There’s an important public event coming up that you might want to attend. In April I will be hosting a press event in the Capitol where we will be raising awareness about schizophrenia. An organization will be there with equipment to simulate schizophrenia so that people who do not have schizophrenia may experience what it is like to have a severe and disabling case of this mental illness. When the scheduling issues are worked out and the date is set, I'll post the information here on the blog.
We know that early diagnosis and treatment of this mental illness can prevent it from becoming severe and disabling. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the suffering of people who have schizophrenia.
Estimates are that about half of the state’s mental health dollars are spent on treating schizophrenia, so early diagnosis and treatment would, in addition to reducing suffering, also result in substantial cost savings to the state.
Raising public awareness is an important goal of this event, and we know that awareness leads to knowledge, and knowledge leads to compassion. Members of the public are welcome to attend this event in the Capitol. If you are in the Sacramento area, I hope to see you there so that we can work together to support this important cause.
I’ll keep you informed of public events such as this as they are scheduled.
The event you have planned sounds wonderful--very media-savvy and a great way to help people understand this illness. Thanks for your efforts on behalf of people with mental illness. I've just discovered this site and I've already spread the word to my parents' and caregivers group. It's so heartening to know that people are working so hard to help.
Barbara, Redondo Beach
Posted by: Barbara Ravetti | March 29, 2004 at 02:06 PM
Barbara, thank you very much for your feedback, and for your commitment as well. I may have been the first politician ever to have mental health issues as my campaign platform when I ran for a seat in the Assembly in 1998, but that's where my heart was, and I've never regretted it. Aside from the initiative, I'm carrying a bill this legislative session regarding mental health treatment for minors in the juvenile justice system. I'll write more about that bill in a future post. That bill is being heard by the Assembly Public Safety Committee tomorrow morning. Thank you very much for spreading the word to your friends, colleagues, and family.
Posted by: Darrell Steinberg | March 29, 2004 at 08:18 PM