DocJohn at the White House

I don't even know who he is.

I mean, I saw him at the conference on TV, I think, but I still don't know who he is.

Me neither, pachy! Guess we have to watch "Silver Linings Playbook"? (He was star in it)

Silver Linings Playbook (2012) - IMDb

some of you are old wbs people with doc john? I was too!

Doc John as they say...you've come a long way baby but I won't call you baby lol. have a great time at the White House!

congrats doc john!

Congrats and good luck!

Yes, also in "The Words" where I first saw him. Great movie.

Thanks for the recommendation, Echoes; I read some of the plot on Wikipedia and it reminds me of how confusing trying to watch The Hours was to me with the ins and outs of what is now/real and what "then".

I know what you mean, Perna, but this movie was not at all difficult to follow.

Stay off the grass, and good luck.

Bebop, I was around at MHN before other people took it over. Were you around there?

Hey folks, the conference was great. There were about 150 people there total, reflecting virtually every organization that has some significant involvement in mental health in this country, including the heads of all professional organizations (like the APA), and advocacy organizations.

There were no controversial figures there, as I don't think they wanted to create controversy around this shared "elevation" of the national conversation about mental health.

I met dozens of great people who share the passion and desire to help people learn more about mental health issues and seek treatment when appropriate. A lot of focus, too, on how to reach younger people, when mental illness often starts. I got some great ideas we can implement as well to help reach more people, which we will be doing over the upcoming months.

President Obama was an outstanding speaker, and it was great to see him in person. But I have to say, an even better speaker was Vice President Biden, who closed the day's meetings. He is very personable.

Obama had a great line about our need to expand treatment reach: "Today, less than 40% of those with a mental illness receive treatment. Less than 40%. ... Only about half of children with mental health problems receive treatment.

Now think about it. We wouldn't accept it if only 40% of Americans with cancer got treatment. We wouldn't accept it if only half of young people with diabetes got help. Why should we accept it when it comes to mental health?

It doesn't make any sense."

A great day for mental health and mental illness awareness.

Best,
DocJohn

Very glad to hear it went so well DocJohn!

It's sad that 40% who struggle don't get treatment. Many teens struggle and are afraid to talk to their parents about it. Parents can often be "dismissive" to their teens that struggle too. So, that leads to many teens being "afraid" to reach out for help because they are afraid their parents will find out and it will make their situation even "worse". I have seen several come to PC afraid to even talk to their school counselor in fear their parents might be told. How can we "change" that?

It is nice to know you have brought back some good ideas from that conference DocJohn. It's amazing how 150 people gathering together with a genuine concern like this can inspire the few that are trying to actually do something productive and helpful.

You "are" a shining example of the kind of person "needed" who implements a plan to reach out as you provided a safe community for the "many" that are challenged. You "did" something that started "small" and grew. When someone is really struggling, they feel very alone and they really don't know how to "reach out for help", you thought about that several years ago and you decided to "do" something about it. While it is "nice" to listen to "good speeches" what matters is "what is done". What also matters is having a way for those that "do something" to meet and share ideas and concerns and have recognition and connect to create a much needed "boost" to gain momentum in that one goal, "awareness", and "education", and ways to actually "make a difference" in better addressing a very real challenge.

I am glad that you got to partake in this much needed effort to "recognize" a very real problem with "awareness" about the challenges of so many that need help. If 60% of those that suffer "do" get help, then that's promising that there "can" be a path for the 40% remaining that do not receive help. Being able to "identify" who that 40% is and gathering together those that take an "active" interest as well as contribute to doing something about it is essential. 150 people is not a very "large" group, however with recognition and "connecting" there is more promise of that group gaining momentum on increasing in numbers. The fact that you have come away from that experience with new ideas is proof that more of these meetings should take place.

OE

Doc John i am very glad it went well. thank you so much for everything you do with PC.

I had no idea the number was so low for those who get help for mental illness. 40%??? That is just plain unacceptable in my book.

DocJohn, I'm so glad you had a good conference and enjoyed meeting new people and getting those ideas. I'm looking forward to the new changes you look to implement in the coming months!

I think even more scary is that some of the 40% get bad treatment that may make the whole situation worse. MH professionals get away with a lot cause they treat "crazies", I think.

Venus, I think there is good and bad in everything. No doubt there are some not so good therapists and psychiatrists out there, but I do know for a fact that there are some very good therapists as well. So, in my line of thinking, there are a good amount of that 40% who are getting good help.

I do though, understand and agree with some of what you are saying.

DocJohn's conference followup summary:

What I Learned at the National Conference on Mental Health 2013 | World of Psychology

I hope I get to know you DocJohn because I've been here for a couple of months and it's embarrassing to say that all these months I didn't even get to know our administrators. Wow.