We had our Breakfast this morning for the Ramsey County Legislators. I will
get the list of legislators that attended and didn't attend and post them later
for you. The theme of the Breakfast was "And, so how are the children?"
Here is a copy of my speech.
Ren�e Jenson
Como
Hello. I am Renee Jenson, one of the co-Chairs of the Ramsey County Adult
Mental Health Advisory Council. Many of you know me. I have worked on many
committees with you and many campaigns. In 1996 I ran for State Senate. That
was also the year I started having episodes of severe depression and mania. In
February 2000 I was diagnosed with Bipolar II. Holding an elected office,
running for office and even holding an appointed office were a lot of work. But
recovering from a mental illness, was the hardest thing I have ever had to do
in my life. And it's a task I still have to work at everyday.
My illness effected everyone around me. My family, my children, my friends, my
business associates. There were many times that the pain of mental illness was
unbearable and I just wanted to end my life. The only thing that kept me alive
was that I didn't want my children to have to live the rest of their lives
wondering what they could have done differently to keep their mom alive. I
didn't want them to live with that sorrow and guilt. I didn't want them to bury
me because of suicide. I wouldn't let my mental illness kill me.
a.. Each year 447 Minnesotans die from suicide, three times as many as have
died from homicide. (1)
b.. Nearly 90% of all persons who commit suicide suffer from a treatable
mental illness. (2)
Since I have been ill it has been difficult for me to do all the things I used
to do politically and professionally. I have been classified as permanently
disabled by Social Security.
a.. The unemployment rate for people with severe and persistent mental
disorders hovers at 90% (3)
a.. During 1990 -2000 there were approximately 56, 500 people with serious
and persistent mental illness in Minnesota that needed work. (4)
Since I was self-employed at the time I got ill,one of the first things I
needed to secure was health insurance. In the United States most health
insurance comes through employment. The mentally ill are more likely than the
rest of the population to leave a job that provides insurance coverage for them
and their families. (5)
I also lost my home.
a.. In 2003 there were 20, 300 people homeless in Minnesota. (which is about
a 65% increase in the last decade)
b.. Of this number about half (47%) or 9600 reported having a significant
mental health problem
c.. And about one third were children with an average age of 6.
(6)
When I was in a manic phase of my illness I was very lucky not to have been
arrested sometimes.
a.. The Minnesota Department of Corrections reports that 20-24% of its' adult
population is on some kind of psychiatric medication at any given time.
Mental illness can effect anyone. I've learned that what you have one day, can
be gone tomorrow. If your mind isn't working properly, you are going to have
trouble taking care of yourself, and you certainly are going to have trouble
taking care of anyone else. You are going to need help.
Unemployment, poverty, an increased population and an increased awareness of
mental health issues have caused a greater need for services in Ramsey County.
Continuing to cut money from human services for early intervention and the
prevention of mental illness will cause an increase in funding need in the
future for
a.. The criminal justice system
b.. Inpatient hospital care
c.. Out of home placement of children
d.. The shelter system
e.. Child protection services
f.. Health costs
g.. General Assistance
The increase in homelessness is a symptom of not enough money being spent on
prevention and care. Prevent mental illness by providing access to therapy,
medication, treatment, respite, and day care services so that those who are ill
can get well and stay well. Take care of the children in Minnesota by taking
care of the mental health of their parents, their grandparents, their
guardians.
I didn't choose to get sick. And I was very, very lucky that there were
medications that worked on my illness. I also had to work very hard to recover.
It has taken me 8 years to get to where you see me today. Not everyone with my
illness is so blessed. That doesn't mean I don't struggle everyday with my
illness. Like many other illnesses (heart disease, diabetes, cancer) it is
something I need to monitor and try to control all the time. And sometimes, it
is impossible to control.
Not everyone with mental illness is as lucky as I am. Medications may not work
on their illness or their brains are damaged significantly by their illness and
they cannot get better.
My first granddaughter is being born this March and I survived to see her. That
may not seem like a huge accomplishment to a lot of you, but I know some of you
understand what a major accomplishment it is for me. One that I am very, very
proud of. My daughter told me last Sunday that I am going to be a "wonderful
Grandma".
Please take care of the mental health of the caregivers of our children in
Minnesota. Thank you.
Sources:
1.. Minnesota Dept. of Health, Center for Health Statistics. "2001 Minnesota
Mental Health Statistics: Annual Summary, 2003."
2.. Conwell Y, Brent D. Suicide and aging I: Patterns of psychiatric
diagnosis. International Psychogeriatrics, 1995:7(2):149-64
3.. U.S. Surgeon General Report on Mental Health, 1999
4.. Status and Evaluation of Employment and Support Services for Persons with
Mental Illness Rehabilitation Services Branch Minnesota Department of Economic
Security December 20, 2000
5.. Sturm R. et al.: Labor Force Participation for Individuals the Mental
Illness., Psychiatric Services, 1999 50 (11) :1407
6.. Wilder Research Center; Study on Homelessness, October 23, 2003.
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