10.26.14: Tipping point: As public system changes, many mentally ill residents pay the price with sidebar: Treatment is key to harnessing costs here in R.I. and the U.S. This kickoff story outlined the history of mental health care in Rhode Island and how it went from a national model to its current state of disarray. The story is written by the reporter who covered this issue throughout the 1980s. It is backed up with data — financial and demographic. It uses multiple sources in the field and interviews with those affected to tell the story. Oct. 27: A victim of its own success.This story traces the drastic drop in financial support for treating mental illness and backs up the reporting in the main story. Nov. 2: In the shadows: Mentally ill homeless are hardest to reach and help: This story takes readers out onto the streets to hear from identified homeless people who are struggling with mental illness. We also hear from the social services people who are struggling to help them — in the face of little financial or system support. The story is backed with statistics on homelessness and mental illness. Nov. 7: Publick Occurrences: A plea to fix state’s mental health system: The Providence Journal hosts Publick Occurrences forums to invite experts and the public to deeply explores issues of important to our state. These forums are intended to educate and offer solutions. This forum on the state of our mental health system attracted more members of the public than the auditorium could hold. Nov. 23: ‘People-first’ terminology eases stigma: In his reporting on this issues, G. Wayne Miller learned about evolving terminology in discussion mental health issues. He thought it important to educate our readers as well. Dec. 14: Hundreds who need care forced into ACI: The story reveals how those with mental illness are frequently arrested and locked up. More than 15 percent of our state’s inmates suffer from serious mental illness. The financial cost is high. Dec. 15: ACI lacks resources to care for mentally ill inmates: This story explains why prison is not a good alternative for those with mental illness.
