Tennessee wants to stigamatize people with mental health issues as being substance abusers.

[Lint Head]

It may not be the intent, or is it.? All in the name of consolidation?

The measure sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville was approved 31-0 on Monday evening.
The legislation adds "Substance Abuse Services" to the department's name.


http://www.newschannel5.com/story/16689484/bill-to-change-name-of-mental-health-dept

http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB2229&GA=107

Perception can be everything sometimes. I have relatives with mental health issues and they are not substance abusers and function very well using drugs.

[Drale]

1. Fuck Tennessee

I have Mental Health Issues and function very well on my medicine. In fact if I don't take it I'm a mess and can't to anything, I'm not a freaking substance abuser.

[LeftyMom]

2. Does the department also deal with substance abuse?

Department and program names often include more than one thing they address. WIC helps women, infants and children, and the name dosn't mean that women are infants. What a silly thing to get flipped out about.

Of course, many mentally ill people DO self-medicate with street drugs, and some drugs have effects that mimic those of some forms of mental illness. The need for services overlaps, and expanding the name helps families in need of services know who to call. How on earth can that be a bad thing?

[xfundy]

3. Good point.

Some people have such mental anguish they'll try anything to stop the pain, even temporarily, and even if they know it is harmful on a rational level.

[loyalsister]

4. Without a doubt, it is self medication

A desperate attempt to adapt to an internal struggle. I will never forget the guy I knew who drank to the point of passing out nightly to try to chase away his flashbacks.

Many people who have mental illnesses have a dual diagnosis that includes addiction. People with other disabilities including physical disabilities also sometimes have problems with substance abuse. Especially veterans.

Drug\alcohol addiction meets the requirements of ADA protection under federal law. It has been controversial because of the interpretation of addiction as a moral failing. As a matter of fact, the Carter administration was very timid of enacting regulations under 504 because it would include addiction.

Efforts to neutralize the concept of addiction\substance abuse in institutional language and ensure that treatment is available may bring us closer to breaking that stereotype.

[jmowreader]

5. Nonissue

The federal government's mental health agency is called the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency.

I read the text of the bill--the new name of the agency will be "mental health and substance abuse services." It's not like they're saying ALL mental health services clients do drugs. (Just the ones who are Republicans.)

It looks more like the Repukes in the Tennessee Legislature want to come up with justification for firing a whole bunch of people and worsening services for everyone...if the "mental health" agency they have now has 1000 people working there and the "substance abuse" agency they have now has 1000 people working there, why would a "mental health and substance abuse services" agency need more than 1000 people? 'Course, the 1000 people they fire will shortly have "mental health" problems due to the fact they can't find jobs in this economy and the 1000 people they keep will have "substance abuse" problems because now they're working twice as hard, probably for less money, but that's okay by the Repukes.