60+ year old thread.

Morning all:
I'm beginning to wonder about the failed mental health system. It seems like quite a few people that should be in mental hospitals are walking around on the streets under medication instead of being institutionalized. Seems like some think that everything can be cured with some type of medication today, which may help in some cases but not all.

 

Good morning gang. Cup o coffee time and some woodstove cuddling.
Duane

 

Carl: The US Government started the systematic shutdown of Federal Mental Hospitals under President Reagan. The current thinking at the time was to put them out in society and let them self medicate. In hindsight neither system was really that effective. In todays world we just lock them up with other inmates. Too easy to blame the existing mental health system for these types of failures. We had one last year in our neighborhood where the son shot the mother. He is now locked up with other inmates and with little help to be fixed.

 

In PA the state mental hospitals started closing too during the Reagan era. I remember visiting the local hospital (Pennhurst) in high school; that was a very freaky experience with people smearing poo on walls, screaming wildly, bound in straitjackets, the whole horror movie thing. And they wouldn't even show us the worst stuff. By the late 80's I think the place was closed. There are still a few institutions in the state but not like it used to be. Gotta wonder where those people went.

 

Washington DC Dave. LOL. When they closed Byberry near me, a lot of the people had no place to go so they managed to get to Philly and live on the streets.

 

I had the same thought about a lot of them ending up in Washington, sometimes it sure seems that way!

 

LOL what's that song "blah blah get yourself elected blah blah".

I have to say though I'd rather pay 2 cents more for gas and have them off the streets. They're sick.

 

Actually it was several mandates handed down by the United States Supreme Court. There have been several decisions which required the release of mental patients. The Kenneth Donalsdon case a major decision regarding the confinement of mentally ill patients. So yes, it was the government but it was the Judicial Branch and not the Executive Branch who made the mandate.

Jackson v. Indiana, 406 U.S. 715 (1972)

O’Connor v. Donaldson, 422 U.S. 563 (1975)

 

Don't worry Dave, we will be paying more for something, didn't PA just pass a budget that has a 2 billion shortfall!
I just heard something also, maybe true maybe not! I heard they want to close down state fish hatcheries because the PA fish commission doesn't have enough money!

 

That is just sad Carl. Natural Resource management is a vital part of the State Government function that provides services to the citizens of a state. Fishing is enjoyed by young and old alike and is a popular recreation activity.

 

Good morning all. Even with a watering eye and a sore lower back muscle I am feeling pretty good today.

 

Doctor gave me the green light to drive again, removing all other restrictions also. Going backpacking on Wednesday. Friends invited me to go mt. bike riding I guess at the annual celebration in Susanville, riding 20 some miles on the Bizz Johnson Trail. Free bus ride from town, peddle back.
Duane

 

Hey Duane, just be careful riding the bike and please wear a helmet to protect your head. Most important, enjoy the time with friends.

 

Like the saying goes Tom: "Getting old ain't for sissies!" Aches and pains almost everyday but I keep on plugging along. Take care of yourself. Any luck with getting a driving job?

 

Duane: Congrats for getting yourself healthy so you can enjoy your recreational activities. Somewhere after 40 I started to listen to my body and the doctors.

Been too busy, LOL. Today is no better. I need to finalize my meeting notes from last nights committee meeting, wash the wife's car, pick up my son from work and hopefully pick up his car from the shop. I am also waiting on a phone call from the Echo Lawn Equipment dealer to pick up a leaf blower and a hedge trimmer on a stick. Echo is having a 20% off sale at various distributors this fall. Tomorrow is an appointment with the eye doctor at 12:00 noon.

When did I ever have time to do all this stuff when I was working.

I hope your day is going well.

 

Woohoo. Congrats Duane. Have fun and don't forget your helmet like Ken said.

morning all

 

Good morning Susan. I am enjoying a Cup-O-Joe before washing the wife's car this morning. Might even use some spray wax after drying off the car.

 

. Some times I think I need to go back to work full time to get some rest Tom. But I like the freedom of doing things on my schedule with being retired, not someone elses. So far day is going good. Hope you have a good day as well and take care.

Morning Ms. Susan. How is everything in your neck of the woods?

 

Just when I thought we were home free, there may be a hurricane (Nate) coming my way.

Just goes with the territory when you live on the Gulf Coast.

 

Gave a little TLC to the wifes car this morning. She had a rare weekday off at school.