Text Box: # The InitiativeText Box: DBSA Colorado Springs Organization for 2007 2007 Board of Directors Executive Board Steve Bell, President Marsha Ritterband, LCSW, Vice President Larry Ritterband, Secretary Sia Fallahi, Treasurer Board Members Sue Arms Deborah Cordero Karen Fallahi Ralph Lundgren George Pollard Jan Rondeau Charles Sakai Professional Advisors Julie Sanford, MD Brian Bain, MD Kirsten Bilzing, MA, LPC, CAC III Mark Fraijo, LCSW, CAC, III Jeff Harazin, MD Eileen Spangler, RN, LCSW Text Box: WHERE TO FIND HELP: DBSA Colorado Springs 477-1515 National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK St. Francis Behavioral Health 776-8482 Pikes Peak Mental Health Crisis Center 635-7000 Text Box: Patrick Kennedy (Continued from page 3) “When it comes to mental illness, I'd be lucky if I have someone knock on the door. That's how bad the politics now are of this disease.” Despite the unwillingness of both politicians and the general public to discuss this sensitive issue, Rep. Kennedy is aware of its importance. “...they know there is nobody in Congress, very few people who are really advocating as hard for this issue than I am. And I've done that from the very beginning. I mean, this is the number one epidemic in this country. It's more costly than heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, bigger than all of those.” Kennedy has drawn strength and encouragement from the supportive attitude of his family and the people of Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District. A press release from DBSA [http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=advocacy_01292007] describes in detail how Kennedy and Jim Ramstad (R-MN), a recovering alcoholic, have been fighting to pass the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act. Rep. Kennedy doesn’t mince any words when he describes the urgency of the current crisis. "Every day that we allow insurance discrimination against mental illnesses is another day 82 Americans will die of suicide. It's another day that American business will lose $85 million in lost productivity to depression alone. It's another day that thousands of children will be in state custody instead of home with their parents. It's another night on the streets for 200,000 homeless Americans living with mental illness and addictions. We cannot afford the status quo." The DBSA article added the following exhortation: “And surprisingly, the public demand for mental health equity is bipartisan -- 83% of Republicans and 92% of Democrats want equitable health insurance. And employees and employers alike (89% respectively) want health insurance coverage for mental health treatments to be equitable to general health treatments. “But it’s also not the time to sit back on our laurels.  Being a mental health advocate means having determination, commitment and the staying power to hand in there for the long haul. “Your legislators still need to know that you, as a constituent of their districts, support Mental Health Parity and the time to pass it is NOW!” Source: BPMagazine, bphope.com, Spring 2007 Text Box: Candle in the Dark continued from Page 1 The workshop training is extremely beneficial to friends and family members of people with mood disorders, educators, including school counselors and administrators, health care professionals, social service providers, human resources personnel, and leaders of faith communities. This eight-hour workshop can be tailored to a specific audience and their unique scheduling needs. To find out more about Candle in the Dark and how to schedule a workshop for your group or organization, contact DBSA Colorado Springs at 719-477-1515 or by email at help@dbsacoloradosprings.org. News Flash! The highly successful Pathways to Recovery course is being offered again this fall! If you are one of those who missed out this spring, you do not want to miss out this time around. Register by contacting DBSA Colorado Springs (see contact info above). Spaces are limited, so call now!