Should Alcohol Taxes Pay for Mental Health Programs? Do the Math

Improving the Mental Health System

According to a news release that was dated May 9, 2006, the "Standing Senate Committee On Social Affairs, Science and Technology" in Canada recommended the creation of a Canadian Mental Health Commission that will be responsible for significantly upgrading the Canadian mental health system. As stated by Senator Michael Kirby, the Chair of the Committee, "The Senate Committee is committed to improving the range, quality and organization of health and support services that are required by the tens of thousands of Canadians who are living with mental illnesses and addictions."

Funding The Proposed Change

Based on an extensive three-year study on mental health and addiction, the Committee determined that it will cost $5.36 billion over a 10-year period for this mental health system upgrade. Where will these funds come from? According to the Committee, the revenue will come from raising the excise tax on alcoholic drinks by 5 cents per drink.

Part of the rationale for the 5-cent increase per drink was obviously the goal of raising the needed funds for the proposed changes in the mental health system. Another justifying factor for the price increase, however, was the fact that since each alcoholic drink will cost more, Canadians will be more inclined to drink lower-alcohol products such as beer and wine instead of liquor.

Let's Do the Math

At first glance, this proposal seems to make sense. Why shouldn't those who drink help finance a program that will provide them with a better mental health system? Why not let those who are part of the "problem" become part of the "solution"? This logic seems sound until you do the math. If $5.36 billion is needed to help finance the upgraded mental health system, then how many drinks will have to be consumed in a ten-year period to reach $5.36 billion dollars? The answer: 107,200,000,000 drinks. That's 107 billion, 200 million drinks.

To arrive at how many drinks this is per year, all we have to do is divide this number by 10 (for the ten-year program) and the result is 10,720,000,000. This is still a huge number that fortunately can be "massaged" even more. According to The World Factbook website, the population of Canada was estimated to be 33 million people in 2006. Dividing 10,720,000,000 by 33,000,000 equals 325. Putting this in terms that the average person can understand, every man, woman, and child in Canada will have to consume 325 alcoholic drinks per year for the next ten years to finance the new mental health system! Simply put, these numbers are not realistic.

More Flaws

The "logic" of this proposed mental health program also breaks down when it is examined more deeply. For instance, why would people drink lower-alcohol products such as beer if the increased excise tax applies to all alcoholic drinks? To help understand this better, let's use an example. Let's say that the average shot in Canada currently costs $3.00 and the average beer costs $1.00. Based on the proposed price increase, if Joe drinks an average of 5 shots per week, his weekly average alcohol expenditure will be $15.25. When the numbers are calculated, this figures out to be 1.7% more than Joe would have spent before the proposed tax increase. Let's do a similar exercise with beer. Based on the projected price increase, if Pete drinks an average of 5 beers per week, his weekly average alcohol expenditure will be $5.25. When the numbers are calculated, this figures out to be 5% more than Pete would have spent before the proposed tax increase. The point: since the proposed price increase affects higher-alcohol products (such as shots) proportionately less than their lower-alcohol counterparts (such as beer), why would Canadians switch to lower-alcohol products?

Alcohol and Mental Health

Another question. What if tens of thousands of Canadians, realizing that drinking alcohol is not good for their "mental health," significantly reduce their alcohol intake or quit drinking alcoholic beverages altogether? Where will the money come from to offset this lack of revenue? In a similar manner, what if thousands upon thousands of Canadians who drink alcoholic beverages decide that they don't want to pay the extra excise tax and, as a result, stop drinking alcoholic beverages? If this happens, where will the government get the money needed to transform the mental health system? In other words, does the Canadian government have a realistic "plan B" for this major transformation?

A Logical Contradiction

From a different perspective, isn't it rather ironic that those who drink alcoholic beverages will pay for the revamped mental health system? Isn't there a contradiction in logic somewhere in this proposal? Stated differently, if tens of thousands of Canadians have mental illnesses or are addicted to alcohol or drugs, wouldn't the government want Canadians to drink LESS alcohol in order to reduce the existing alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and alcohol-related mental health problems? Yet according to the current mental health proposal, from strictly a financial standpoint, it would appear that the Canadian government is banking the entire mental health system upgrade on historical data that strongly suggests that Canadians will continue to drink at their current or even higher levels of consumption.

Budgetary Miscalculations

What happens, for instance, if there are cost overruns in the proposed mental health system? There are, of course, two "easy" solutions to this problem: increase the excise tax on each drink or motivate Canadians to drink even more alcoholic beverages. Either "solution," however, is predicated on the fact that in order to "work," the upgraded mental health system needs to be funded by Canadians who continue to drink alcoholic beverages.

Conclusion

It appears logical to conclude that the Canadian mental health system is in need of a major overhaul. As with most comprehensive government programs, however, the issue of funding becomes a major obstacle to overcome. The proposed Canadian mental health system upgrade is no exception. Based on the reasons given above, it seems obvious that the Canadian government needs to come up with alternate sources of revenue generation for this worthwhile project. Indeed, to point out one of the major "flaws" in the current proposal, consider the following question: When is more drinking a "good thing?" Answer: when it finances a nationwide mental health system upgrade. Something tells me that Andy Rooney from "60 Minutes" would have a lot of fun with this.

Copyright 2007 - Denny Soinski. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and give the author credit.

Career Prospects in Community-based Mental Health in Maryland

There is a lot of prospect in community-based mental health careers both in the state of Maryland and all over the country. This is because for years now, there has been a lot of emphasis on prevention and reduction of inpatient hospitalization for all illnesses, including mental illness. This might primarily have been intended for cost control, it has also facilitated quality and access. The second reason why career prospects in community mental health are many is that there is currently a severe shortage of mental health workers in all sectors. The 2007 Maryland Mental Health Workforce White Paper revealed that the number and complexity of mental health problems experienced by children and their families have increased over the past decade. It further said, “At least one in five children and youth, or 20%, experience a mental health disorder. The crisis of mental health in the United States is such that 75-80% of youth with mental health diagnoses receive no services, and services received are often inadequate”. Thirdly, there is inadequate diversity among the few mental health workforce. For example, 28% of Maryland population is of ethnic minority but only 12% of mental workforce is of ethnic minorities. Furthermore, there is an acute shortage of African American males in mental health workforce.

1. Outpatient Mental Health Clinics (OMHC)

Outpatient mental health clinics provide therapy, counseling, medication management, social skills teaching, and case management services to individuals with severe and chronic mental health problems. Career prospects available in OMHC include:

Therapists and Counselors: New regulations require therapists and counselors in OMHC to have a minimum of a Masters degree and a license (such as LGSW, LCSW, LCSW-C, LGPC, LCPC, RNC, APRN/PMHN) in nursing, social work, psychology, counseling, or psychiatric rehabilitation. Also, an RN without a Masters degree but with an RNC from ANCC can be employed as a therapist. Salaries are very attractive.

2. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs (PRP)

PRP programs are an extension of the services provided to the patient in the OMHC. A PRP may stand alone or be an additional service to an OMHC. The purpose of PRP is to promote the rehabilitation, integration and improved quality of life for the patient at home, school, work and community. It aims at helping the patient to function at his or her optimum best in life. The counseling can be done at the Program office (onsite) or at the patient’s home (offsite). PRP counseling could be about a wide range of topics, including anger management skills, social skills, assertiveness skills, medication compliance, coping with symptoms, managing peer pressure, taking a bus, determining bus route, drug and alcohol, gang prevention, sex education, STD education, accessing community resources such as food stamps, affordable housing, bus pass, ID card, driver’s license, job search, preparing for job interview, keeping a job, improving attention in school, completing homework and school projects, respect of authority, etc.

Even though a mere one-year work experience in a mental health setting or having an AA degree qualifies one to be a PRP counselor, PRP programs prefer to employ persons with a BS degree in any health or mental health related field such as nursing, social work, counseling, psychology and rehabilitation. PRP counselors are usually paid $14 or more per counseling session. Each client receives 2 to 8 counseling sessions per month.

3. Expanded School-Based Mental Health (ESBMH)

In addition to the school clinic, some schools also have an ESBMH clinic. A therapist assigned from an OMHC manages each of such clinics. Apart from providing therapy to troubled kids sent to the therapist’s office from the class or principal’s office, the therapist also serve as a resource person to the school staff regarding particular children, issues or topics related to mental health.

4. Crisis Response Programs (BCRI, BCARS)

Mental health professionals are also needed in crisis centers where services are provided for anyone in mental health crisis. The two main centers in Baltimore are Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc. (BCRI) and Baltimore Child and Adolescent Response System (BCARS). For employment inquiries, please call 410-433-5255. There are positions that do not need a Masters degree.

BCARS website provides the following information about what they do:

BCARS is a mobile crisis response service that provides emergency contact with mental health professionals throughout the city. Dedicated crisis clinicians staff the program as part of a continuum of clinical care provided by the Catholic Charities. The Johns Hopkins Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry provide psychiatric consultations to the program. BCARS assists children and families facing psychiatric and psychosocial crises by providing hospital diversion and immediate intervention and respite. For information or assistance, please call the BCARS hotline (410) 752-2272. It is available 24-7.

BCRI web site provided the following information: about what they do:

HOTLINE: The telephone crisis “hotline” (410-752-2272) is available 24 hours a day and is staffed by trained counselors who have the ability to provide information and referral to the network of human services in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The counselors also provide supportive counseling, dispatch emergency assistance and link callers with more intensive BCRI services. In FY 2004 – 34,852 and FY 2005 – 30,257 calls were received on the Hotline.

MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS: Mobile crisis teams are comprised of mental health professionals including psychiatrists, social workers and nurses who can be dispatched to community locations to provide immediate assessment, intervention and treatment. Teams operate from 7:00am till midnight seven days per week. Currently the teams average over 2000 responses per year.

IN HOME SUPPORT: Persons experiencing a mental health crisis can often be maintained in the community through regular visits from the BCRI mobile crisis teams. An average of 350 people a year is cared for in this manner.

RESIDENTIAL CRISIS BEDS: Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc. operates 18 psychiatric crisis beds. Crisis beds are not new to Maryland. However, since its inception, BCRI has operated with an average length of stay of 4.5 days compared with the historical statewide average of 16.5 days.

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TRAINING: BCRI provide public and professional education and training on a wide range of mental health related topics including: suicide prevention, crisis intervention, mental illness, and stigma. Training has also been provided to members of the Baltimore City Police Negotiation Team, over 3,000 patrol officers, Housing Police and Sheriff’s officers. Through special grants and contracts, BCRI has provided training to Baltimore City Public School teachers and guidance counselors, clergy, 911 operators, shelter care staff and others. Public education is also provided via a cable television program called “Mental Health Matters”. This program provides practical information regarding mental health issues and community resources. BCRI has also offered professional training conferences, workshops and symposia.

ADDICTIONS SERVICES: In response to the growing need for addictions treatment services BCRI has expanded and now provides a 10-day residential detoxification program for chemically addicted and dually diagnosed persons. There are currently 16 beds operated for this purpose.

5. Group Homes

Direct care staff and counselors are needed in group homes to manage, care and support the residents in the areas of activities of daily living, behavior management, life progress, and community living. Employment preference is usually given to individuals who have a degree related to health or mental health. Salary rates are very attractive. New regulations now mandate each group home especially for children to be managed by a Program Administrator (PA) who must possess at least a BS degree in any field but preferably in a health or mental health related field. Program Administrators are very well paid, depending on their education and experience and the size and intensity of the group home.

6. Private Practice

There are a lot of prospects for licensed mental health professionals with at least a Masters degree to establish their own private practice. The practice could be in the area of clinical, research, educational, or consultancy.

Trained Memory versus Natural

Trained Memory Versus Natural Memory

Most people complain about their bad memory, but few people ever do anything about it. In this article you will learn that there is a great deal you can do about your bad memory.

The truth is there is no such thing as a bad memory or a good memory, only a trained memory and an untrained memory. I want you to fix that thought firmly in your mind. The only reason people forget things is simply down to the fact that they didn't remember it properly in the first place. The most valuable lesson that you will learn here is that the more you train your memory the better your "natural memory" will develop. By natural memory I mean your ability to remember without the aid of any memory training.
Observation:
During our normal everyday lives most people only "see" where as only a few people actually "observe". there is a vast difference between seeing and actually observing and this plays a fundamental roll in training your memory. Most of us have a clock in our kitchen or living room to tell us the time during the day. Let me ask you a question about your clock and please do not look at the clock until I have ask the question. Is the number 6 on the clock the figure 6 or the roman numeral V1? Think about this for a moment before you all rush off to look at the clock. Now remember that you see this clock everyday and most people do not know the answer to this question. We did not observe all of the information presented to us by this time piece. People see but do not observe.

Association:
This is probably the most important key element in remembering facts, event and most things in general. After something is observed it must be associated in our minds with something we already know or remember. Association, in relation to memory, simply means the connecting up of two or more things to each other. A typical example of this can be seen in the old rhyme "thirty days hath September, April, June, and November, all the rest have thirty one etc". This rhyme helps us to remember the number of days in a particular month. Simple associations, just like the rhyme above, can be applied to remembering anything and everything in our normal everyday lives.
Conclusion:
Most of us in our subconscious minds have a fear of losing our memory. Let us look at it in another way. If we fail to exercise our arms and legs on a daily basis our muscles will become weak and deteriorate from the lack of exercise. The same can be said with our memory. If our memory is not exercised constantly it too will deteriorate. There are many memory training exercises on the market today. I personally studied memory training techniques during my college years. I really was amazed at the potential power of some of the training exercises. To improve your memory you must go to a good book shop and decide which course to buy. It is important to set aside at least fifteen minutes a day to study the techniques shown on the course. If you need advise on which course to choose please feel free to contact me. After completing your memory training course you will make four remarkable discoveries.

1. Memory training systems actually do work.
2. Your "natural" memory will start to improve considerably.
3. Memory techniques will become "second nature" to you and thus your "natural" memory improves even further.
4. The final thing you will notice with this memory improvement is desire. The desire to remember more and more.
Only you can make that all important decision to improve and develop a super power memory.

Do you feel your life is not as it used to be?

Are you currently coping with anxiety? Do you feel as if your life is not as it used to be? Do you find yourself worrying or fearing what should be the simple things in life? It is not unusual for most people to experience small amounts of anxiety in their day to day lives. People may feel anxious about meeting new people or buying a new car. Small amounts of anxiety in a person's life is considered normal. It is when the anxiety takes over and the small amount of anxiety a person used to experience landslides into copious amounts of anxiety. Having too much anxiety in our lives is what causes problems.

So when you realize that the amount of anxiety in your life is unacceptable how do you decide what therapy is right for you? There are loads of websites with anxiety treatments, but how credible are they? You could also see your doctor for assistance in choosing the right treatment. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to help you cope with your anxiety, but with most medications there will be side effects. What if you were able to find a natural drug free way to cope with your anxiety?

You can find masses of information on the internet, websites with all different types of treatments. Before you decide to hand over your credit card details, make sure you do your research first. Read the testimonials on the website and see what people are saying about the product. Also Google the product – you can usually find forums and read the discussions of individuals who have tried the product and get their opinions on the product, both good and bad. Most forums will have an unbiased review of the product as the reviews are not on the products website.

You may even find a forum that discusses different techniques to cope with anxiety that others have tried. Coping with anxiety may be as easy as making simple lifestyle changes, but for others it may not be that simple. So before you part with your hard earned cash maybe you should try a few lifestyle changes, cut out refined and processed foods, eliminate negative features of your life and see how that goes first. If you are still struggling to cope with anxiety then do your research and try to find a natural product that will work for you that individuals have given a great review and best of luck to you!