The conference comes paired with a new website, http://www.mentalhealth.gov/  that the White House is touting as a “new, consumer-friendly website with clear and concise tools to help with the basics of mental health, the signs of mental illness, how to talk about mental health, and how to get help. The website also includes a series of videos featuring celebrities and ordinary Americans whose lives have been touched by mental illness.”

As part of this “national conversation” effort, various private-sector groups have offered help. The National Association of Broadcasters is creating public-service ads — on TV, radio and social media — targeted at young people. The ads are trying to reduce the stigma around mental illness and let young people know it’s ok to seek help. Blue Star Families, a group that supports military personnel and their families, is also launching a public service campaign, featuring country music stars telling service members that it’s ok to seek help for mental health issues.

Obama opened the conference with a speech this morning; following is a transcript of his remarks as released by his office:

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much.  Welcome to the White House.  And thank you, Janelle, for that introduction and sharing your story, and making such a difference through your organization.  We’re really proud to have you here.

I want to thank Secretary Sebelius, Secretary Arne Duncan, Secretary Ric Shinseki for their leadership and helping to organize this event.  And I also want to acknowledge some outstanding members of Congress who are here and who care deeply about this issue.

And finally, I want to thank all of you for participating in this national conference on mental health.  We wanted to bring together folks who’ve suffered from mental illness and families who’ve supported them.  We wanted to bring together advocates and educators, faith leaders, veterans, local officials.

All of you have shown an extraordinary commitment to what is a critical goal, and that is to make sure that people aren’t suffering in silence and that we have the capacity to pull together all the resources and support and love that’s out there to go after an extraordinary challenge in our society.

The main goal of this conference is not to start a conversation — so many of you have spent decades waging long and lonely battles to be heard.  Instead, it’s about elevating that conversation to a national level and bringing mental illness out of the shadows.

We want to let people living with mental health challenges know that they are not alone, and we’ve got to be making sure that we’re committed to support those fellow Americans, because struggling with a mental illness or caring for someone who does can be isolating.  And I think everybody here who’s experienced the issue in one way or another understands that.  It begins to feel as if not only are you alone, but that you shouldn’t burden others with the challenge and the darkness, day in, day out — what some call a cloud that you just can’t seem to escape — begins to close in.

The truth is, in any given year, one in five adults experience a mental illness — one in five.  Forty-five million Americans suffer from things like depression or anxiety, schizophrenia or PTSD.  Young people are affected at a similar rate.  So we all know somebody — a family member, a friend, a neighbor — who has struggled or will struggle with mental health issues at some point in their lives.  Michelle and I have both known people who have battled severe depression over the years, people we love.  And oftentimes, those who seek treatment go on to lead happy, healthy, productive lives.

So we know that recovery is possible, we know help is available, and yet, as a society, we often think about mental health differently than other forms of health.  You see commercials on TV about a whole array of physical health issues, some of them very personal.  And yet, we whisper about mental health issues and avoid asking too many questions.

The brain is a body part too; we just know less about it.  And there should be no shame in discussing or seeking help for treatable illnesses that affect too many people that we love.  We’ve got to get rid of that embarrassment; we’ve got to get rid of that stigma.  Too many Americans who struggle with mental health illnesses are still suffering in silence rather than seeking help, and we need to see it that men and women who would never hesitate to go see a doctor if they had a broken arm or came down with the flu, that they have that same attitude when it comes to their mental health.

We see it in veterans who come home from the battlefield with the invisible wounds of war, but who feel somehow that seeking treatment is a sign of weakness when in fact it’s a sign of strength.  We see it in parents who would do anything for their kids, but who often fight their mental health battle alone -– afraid that reaching out would somehow reflect badly on them.

We see it in the tragedies that we have the power to prevent.  And I want to be absolutely clear:  The overwhelming majority of people who suffer from mental illnesses are not violent.  They will never pose a threat to themselves or others.  And there are a whole lot of violent people with no diagnosable mental health issues.  But we also know that most suicides each year involve someone with a mental health or substance abuse disorder.  And in some cases, when a condition goes untreated, it can lead to tragedy on a larger scale.

We can do something about stories like these.  In many cases, treatment is available and effective.  We can help people who suffer from a mental illness continue to be great colleagues, great friends, the people we love.  We can take out some pain and give them a new sense of hope.  But it requires all of us to act.  And there are a few ways we can do our part.

First, we’ve got to do a better job recognizing mental health issues in our children, and making it easier for Americans of all ages to seek help.  Today, less than 40 percent of people with mental illness receive treatment — less than 40 percent.  Even though three-quarters of mental illnesses emerge by the end of — by the age of 24, only about half of children with mental health problems receive treatment.  Now think about it:  We wouldn’t accept it if only 40 percent of Americans with cancers got treatment.  We wouldn’t accept it if only half of young people with diabetes got help.  Why should we accept it when it comes to mental health?  It doesn’t make any sense.

The good news is, there are plenty of groups that are stepping up to change that.  So a former colleague of mine, Gordon Smith, a former Republican Senator, lost his son to suicide 10 years ago.  And I remember him speaking so eloquently about it.  Gordon is now the head of the National Association of Broadcasters, and today, the National Association of Broadcasters is announcing a new campaign designed to change attitudes about mental illness through TV ads and social media,   because Gordon doesn’t want other parents to go through the agonizing loss that he’s endured.  So we thank you, Gordon, for that great work.  (Applause.)

You’ve got secondary school principals who are holding assemblies on mental health.  You’ve got organizations like the YMCA who are volunteering to train staff to recognize the signs of depression and other mental illnesses in our young people.  You got leaders from different faith communities who are getting their congregations involved.  And dozens of other organizations have today made similar commitments, so we’re very thankful to all of you.

There are other people who are leading by example.  My great friend, Patrick Kennedy, when he was running for reelection back in 2006, he could have avoided talking about his struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction.  Let’s face it, he’s a Kennedy.  He was — his seat was pretty safe.  Everybody loved him.  And yet, Patrick used his experience as a way to connect and to lift up these issues, not hide from them.

And one day, a woman came up to Patrick at a senior center and told him she was afraid to tell her friends she was taking medication for a mental illness because she was worried they might treat her differently.  She told Patrick, “You’re the only one who knows aside from my son.”  And so Patrick started realizing how much power there could be for people to speak out on these issues.  And Patrick carried these stories back with him to Washington, where he worked with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including his dad, to make sure the mental health services you get through your insurance plan at work are covered the same way that physical health services are — a huge victory.  (Applause.)

So because of Patrick’s efforts and the colleagues who worked with him, it’s easier for millions of people to join him on the road to recovery, which brings me to a second point.  It’s not enough to help more Americans seek treatment -– we also have to make sure that the treatment is there when they’re ready to seek it.

For years now, our mental health system has struggled to serve people who depend on it.  That’s why, under the Affordable Care Act, we’re expanding mental health and substance abuse benefits for more than 60 million Americans.   New health insurance plans are required to cover things like depression screenings for adults and behavioral assessments for children.  And beginning next year, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny anybody coverage because of a pre-existing mental health condition.

We’re also investing in science and basic research to make it easier to diagnose and treat disease early.  And earlier this year, I announced an ambitious initiative to develop tools for mapping the human brain, which could help scientists and researchers unlock the answers to conditions that affect mental health.

We’re also doing more to support our troops and our veterans who are suffering from things like traumatic brain disorder — or traumatic brain injury or PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Today, we lose 22 veterans a day to suicide — 22.  We’ve got to do a better job than that of preventing these all too often silent tragedies.  That’s why we’ve poured an enormous amount of resources into high-quality care and better treatment for our troops.

And today, under Ric Shinseki’s leadership, the VA is going even further.  They’re partnering with 24 communities in nine states to help reduce wait times for veterans seeking mental health care.  And they’re — they’ve met their goal of hiring 1,600 new mental health providers, which means this summer they’re going to hold more than 150 summits like this one in communities all across the country so that every one of our servicemembers and veterans understand — just like you take care of yourself and each other on the battlefield, you’ve got to do the same thing off the battlefield.  That’s part of being strong.

For many people who suffer from a mental illness, recovery can be challenging.  But what helps more than anything, what gives so many of our friends and loved ones strength, is the knowledge that you are not alone.  You’re not alone.  You’re surrounded by people who care about you and who will support you on the journey to get well.  We’re here for you.

And that’s what this conference is about.  That’s why these issues are so important.  So if there’s anybody out there who’s listening, if you’re struggling, seek help.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Thank you, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT:  You’re welcome.  (Applause.)  If you know somebody who is struggling, help them reach out.  Remember the family members who shoulder their own burdens and need our support as well.  And more than anything, let people who are suffering in silence know that recovery is possible.  They’re not alone.  There’s hope.  There’s possibility.  And that’s what all of you represent with the extraordinary advocacy and work that you’ve already done.

So thank you all for being here.  Let’s do everything we can to help our fellow Americans heal and thrive.  And now I’d like to turn it over to Secretary Sebelius who will be leading our opening panel.

The conference

If you’re a doctor who wants to talk about this — maybe you’ve stopped accepting Medicaid patients because of the low payments, or maybe you’re in line for the increased payments — I’d love to talk to you for a story this week. And if you’re a Medicaid patient who’s having trouble finding a doctor who’ll accept you, I’d like to talk to you as well this week.

The easiest way to reach me is email, at cdavis@freelancestar.com.  Shoot me a message about your situation and include a way for me to contact you.

Thanks,

Chelyen

You can find the tool here.

The exchange is part of the Affordable Care Act. Some states are creating their own exchanges, but Virginia has chosen to participate in the federally-run exchange.

In the tool, you can put in annual income, the number, ages and tobacco status of adults in the household, the number of children ( it also asks how many of your children use tobacco) and whether or not insurance is available through your employer.

Depending on what you put in, the results will suggest how much of a subsidy you might be eligible for to help you pay for insurance through the exchange. As an example, here’s what the subsidy calculator’s results are for a family of three — two non-tobacco-using adults and one non-tobacco-using child — making $36,000 a year and with no employer insurance:

The information below is about subsidized exchange coverage. Note that subsidies are only available for people purchasing coverage on their own in the exchange (not through an employer). Depending on your state’s eligibility criteria, you or some members of your family may qualify for Medicaid.

Household income in 2014:

182% of poverty level

Unsubsidized Health Insurance Premium in 2014:

$9,317

Maximum % of income you have to pay for the non-tobacco premium, if eligible for a subsidy:

5.46%

Amount you pay for the premium:

$1,966

(which equals 5.46% of your household income and covers 21% of the overall premium)

You could receive a government tax credit subsidy of up to:

$7,350

(which covers 79% of the overall premium)

Tavenner served as Virginia’s Secretary for Health and Human Resources under former Gov. Tim Kaine. She began her career as a nurse in Richmond. President Barack Obama nominated her for the CMS job back in February — she is currently the acting administrator —  and her confirmation was going smoothly until Harkin placed his hold on it a few weeks ago to protest an administration move to cut some funding for health care exchanges under the Affordable Care Act.

According to the Kaiser story, it’s still not clear when the Senate might vote on her nomination.

The group’s press release with more information is below:

The Rappahannock chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will feature a presentation by Amanda Long, MSW, from National Alliance on Mental Illness – Virginia at a meeting Wednesday, May 1, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at 632 Kenmore Ave., Fredericksburg 22401.  Her remarks will include information about two of the free community service signature programs of NAMI, namely “Parents and Teachers as Allies,” and the six-week ”Basic Education Program” for families and teachers.  The public is invited.

The Rappahannock chapter of NAMI is a nonprofit volunteer run organization that provides multiple information, education and support services related to mental illness.  According to David Vaughn, President of the local affiliate, “This presentation is an early step in our new focus on expanding services to children who have remained a largely underserved segment of our community.”

“We especially welcome concerned parents, educators and members of youth groups and communities of faith to come to this presentation to learn about these programs that have a proven track record across the United States.  The programs include printed materials and training for volunteers who then take the programs to their own communities,” stated Mr. Vaughn.

Amanda Long oversees the youth outreach program for National Alliance on Mental Illness – Virginia (NAMI-Virginia). She holds a Masters in Social Work Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice and a Bachelors of Social Work with a minor in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to joining the NAMI team, Amanda worked as a Special Events Assistant at United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg, and as a Classroom Behavioral Counselor at UMFS. She brings a wealth of knowledge in working with individuals who have both cognitive and physical disabilities, through her experience as a personal care attendant and volunteer at Max’s Positive Vibe Cafe. Over the past 4 years Amanda has also participated in outreach efforts for residents of low-income housing and remains a staunch advocate for this and other vulnerable populations throughout the region.

But we’re interested in taking a broader look at Lyme — how and why it’s spreading, how it affects people, how those tests actually work.

So if you have or have had Lyme disease, and especially if you’ve had a false positive or negative test result for the disease, and would be willing to talk to me about it, please get in touch. I’d also love to hear from doctors who treat Lyme patients.

I’m most easily reached at cdavis@freelancestar.com — if you include a phone number I’ll call you back. Thanks.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, Mary Washington Hospital and Stafford Hospital will have information in their lobbies on advance care planning and advance directive forms. The public will be encouraged to talk with family, friends and healthcare providers about making plans, such as a healthcare power of attorney and living will. The idea is that families and doctors can honor a patient’s wishes when the time comes to do so, and not have to make difficult decisions without knowing what they had wanted.

This is part of a community, state and national effort.

More information is available here: http://www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org.

As you can see in the last post to this blog, our long-time health reporter Jim Hall has retired. He was on the beat for many years and leaves big shoes to fill. I’m picking up most of his duties, and reporter Katie Thisdell will also be taking on some areas of the beat, and sometimes will be posting here. Katie will also continue to cover Stafford.

If you’re a regular Free Lance-Star reader my name will be familiar — I’m also our state government and politics reporter, and I’ll be continuing to cover those issues as well. But these days — especially with all the issues surrounding the federal health care law and the possibility of Medicaid eligibility expansion —  coverage of government and coverage of health care seems like a natural alignment.  I’ve always enjoyed writing about policy issues, and I’m looking forward to learning more about all the issues this beat will encompass.

Katie and I both welcome input and feedback from readers, especially story ideas. I can always be reached via email at cdavis@freelancestar.com.

FL-S editors Bill Tolbert, Janet Marshall, Dick Hammerstrom, Edie Gross and Jim Toler, from left, are among the hundreds of people I have worked with.

Once I asked my father to name the most important invention of his lifetime. My dad was a Minnesota farm boy who grew up during the Depression, served in Europe in World War II and returned to marry and raise a family in Northern Virginia.

He answered my question without hesitation: “Refrigeration,” he said.

Refrigeration extended the life of perishables, he explained, and made life easier for consumers. They didn’t have to go to market each day.

If my son asked me the same question, I, too, would answer without hesitation: “The Internet.” It has changed everything.

I reflect on these changes as I retire from 37 years of newspaper work. Friday was my last day in the office. My final story ran in Tuesday’s Free Lance-Star. This is my last blog post.

I don’t know what the future holds, though I do have the outline of a plan:

* I have a plot in the city’s community garden, so that will soon be a priority. I shopped for onion sets yesterday.

* I printed one of Hal Higdon’s training regimens and attached it to the refrigerator. I’d like to set a personal best in the 5K at the Historic Half in May.

* And I want to read more. When Richard III’s bones were identified last month in England, I was amazed at the severe curvature of his spine from scoliosis. One report said that Shakespeare was accurate in how he described the king. So I found a copy of the play and will make time to read it.

When I look to the future, I am fearful and excited, like a high school senior at commencement. When I look to the past, I feel so very lucky. I did work I enjoyed, with talented colleagues, for a good employer, in a prosperous town.

I recall so many moments from my work, like scenes from a favorite movie:

* I remember flying in a helicopter at treetop level over an ice-clogged Rappahannock.

* I stood at the front door unannounced of the mother of a serial killer and wondered if she would talk to reporter Kari Pugh and me. She did.

* Once, during open-heart surgery, Dr. John Armitage looked to his colleague, Dr. John Pirris, and said, “Show Jim what you’re doing, Jack.” Pirris had his hand in the patient’s chest, under the heart, and used his scalpel as a pointer to explain what he was about to do.

* Another time, in the ER at Mary Washington Hospital, I watched the staff treat an infant who had been horribly scratched by the family cat.

So many of my memories are from the last dozen years, covering the medical beat. I’ve listened as  doctors talked about their specialties, from Dr. Robert Vranian on coronary artery plaque to Dr. Timothy Sherwood on the correct placement of polypropylene mesh during a tracheoplasty. I feel like I earned an advanced degree.

I began newspaper work in Bowling Green, at the Caroline Progress, using a typewriter and Magic Marker for my corrections. I developed three rolls of black-and-white film each week in the newspaper’s darkroom. Now I use a computer and digital camera. The phone on my desk is still tethered to the wall, yet I carry a second one in my pocket.

My colleagues and I work in historic times, with this shift from print to digital transmission. Because of it, our readership is larger than ever, yet the paper struggles financially. I welcome the new way, though it has meant a reduced role for newspapers.

So thank you to everyone who answered my phone calls and put up with my incessant questions. I was a grateful guest.

PDF: View the search warrant and affidavit

A months-long investigation by police has uncovered evidence that one of the physician leaders at Stafford Hospital was so prolific in prescribing narcotics that she became known as a doctor “who will give you anything you want for $250,” according to a search warrant and affidavit on file in Stafford County Circuit Court.

Dr. Nibedita Mohanty wrote so many prescriptions for narcotic pain killers that her North Stafford medical practice was little more than a “pill mill,” according to the court documents.

Mohanty

Mohanty operates a private practice, Stafford Internal Medicine Associates, on Garrisonville Road. In addition, she is chief of medicine at Stafford Hospital.  Last week she asked for and received a three-month leave of absence from that post.

Her request followed a police raid earlier this month at her office and her river-front home in Stafford County. Representatives of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI seized patient records, appointment records, insurance billing information, bank statements, computers and almost $40,000 in cash from the two locations.

Mohanty has not been charged as a result of that raid. On Thursday, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office declined to comment about the case.

Dr. Nibedita Mohanty’s office on Garrisonville Road.

Mohanty’s medical office remains open. She has no disciplinary history with the Virginia Board of Medicine, and she retains her privileges at Stafford and Mary Washington hospitals.

“We have not been contacted by any agencies,” said Debbie McInnis, spokeswoman for Mary Washington.

Mohanty could not be reached for comment Thursday. An unidentified man said in a phone message to The Free Lance-Star last week that she declined to comment.

“We are fully cooperating with the authorities,” he said.

(For more, see the story in Friday’s Free Lance-Star or on freelancestar.com.)