Shameful

I had the good fortune of attending the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Advocacy ceremony in Washington, DC a few weeks back. The association uses this opportunity for members to visit legislators on key issues important to rehabilitation and recovery and also to honor national legislators who have contributed to the well-being of individuals in recovery. One of those individuals being honored that evening was Maryland's own Senator Ben Cardin.

Unfortunately, it was very embarrassing for me and should be embarrassing for all Marylanders. There were only four Marylanders at the ceremony. I was one of them and the CEO of USPRA was one of the others.

Shame on the Community Behavioral Health Association for their lack of attendance. This is just another example of how CBH has abandoned psychiatric rehabilitation in the State of Maryland and how impotent it is in advocacy for the practice and for people in recovery.

I did the best I could to congratulate Ben and try to be an ambassador for the state's psychiatric rehabilitation efforts but I was fuming.

Is crawling up the butt of the Mental Hygiene Administration and playing Neville Chamberlain when it comes to tough issues more important for CBH than honoring those who have championed our causes?

No wonder we have such a mediocre mental health system. We've seen the enemy and it is us.