About this episode
Send us a text Tim Murphy, former congressman and psychologist, shares his journey advocating for mental health reform through the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act and highlights the systemic failures in America's approach to serious mental illness. • Serious mental illness requires different treatment approaches than general mental health concerns • Current Medicaid restrictions only allow 15-day hospital stays with a 190-day lifetime limit • HIPAA laws often prevent necessary communication between doctors and families of mentally ill patients • Approximately 40% of prison inmates have serious mental illness, with jails becoming de facto psychiatric facilities • SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) lacks accountability for billions in spending • Schizophrenia alone costs America approximately $380 billion annually across healthcare, criminal justice, and social services • Assisted Outpatient Treatment provides court-ordered care for those with severe mental illness who lack insight into their condition • Mental health advocacy requires specific, actionable requests to legislators rather than general appeals • Reform needs include lifting hospital bed restrictions, modifying HIPAA laws, and implementing stronger program accountability Visit drtimmurphy.com to read articles with plans for advocacy and reform in mental health policy. https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI) The content on Why Not Me: Embracing Autism amd Mental Health Worldwide, including discussions on mental health, autism, and related topics, is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of the podcast, its hosts, or affiliates. Why Not Me is not a medical or mental health professional and does not endorse or verify the accuracy, efficacy, safety of any treatments, programs, or advice discussed. Listeners should consult qualified healthcare professionals, such as licensed therapists, psychologists, or physicians, before making decisions about mental health or autism- related care. Reliance on this podcast's contents is at the listener's own risk. Why Not Me is not liable for any outcomes, financial or otherwise, resulting from actions taken based on the information provided. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.