Riverview Psychiatric Center
Message from the Superintendent (June 13, 06)
"Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts." - Arnold Bennett
Well the end of another productive week has arrived. Good News - John Shattuck, a counselor from Vocational Rehabilitation is now assigned to work here at Riverview every Wednesday afternoon. He plans to spend one afternoon per week here and also will attend tx team meetings for people who are looking towards employment. I think this will be great as he has been with VR for a long time and was actually a supervisor and came back to this area with the intention of directly working with people who have mental health issues and is very committed to the population we serve. He was impressed with the work that has already occurred with helping people return to vocational involvements.
I also wanted to express thanks to Sam Parker for his hard work and great smile over the last few months. Sam has picked up a heavy caseload and never complained. His good cheer and “can do” attitude is one I am sure you all appreciate. I know I do.
I hear there is a lot of talk concerning the possibility of becoming a smoke free hospital. Well, let me share what I know. Riverview did submit a draft of a policy to the Court Master that would prohibit smoking on the campus of Riverview for everyone, staff, visitors, and clients. The plaintiffs have concerns and have indicated they will seek a ruling from Judge Mills to prohibit such a policy if approved by the court master. We should hear the Court Masters ruling in the next week or so and find out if we would need to move forward at that point. If going to occur, it will be implemented over an extended period.
I know that this is a tough issue for clients and some staff. I also know that it may be perceived as an act of control or even meanness from some. Let me take just a moment to express why the hospital is moving in this direction. Person’s with mental illnesses have a much shorter life expectancy then other citizens. They are affected by medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, congestive heart failure, stroke, and other illness at a much higher rate. Although there has been a significant reduction in the percentage of general population that over the last 30 years (approximately 50% reduction). No change has occurred in the smoking habits of person’s with mental illness. Although about 20% of the general population has a mental illness, nearly half of all cigarettes consumed in the USA are consumed by person’s with a mental health diagnosis. Pretty shocking. Historically, the mental health provider community has ignored conditions not directly a mental health issue. Now we have “Co-occurring” treatment philosophy for psychiatric conditions and substance abuse, mental retardation, personality disorders and now emerging co-occurring practices for tobacco addiction and metabolic conditions. This is part of treating the whole person and providing the care environments that provide the best chance for recovery and wellness. I hope this is something you each can support. If not, I would appreciate an opportunity to talk to you in person about this issue. I know it is a tough one for some of us. I really want everyone to understand why it is important to provide this opportunity for those we serve.
As always, thank you for your hard work this week.
In Service,
David Proffitt
