Memphis Mayor supports National Bipolar Foundation; sees benefit in preventative care program

Memphis Mayor, A.C. Wharton stands up for the outstanding Memphis-based National Bipolar Foundation; a press conference is to be hosted by University of Tennessee Health & Science Center on November 17th at 2pm at the Student Center at 800 Madison in Room 305.

The National Bipolar Foundation has been in the national spotlight during the past few weeks for its initiative in cooperation with the MedicAlert Foundation. A major breakthrough to benefit people living with Bipolar disorder has been developed for the first time ever. The cooperative venture has produced a preventative care program called "Safe 'til Stable." It provides vital medical information to emergency responders in time of need through our live 24-hour emergency response service. In a medical emergency, this can help reduce the trauma experienced by individuals impacted with bipolar disorder. If an individual experiences an event, first responders on the scene (e.g., law enforcement, emergency services personnel, etc.) will look for a medical ID with the "MEDIC ALERT" symbol. The "Safe 'til Stable" program is a milestone; in that, those with bipolar disorder will have a voice in times when they cannot speak for themselves, will be properly routed in times of emergency providing a sense of security for the individual and those close to them.

The National Bipolar Foundation (NBPF) was founded in 2007 by Marc Kullman in order to reduce stigma, educate, and seek affordable healthcare for those people living with bipolar disorder. A National Awareness Initiative has been launched to spread awareness through press releases, press conferences, proclamations, influential people, and its online campaign through social media networking. The MedicAlert Foundation, founded in 1956, is the leader in providing identification and emergency medical information. Together both foundations have developed a program that will prevent the misdirection, misdiagnosis, and mistreatments of participants; saving precious time and dollars.

Mayor Wharton is credited with the creation of the Jericho Project, whose mission is to help those living with mental illness out of the criminal justice system and on the road to recovery. The Mayor's forward thinking program addresses mental illness and seeks to route cases from the courts to the hospitals. In the end, the Mayor's program serves everyone well. First, a person that finds themselves arrested and suffering with mental illness has an opportunity to get regulated prior to sentencing. Secondly, it helps reduce the burden on our penal justice system, and ultimately will save dollars for all tax payers. The "Safe 'til Stable" program provides critical information that first responders will use to determine the routing of certain people who find themselves approached by law enforcement. All involved with the Jericho Project, the National Bipolar Foundation and the MedicAlert Foundation recognize the "Safe 'til Stable" program as a logical progression to properly assessing situations that may revolve around law enforcement. Other supporters who will be in attendance are Michael Labonte of the Memphis Crisis Center, Dr. James Greene, Chairman of the University of Tennessee Department of Psychiatry, and Dr. Kennard Brown, Vice Chancellor at UT Health & Science Center.

SOURCE National Bipolar Foundation