DBSA Statement on President Obama's Gun Control Proposal
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Depression and Bipolar
Support Alliance of Oregon
We’ve Been There. We Can Help.
REACH OUT OREGON
February 2013
DBSA Statement on President
Obama’s Gun Control Proposal
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) applauds the inclusion of increased
access to mental health care within President Obama’s recent gun control proposal. Greater
understanding of and access to mental health screening and treatment, along with necessary
clarifications to and investments in the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008,
are vital for our nation’s health.
Together with millions of Americans, DBSA deplores gun violence and violence in general,
and we are invested in the prevention of shocking tragedies like those at Newtown, Aurora,
Oak Creek, and Tucson. Yet DBSA is also deeply concerned about the seeming conflation of
mental health issues and violence in the media and within public discourse.
As the President’s gun control plan explicitly states, the percentage of people with mental
health conditions committing gun violence in America is very small. In fact, people
experiencing mental health symptoms are more likely to be the victims of violence than
perpetrators, and are more likely to use guns to die by suicide than to use guns against
others. Yet much of the current talk about gun control focuses on individuals with mental
health conditions and the perception of them as potential threats for gun violence. Such
media- and government-endorsed associations between violence and mental health
conditions increase prejudice and stigma. So while we wholly support efforts to reduce gun
violence, we contend that we as a society must be cautious about restricting the rights of
people because of a health condition or disability.
Access to mental health care and gun responsibility laws are important, but we at DBSA
additionally contend that a larger conversation needs to take place that focuses on
prevention. There are many such programs already in place around the country and around
the world, but developing and implementing them broadly are more difficult. We must
respond urgently to the unspeakable Newtown tragedy, as the President has done, yet we
must also remain committed to the long process of evolving the nation’s access to mental
healthcare, the quality of that care, and the attitudes we have about people who need help to
achieve wellness.
DBSA looks forward to working within the mental health community and with the public at
large to continue an important dialogue about reducing and eliminating violence—and to work
collaboratively to improve access to quality mental health care.Social Security Announces New Online Services Available with my Social Security Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the agency is expanding the services available with a my Social Security account, a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits. More than 60 million Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients can now access their benefit verification letter, payment history, and earnings record instantly using their online account. Social Security beneficiaries also can change their address and start or change direct deposit information online. “We are making it even easier for people to do their business with us from the comfort of their home, office, or library,” Commissioner Astrue said. “I encourage people of all ages to take advantage of our award-winning online services and check out the new features available through an online my Social Security account.” Social Security beneficiaries and SSI recipients with a my Social Security account can go online and get an official benefit verification letter instantly. The benefit verification letter serves as proof of income to secure loans, mortgages and other housing, and state or local benefits. Additionally, people use the letter to prove current Medicare health insurance coverage, retirement or disability status, and age. People can print or save a customized letter. Social Security processed nearly nine million requests for benefit verification letters in the past year. This new online service allows people to conduct business with Social Security without having to visit an office or make a phone call, and very often wait for a letter to arrive in the mail. It also will reduce the time spent by employees completing these requests and free them to focus on other workloads. People age 18 and older can sign up for an account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Once there, they must be able to provide information about themselves and answers to questions that only they are likely to know. After completing the secure verification process, people can create a my Social Security account with a unique user name and password to access their information.
People age 18 and older who are not receiving benefits can sign up for a my Social Security
account to get a personalized online Social Security Statement. The online Statement provides
eligible workers with secure and convenient access to their Social Security earnings and benefit
information, and estimates of future benefits they can use to plan for their retirement. In addition,
the portal also includes links to information about other online services, such as applications for
retirement, disability and Medicare. “Given our significantly reduced funding, we have to find
innovative ways to continue to meet the needs of the American people without compromising
service,” said Commissioner Astrue. “These new enhancements will allow us to provide faster
service to more people in more places.” For more information, please go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
By JIM AVILA (@JimAvilaABC) , LAUREN PEARLE and RUSSELL GOLDMAN
(@GoldmanRussell), Jan. 10, 2013
A team of scientists who analyzed the brain tissue of renowned NFL linebacker Junior Seau after
his suicide last year have concluded the football player suffered a debilitating brain disease likely
caused by two decades worth of hits to the head, researchers and his family exclusively told
ABC News and ESPN.
In May, Seau, 43 -- football's monster in the middle, a perennial all-star and defensive icon in the
1990s whose passionate hits made him a dominant figure in the NFL -- shot himself in the chest
at his home in Oceanside, Calif., leaving behind four children and many unanswered questions.
Seau's family donated his brain to neuroscientists at the National Institutes for Health who are
conducting ongoing research on traumatic brain injury and football players.
A team of independent researchers who did not know they were studying Seau's brain all
concluded he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative disease
typically caused by multiple hits to the head.
"What was found in Junior Seau's brain was cellular changes consistent with CTE," said Dr.
Russell Lonser, chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Ohio State University,
who led the study of Seau's brain while he was at NIH.
ourtesy Seau Family
Patients with CTE, which can only be diagnosed after death, display symptoms "such as
impulsivity, forgetfulness, depression, [and] sometimes suicidal ideation," Lonser said.
Seau's family described to ABC News and ESPN a long descent into depression in the years
prior to his death.
Gina Seau, his ex-wife with whom he remained close following their divorce, said the linebacker
had difficulty sleeping and became withdrawn and "detached emotionally" from his children. In
one exchange, he described his mood as "low" and "dark.""A lot of things, towards the end of his life, patterns that we saw and things that worried us, it makes sense now," she said of the diagnosis. The night before his death, Seau sent a text message to his ex-wife and children in which he simply wrote, "I love you." They were the last words anyone would hear from him. More than 30 NFL players have in recent years been diagnosed with CTE, a condition once known as "punch drunk" because it affected boxers who had taken multiple blows to the head. Last year, some 4,000 retired players filed lawsuits against the league over its alleged failure to protect players from brain injuries. The NFL has said it did not intentionally hide the dangers of concussions from players and is doing everything it can now to protect them. Gina Seau said she and her ex-husband expected physical injuries from playing professional football but never thought "you're putting your brain and your mental health at a greater risk." Junior Seau, she said, was never formally diagnosed with a concussion but routinely complained of symptoms associated with concussions after receiving hits to the head during games and in practices in 20 seasons in the NFL. "The head-to-head contact, the collisions are just, they're out of control," Gina Seau said. "He was a warrior and he loved the game," she added. "But ... I know that he didn't love the end of his life." For the Seaus, football gave them everything and, they believe, has now taken it all away. They understand its attraction and, all too well, its routine danger. "I think it's a gamble," Gina Seau said. "Just be extremely aware of what could potentially happen to your life." A team of scientists who analyzed the brain tissue of renowned NFL linebacker Junior Seau after his suicide last year have concluded the football player suffered a debilitating brain disease likely caused by two decades worth of hits to the head, researchers and his family exclusively told ABC News and ESPN. In May, Seau, 43 -- football's monster in the middle, a perennial all-star and defensive icon in the 1990s whose passionate hits made him a dominant figure in the NFL -- shot himself in the chest at his home in Oceanside, Calif., leaving behind four children and many unanswered questions. Seau's family donated his brain to neuroscientists at the National Institutes for Health who are conducting ongoing research on traumatic brain injury and football players. A team of independent researchers who did not know they were studying Seau's brain all concluded he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative disease typically caused by multiple hits to the head.
"What was found in Junior Seau's brain was cellular changes consistent with CTE," said Dr. Russell Lonser, chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Ohio State University, who led the study of Seau's brain while he was at NIH. Patients with CTE, which can only be diagnosed after death, display symptoms "such as impulsivity, forgetfulness, depression, [and] sometimes suicidal ideation," Lonser said. Seau's family described to ABC News and ESPN a long descent into depression in the years prior to his death. Gina Seau, his ex-wife with whom he remained close following their divorce, said the linebacker had difficulty sleeping and became withdrawn and "detached emotionally" from his children. In one exchange, he described his mood as "low" and "dark." "A lot of things, towards the end of his life, patterns that we saw and things that worried us, it makes sense now," she said of the diagnosis. The night before his death, Seau sent a text message to his ex-wife and children in which he simply wrote, "I love you." They were the last words anyone would hear from him. More than 30 NFL players have in recent years been diagnosed with CTE, a condition once known as "punch drunk" because it affected boxers who had taken multiple blows to the head. Last year, some 4,000 retired players filed lawsuits against the league over its alleged failure to protect players from brain injuries. The NFL has said it did not intentionally hide the dangers of concussions from players and is doing everything it can now to protect them. Gina Seau said she and her ex-husband expected physical injuries from playing professional football but never thought "you're putting your brain and your mental health at a greater risk." Junior Seau, she said, was never formally diagnosed with a concussion but routinely complained of symptoms associated with concussions after receiving hits to the head during games and in practices in 20 seasons in the NFL. "The head-to-head contact, the collisions are just, they're out of control," Gina Seau said. "He was a warrior and he loved the game," she added. "But ... I know that he didn't love the end of his life." For the Seaus, football gave them everything and, they believe, has now taken it all away. They understand its attraction and, all too well, its routine danger. "I think it's a gamble," Gina Seau said. "Just be extremely aware of what could potentially happen to your life."
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into a law a new package of gun regulations to fortify the state's existing assault weapons ban, limit the number of bullets in magazines and strengthen rules that keep the mentally ill from owning firearms. The measure is the nation's first gun-control bill since last month's school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. DBSA OR’s Annual Meeting will be at 11 AM on Sept. 21, 2013 in Eugene, OR. DBSA OR is donating all 250 of our free 2013 brochures to the Neah-Kah-Nie High School for their health fair on March 2nd 2013. Kay & Lisa are remaining on the Board as At-Large-Members. Chrz Redmond is our new Treasurer. Welcome. Next to Normal (styled as next to normal) is a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Its story concerns a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. Next to Normal received several workshop performances before it debuted off-Broadway in 2008, winning the Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Score and receiving nominations for Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Actress (Alice Ripley) and Outstanding Score. After an Off-Broadway run, the show then played at the Arena Stage in its temporary venue in Arlington, Virginia from November 2008 to January 2009. The musical opened on Broadway in April 2009. It was nominated for eleven 2009 Tony Awards and won three, Best Original Score, Best Orchestration and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Alice Ripley. It also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, becoming just the eighth musical in history to receive the honor. The previous musical to win the Pulitzer was Rent, in 1996, which was also directed by Michael Greif. In awarding the prize to Kitt and Yorkey, the Pulitzer Board called the show "a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals." Next to Normal, received several Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. With powerful lyrics and an electrifying score, Next To Normal is “a work of muscular grace and power. It is something much more than a feel-good musical, it is a feel-everything musical.” Special Guest - Susannah Mars reprises the her award-winning performance as Diana, a role she created for Portland’s, Artists Repertory Theatre in 2012. Also featuring Eugene’s own Evynne Hollens and star of UO’ s “Batboy” Evan Marshall. Lord Leebrick, Downtown Eugene, mid January to mid February.
Suicide
Prevention
Saturday, Feb. 9, 1:00
Downtown Eugene Public Library l Free
Every 17 minutes, at least 6 Americans lose a loved one to suicide.
66% of those who died by suicide showed warning signs.
Oregon’s suicide rate is 35% higher than the national average.
Suicide is the leading cause of death among Oregon youth ages 10 - 24.
One person who notices that something’s wrong can
help
save the life of a student, friend, relative, co-worker,
neighbor . . .
Everyone is invited to join Sandy Moses, MS, CPS, for this engaging
2-hour community workshop about the simple, practical QPR method.
Learn common myths & facts about suicide; warning signs & risk factors;
how to bring up the topic; how to persuade suicidal individuals to get help;
& ways to refer at-risk people to resources.You can’t “fix everything” --
but you can make a difference.
Parents, Families, and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays - Eugene/Springfield
Eugene Public Library 541-682-5450 www.eugene-or.gov/library
Sponsored by Eugene Public Library, Lane County Suicide Prevention Program, PFLAG,
Friends of Eugene Public Library, & Eugene Public Library FoundationYou can also read
