!!

!!!!

Chapter 29 !!!!!!!!!!!!

Marissa  Varcho  <marissavarcho@gmail.com>

Emergency  SB43  Inquiry  for  Terry  Russell  of  NAMI  Ohio-­-­  From  Mental-­HealthConsumer

Marissa  Varcho  <marissavarcho@gmail.com> Mon,  Feb  3,  2014  at  6:12  AMTo:  "terry@namiohio.org"  <terry@namiohio.org>Bcc:  "<chark@anodynerehab.com>"  <chark@anodynerehab.com>,  "<rachelle@namifc.org>"<rachelle@namifc.org>,  berman@suicidology.org,  "Blakely,  Beverly"  <outreach@thefavorfoundation.org>,caitlin.marshall@ohioattorneygeneral.gov,  "Cameron,  Jack"  <jcameron@ohioempowerment.org>,carolyn.bevins@ohioattorneygeneral.gov,  carolyngivens@ohiospf.org,  christine@lowselfhelpsystems.org,  "Collver,Geoffrey"  <gcollver@disabilityrightsohio.org>,  communications@bazelon.org,  contact@acluohio.org,  dconley@oca-­ohio.org,  elstratton@vorys.com,  "Gall,  Shilo"  <sgall@helplinedelmor.org>,  "Garrity,  Bob"  <cyberph@msn.com>,"Golphin,  Jewel"  <jewel@namifc.org>,  "gov,  SAMHSA"  <newmedia@samhsa.hhs.gov>,  HeidiB@oajustice.org,"Herrel,  Alaina"  <aherrel@oacbha.org>,  info@mentalhealthamerica.net,  info@mhselfhelp.org,  info@nami.org,"jcam3215@aol.com"  <jcam3215@aol.com>,  "Johnson,  Betsy"  <betsy@namiohio.org>,  "Jones,  Ken"<jones7990@yahoo.com>,  karenl@namiohio.org,  kathryn.remer@mh.ohio.gov,  "Kelly-­Hauser,  Jessica"<jkelly@ohioempowerment.org>,  kgay@nami.org,  "Kirkman,  Michael"  <mkirkman@disabilityrightsohio.org>,lbrattain@afsp.org,  Louis.Tobin@sc.ohio.gov,  lsalles1218@msn.com,  mail@namifc.org,  "McNeil,  Meghan"<mmcneil@ohioempowerment.org>,  ohiopsych@ohiopsych.org,  paddykutz@alink.com,phedden@adamh.co.franklin.oh.us,  press@treatmentadvocacycenter.org,  "Prutsman,  Carole"<oec1@ohioempowerment.org>,  pstuby@yourpathtohealth.org,  pteasley@hannah.com,rckidwell@co.hancock.oh.us,  "Risser,  Pat"  <patrickrisser@gmail.com>,  "Schulman,  Laura  P."<moxadox@gmail.com>,  "Sigal,  Laura"  <lmsigal@mhafc.org>,  smarks@hannah.com,  sstegmiller@hannah.com,stillmeadowfarms@yahoo.com,  "Stratton,  Justice  Evelyn"  <justicestratton@gmail.com>,"suzbeachy@sbcglobal.net"  <suzbeachy@sbcglobal.net>,  svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net,  "Turocy,  Mary"<mturocy@disabilityrightsohio.org>,  "Valentine,  Lisa"  <lvalentine@oacbha.org>,  webmaster@nami.org,Wirtz@theohiocouncil.org,  "Aide,  Rep.  Butler-­OHJC-­Chair"  <Jeff.Dillon@ohiohouse.gov>,  "Aide,  Rep.  Stinziano-­OHJC-­Ranking"  <Joseph.Garrity@ohiohouse.gov>,  "HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Gonzales"  <rep19@ohiohouse.gov>,"HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Hacket"  <rep74@ohiohouse.gov>,  "HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Ruhl"  <rep68@ohiohouse.gov>,"HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Sprague"  <rep83@ohiohouse.gov>,  Meghan.wadsworth@ohiohouse.gov,  "OHJC-­Chair/HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Butler"  <rep41@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Celebrezze"<rep15@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Conditt"  <rep52@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Hayes"<rep72@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Letson"  <rep64@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Lynch"<rep76@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Pillich"  <rep28@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Slaby"<rep38@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Stebelton"  <rep77@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.Winburn"  <rep43@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member/HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Stautberg"  <rep27@ohiohouse.gov>,"OHJC-­Ranking,  Rep.  Stinziano"  <rep18@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­ViceChair,  Rep.  Pelanda"<rep86@ohiohouse.gov>,  rep1@ohiohouse.gov,  rep10@ohiohouse.gov,  rep11@ohiohouse.gov,rep12@ohiohouse.gov,  rep13@ohiohouse.gov,  rep14@ohiohouse.gov,  rep16@ohiohouse.gov,rep17@ohiohouse.gov,  rep2@ohiohouse.gov,  rep20@ohiohouse.gov,  rep21@ohiohouse.gov,  rep22@ohiohouse.gov,rep23@ohiohouse.gov,  rep24@ohiohouse.gov,  rep25@ohiohouse.gov,  rep26@ohiohouse.gov,rep29@ohiohouse.gov,  rep3@ohiohouse.gov,  rep30@ohiohouse.gov,  rep31@ohiohouse.gov,  rep32@ohiohouse.gov,rep33@ohiohouse.gov,  rep34@ohiohouse.gov,  rep35@ohiohouse.gov,  rep36@ohiohouse.gov,rep37@ohiohouse.gov,  rep39@ohiohouse.gov,  rep4@ohiohouse.gov,  rep40@ohiohouse.gov,  rep42@ohiohouse.gov,rep44@ohiohouse.gov,  rep45@ohiohouse.gov,  rep46@ohiohouse.gov,  rep47@ohiohouse.gov,rep48@ohiohouse.gov,  rep49@ohiohouse.gov,  rep5@ohiohouse.gov,  rep50@ohiohouse.gov,  rep51@ohiohouse.gov,rep53@ohiohouse.gov,  rep54@ohiohouse.gov,  rep55@ohiohouse.gov,  rep56@ohiohouse.gov,rep57@ohiohouse.gov,  rep58@ohiohouse.gov,  rep59@ohiohouse.gov,  rep6@ohiohouse.gov,  rep60@ohiohouse.gov,rep61@ohiohouse.gov,  rep62@ohiohouse.gov,  rep63@ohiohouse.gov,  rep65@ohiohouse.gov,rep66@ohiohouse.gov,  rep67@ohiohouse.gov,  rep69@ohiohouse.gov,  rep7@ohiohouse.gov,  rep70@ohiohouse.gov,rep71@ohiohouse.gov,  rep73@ohiohouse.gov,  rep75@ohiohouse.gov,  rep78@ohiohouse.gov,rep79@ohiohouse.gov,  rep8@ohiohouse.gov,  rep80@ohiohouse.gov,  rep81@ohiohouse.gov,  rep82@ohiohouse.gov,rep84@ohiohouse.gov,  rep85@ohiohouse.gov,  rep87@ohiohouse.gov,  rep88@ohiohouse.gov,rep89@ohiohouse.gov,  rep9@ohiohouse.gov,  rep90@ohiohouse.gov,  rep91@ohiohouse.gov,  rep92@ohiohouse.gov,

rep93@ohiohouse.gov,  rep94@ohiohouse.gov,  rep95@ohiohouse.gov,  rep96@ohiohouse.gov,rep97@ohiohouse.gov,  rep98@ohiohouse.gov,  rep99@ohiohouse.gov,  "Aide,  Sen.  Brown-­OSCJC-­Member"<Mercy.Sutyak@ohiosenate.gov>,  "Aide,  Sen.  Burke-­SB43-­Proponent"  <lindsey.brigano@ohiosenate.gov>,  "Aide,Sen.  Coley-­OSCJC-­Chair"  <emily.morrison@ohiosenate.gov>,  "Aide,  Sen.  Schiavoni-­OSCJC-­Member"<jenna.saponaro@ohiosenate.gov>,  "Aide,  Sen.  Schiavoni-­OSCJC-­Member"  <Marisa.Moro@ohiosenate.gov>,beagle@ohiosenate.gov,  cafaro@ohiosenate.gov,  faber@ohiosenate.gov,  gardner@ohiosenate.gov,gentile@ohiosenate.gov,  "Groseclose,  Emily"  <Emily.Groseclose@ohiosenate.gov>,  "Harrison,  Gianna"<Gianna.Harrison@ohiosenate.gov>,  hite@ohiosenate.gov,  hughes@ohiosenate.gov,  jones@ohiosenate.gov,"Jordan,  Senator"  <jordan@ohiosenate.gov>,  larose@ohiosenate.gov,  lehner@ohiosenate.gov,manning@ohiosenate.gov,  "OSCJC-­Chair,  Sen.  Coley"  <coley@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,  Sen.  Bacon"<bacon@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,  Sen.  Brown"  <brown@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,  Sen.Eklund"  <eklund@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,  Sen.  Eucker"  <uecker@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,Sen.  Oelslager"  <oelslager@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,  Sen.  Schiavoni"  <schiavoni@ohiosenate.gov>,"OSCJC-­Member/SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.  Seitz"  <seitz@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Ranking,  Sen.  Skindell"<skindell@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­ViceChair,  Sen.  Obhof"  <obhof@ohiosenate.gov>,  patton@ohiosenate.gov,peterson@ohiosenate.gov,  "SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.  Balderson"  <balderson@ohiosenate.gov>,  "SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.Burke"  <burke@ohiosenate.gov>,  "SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.  Kearney"  <kearney@ohiosenate.gov>,  "SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.Sawyer"  <sawyer@ohiosenate.gov>,  "SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.  Tavares"  <tavares@ohiosenate.gov>,schaffer@ohiosenate.gov,  smith@ohiosenate.gov,  "Turner,  Nina"  <turner@ohiosenate.gov>,widener@ohiosenate.gov,  Marissa  Varcho  <marissavarcho@gmail.com>,  April  Friedman  <ssteady@gmail.com>,Rachel  Varcho  <rsteffanni@yahoo.com>,  Alan  Johnson  <ajohnson@dispatch.com>,  Danielle  Terrazzino<danielle.terrazzino@gmail.com>,  Glenn  Sheller  <gsheller@dispatch.com>

Dear Mr. Russell, Executive Director of NAMI Ohio:

I wanted to write you regarding the status of the "Mind Movement" campaign that you spoke extensively about onDecember 16th, 2013, during your inspiring presentation at the OACBHA Mental Health and Drug AddictionConference:

http://www.oacbha.org/docs/Stigma_-_NAMI.pdf

You had indicated that the website for the campaign would launch in January 2014, last month— however, upongoogling the topic, I was not able to find it. This was disappointing, as I have a "report" I would like to officiallyfile under the website’s "stigma buster alert system” as soon as possible.

Namely, the Ohio legislature seeks currently, to pass Senate Bill 43 (SB43)— legislation that will enhance oursociety’s stigmatic discrimination against the mentally ill in a multitude of ways, specifically noting:

-----

(1) SB43 seeks to deny persons diagnosed with "mental illness” their civil right to bear arms, despite the research-driven conclusions of your national affiliate, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), assuring us that:

(1)(a) Our mentally-ill population is no  more  violent  than our "normal" population; and

(1)(b) That persons struggling with mental illness are actually, significantly more prone than “normal” persons, tobe the subjects of abuse and violence committed by others;

-----

(2) SB43 seeks to create a legal presumption that persons struggling with mental-illness are criminals— requiringall persons diagnosed with “mental illness” under the provisions of SB43 to be reported to the National Bureau ofCriminal Investigation;

-----

(3) SB43 seeks to strip from persons diagnosed with “mental illness” and receiving mental-health medical careunder the provisions of SB43, certain real property rights otherwise guaranteed to all persons under the law;

-----

(4) SB43 seeks to permit the use of psychological abuse by mental-health medical “professionals”, upon persons

struggling with mental-illness in order to “persuade” such persons into submissive compliance with “appropriate

and reasonable” treatment methods, by:

(4)(a) Denying from persons who struggle with mental-illness, access to their own psychiatric medical records;

(4)(b) Allowing Probate Court Judges to use elusive legal language provided under SB43, to deny from persons

struggling with mental-illness civil rights otherwise guaranteed to all persons under law; and

(4)(c) Encouraging the use of unsubstantiated court-procedures to legally harass persons struggling with mental-

illness.

-----

(5) SB43 seeks to allow the forced administration of psychiatric, brain-altering medications upon persons

struggling with mental illness— and impose physical restraints, isolation and other punishments where such

persons are “non-compliant” with “recommended” medication regimes, despite acknowledgement of:

(5)(a) The overwhelming occurrence of severe short-term physical and psychiatric side-effects and allergic

reactions imposed by psychiatric medications— which often aggravate and/or enhance the “behavioral” issues for

which the medication was prescribed in the first place;

(5)(b) The substantiated potential for long-term damage to physical health imposed by long-term consumption of

psychiatric medications;

(5)(c) The wide-ranging controversy in the mental-health medical community right now, as to which treatment

methods should even be considered humane; and

(5)(d) The overall incompetency of Ohio’s mental-health medical support network— for which SB43 provides no

funding or implementation plan to help rectify.

-----

As the leader of the self-proclaimed “voice on mental-illness” for our state, I was hoping that you could explain for

our mentally-ill community the  reasons  that  you  support  the  passage  of  SB43— most notably, when such

legislation:

(I) Poses significant harm to those of us who struggle with mental-illness;

(II) Imposes punishment for those of us who would otherwise like to seek out help in learning how to manage our

conditions; and

(III) Will necessarily reinforce the stigmatic discrimination with which our society already abuses our mentally-ill

population.

I look forward to hearing back, in hopes that your insight will help those of us struggling with mental-illness better

understand your motivations. And of course, in light of the Ohio Senate Civil Justice Committee’s intent to take

action on SB43 during their public hearing at the Statehouse this Wednesday— an expedited response would be so

very much appreciated.

Very Truly Yours,

Marissa K. Varcho

Attorney at Law

4799 Seven Lakes Place

Powell, Ohio 43065

Marissa  Varcho  <marissavarcho@gmail.com>

A  Message  from  NAMI  Franklin  County

Marissa  Varcho  <marissavarcho@gmail.com> Mon,  Feb  3,  2014  at  3:47  PMTo:  Glenn  Sheller  <gsheller@dispatch.com>,  Alan  Johnson  <ajohnson@dispatch.com>Bcc:  Marissa  Varcho  <marissavarcho@gmail.com>,  Geoffrey  Collver  <gcollver@disabilityrightsohio.org>,  MichaelKirkman  <mkirkman@disabilityrightsohio.org>

Hi Alan and Mr. Sheller,

About one hour after I sent that email to Mr. Russell at NAMI Ohio this morning, BCC'ing the Ohio legislature,NAMI Franklin County's email list, each of you and the different local mental-health advocacy organizations, etc.-- I received this email below from NAMI Franklin County-- gutting all of their "consumer voice" programs. Theyare still funding support programs for "family members" of mentally-ill people, but no longer support the mentally-ill people themselves.

Mr. Sheller, is there anything that can be done? Would you reconsider an op-ed piece by any chance for thisSunday's paper? This is exactly what US Representative Timothy Murphy on the federal level is posing to do rightnow in the US House with HR3717-- silence the consumer-voice. What other industry even does  this-- silence itsconsumers' voice? This is a mess.

Kids are dying out here because they can't get the mental-health support that they need, and when I stick up forthem to try'n get it-- Terry Russell at NAMI Ohio shuts the consumer-voice-valve off for his mental-health"advocacy" organization, Senator Coley-Chairman of the Ohio Senate Civil Justice Committee refuses to let meexplain my idea for compromise during the committee hearing two weeks back, and tells me repeatedly in theinterested-parties meeting last week that he and I should talk about my ideas "privately" in his office. This is epictragedy lying in wait...

Please let me know if I can write something for the paper to support the consumer voice. I can write in any formatyou'd like Mr. Sheller. Any word length, any tone, whatever you want. I will make whatever you have to offerwork. If you can create any opportunity, please give me one chance. I will not disappoint.

Marissa K. Varchomarissavarcho@gmail.comhttp://thecultivationofbeauty.comhttp://janesaysrise.com

-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­  Forwarded  message  -­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­From:  NAMI  Franklin  County  <mail@namifc.org>Date:  Mon,  Feb  3,  2014  at  7:06  AMSubject:  A  Message  from  NAMI  Franklin  CountyTo:  marissavarcho@gmail.com

[Quoted  text  hidden]

Marissa  Varcho  <marissavarcho@gmail.com>

SB43  Witness  Slip  &  Supporting  Written  Testimony  Documentation

Marissa  Varcho  <marissavarcho@gmail.com> Tue,  Feb  4,  2014  at  9:28  AMTo:  "Sen.  Coley,  OSCJC-­Chair"  <coley@ohiosenate.gov>Cc:  "Groseclose,  Emily"  <Emily.Groseclose@ohiosenate.gov>Bcc:  "<chark@anodynerehab.com>"  <chark@anodynerehab.com>,  "<rachelle@namifc.org>"<rachelle@namifc.org>,  berman@suicidology.org,  "Blakely,  Beverly"  <outreach@thefavorfoundation.org>,caitlin.marshall@ohioattorneygeneral.gov,  "Cameron,  Jack"  <jcameron@ohioempowerment.org>,carolyn.bevins@ohioattorneygeneral.gov,  carolyngivens@ohiospf.org,  christine@lowselfhelpsystems.org,  "Collver,Geoffrey"  <gcollver@disabilityrightsohio.org>,  communications@bazelon.org,  contact@acluohio.org,  "Cottrell,  Dr.Jane"  <janecottrelloh@gmail.com>,  dconley@oca-­ohio.org,  elstratton@vorys.com,  "Gall,  Shilo"<sgall@helplinedelmor.org>,  "Garrity,  Bob"  <cyberph@msn.com>,  "Golphin,  Jewel"  <jewel@namifc.org>,  "gov,SAMHSA"  <newmedia@samhsa.hhs.gov>,  HeidiB@oajustice.org,  "Herrel,  Alaina"  <aherrel@oacbha.org>,info@mentalhealthamerica.net,  info@mhselfhelp.org,  info@nami.org,  "jcam3215@aol.com"  <jcam3215@aol.com>,"Johnson,  Betsy"  <betsy@namiohio.org>,  "Jones,  Ken"  <jones7990@yahoo.com>,  karenl@namiohio.org,kathryn.remer@mh.ohio.gov,  "Kelly-­Hauser,  Jessica"  <jkelly@ohioempowerment.org>,  kgay@nami.org,  "Kirkman,Michael"  <mkirkman@disabilityrightsohio.org>,  lbrattain@afsp.org,  Louis.Tobin@sc.ohio.gov,lsalles1218@msn.com,  mail@namifc.org,  "McNeil,  Meghan"  <mmcneil@ohioempowerment.org>,ohiopsych@ohiopsych.org,  paddykutz@alink.com,  phedden@adamh.co.franklin.oh.us,press@treatmentadvocacycenter.org,  "Prutsman,  Carole"  <oec1@ohioempowerment.org>,pstuby@yourpathtohealth.org,  pteasley@hannah.com,  rckidwell@co.hancock.oh.us,  "Risser,  Pat"<patrickrisser@gmail.com>,  "Schulman,  Laura  P."  <moxadox@gmail.com>,  "Sigal,  Laura"  <lmsigal@mhafc.org>,smarks@hannah.com,  sstegmiller@hannah.com,  stillmeadowfarms@yahoo.com,  "Stratton,  Justice  Evelyn"<justicestratton@gmail.com>,  "suzbeachy@sbcglobal.net"  <suzbeachy@sbcglobal.net>,svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net,  "terry@namiohio.org"  <terry@namiohio.org>,  "Turocy,  Mary"<mturocy@disabilityrightsohio.org>,  "Valentine,  Lisa"  <lvalentine@oacbha.org>,  webmaster@nami.org,Wirtz@theohiocouncil.org,  "Aide,  Rep.  Butler-­OHJC-­Chair"  <Jeff.Dillon@ohiohouse.gov>,  "Aide,  Rep.  Stinziano-­OHJC-­Ranking"  <Joseph.Garrity@ohiohouse.gov>,  "HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Gonzales"  <rep19@ohiohouse.gov>,"HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Hacket"  <rep74@ohiohouse.gov>,  "HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Ruhl"  <rep68@ohiohouse.gov>,"HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Sprague"  <rep83@ohiohouse.gov>,  Meghan.wadsworth@ohiohouse.gov,  "OHJC-­Chair/HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Butler"  <rep41@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Celebrezze"<rep15@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Conditt"  <rep52@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Hayes"<rep72@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Letson"  <rep64@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Lynch"<rep76@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Pillich"  <rep28@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Slaby"<rep38@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.  Stebelton"  <rep77@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member,  Rep.Winburn"  <rep43@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­Member/HB104-­Sponsor,  Rep.  Stautberg"  <rep27@ohiohouse.gov>,"OHJC-­Ranking,  Rep.  Stinziano"  <rep18@ohiohouse.gov>,  "OHJC-­ViceChair,  Rep.  Pelanda"<rep86@ohiohouse.gov>,  rep1@ohiohouse.gov,  rep10@ohiohouse.gov,  rep11@ohiohouse.gov,rep12@ohiohouse.gov,  rep13@ohiohouse.gov,  rep14@ohiohouse.gov,  rep16@ohiohouse.gov,rep17@ohiohouse.gov,  rep2@ohiohouse.gov,  rep20@ohiohouse.gov,  rep21@ohiohouse.gov,  rep22@ohiohouse.gov,rep23@ohiohouse.gov,  rep24@ohiohouse.gov,  rep25@ohiohouse.gov,  rep26@ohiohouse.gov,rep29@ohiohouse.gov,  rep3@ohiohouse.gov,  rep30@ohiohouse.gov,  rep31@ohiohouse.gov,  rep32@ohiohouse.gov,rep33@ohiohouse.gov,  rep34@ohiohouse.gov,  rep35@ohiohouse.gov,  rep36@ohiohouse.gov,rep37@ohiohouse.gov,  rep39@ohiohouse.gov,  rep4@ohiohouse.gov,  rep40@ohiohouse.gov,  rep42@ohiohouse.gov,rep44@ohiohouse.gov,  rep45@ohiohouse.gov,  rep46@ohiohouse.gov,  rep47@ohiohouse.gov,rep48@ohiohouse.gov,  rep49@ohiohouse.gov,  rep5@ohiohouse.gov,  rep50@ohiohouse.gov,  rep51@ohiohouse.gov,rep53@ohiohouse.gov,  rep54@ohiohouse.gov,  rep55@ohiohouse.gov,  rep56@ohiohouse.gov,rep57@ohiohouse.gov,  rep58@ohiohouse.gov,  rep59@ohiohouse.gov,  rep6@ohiohouse.gov,  rep60@ohiohouse.gov,rep61@ohiohouse.gov,  rep62@ohiohouse.gov,  rep63@ohiohouse.gov,  rep65@ohiohouse.gov,rep66@ohiohouse.gov,  rep67@ohiohouse.gov,  rep69@ohiohouse.gov,  rep7@ohiohouse.gov,  rep70@ohiohouse.gov,rep71@ohiohouse.gov,  rep73@ohiohouse.gov,  rep75@ohiohouse.gov,  rep78@ohiohouse.gov,rep79@ohiohouse.gov,  rep8@ohiohouse.gov,  rep80@ohiohouse.gov,  rep81@ohiohouse.gov,  rep82@ohiohouse.gov,rep84@ohiohouse.gov,  rep85@ohiohouse.gov,  rep87@ohiohouse.gov,  rep88@ohiohouse.gov,rep89@ohiohouse.gov,  rep9@ohiohouse.gov,  rep90@ohiohouse.gov,  rep91@ohiohouse.gov,  rep92@ohiohouse.gov,

rep93@ohiohouse.gov,  rep94@ohiohouse.gov,  rep95@ohiohouse.gov,  rep96@ohiohouse.gov,rep97@ohiohouse.gov,  rep98@ohiohouse.gov,  rep99@ohiohouse.gov,  "Aide,  Sen.  Brown-­OSCJC-­Member"<Mercy.Sutyak@ohiosenate.gov>,  "Aide,  Sen.  Burke-­SB43-­Proponent"  <lindsey.brigano@ohiosenate.gov>,  "Aide,Sen.  Coley-­OSCJC-­Chair"  <emily.morrison@ohiosenate.gov>,  "Aide,  Sen.  Schiavoni-­OSCJC-­Member"<jenna.saponaro@ohiosenate.gov>,  "Aide,  Sen.  Schiavoni-­OSCJC-­Member"  <Marisa.Moro@ohiosenate.gov>,beagle@ohiosenate.gov,  cafaro@ohiosenate.gov,  faber@ohiosenate.gov,  gardner@ohiosenate.gov,gentile@ohiosenate.gov,  "Groseclose,  Emily"  <Emily.Groseclose@ohiosenate.gov>,  "Harrison,  Gianna"<Gianna.Harrison@ohiosenate.gov>,  hite@ohiosenate.gov,  hughes@ohiosenate.gov,  jones@ohiosenate.gov,"Jordan,  Senator"  <jordan@ohiosenate.gov>,  larose@ohiosenate.gov,  lehner@ohiosenate.gov,manning@ohiosenate.gov,  "OSCJC-­Chair,  Sen.  Coley"  <coley@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,  Sen.  Bacon"<bacon@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,  Sen.  Brown"  <brown@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,  Sen.Eklund"  <eklund@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,  Sen.  Eucker"  <uecker@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,Sen.  Oelslager"  <oelslager@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Member,  Sen.  Schiavoni"  <schiavoni@ohiosenate.gov>,"OSCJC-­Member/SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.  Seitz"  <seitz@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­Ranking,  Sen.  Skindell"<skindell@ohiosenate.gov>,  "OSCJC-­ViceChair,  Sen.  Obhof"  <obhof@ohiosenate.gov>,  patton@ohiosenate.gov,peterson@ohiosenate.gov,  "SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.  Balderson"  <balderson@ohiosenate.gov>,  "SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.Burke"  <burke@ohiosenate.gov>,  "SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.  Kearney"  <kearney@ohiosenate.gov>,  "SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.Sawyer"  <sawyer@ohiosenate.gov>,  "SB43-­Sponsor,  Sen.  Tavares"  <tavares@ohiosenate.gov>,schaffer@ohiosenate.gov,  smith@ohiosenate.gov,  "Turner,  Nina"  <turner@ohiosenate.gov>,widener@ohiosenate.gov,  Alan  Johnson  <ajohnson@dispatch.com>,  Glenn  Sheller  <gsheller@dispatch.com>,Danielle  Terrazzino  <danielle.terrazzino@gmail.com>,  April  Friedman  <ssteady@gmail.com>,  Rachel  Varcho<rsteffanni@yahoo.com>,  Marissa  Varcho  <marissavarcho@gmail.com>

Dear Senator Coley, Chairman of the Ohio Senate Civil Justice Committee:

Please find attached my Witness Slip for the Civil Justice Committee hearing tomorrow, noting that I would like to

speak to:

1. Conflicts-of-interests that seek to suppress the mental-health consumer voice; and

2. The short-term and long-term solutions I have created to resolve Ohio's current mental-health crisis.

While I oppose SB43-- I  do  not  oppose  taking  swift  action  to  rectify  Ohio's  mental-­health  problem. In

the alternative to SB43, however, I would recommend that we implement the terms of the attached AOT-Law

Compromise. I created this proposal to assist Ohio's legislature in envisioning a long-term solution to the problem

at hand. The Compromise pulls the best arguments from both AOT proponent and opponent theories, into a

comprehensive proposal which supports the best-interests of the mental-health consumer.

Please find also attached, the theoretical summary for the AOT-Law Compromise. This document is much less

technical legally-speaking, and consequently, much easier to brief through and comprehend. I will copy Emily on

this email for purposes of submitting these two documents for posting to the CJC's website as my written testimony

for tomorrow's hearing.

As you will see in my Witness Slip, I have requested 12 minutes to speak at committee tomorrow. This constitutes 7

minutes for closing comments this week, and 5 minutes to make up for the last committee hearing-- wherein I was

denied the opportunity to explain my idea for compromise in front of the committee. I would greatly appreciate if

you would let me know whether 12-minutes will be possible-- and if not, what time-length will be allotted instead

so that I can appropriately prepare. I understand that the committee must work within limitations and restrictions,

so the best that you can do in either case, will be greatly appreciated.

I'm looking forward to meeting with you this morning, and sincerely hope there is still room for compromise.

Removing conflicting-interests still present in SB43 and adding mental-health consumer protections into the

equation, will allow us to resolve Ohio's mental-health crisis. The attached materials explain in detail, the

reasons why. But please do let me know if you have any questions or need any further detail. I am happy to assist

in any way possible.

Very Truly Yours,

Marissa K. Varcho

Attorney at Law

4799 Seven Lakes Place

Powell, Ohio 43065

4  attachments

MKV  CJC  Witness  Slip  Feb2014.pdf68K

MKV  Ohio  AOT  Compromise  Jan2014  (final).pdf154K

MKV-­AOTcompromise-­THEORY.pdf71K

NAMI  Ohio's  Feb2014  Suppression  of  the  MH  Consumer  Voice.pdf685K

Marissa  Varcho  <marissavarcho@gmail.com>

A  Message  from  NAMI  Franklin  County

NAMI  Franklin  County  <mail@namifc.org> Mon,  Feb  3,  2014  at  7:06  AM

Reply-­To:  mail@namifc.org

To:  marissavarcho@gmail.com

An  Open  Letter  from  NAMI  Franklin  County

Dear  NAMI  Franklin  County  Supporter:

 

There  are  times  in  life  when  difficult  decisions  must  be  made.  NAMI  Franklin  County  is,  unfortunately,

not  immune  to  such  times.  Upon  careful  consideration  of  our  organization's  commitment  to  serve

central  Ohio  communities  relative  to  the  current  capacity  of  our  organization's  available  resources,  we

have  had  to  reach  a  tough  decision.  We  believe  that  ultimately,  this  decision  best  serves  the  needs  of

the  families  and  individuals  we  strive  to  help  every  day  as  well  as  the  sustainability  of  our

organization.

 

Effective  January,  31,  2014,  NAMI  Franklin  County  has  suspended  our  Peer-­to-­Peer  RecoveryEducation  Program  and  our  NAMI  Connection  Recovery  weekly  support  groups  for  persons  living  withmental  illness.  It  is  important  to  note  that  these  are  the  only  two  offerings  suspended  at  this  time  -­  all

other  NAMI  Franklin  County  support  groups  and  classes  will  continue  as  scheduled.

 

NAMI  Franklin  County  has  and  will  continue  to  consult  with  NAMI  Ohio  and  the  national  offices  of

NAMI  for  insight,  guidance  and  support  as  we  evaluate  our  capacity,  programming  and  resources  and

remain  focused  on  helping  and  serving  those  who  care  for  loved  ones  and  individuals  living  with

mental  illness.

 

NAMI's  greatest  strength  is  its  people  -­  our  loyal  members  and  dedicated  volunteers.  Your  strength,

resilience  and  dedication  nourish  our  capacity  to  help  the  countless  people  who  reach  out  to  our

organization  each  year  searching  for  help,  hope  and  healing.  We  welcome  you  to  join  with  us  as  we

move  forward,  clarifying  our  vision  and  core  values,  and  sincerely  hope  that  in  facing  these

challenges  collectively,  we  will  maximize  not  only  our  impact  in  the  community,  but  our  capacity  to

respond  effectively  and  efficiently  to  your  needs.

 

NAMI  is  the  nation's  largest  grassroots  mental  health  organization.  We  are  an  organization  of  great

diversity  that  steadily  has  become  more  inclusive  as  we  have  grown.  Within  the  NAMI  family,  there

sometimes  are  disagreements  on  issues,  but  there  is  always  more  that  unites  us  than  divides  us.  

When  we  work  together,  we  have  much  more  strength  to  help  those  who  need  us  most.

 

NAMI  is  more  than  an  organization,  we  are  a  movement  and  together,  we  can  make  the  greatest

difference.  Thank  you  for  all  you  have  done  -­  and  continue  to  do  -­  to  support  NAMI  Franklin  County,

our  families  and  the  communities  we  serve  at  this  time  of  change.

 

Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Rachelle  A.  Martin                                                                                                                                                              Greta  M.  Kearns

Executive  Director                                                                                                                                                                Board  President  (2013-­14)

 

 

 

NAMI  Franklin  County

4500  E.  Broad  Street

Columbus,  Ohio  43213

614-­501-­6264  

www.namifc.org

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Tuesday February 4th, 2014 4:43pm !Well, tomorrow’s the last day of my freshman advocacy experience. I can’t wait! Because I am so completely and entirely exhausted, I…I couldn’t even begin to explain! But, I will try now anyway—because it’s so bittersweet and beautiful… !I’m not sure I even yet want to let it go. !I mean, I am preparing myself and all—in fact, I’ve already begun the process of doing so… !But bittersweet, it is…and it’s breaking my heart—over and over…with every step forward. !So I don’t know… !I just went and got some oratory books from Barnes & Noble—to read up on oratory skillz, you know ;0) !But, we shall see… !I have to tell you though—I had probably, the best conversation of my entire life today!! It was with a one, Senator Bill Coley ;0) !He’s not the senator of my district or however that works—but that’s all irrelevant in the one sense, that—and get this!!! Even despite being a Republican ;0) !He is the best ;0) !He is. !He listened to me. And he included me. He acknowledged me as an important part of the process and has considered my ideas and is working to help me to help my people—and I really do feel that he cares. I mean, if I’ve misjudged this man’s character, then…well, I don’t really know where that would leave me then… !But I will have faith in him, and believe him in his word—that he is going to figure a way to make happen for me, what he said he could do—namely: !Add a provision to Senate Bill 43, stating that an attorney shall be appointed to every AOT patient in all cases, without exception—until such time that the person going through the mental health crisis has been afforded a reasonable opportunity to make arrangements to obtain private counsel—taking into consideration, all relevant factors which may complicate the the making of those arrangements, such as detainment issues, the actual mental-health crisis of course, etc. etc. So that…would be, like…huge! I mean…that would be like, an awesome victory—for the mental-health consumer! But, even bigger… !I helped Senator Coley understand all this harm that keeps on happening out here. How we are all getting beat up out here, because of this awful stigma that comes along in having a serious mental illness. I explained to him what all happened with Adam, and supporting him through a double-lung transplant and how—once his “problem” was gone—how he no longer wanted to be with someone, whose issue would just be forever ongoing. I told him…I said, “Senator Coley—I settled a 2-year marriage for $30,000.” I said, “I’m not stupid…it’s just that I have a different set of strengths and weaknesses than most the rest. But if people just automatically assume I

am stupid, because I cannot easily fulfill their typical strengths—then that leaves me here living in a world, where I am considered less than a human being.” I cried. I didn’t do it on purpose…I just told him the whole story—what happened during the divorce, with Magistrate Elliot’s discriminatory ruling against me upon my request for help—the request wherein I’d publicly disclosed my struggles with mental illness. I cried when I told him that…I said, “Senator Coley—we’re getting beat up out here.” !;0( !But I swear to god I’ll have a heart attack and die of sadness if I am wrong in my perception that this man really did, in fact, care. And, I mean…this guy’s a republican from way back—but he wants to help me…and he has listened to me and he just wants to help me somehow. And I really feel too, that he actually does, appreciate me. And I hate to admit it because I’d have to be so heartbroken so soon after having to accept that I’d fallen so hopelessly in love with Geoffrey Collver to no possible avail, but… !I don’t know… !Heartbreak, is inevitable…and I’d daresay ;0) !Sometimes—so worth the risk of pain, nonetheless. !I don’t know—we’ll see… !But…