Tag: mental health

July 30th DLC Report Calls for Transfer of Bridgewater State Hospital to the Department of Mental Health IMMEDIATELY

FFIMI

Below is the press released shared by DLC on July 30, 2024. Today, the Disability Law Center (DLC) released a public report discussing findings and recommendations from its intensive monitoring of Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH) from January to June 2024. As Massachusetts’ Protection and Advocacy agency, DLC has federal authority to monitor facility conditions and… Continue reading July 30th DLC Report Calls for Transfer of Bridgewater State Hospital to the Department of Mental Health IMMEDIATELY

It’s past time to move Bridgewater State Hospital out of the Department of Correction

FFIMI

Massachusetts must stop mistreatment of people with mental illness Reposted from CommonWealth Beacon May, 13, 2024 by Summer Maxwell The report released in March condemning Bridgewater State Hospital —Massachusetts’s state psychiatric facility — felt more like a broken record than a revelation. The 87-page document outlined issues that have plagued the facility for years, including… Continue reading It’s past time to move Bridgewater State Hospital out of the Department of Correction

Helpful MassHealth Resource: Behavioral Health-Justice Involved (BH-JI)

FFIMI

What is BH-JI?  BH-JI is a MassHealth program that helps people leaving jail or prison, people who have recently left jail or prison, people on parole, and people on probation to connect with behavioral health services and social supports in the community. BH-JI is a partnership between the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human… Continue reading Helpful MassHealth Resource: Behavioral Health-Justice Involved (BH-JI)

FFIMI Supports Important Legislation

FFIMI

This legislative initiative is very important to FFIMI. Not only have we personally experienced the importance of family connections with our justice-involved loved ones, but research shows that family involvement is a key factor in reducing recidivism in the criminal justice system. An Act to Strengthen Visitation Rights of incarcerated people (Senate) and An Act… Continue reading FFIMI Supports Important Legislation

Disability Law Center Finds Continuing Systemic Rights Violations and Health and Safety Risks at Bridgewater State Hospital

FFIMI

Boston, MA – The Disability Law Center (DLC) has issued our January 2023 public report summarizing findings and recommendations arising out of intensive monitoring efforts at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH) from July 2022 through December 2022. The report examines both continuing and new concerns discovered during this reporting period related to facility conditions and BSH policies… Continue reading Disability Law Center Finds Continuing Systemic Rights Violations and Health and Safety Risks at Bridgewater State Hospital

NAMI Board Member and Family Advocate Adds His Voice at Judiciary Oversight Committee

FFIMI

Introduction My name is Tom Kavanaugh. I am a board member of my local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) chapter, the facilitator of the Bridgewater State Hospital Families Group, and the father of a son with mental illness who is currently being held at the hospital. About the Patients If I may, I’d like… Continue reading NAMI Board Member and Family Advocate Adds His Voice at Judiciary Oversight Committee

A Lack of Chaplain Services at Bridgewater State Hospital

FFIMI

By Donna Winant For the past seven months there was no chaplain at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH). Before that, there was a short-term chaplain. And previous to that, for months and months, there was no chaplain. Family members pushed and pushed and gave suggestions for temporary solutions. This was ignored until advocate voices became louder… Continue reading A Lack of Chaplain Services at Bridgewater State Hospital

Reflections on Incarceration and Release

FFIMI

By M. I spent the last six and half years incarcerated. The first two years were spent at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH). The later years at a county house of corrections. I always felt like I was living someone else's life, that I was in this nightmare and I could not wake up. At first… Continue reading Reflections on Incarceration and Release

Bridgewater State Hospital in Hot Water Regarding Oversight

FFIMI

Advocates and families clash with pro-status quo government forces to transfer the hospital out of the hands of the Department of Corrections by Summer Maxwell - Repost from Student Dispatch Boston - Stories Around Boston - Nov. 2, 2022 *Editor's note: This piece was written prior to the Massachusetts Elections. FFIMI hopes for positive action… Continue reading Bridgewater State Hospital in Hot Water Regarding Oversight

Worcester County Jail programming seeks to break cycle of generational incarceration

FFIMI

Spectrum News 1, by Sloane Perron, Worcester County, 8/12/22 WEST BOYLSTON, Mass. - When Marcel Santos-Padgett first came to the Worcester County Jail & House of Corrections in April, he was addicted to marijuana and alcohol. Realizing that he wanted to change his ways for both himself and for his family, Santos-Padgett voluntarily signed up… Continue reading Worcester County Jail programming seeks to break cycle of generational incarceration