the wisdom and grace not share information about a there has been a tragedy, a “whys,” no one to blame, no to understand that sometimes student with faculty, staff, adsuicide or violence. People test of faith, or punishment for there is nothing anyone could ministrators or others unless want to know “why?” and I some broken law. have done differently, no cru- the student consents. When don’t have the “whys.” cial ingredient that could have appropriate, the counseling “Why?” was the question that Sometimes things are within been discovered, and that, center can encourage the studefined my own life: Why was our power to change, and frighteningly and frustrating as dent to consent to sharing the I struck with terrible depres- sometimes they aren’t. Some- it sometimes can be, there are information. sion as a young teenager? Why times drunks run red lights, no “whys.” ■ did I have to spend years in sometimes we get MS or “The System?” Why was I so lonely and had to live in such schizophrenia or cancer, sometimes our sons get addicted to REFORM - Cont. from p. 3 pain and fear? Meth or our daughters get preg- with the hopes that they would State. Not to mention every nant. Sometimes there are di- be put into their own omnibus eligible voter in Minnesota. The breakthrough for me came vorces or diagnoises of ter- bill. Unfortunately, time ran when I was diagnosed with rible illnesses, or even deaths. out and no action was taken. One of the main objectives of MS, and asked the doctor, But if we try to find “why,” to voting reform proponents be“Why did I get MS? I’ve been lay blame for everything that The inaction of the legislature tween now and the next sesbattling mental illness almost happens to us in our lives, good on election legislation is dis- sion will be to educate the govmy whole life.” I didn’t think or bad, it can distract us from appointing not only for the dis- ernor and key members of the I needed another “character living our lives and seeing that ability community, but also for legislature about these voting builder.” And the doctor an- even in those tough times, there many other affected parties, barriers and why the right acswered my question and said are great insights learned, including the townships, tion is needed to provide acthat I didn’t do anything wrong. deeper connection with oth- county and city elections, and cess to voting for people with I had simply got MS. Like ers, and a reawakening of our the Office of the Secretary of disabilities. ■ Buddha said, in our lives we’re hearts of courage. and ten thousand sorrows and When asked about the poor we don’t get the one without young man who did the shootthe other. We wouldn’t ing at Virginia Tech, or the KNOW the one without the young man who did the shootoften the stickiest for colleges: On June 15th, Pete Feigal Columbine, or the man at the will be keynoting a program Amish school, or any of the in Philidelphia on mental ill- other places of pain that seem ness and the Parity Bill, to be epidemic in our country where the guests will include these days, I tell people that if Senator Ted Kennedy, his these young men are to be son Representative Patrick pityed as much as their vicKennedy, actor Martin tims. That the illness or abuse Sheen, and his son Charlie or bullying or torture or isolaSheen. It’s a program being tion that they went through as put on jointly by the Piece mere children must have been Of Mind Project and NAMI a hell too terrible to imagine. of Pennsylvania. It will also That if their bodies were as ill, start the beginning of a five twisted and in as much agony year program where Pete as their minds and souls were, Feigal will be speaking at we would have all taken pity some of the biggest churches on them and taken them into in the state to break stigma our own homes so we could about mental illness/brain care for them. That spirits can disorders, and help bring become ill just as flesh can. more churches into the That if we want this terrible struggle to help those strug- toll to end, we have to honestly gling with brain disorders. examine and change and fund Pete served on NAMI- the kind of culture and proMinnesota’s State Board, grams that will not allow anywas the President of NAMI- one to slip through the cracks. Hennepin County for six That the price for helping those years, and now serves as in crisis, illness and pain will their President Emeritus. be high in money, but worth it Pete works with NAMI af- a thousand times over for the filiates around the country human suffering it will ease. and in May was the keynote That we must wake up from speaker for the NAMI-Wis- the selfish nightmare that has consin State Conference.” made our culture one where Depending on state law, a center should only disclose information about a student “to the extent needed to protect the student or others from a serious and imminent threat to safety,” the report says, adding that “disclosures are permitted only if the student will not consent to interventions that will ameliorate the risk.” Colleges should “reasonably” accommodate students who are mentally ill by allowing them to remain enrolled, or make concessions such as allowing them to take a reduced course load and work from home, according to the report. Bower said it’s also important that colleges don’t take disciplinary action against students who choose to take time off or who display “self-injurious” behavior. A counselor’s role is to help the student decide whether to take a leave, and in some cases to help the student secure time off. The report says the student should be able to attend campus events while on leave, unless there are documented safety concerns.

Only in “uncommon circumstances,” in which students cannot remain safely on campus or meet academic standards, should a college require a student to take a leave — and the decision should be made by a committee that includes the counseling center director, the report says. (It adds that the committee can look into the student’s mental condition and seek records, but the search should be limited to essential documents and not rely on access to all confidential records.)

Robb Jones, senior vice president and general counsel for claims management and risk research at United Educators, an insurance company for colleges, said that while he supports the idea of a policy that promotes the individual rights of students with mental illness, colleges should go beyond Bazelon’s guidelines by considering the rights of all students and faculty members, and by including safeguards for counselors who find it necessary to share student records. It would be easier to agree with the report if its rules applied only to cases of depression, Jones said. “But since colleges are often dealing with more serious forms of mental health problems, and determining a student’s prognosis can be difficult, there’s a problem with coming up with guidelines that will apply to virtually all cases,” he added.

Jones said a complete report would go further by noting that in some cases, students are better off seeking treatment away from campus, and that the campus would be better off without the student’s presence. The company agrees with Bazelon that the best practice is to begin with a voluntary leave policy, and that involuntary removal should be the last resort.

Bernstein said the center is working on another guide that covers what students should know about their rights in mental health cases. ■

Reprinted with permission from Inside Higher Ed., Editor Doug Lederman. http://

insidehighered.com

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DirectAbility is a comprehensive, ever-expanding, award-winning, Internet directory devoted to disability-related products, services, resources and information throughout the state. Online at www.directability.com.

Accessible Performances The following performances will be Audio Described (AD) for people who are blind or have low vision, or Interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Selected performances offer reduced admission prices for the patron and one companion. When calling a box office, confirm the service (ASL or AD), date, time, ticket price and anything else needed, e.g. length of performance, etc. If you attend a show, please share your feedback with the performing organization, interpreter, and VSA arts of Minnesota. Accessible performance information is compiled by VSA arts of Minnesota, 612-332-3888 or www.vsaartsmn.org. See also Accessible Movie Theaters below. See www.accesspress.org for complete listing.

1776

June 23 - Aug. 26

Guthrie Theater, 818 - 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD: Sat., July 14, 1:00 p.m. (sensory tour 10:30); also Fri., July 20, 7:30 p.m.; Thurs., Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. ASL: Fri., July 27, 7:30 p.m.; Thurs., Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. Captioned: Thurs., Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Disc to $17 (reg. $27-$57) Phone: 612-3772224, TTY 612-377-6626,

www.guthrietheater.org

Barbie Seguy June 16

Barry R. Segal at Thompson Hall, 1824 Marshall Ave., St. Paul. ASL: Sat., June 16, 8:00 p.m. Tix: $10, Phone: 651544-3455,E-mail: brscityman 20@aol.com Web: www.

uniquetouchart.com/brsegal theater

Chicago July 10 - 15

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts - Main Hall, 345 Washington, St. Paul; ASL: Wed., July 11, 8:00 p.m. AD: Sat., July 14, 7:30 p.m. Tix/ Phone: 651-224-4222, TTY 651-282-3100, www.ordway.

org/services/access.asp

Crimes of the Heart April 7 - July 1 Commonweal Theatre, 206 Parkway Ave. N., Lanesboro. ASL: Sun., June 10, 2:00 p.m. Tix: Half price (reg. $25. student $12) Phone: 507-4672525, Toll Free: 800-6577025, E-mail: tickets@com monwealtheatre.org Web: www.commonwealtheatre.org

Don Juan Giovanni Mar. 3 - June 24 Theatre de la Jeune Lune, 105 N. First St., Mpls. AD: Sun., Mar. 18, 7:00 p.m. ASL: TBA Tix: Reduced to $13 (reg. $20) TicketWorks Phone: 612333-6200 or 612-332-3968 ext. 100, www.jeunelune.org

Fat Pig June 15 - 30 Walking Shadow Theatre Co. at Playwrights’ Center, 2301 E. Franklin Ave., Mpls. AD and ASL: Fri., June 22, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $7 (reg. $16, $14 student/senior) Phone: 612-375-0300, www. walkingshadowcompany.org

Figaro

Apr. 11 - June 23

Theatre de la Jeune Lune, 105 N. First St., Mpls. AD: Sun., Apr. 22, 7:00 p.m. ASL: TBA Tix: Reduced to $13 (reg. $20) TicketWorks Phone: 612333-6200 or 612-332-3968 x100, www.jeunelune.org Cedar Ave., Mpls. AD: Sun., Aug. 12, 2:00 p.m. Tix: $20, senior/student discount, Phone: 612-333-3010, www.

theatreintheround.org

Generations ROCK! June 17

One Voice Mixed Chorus with special guests Teens Rock the Mic at the History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul. AD and ASL: Sun., June 17, 3:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $15-21 in seating area near interpreter (reg. $18-25) Phone: 612-3321302, www.ovmc.org

Get Ready June 7 - July 1 Penumbra Theatre, Martin Luther King Ctr, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul. ASL: Sat., June 16, 8:00 p.m. Tix: $15-40, Phone: 651-224-3180 (specify ASL) E-mail: boxoffice@ penumbratheatre.org Web: www.penumbratheatre. org

Glitter and Be Gay June 22 - 23

Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus at Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 - 4th St. S., Mpls. ASL: Sat., June 23, 8:00 p.m. Tix: $19-39, children ½ price, Phone: 612-624-2345, www.

tcgmc.org

Grease June 15 - 24 Cross Community Players at Osseo Sr HS, 317 2nd Ave. NW, Osseo. ASL: Sat., June 16, 7:30 p.m. AD: Sat., June 23, 7:30 p.m. Tix: ½ price (reg. $14, $12 student/sr, $10 child) Phone: 763-391-2787, Email: mail@crossplayers.org Web: www.crossplayers.org

Honk! June 29 - Aug. 2

Stages Theatre Co. at Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins. ASL: Sun., July 22, 2:00 p.m., and Wed., July 25, 10:00 a.m. Tix: $14, $11 age 2-17 or 60+ Phone: 952-979-1111, www.

stagestheatre.org

Kiss of the Spider Woman June 1 - 24 Mpls. Musical Theatre at Hennepin Stages, 824 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. AD/ASL: Sat., June 9, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Disc. to $17 (reg. $24) Phone: 612673-0404, ASL/AD Hotline: 612-373-5650, TTY: 612373-5655, E-mail: acces sible@orpheum.com Web: www.aboutmmt.org or www. hennepintheatredistrict.org/ guestservices/aslad/

Les Miserables Opens June 15

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W 78TH Street, Chanhassen. AD/ASL: Sat., July 21, curtain 1:00 p.m., lunch seating at 11:00 a.m. Specify accommodations needed at time of purchase for proper seating. Tix: Vision Loss Resources grp $37 w/lunch: contact Stacy Shamblott, VLR, 612-871-2222; other tix (reg. $40-52) Phone: 952-9341525 or 800-362-3515, Email: information@chanhas sendt.com Web: www.chan

hassentheatres.com

A Little Night Music

Aug. 17 - Sept. 9

Bloomington Civic Theatre at Bloomington Center for Arts Schneider Theater, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd. AD: Fri., Aug. 24, 7:30 p.m. ASL: Sat., Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $18 (reg. $25, sr $22, student $19) Phone: 952563-8575, www.bloomington

civictheatre.org

LOW May 30 - June 16 Pillsbury House Theatre, 3501 Chicago Ave. S., Mpls. AD: Fri., June 8, 7:30 p.m. ASL: Thurs., June 14, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $11 (reg. $18) Phone: 612-825-0459, Web: www.pillsburyhousetheatre.org

Major Barbara May 5 - June 17

Guthrie Theater, 818 - 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD: Sat., May 26, 1:00 p.m. (sensory tour 10:30); also Fri., June 1, 7:30 p.m. ASL: Fri., June 8, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $17 (reg. $22$52) Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY: 612-377-6626, Web:

www.guthrietheater.org

Meet Me at the Fair July 20 - 22

Lakeshore Players, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake. ASL: Sat., July 21, 7:00 p.m. Tix: Disc; reg. $12, $10 student/sr, Phone: 651-4295674, www.lakeshoreplayers.

com

Minnesota Fringe Festival Aug. 2 - 12

AD, ASL-interpreted, Captioned performances by over 100 companies at many venues in Mpls. TBA in July. Tix by Phone: 651-209-6799, Phone: 612-872-1212, Web: www.fringefestival.org or

www.uptowntix.com

Monty Python’s Spamalot July 24 - Aug 12

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Main Hall, 345 Washington, St. Paul. ASL: Fri., Aug. 3, 8:00 p.m. AD: Sat., Aug. 4, 2:00 p.m. Tix/ Phone: 651-224-4222, TTY: 651-282-3100, www.ordway.

org/services/access.asp

Pkwy Ave. N., Lanesboro. ASL: Sun., July 29, 2:00 p.m. Tix: ½ price (reg. $25. student $12) Phone: 507-467-2525, 800-657-7025, E-mail: tic

ket@commonwealtheatre.org

Web: www.commonwea

ltheatre.org

Oklahoma! July 13 - 29

Mounds View Community Theatre at Irondale HS, 2425 Long Lake Rd, New Brighton ASL: Sat., July 21, 7:30 p.m. upon request at least 2 weeks in advance. Tix: Reduced to $7 (reg. $14, $10 sr (65+), $6 child) Phone: 651-638-2139, E-mail: goseemvct@aol.com Web: www.mvct.org

Once Upon a Mattress June 6 - 17

Silver Follies of Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre, 333 4th St. S., Fargo. AD: Thurs., June 7, 7:30 p.m. ASL: upon request in advance. Tix: Reduced to $7.50, Phone: 701235-6778 or 877-687-7469,

www.fmct.org

Pirates of Penzance

July 26 - Aug. 11

Off Broadway Musical Theatre at New Hope Outdoor Theatre, 4401 Xylon Ave. N., New Hope. ASL: Fri., Aug. 10, 9:00 p.m. (Aug. 11 rain make-up) Tix: Free, Phone: 763-531-5151, TTY: 763531-5109, E-mail: srader@ ci.new-hope.mn.us Web:

www.ci.new-hope.mn.us

The Prince & The Pauper July 7 - 29 SteppingStone Theatre at Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul. ASL: Sun., July 15, 2:00 p.m. AD: Tues., July 17, 11:30 a.m. Tix: $11, student/sr $9, Phone: 651-2259265, www.steppingstone.org

Private Lives July 21 - Sept. 2 Guthrie Theater, 818 - 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD, ASL, Captioned: Fri., Aug. 17, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $17 (reg. $27$57) Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY: 612-377-6626, www. guthrietheater.org/visit/ the_building/access_services

Seussical Apr. 24 - June 17 Children’s Theatre Co., 2400 - 3rd Ave. S., Mpls. AD and ASL: Wed., May 23, 10:30 a.m.; Fri., June 1, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Mention VSA Offer for $13 tix (reg. discount is $20) Phone: 612-874-0400, www. childrenstheatre.org

Sherlock’s Last Case June 15 - Aug. 25

U of M Centennial Showboat Players at Showboat, Harriet Island Regional Park, St. Paul. ASL: Fri., Aug. 17, 8:00 p.m. Tix: $19, Phone: 651-2271100, E-mail: showboat@ umn.edu Web: www.show

boattheater.com

The Student Price June 9 - 17

Skylark OperaatE.M. Pearson Theatre, Concordia University, 312 N. Hamline Ave., St. Paul ASL: Fri., June 15, 8:00 p.m. Tix: $20-45, Phone: TicketWorks 651-209-6689, 800-762-6353, E-mail: info @ticketworks.com Web: www.skylarkopera.org or

www.ticketworks.com

Taking Steps June 1 - 24 Park Square Theatre, 408 Saint Peter St., St. Paul. AD/ASL: Sat., June 16, 7:30 p.m. Tix: ½ price. Phone: 651-291-7005, www. parksquaretheatre.org

Thoroughly Modern Millie July 12 - 29

Trollwood Performing Arts School at Trollwood Park, 200 Kandi Lane, Fargo, ND. AD: Fri., July 13, 8:15 p.m. ASL: Fri., July 20, 8:15 p.m.; special seating required. Tix: $1018.50 at Hornbacher’s, the gate or by calling 701-241-6041 Phone: 701-241-4799, www.trollwood.org or

www.fargostuff.com Triple Espresso Ongoing

Music Box Theatre, 1407 Nicollet Ave, Mpls. AD: Thurs., July 5, 7:30 p.m.; preshow at 7:00. Tix: Reduced to $17 (reg. $32.50) Phone: 612874-9000, E-mail: tickets @tripleespresso.com Web:

www.tripleespresso.com

Two for the Seesaw

June 22 - July 29

Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. AD: Thurs., July 12, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $8 (reg. $24-36) Phone: 612-822-7063, Web:

www.jungletheater.com

Uncle Vanya June 1 - 24 Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Ave., Mpls. AD: Sun., June 24, 2:00 p.m. Tix: $20, senior/student discount, Phone: 612-333-3010, Web: www.theatreintheround.org

You Can’t Take It with You June 7 - 24

Bloomington Art Center Gallery Players at Bloomington Center for the Arts Black Box Theater, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd. ASL: Sat., June 23, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $6 (reg. $15, $12 senior/student) Phone: 952-563-8587,

www.bloomingtonartcenter.

com. ■

ACCESSIBLE

MOVIE

THEATERS

The movie complexes listed level lot between Sears and below offer MoPix-equipped Kohl’s. Accessible films in captioning or description ser- Auditorium 4. vices. For show times, call the theater; sign up to receive their Science Museum of MN e-mail list; contact MN Open Omnitheater, 120 Kellogg Captioned Films, www.mnoc Blvd. W., St. Paul. Rear view films.org/movies.html or captioning and DVS for most Rear Window Captioned films in the Omnitheater or Film, http://ncam.wgbh.org/ the 3D Cinema. Showtimes mopix/nowshowing. vary but are approximately html#mn hourly during regular museum hours: Mon-Wed 9:30 Crown Theater Block E a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Thur-Sat. Movie Complex, 600 Hen- 9:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. , Sun. nepin Ave., third floor, Mpls. 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m. TTY Enter parking ramp on 7th St 651-221-4585; E-mail: next to the Hard Rock Café. info@smm.org ; Web: 612-338-1466. Accessible www.smm.org/visitorinfo/ films in Auditoriums 2 and hours/showtimes_dynamic. 12. Note: DVS patrons: If php or www.smm.org/info/ show is in Theatre 2, request accessibility.php. headset with Letter C. If show is in Theatre 12, request head- Lakes 10 Theatre, 4351 set with Letter G. Stebner Rd., Hermantown. 12 Accessible Parking spaces AMC Eden Prairie Mall 18 near theater. Movie Line: Theatres, 4000 Flying Cloud 218-729-0335; Emergency: Dr at Eden Prairie Shopping 218-729-0334; Fax: 218Center, Hwy 212 and 494, 729-0334; E-mail: Sfen 952-656-0010. Park in upper nessey@cectheatres.com. ■

SSI Penalty for LowIncome Families Removed

The legislature removed the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) penalty for low-income families using the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP). This very harsh penalty was established during the budget crisis of 2003. Very low-income families had their MFIP grants cut if a family member who was disabled received an SSI payment. Lowincome families affected by disability will no longer be subjected to this penalty, effective July 1, 2007.

Self-Directed Supports for

PCA Users Established

A new self-directed personal supports option was authorized for Minnesota’s Medical Assistance program. The new self-directed option for those eligible for personal care assistance (PCA) allows use of funding in a more flexible manner for items or services that maintain or increase independence. Potentially, many of the over 18,000 PCA users could benefit from this new option. DHS is required to establish a stakeholder group with which to work on developing the parameters for the program, which is expected to begin in 2008.

Improvements for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services A comprehensive package of changes which improve services for those who are deaf or hard of hearing was adopted. Significant items include a newborn infant hearing screening program, services for persons who are deaf and blind, a hearing aid loan bank and a hearing loss mentor program.

Modest Cost-of-Living Increase for Service Providers

A small cost-of-living increase of only two percent per year for the biennium will become effective on October 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008 for community service and institutional providers. The governor proposed two percent but service providers and advocates sought a larger increase given our state’s failure to provide rather than being reduced. A voluntary system could reach many people who are frightened by the coercive system, and it would ultimately discharge people who are less traumatized and more emotionally healed. A system allowed to use force may easily learn to rely on it instead of going to more effort to “sell” its services to clients, so that much of the force used may be unnecessary in that respect. This is especially true for a system that doesn’t have to even count how often it uses needed increases over the last four years.

MA and GAMC Co-Payments Reduced Another positive change is the elimination of the physician or other health care visit co-payment and the eyeglasses copayment; plus the reduction of pharmacy co-payments from the $12 out-of-pocket limit to $7 for Medical Assistance (MA) and General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC). However, these changes only become effective Jan 1, 2009.

DLL Funded

Despite the fact that the governor’s budget did not contain any funding for the Disability Linkage Line (DLL), the legislature provided the needed funding to DHS to continue this information and referral service.

Medical Assistance STS Changes

The Special Transportation Services (STS) broker system will be eliminated when the contract expires next year. New requirements for eligibility assessment by medical professionals were established.

Additional positive provisions which received funding for the coming biennium: •Assistive Technology: $300,000 to be used to obtain federal matching funds to increase the low-interest microloan program and the regional collaboratives.

Also, a review of MN’s assistive technology needs will be conducted by the

Council on Disability.

•Statewide Quality Assur-

ance System Development: $200,000 per year to begin work on a statewide quality assurance system for home and community-based waiver services was authorized. The system will include a participant survey and improved incident reporting for persons with disabilities in Minnesota.

•Remembering with Dig-

nity: $200,000 for marking unmarked graves at Regional

SIDE EFFECTS- Cont. from p. 12

Treatment Centers. force, a system that doesn’t have any pressure on it to minimize the use of force. We’d at least like to see a goal of minimizing force, along with some accounting of how much force is used, so that progress can be

tracked. ■ Ron Unger is a mental health counselor in Eugene, Oregon, specializing in recovery-focused psychosocial methods, and is also a county coordinator for MindFreedom, advocating for change in the mental health system.

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Health and Human Services bill include: thereafter. Must be prepaid. Mail with check to: •relief from Medicare Part D co-payments for those on MA Access Press, and Medicare 1821 University Ave W, #104S, St. Paul, MN 55104 • •an increase in the MA income and assets standards for 651-644-2133 persons with disabilities and seniors •improvements for those who turn 65 using the Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MAEPD) option •increased services for those on waiting lists for the home and community waiver for persons with developmental disabilities, family support grants and semi-independent living services •a reduction in parent fees for families with children with significant disabilities eligible for institutional care; •continued funding for the Options Too effort to remove barriers to community living. FOR RENT Holmes-Greenway Housing: One and two bedroom wheelchair-accessible apartments. Section 8 subsidized. Convenient SE Minneapolis location. Call 612-378-0331 for availability information. Equal Opportunity Housing. Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier-free housing with Oak Park Village: One bedroom wheelchair-accessible apartments. Section 8 subsidized. Convenient St. Louis Park location. Call 952-9359125 for availability information. Equal Opportunity Housing. Seward Square Apartments: We are currently accepting applications for our waiting ·Self-Advocacy Network improve the lives of many per- tion 8 subsidized. One- and Minneapolis, that is federally

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Developmental Disabilities. important changes were not 651-488-9923. St. Paul, MN. Equal Opportunity Housing. adopted this session, leaving Equal Opportunity Housing. Other Changes much important work to do. There were additional important policy changes, many of If you would like specific inwhich had little or no funding formation about legislation attached. Among these from the session, it is available changes are new requirements through the State of Minnefor disability waiver program sota legislative Web site, providers (CADI, TBI, CAC), www.leg.state.mn.us, disabila delay in the expansion of the ity advocacy groups and the Minnesota Disability Health Consortium for Citizens with Options managed care pro- Disabilities Web site, www. gram to July 1, 2009, clarifica- mnccd.org. ■ tion that parent fees qualify for employee health flexible Anne L. Henry is a staff attorspending accounts, and ney at the Minnesota Disabilchanges which will allow the ity Law Center Centers for Independent Living to provide information on community services and assis- Fairview Health Services tance to persons in nursing facilities who want to relocate.

Also, the legislature made substantial improvements in MinnesotaCare, including the repeal of the limited benefit set and an increase in the eligibility income level for adults without children to 200% of the poverty level in January, 2008, and 215% in July, 2009. Also, important changes were made to increase the number of children who qualify for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.

SUMMARY

In sum, despite the disappointments, the 2007 legislative session produced significant positive changes which will wheelchair users in mind. Sec- list for barrier-free housing, in

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