From Darkness to Light - Dispelling the Myths of Serious Mental Illness


 There is Recovery!


Links:
 
Find Help Here
 Myths and Facts
 Songs of Hope
 My Story


NEW !
Streaming Videos

Personal Stories:
 Kaj-Willow
 Harriet
 Kelly

 Jake
 Marilyn

Recovery Centers:
 SOON
 SELFF

Providers:
 Triple R

 META Services
 
MARC Center

Shelters:
 CASS

 


From Darkness to Light


The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis.
If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-8255.


This site is in loving memory...
These pages are dedicated to the memory of my dad,
Paul "PK" Kennedy, whose unconditional love will continue to be a vital part of my recovery; I miss you dad.


About our program:

Mental Illness affects 1 in 4 families yet few people know that recovery is possible.

Join Dolly Kennedy as we dispel the myths surrounding Serious Mental Illness. With personal stories of recovery and guides to resources, you will be empowered to enjoy a rich, productive life.

The Honorable Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer discusses her involvement with legislation and participation with META Services, Inc. both of which benefited the Seriously Mentally Ill in Arizona.

View Secretary Brewer's Interview (High speed access required)

Audio and Video may take 20 seconds to begin.

Audio Version (56K access)


Arizona Mental Heath News:

New updates coming soon !

State picks new mental health provider for Maricopa County
Amanda J. Crawford, The Arizona Republic

Magellan Health Services has been chosen by the state to take over Maricopa County's public behavioral health system, replacing ValueOptions as the provider of mental health services for 70,000 county residents... read more

Napolitano seeks to expand health care coverage for kids
Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services
Gov. Janet Napolitano will ask lawmakers for an even more expansive government health care program next year than the one they rejected this year... read more

Suit filed over mentally ill woman's death in jail
By Kim Smith - Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.01.2007
The mother of a mentally ill woman who died in the Pima County jail last May has sued the county and COPE Behavioral Health. Lorrean Toni Patterson, 45, died May 7, 2006, about one week after being booked into the jail on suspicion of aggravated assault... Read more

Wage law still peril to jobs of disabled
Katie Nelson -
The Arizona Republic
One of the Valley's largest work centers for people with disabilities is still up and running, and nearly 100 employees furloughed this year are back at work. If the Legislature doesn't step in before the session ends in a few weeks, as many as 70 Centers for Habilitation workers could lose their jobs permanently. Read More


Special Section:
Thank you to Max Dine for these important updates:

How Can Mental Health Care In Arizona Be Improved?
By Max Dine
Keynote Speech at the 2007 Mental Health Fair

When it comes to mental illness, Arizona has some disturbing statistics. For instance, Arizona has the 3rd highest rate of teen suicide in the nation. Each year nearly 25,000 teens in Arizona attempt suicide ...  read more
By Mary Reinhart - East Valley Tribune
Three companies are vying for what one lawmaker calls the "holy grail" of mental health contracts - a three-year deal worth $1.4 billion... read more

Hospital for "Criminally Insane" falling apart

By Mary Reinhart - East Valley Tribune
The place housing some of the most dangerous people in Arizona is falling apart. Most of them have been judged “guilty except insane” in criminal cases that included assault, child molestation and murder... read more

More from ABC15.com
Falling to Pieces -- Inside the Arizona State Hospital
By Lisa Fletcher
Since 1999, the hospital's been asking the legislature to approve money to renovate or rebuild. In 2000 the funds were approved, but then revoked because the state needed the money elsewhere... read more


60 MINUTES' "Dumped on Skid Row"
Are some Los Angeles hospitals simply throwing homeless patients out on the street after discharging them, literally dumping them on skid row?
The article is online at CBS News - 60 Minutes.


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County: Maricopa County Supervisors

State: Arizona State Legislature

Federal: Washington D.C.

Life is worth living so, live it!


There is hope, there is recovery.

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