Timothys Law was a mental health act passed in New York state in
2007Named after 12 year old Timothy OClair who committed suicide by
hanging in 2001Parents felt that his death was due to inadequate
health care and could have been prevented
Has a different set of criteria for adults and childrenAssures
that Adults (18+) will receive 30 day inpatient and 20 day
outpatient carePsychiatric copay will be no more than that of any
other specialist (i.e. Cardiologist)
Applies to children when:They experience serious suicidal
symptomsLife-threatening destructive behavior (such as self harm or
eating disorders--anorexia/bulimia)Serious psychotic symptoms such
as hallucinationsAre at a substantial risk at being removed from
the home
Schizophrenia/Psychotic disorder (2.4)Major Depression
(14.8)Bipolar Disorder (5.7)Delusional Disorders Panic Disorder
(6)Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (2.2)Bulimia (2-3% of
women)Anorexia (.5-1% of women)
There are three basic views concerning Timothy's LawThe law,
being the first of its kind in NY, has helped countless people get
help and has saved an undeterminable number of livesDespite good
intentions Timothys law in many ways hurts more than it helps, and
at the very least needs to be vastly improved uponMental illness is
receiving far too much money and emphasis, society should be
focusing their ideas, money and strategy toward illnesses that can
be cured instead of treated coped with and dealt with
The DSM-IV currently acknowledges nearly 400 disordersTimothys
law covers 8Eating disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia are
covered while Obesity is notChildren are given treatment depending
on what one considers great significant serious or life
threatening
57,000,000 Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental illness
each yearThe leading cause of disability in America is Major
Depression, in fact of the 10 leading causes of disability half are
mental illnesses-- only 4 are covered by Timothys LawThere are 15.4
million Americans suffering from substance abuse including 4.6
million teenagers
Approximately 30,000 Americans commit suicide each year90% of
them suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder5,000 teens commit
suicide per year-- it is the 3rd leading cause of death for kids
15-24Suicide is now the 6th leading cause of death for children
ages 5-15
