True Democracy

I recently had the honor of experiencing true democracy. In my role as Compeer Coordinator for Mental Health America of Licking County, I organized a community discussion designed to collect input that will be used to change our health care system.

Tom Daschle, the Secretary-designate of the Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of President-elect Obama, called for individuals and organizations to host what they called “Health Care Community Discussions” in their offices, community rooms, coffee shops and living rooms, between December 15 and December 31.

Despite the fact that this gave us very little time to prepare, we, at Mental Health America of Licking County, decided that this was a wonderful opportunity to share our opinions about the American health care system and how it can be improved. We knew that the experiences of our consumers make them experts and that this issue is too important for us not to share our opinions and ideas with those who will make these decisions.

We invited Compeer program members to a discussion about health care on the evening of December 30th at the Mental Health America offices at 65 Messimer Drive in Newark. We planned to discuss health care, including mental health care, and their experience and concerns.

Invitations were mailed out and, ironically, because several members were sick and unable to attend, only a small group came together to share their perspectives on this important topic. I, too, have been sick and several times considered canceling the event before it got off the ground. But the people who came were enthusiastic and committed to the project.

The discussion became animated as participants took turns describing the problems they had had paying medical bills and their frustrations with trying to find a new psychiatrist in a community where so many are leaving. I, myself, have had my last three psychiatrists quit, before I finally turned to a doctor in Westerville.

Public policy suggestions from the group included making it more affordable for doctors to attend medical school. Despite assistance from insurance, the high cost of prescription medication was another concern of the group. The conversation continued for 1 ½ hours, and although we did not solve the nation’s problems, and we were not all in agreement, there was a feeling of empowerment that came from the sense that someone was listening to you.

At the end of the meeting, a very brief survey was completed and the statements by the participants were collected and entered into the www.change.gov web page for inclusion in the final report.

Because I had registered the event in advance, in order to get the discussion manuals and information, I also received a follow-up query the next morning, asking how the event went and urging me to respond by the January 4th deadline, in order for the information to be passed on to the President-elect.

President-elect Obama says he wants to bring the voices and health care concerns of all Americans to Washington. On his behalf, I want to thank everyone who attended for participating in this discussion and helping to make this happen. For more information about this project, go to www.change.gov/

Compeer is a program of MHA. The program serves people who are recovering from a mental illness. Compeer recruits, screens, trains and matches volunteers in one-to-one friendship relationships with adults receiving mental illness treatment. Compeer volunteers become positive role models and mentors. They help raise self-esteem, increase social and communication skills and encourage independence of their Compeer friend aiding them in their recovery.

Compeer friends also meet for monthly socials. We enjoy socializing together, engaging with guest speakers, going bowling, and trying new things-like cooking.

If you are interested in joining Compeer as a friend or volunteer, or to learn more, please call Kristen Frame, Compeer Coordinator at (740) 345-5658.

Kristen Frame
Compeer Coordinator