SEBASTOPOL, CA -- In January of 2001, David Satcher, Surgeon General,
released a report on the
US public crisis in mental health for children and adolescents.
"The burden of suffering experienced by children with mental
health needs and their families has created a health crisis in
this country. Growing numbers of children are suffering
needlessly because their emotional, behavioral, and developmental
needs are not being met by those very institutions which were
explicitly created to take care of them. It is time that we as a
Nation took seriously the task of preventing mental health
problems and treating mental illnesses in youth."
Among the sobering statistics:
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1 in 10 children and adolescents suffer from mental illness
severe enough to cause some level of impairment
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In any given year, less than 20% of these children receive
needed treatment.
Long-term consequences of untreated childhood disorders are
costly, in human and fiscal terms.
Since the surgeon general's report was released, the crisis of
children's mental illness continues to make news. The National
Institutes of Health (NIH) announced developmental grants for
autism centers of excellence. NIH also launched a nationwide
study to improve the treatment of the 2.3 million Americans
suffering with bipolar disorder. A range of bills
are currently before Congress on parity in insurance coverage for
mental illness, improving school counseling, etc. Jim Jeffords
left the Republican party in part because of lack of funding of
special education for those with physical and learning
disabilities.
The burden of this crisis falls most heavily on families. Parents
try to combat the paucity of resources for the serious problems
facing their children by educating themselves, finding other
parents who may have similar problems and solutions, and joining
patient organizations and advocacy efforts.
Patient-Centered Guides announces the publication of two new
family guides by Mitzi Waltz: Tourette's Syndrome: Finding
Answers & Getting Help and Partial Seizure Disorders: A Guide for
Patients and Families. These guides are the first in-depth books
for families with these conditions. Ms. Waltz wrote these books
because of a scarcity of resources available for families. These books
help parents secure a diagnosis, find medical and therapeutic
interventions, obtain coverage from insurance, and navigate the
school system.
Press may receive a complementary copy of any of Ms.Waltz's
books.
About the Author
Ms. Waltz is an advocate for families facing neurological issues.
She has been heavily involved in parent support work, and has
also advocated for special-needs children within the medical,
insurance, and education systems. An author, journalist, and
editor for more than a decade, she has previously written books
on childhood/adolescent bipolar disorders, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders (part of the
autism spectrum of disorders). Beginning this Fall, she will be
undertaking research at the Autism Research Unit in England.
About Patient-Centered Guides
Patient empowerment is the core of Patient-Centered Guides. We
believe that people are empowered when they have the knowledge
and skills to partner with their doctor or healthcare provider to
get the best medical care possible.
We publish books that contain clear, concise, easy to understand
information about the medical, practical and emotional aspects of
health issues. Our authors are patient activists, knowledgeable
about specific conditions and diseases, who have built strong and
networked communities of patients, families, and caregivers.
In addition to our books, we publish in-depth patient information
on the web.
Patient-Centered Guides is a wholly-owned subsidiary of O'Reilly
& Associates, Inc. O'Reilly is recognized worldwide for its
technical books that provide value to people who are experiencing
information pain. O'Reilly publishes books that make a difference
in people's lives.
Tourette's Syndrome:
Finding Answers & Getting Help
by Mitzi Waltz
$24.95, 416 pages, paperback, 7x9"
ISBN: 0-596-50007-6
PUBLICATION DATE: June 2001
Partial Seizure Disorders:
A Guide for Patients and Families
by Mitzi Waltz
$19.95, 288 pages, paperback
ISBN: 0-596-50003-3
PUBLICATION DATE: March 2001
