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Director's Message November 10, 2005
To: DHS employees From: Dr. Bruce Goldberg, DHS Director
Transition and Change
This week I have been thinking a lot about transition and change. As I transition into my new role with the Department of Human Services, I carry with me the lessons from my past experiences and look forward to a bright and meaningful future.
I have been an enthusiastic participant in a number of events and rituals to mark the transition, "getting to know you" meetings with staff and community partners, a wonderful welcome reception hosted by stakeholders, and numerous impromptu introductions.
Tonight there is another transitional event. This one is for all of us. This evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St., Salem, is a benefit for the Oregon State Hospital, sponsored by the non-profit hospital foundation. It coincides with the 30th anniversary of the release of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," filmed at the Oregon State Hospital, and will feature a showing of the documentary that depicts the making of the film.
Proceeds from the tax-deductible $25-per-person event will go toward the purchase of treatment-related services for patients and a memorial for patients who have passed away. If you live in the area, please try to attend. The event is not simply for a worthy cause; it will also help us to collectively commit to speed the advancement of the mental health care system in Oregon.
Raising Public Consciousness
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" helped bring to the public's attention the inhumane treatment found at many of our country's psychiatric facilities. It helped advance a movement to reform inpatient psychiatric care and to treat those with mental illness with dignity. By highlighting the term, it helped us rid "cuckoo's nest" and other disparaging words from our psychiatric vocabulary.
Along with that positive change came some negative consequences such as the widespread closing of residential facilities and the discharge of people -- needing round-the-clock care -- into the general population to fend for themselves.
Helping Those with Mental Illness
Mental illness is the most prevalent health problem in America. In Oregon, more than 175,000 adults and more than 75,000 children need some kind of mental health services in any given year.
Everything we know about mental illness tells us that early intervention and high-quality treatment reduces the costs of care and improves the likelihood of recovery. Everything we know about our current mental health system tells us that we can longer maintain the status quo.
The Governor's Mental Health Task Force found that our mental health system is significantly under-funded. It also found the state's administration and funding of mental health services could be better coordinated and managed. Too many persons with mental illness are in prisons and jails, and there are too few community resources, particularly housing, for persons with mental illness.
Though the challenge is daunting, Governor Kulongoski, Senate President Peter Courtney, House Speaker Karen Minnis, many key legislators, DHS, and our community partners are taking it on with vigorous leadership and a solid commitment to change. We're witnessing new promise in this area not seen in Oregon in decades.
This past legislative session saw the passage of mental health and chemical-dependency parity, which will require insurance coverage of psychiatric treatment on a par with that for physical needs (the Oregon Health Plan already does this, by the way).
This fall, we're launching a children's mental health initiative, serving kids more in their communities, involving parents more in treatment decisions, strengthening interagency coordination, and ensuring treatment that reflects cultural norms.
The promise of Oregon's commitment also has policymakers talking seriously about strengthening the community mental health system, to serve people where they live, where they are closer to family and other support systems, and where the supports will be more cost-effective.
Oregon State Hospital
Finally -- and I do mean finally -- we will be replacing the crowded and decrepit Oregon State Hospital in Salem, for which we will receive architects' recommendations in late February.
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. wrote, "We are healthy only to the extent that our ideas are humane." While I agree, I think his thoughts fall a bit short. Not only do our ideas require humanity, but also our actions.
So tonight, as we mark the 30th anniversary of the filming at the Oregon State Hospital of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," we will also mark the promise that Oregon is making to our neighbors and family members with mental illness. The promise of our actions -- to rebuild the Oregon State Hospital and create a mental health care system that serves all our citizens no matter where they live -- is one of which we can be proud.
This message is intended for all department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.
If you have a disability and need this message to be provided to you in another format, please send an email to dhs.forms@state.or.us, or call (503) 947-5107. You can also fax your request to (503) 373-7690, or call (503) 947-5080 for TTY service. If you know of others who need this accommodation, please let them know it is available. |
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