P82 Project

Eight years ago this month DJ Jaffe @MentalIllPolicy spoke at our first fundraiser hosted by my church for @P82home He told me it was the first standing ovation he ever received. DJ was the polar opposite of us politically, but we were united on this front and we considered him a friend and vice versa. He was always respectful, even insisting he stay in our home when he flew out from NY to Arizona. He would not accept compensation for his talk, and he donated all proceeds from sales of his book that night to P82. He was one of a kind. Seems like we still have so far to go in advocacy for the seriously mentally ill, but I’m hopeful as I see organizations like @InstituteCicero taking up the cause. I’m confident we can continue in the same spirit to work across partisan differences to help our most vulnerable neighbors.

On this day, October 31, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act into law. With every good intention, the country embarked on the experiment known as deinstitutionalization, ironically on Halloween. The President was assassinated weeks later, and leadership and resources never followed through. 63 years later, the nightmare continues for families affected by serious mental illness.

Bed capacity at the Arizona State Hospital is not the only issue. In this final episode Dr. Olson explains how even the place of last resort refuses to take the most seriously mentally ill. Watch part 4 of my interview: youtu.be/vSADt4zj5B0?si=P2nR…

My final interview with Dr. Carol Olson, which in my opinion shows how dire the situation is for the severely mentally ill. Not to be dramatic, but sitting in many stakeholder meetings learning these things, my hair would literally stand on end. We can’t be neutral on this; we have to act. open.substack.com/pub/debora…

This weekend, my husband and I were graciously invited to the Courage Awards event hosted by @InstituteCicero in Austin, where they honor lawmakers making a difference. Impressed by Cicero’s work, I met @dkurtzz, who is passionate about helping the seriously mentally ill. What impresses me most, aside from his intellect, is his willingness to listen and learn, something rare these days. I took few pictures but will remember the many conversations with caring people.

Why do private psychiatric hospitals turn away complex patients? A new psychiatric hospital opens, and families think, “Maybe now there will be help.” But what if your loved one needs constant supervision? What if they have a medical condition that requires extra nursing care? Dr. Carol Olson explains why more beds don’t necessarily mean more access for the people who are most ill. Then where do they go? That’s the question I can’t leave alone. In Episode 3 of Mama Bear Diaries, we talk about who our system can serve, who it struggles to serve, and what it would take to close those gaps.

Dr. Olson has worked for Valleywise Health in Maricopa County since 1991 and chaired psychiatry there since 2004. Valleywise treats the severely mentally ill who need involuntary care. I am Seth’s mother. He required eight years of court-ordered treatment and an ACT team; he nearly entered the state hospital. I became a squeaky wheel to save him. I have worked with legislators and experts on several bills that became law. Since 2020 my husband and I have hosted a support group, and I help families navigate scarce, complex resources. Our experience is substantial. I watch hyperbolic “Great Recovery” announcements with growing dismay. Blind spots ignore those at the severe end of the spectrum. “Experts” mainly hear from people who recovered well from psychosis-related disorders and can speak publicly. I am glad they can. What about those with no voice and their families? Where are they represented? About one-third of people with schizophrenia do not “recover.” AOT is not one-and-done; it is far more complex. My son and the men in his group home cannot give polished talks, host podcasts, or post on social media. Policymakers: go deeper. Listen to families like mine and doctors in the trenches like Carol Olson. Begin with the interview I did with her. Three segments are up; the fourth will be out in a few weeks. youtu.be/BRiFbWbWp0M?si=71JE…

55. One number from Part Three of my conversation with psychiatrist Dr. Carol Olson, and part of the reason some Arizona families wait more than a year for a state hospital bed. We also ask where she stands on Olmstead. You may be surprised. 🎧 youtu.be/wipQH-PYvek

One of the topics we discuss is how schizophrenia is a life long condition. Kenny’s Home will fill the gap of post crisis life, ensuring people are connected to a consistent community through church, employment, mentorship, and leisure. p82homes.org/what-we-do

Part 2 of my interview with Dr. Carol Olson, Chair of Psychiatry for Maricopa’s Valleywise Health system. We discuss psychosis, cannabis, psychedelics, and how families can avoid putting themselves in danger. youtu.be/Pgp04gkXwlo?si=S2qj… via @YouTube

Churches and disability ministries must be careful not to replace the gospel with worldly mental-health philosophies. We should offer practical and compassionate support but never at the expense of biblical truth or the transforming power of Christ. Our calling is not merely to help people cope with brokenness, but to point them to the One who saves, restores, and gives eternal hope. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” —Romans 1:16 I get it, there have been a few bad actors out there in the church and counseling arena. But that doesn’t give us an excuse to shrink back and compromise. Jesus will have neither.

Stabilized. Discharged. Back in crisis. Families know this cycle too well. In part 2 of our series, Dr. Carol Olson and I discuss why it keeps happening and what families can do when someone they love needs more help than the system provides. Watch: youtu.be/Pgp04gkXwlo?si=wDGO…

Lies I was told about guardianship by the system: Your son will hate you. ❌ You will be exhausted because you have to attend every meeting to sign things. ❌ Your relationship with your son will change. ❌ You are financially responsible for any damages he incurs while in psychosis. ❌