I received a letter from my son today who should be hospitalized, instead, he is sitting in jail deteriorating as I write this blog. His letter is convoluted and lacks cohesiveness. The jails in the "U.S. have 10 x the population with mental illness housed in 5,000 jails and prisons." http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/31/us/a-psychologist-as-warden-jail-and-mental-illness-intersect-in-chicago.html?ref=topics&_r=0
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/global-tel-link/ Copy and Paste to web browser for this news story.
A tremendous mistake was made when the U.S. collectively made a decision to close mental hospitals. Many of the mental hospitals were horrible and lacked humanity; however, now a great populace is without proper mental health services and no place to properly care for the mentally ill.
To add insult to misery, family members are treated poorly by the system. Global Tel Link is the service provider for family members to provide credit card information to, if an individual is to receive phone calls. Here is the horrendous injustice. If one, such as myself, owns a cell phone with unlimited minutes, which I have paid for, Global Tel Link wants their share of the pie and being that I am out of state, the charges escalate. The amount of money to start is $25.00 + 4.10 taxes + $8.00 service fee for a ten minute call, which initially the guy said was for a fifteen minute call.
If, Global Tel Link, is incapable of having their facts straight from the get go. One must realize there is a racket involved. It is pathetic that supposedly in the U.S., we have a capitalist society, which does not permit monopolies. Hmm, mm, I guess this does not include jails or prisons.
Global Tel Link, profits from individuals who have done no wrong. They are the lone provider for telephone services. Additionally, if I set-up an account with them, I would not be able to call to the jail, I would have to wait for my son to call. By the way, I made the decision based on my income that I could not afford this ridiculous set-up. What pains me, is that I received a letter from my son, where it is apparent his health is declining. I can only pray that he will receive care and is moved to a hospital soon.
Once, he is moved to a hospital using my cell phone without additional fees, I can call him. What kind of world are we living in? I know, provided an opportunity, my son can turn his life around. All my siblings and myself have attained higher education. I have struggled the most, but I am not knocking myself out of the game. I know what it takes to bounce back, and I must be the example for my son and daughter.
Watch out world, my children are diamonds in the rough. With proper support, they will thrive. I know, they are mine.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/global-tel-link/ Copy and Paste to web browser for this news story.
Praying for you and Danny. Our son Don just came home to stay for a "2 week trial period" 5 days ago. For the last 18 months, Don lived in an AFC about 75 miles from our house. While I could call him and he could us anytime, Don said he missed us and his pets and wanted to move home. The AFC house manager is not happy about this and made comments about this not being in Don's best interest.
ReplyDeleteIt made me feel like I had to justify him moving back home. Interesting when you consider his placement there was voluntary and we told the AFC staff on admission that his placement was not going to be for forever.
DeleteJust hang in there Mary. Independent Housing and new methodologies of treatment are emerging. Look for programs that will assist you. As you are aware, having a routine is an immense help. The Universities are behind in adapting to the changes in the mental health system. You are one of the smartest people I know. Perhaps you could write a grant to help not only your family, but so many more. Eastern Michigan University actually pulled out of Flint in 2012 stating that they felt their job was done according to exit interview by Communications Specialist Kraft of EMU. Obviously, he was not aware of how the HUD housing units are bearing the responsibility of those with mental illness, autism and a number of other issues. I do not have the full credentials as a teacher, but with your background, I believe you could secure a grant for a State wide initiative. I would be willing to assist in whatever way you felt was best.
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