Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to the best of Hudson Valley this morning
with Ed Kowalski and Uncle Mike. This week we're talking
to Janine Agnolette talking about pediatric psychiatry in the Hudson
Valley and the lack thereof. I am pleased to welcome
to the wk IP studios someone who I met for
(00:22):
the first time at the Duchess County February legislators meeting,
Janine Agnolett is here.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Oh very nice.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Said good morning, good morning, thank you very much for
coming in. And Janine was she made at the end
of At the conclusion of every legislative meeting, members of
the public can come up and in a very compressed
period of time address any issues that is on the
public's mind. And Janine came up and addressed something that
I was just absolutely fascinated in listening to. And after
(00:55):
she I'm going to ask her to sort of summarize
what she said in a minute. But after she may
her presentation to the legislator, I went up to her
and I said, I really need to get you on
the radio. So welcome and thank you for coming on here,
for having me out tell us what the story was again,
for our listeners.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Well, the story is that I'm a mother of two
daughters who suffer from mental illness. I happened to serve
on the what used to be known as the Mental
Hygiene Board of the Dutchess County Legislature, now known as
the Community Services Board. So I volunteer my time on
this board. And basically, we are the eyes and ears
(01:31):
of the community. We're supposed to be We're supposed to
bring these issues regarding mental health to the county to
let them know what's sort of going on and what
people are thinking and feeling and experiencing. And so I'm
one I think of two parents who are on that board.
So I was interviewed for that position. You're appointed by
(01:51):
the legislature, and so I believe I got the spot
because I'm a parent and because of my story and
the journey that I've sort of been on for the
past eleven years.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
You know what struck me about what you just said
at the meeting as well as what you just said
now all too often, and Uncle Mike and I have
spoken a lot about this issue. The stigma that mental
illness has is so much it's so much different than
having a child or a spouse or a parent who
(02:21):
has you know, cancer, or who as multiple sclerosis or
as muscular dystrophe. When you start talking about and I
was struck absolutely how brave you were, and by the
way I was struck about how brave you are now
by being able to say, I have two children who
suffer from this.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
It was not easy, I have to tell you. Even
though I talk about it with friends and family and
it's a known fact among those who know me and
know my daughters, it's still hard to air that quote
dirty laundry in front of an entire county. Also to
talk about the financial aspect of it and all the
other effects that it has on your family life. It's
really hard, but I feel compelled to do it for
(03:01):
reasons that I explained.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
You will, and we're going to get into that in
half a second again while you're with us. The other
thing that you ended up saying is the financial aspects
of what you're doing. Now, can you share a little
bit with with our listeners about that.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
It's important to mention because it prevents so many people
from getting the help they need, so many children from
getting the help they need. Now, I just want to
say that you can't put a price tag on the
health well being of your children. Actually that I'd live
on the street if I had to to save my children,
and most parents would. But I feel important to mention
the numbers because the shock value that I get out
(03:38):
of it is really incredible when I see the faces,
the look on people's faces because they either don't know
or they don't realize. And I think it's important for
our lawmakers to know that. I use this example in
my speech. But you know, my husband and I could
have bought a summer home literally with the money that
we've spent over the past eleven years. So I typically
(04:00):
when my daughter was first diagnosed, first of all, I
had to drive three hours in any direction to find
someone to diagnose my daughter properly.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Now, and that was because there was really no providers
in the Duchess County, in the Hudson Valley area. Right.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
There are no board certified pediatric psychiatrists in this area,
in this county.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Let's say that again, because when you said that.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
There are no it's not surprising psychiatrists in this area.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
I was surprised when I heard that much.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
I'm not surprised. I mean all we do with all
I do with with MHA. You know, mental health has
been completely neglected in this country, especially here in the
Odson Valley, because it's not viewed as it's it's We
say it all the time. If you break your arm,
or if you're appendix burst, you go to a doctor
to get treated. Well, if you have any kind of
mental problem, it's the same thing. It's it's it's an
(04:48):
illness that needs to be dealt with, and if it's
not dealt with, it often ends badly. Yes, and we've
neglected that for so long, and we're still neglecting.
Speaker 5 (04:56):
I mean, thank god.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
You know m h A is here.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
There's some private and UH organizations that are trying, but
it's so overwhelming at this point. Now there's so many people.
I think something that would be more shocking is how
many people listening to us are dealing with what you're
dealing with, but not dealing with it because they don't
know what to do right with.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Many We know there are children out there suffering. We
know it. And that's why I said the other night,
you know this is an emergency, absolutely not recognizing I
feel like they're just not sensing the urgency of this situation,
and you know, every day there's a school shooting almost
every day now, And yet I get riveted by those
(05:33):
stories because I like to look at the teenager. Most
often it's a teenager. I like to look at that
child and see what the story is. And it is
more often than not, you know, someone who has not
gotten the mental health.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
But what's even more frightening is they're on the radar
every time they know these children, They know that these
children are having a problem, and they choose not to
deal with it.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
That it goes back to the stigma because people don't
speak up right. If someone here in the office in
the studio was suddenly had palpitations or fell to the floor,
you'd call nine one one, right. But I hear so
many stories of parents with children, you know, have taken
their own lives, adults whose spouses have taken their own lives.
And then afterwards you hear people coworkers say, well, you know,
(06:18):
I saw that, you know, she was really you know,
not herself for a long period. You know, I noticed
that he wasn't really dealing well and he was upset
and say something, you know, and people are afraid to
say something.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
The other night.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
How many legislators came up to me after I spoke.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
I didn't see a lot too.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Yeah, and that's because they know me personally.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Tony Dquaining was one of them.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Yes, I know Tony Tony a long time. But the
point is they don't want to talk about it. They
don't want to talk about it because it's still taboo.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
How do we change that? How do we change that
in a way that is meaningful and substantive.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
I think it's changed since COVID. I think more people
are talking about it. More kids are talking about it,
more parents are talking about it, more teachers are talking
about it. But I don't know that I have the answer.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Well, one of the huge problems is that anyone a
child is another situation because for a child, hopefully the
parents are advocating for him. But when you're going through
any kind of a mental issue, most of the time,
the people who are going through don't know they have
a problem. It's the people around them have to step up,
(07:27):
has to be in there, and the families sometimes are
embarrassed or whatever, and they don't want it and they
let it go right and then usually when it finally
is brought to the surface, it's out of crisis and
when it's brought the diserps.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
And so we have some crisis centers coming to our area.
I believe they're working on a crisis center for children.
But the point that I always make after that is
that's great. You know, you could take your child there
when they're in the crisis, but after they leave there,
what happens. That's right, because a child has to have
a relationship with a provider with it, ideally with a psychiatrist,
(08:00):
and I should There's one point I'd like to get
across this morning at any point, sure, and that is
the clarification between situational mental illness and an inherited genetic chemical.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Now that would be an example of a situational aspect
of mental health. Would it be someone going through post
traumatic stress for example? That would be.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Something or a teenager who has gone through the divorce
you know, of their parents, or whatever circumstances, any kind
of trauma, right, or perhaps there's a learning issue there,
or any kind right, as you said, any kind of
life altering circumstances that make them anxious, upset.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
And the problem with children is sometimes they have they've
been in the class for years and there's not recognized
and the kid is sitting in the classroom thinking, what
the hell is wrong with me? None of these other
kids are acting like this. And if we don't address
that so the child knows it's okay. You know, it's
not your fault. You have something that needs to be treated,
(08:59):
or there's kids that how many kids have we adults? Well,
I'm just I'm dyslexic and I've been all my life
but it never got addressed and I just figured out
how to get through. Well, think about the trauma there.
If you're sitting in there and everything is backwards upside
down and you think you're you think you're you're, you're
you know you're, you're not intelligent enough to be there.
That's that's an anxiety and the depression you know you
(09:21):
don't need to deal.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
With the other scenario is that what I just spoke
of the inherited.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Hang on to that thought from nine because we have
to take a quick break and I'd want to be
able to come back and talk about that particular aspect
where we're with Janine Agnolette, who's talking about mental health
for teenagers in the Duchess County area and we'll be
right back. We are rejoined. Thank you for waiting through
break with us. We're rejoined with by Janine Agnolett, who's
(09:48):
talking about her circumstances and her issues pertaining to dealing
with mental health awareness and mental health treatment for young
people in Dutchess County.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
So I'm curious, let's go. So your message to the legislature.
I should have been there. I was trying to get there,
but I was What was your message to the legislature.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Well, my message was that this is urgent, that this
is a county emergency. I shared my story more or less.
You know overall that I've lived here for thirty five years,
that eleven years ago when my daughter was having trouble,
I couldn't find a pediatric psychiatrist here for her. And
it's eleven years later and there's still no pediatric psychiatrist.
(10:29):
So what are we doing, folks? You know, sort of
posing the question also saying, you know, what kind of
quality of life is it?
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Really?
Speaker 2 (10:36):
And this was kind of got to see of me,
I guess to say, you know, what kind of government
turns its back on its children?
Speaker 5 (10:43):
You know, it's like.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Every nation in the world understands the investment you have
to make in your children, and for some reason, our
priorities are just a little bit reversed in that we're
focusing a lot on adults, which is great, adults need help.
But you know, I had a psychiatrist say to me once,
why do you think I work with children? I work
with children because there's still hope when adults are seeking treatment.
(11:07):
As adults, that ship is pretty much sailed. Their patterns
of behavior are set. They're already addiction. You know, they're
already addicted. They're already they're already who they are. But
for children, if you diagnose, just like with cancer, if
you diagnose them early and you get them a doctor,
they have a relationship with them, and you get them
on the right program and counseling and a support system
(11:30):
just like my girls had. Thank god, you know, their
success rate is very high and they have a great
chance of survival and having a productive, happy life. If
you don't do that, you know, in ten years, this
is what I said the other night, in ten years,
we're going to have a real problem.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
Well, and the footnote to what you're saying is, by
the way, it's eleven years later. And there is still
nothing here, nothing else.
Speaker 5 (11:53):
So what are we doing.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
By the way, the number of children is growing exponentially
that have this problem. You're here in Dutchess County. It's growing,
and we still have nobody here to help them.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Not to your point the data, because I have access
to the data because I'm on this committee. Hundreds of
children are being sent out of county for mental health services.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
Which adds more stress to the whole situation because you
have to far away.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
How do you drive two hours to see your son
or daughter when they're in a facility in Westchester And
maybe you don't have money, Maybe I don't have money
for gas, Maybe you're single parents, maybe you don't have
a car.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
And then you take on the financial side you're talking
about maybe you've got to work three jobs to be
able to pay for this, so you don't have time.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Absolutely, Look, I you know, I'm not embarrassed to say that.
When my daughter was first first had to go to
this psychiatrist in Westport, Connecticut, he charged eight hundred dollars
a session, and the first diagnosis session getting to know
her was I think fifteen hundred. I was selling I
was selling silverware on Main Street at the Arlington Extre Change.
Speaker 5 (13:00):
You know, I actually was you.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
I said, you know, you do what you have to do.
I better sell something because the bills just piled up
and very very quick.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
He There's another issue that we needs to be is
the insurance companies don't want any part of this.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
It's the other issue I brought up, because even the
providers who do exist will not take insurance and as
is the case with my daughter psychiatrists currently, they and
you can't put it on a credit card either. I
mean they want cash, cash or check. I venmo my psychiatrist. Wow,
my daughter psychiatrist. Yeah, So these are real challenges you
(13:38):
see now why it's impossible for most children in this
community to get help, and.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
The dangers of them not getting help are exactly as
you laid it out the other night. That that you know,
I think you even said, the next school shooting, the
next tragedy that's going to happen, is going to be
in our own community, and and we're not. And you
were in effect saying I told you so, well, I would, right.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
But what I started to say before the break was
that that other section of the population that has this
inherited mental illness. That's the serious stuff. That's the bipolar,
that's the schizophrenia. But these are complicated children with complicated issues,
and they need a psychiatrist, and they need medicine. That's
the only way. This is chemical. So you can't help
(14:30):
those kids with counseling alone. They need medicine.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
And by the way, the follow up care. Once somebody
is on a pharmacological solution. How many times have we
known people who say, well, I'm feeling pretty good, I
don't need to take this medicine anymore.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Especially with children as they go through puberty, their body
chemistry changes in the medicine they're taking it twelve may
not work at fourteen, absolutely right. There needs to be
changed or added to or taken away from and you
have to have a psychiatrist involved to do that.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
It takes years to really get that chemical balance, and
the kids change. I've been told their brains aren't fully
developed till they're twenty five.
Speaker 5 (15:11):
Really, I'm still waiting mind to develop.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Mike and I in our sixties and we're still hoping
our brains are going to be developed.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
So it is so you're really it is complicated. But
those those inherited issues tend to be the ones that
the onset is typically at twelve or thirteen. We know this, right,
So that's when you know these kids are changing, right,
And that's when this illness, you know, sort of breaks havocate.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
It begins making itself known.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
And boys tend to be Now I'm not a doctor,
as you know, I'm just a parent, but I talk
to a lot of doctors and I talk to a
lot of parents. So boys tend to be more violent, right,
That's why when you see a lot of these shootings,
they're rarely girls, if ever, so it manifests its self
in a more violent way, and so it is a problem,
(16:04):
as we know. Unfortunately, it's not being dealt with.
Speaker 5 (16:08):
Right, right, right should have Andrew Cole and I forgot.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Well, that's okay, that's okay. This is the conversation, and
I'm sure he's listening, and we certainly we'll be talking
to him when we come back. Janine, I want to
talk to you about what what do you think needs
to happen? I mean, you know, it's interesting, and I'm
glad you said that, and I'm glad to sort of
re echo that that there was only two legislators who
came up and approached you to talk about this issue,
(16:33):
and there was a there was a room full of them. Ye,
I believe right, that's correct. So we need to talk about.
Speaker 4 (16:40):
The reality of is Let's not sugarcoat it. Okay, we
talked about the violence that can happen. The reality is
most of these kids that go untreated, if it manifests itself,
it's going to end up in suicide. It's where it's
going to end up. That's what happens. They can't handle
it anymore, and the parents can't even help them to
the point where they can keep them from doing that,
and those suicides are happening all the time.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
Yes, we will be right back. You're listening to news
radio fourteen fifty thirteen seventy AM ninety eight five FMWKIP.
Will be rejoined after this quick break with by Janine Agnolett,
who's in studio to talk about a very, very pressing
and serious issue in Dutchess County. We'll be right back.
We are rejoined by with the Janine Agnolette talking about
(17:22):
the issues of mental health awareness, mental health treatment for
young people in Dutchess County. A fascinating conversation Oh well,
thank you, hav a fascinating conversation. I wanted to talk
a little bit about where we go from here, you know,
I mean, how vocal are you? How vocal are you
going to be? What do we need to be able
(17:42):
to do to get everybody in the room at the
same time, As my old boss, Ross Perrot used to say,
and figure this issue out.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Right, Well, I think, you know, we all have to
stand together. I mean, I think other parents who are
going through what I'm going through and have gone through
what I'm going through, really need to start its efforts
to you know, contact your legislator, contact your congressman, contact
your state senator, go right to the top. You know,
I've written letters to the governor. I think we just
(18:12):
have to start speaking out and saying that this is
really not acceptable anymore. There is some hope in that.
You know, there is money available from the State of
New York for one of our lovely hospitals in this
city to take on this issue and treat children with
mental illness.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
So why don't the hospitals in our area deal with
this issue.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Well, having worked in one of those hospitals for ten years,
I know that pediatrics is something. Pediatric specialties, I should say,
is something that was always difficult to recruit to this
area because they've always felt that the demand was not
here because it's all about the dollar. Don't forget, you know,
it's all about money unfortunately. But so you know, a
pediatric nephrologist, a pediatric you know, or the pedist you know,
(19:00):
you have to go south or north for those specialties.
And that's always been the case. I mean, maybe one
physician will come up one day a week or something
like that, but but overall, pediatrics was always a tough
sell in this area. Pediatric specialties so specialists. So but
I feel that pediatric psychiatry should really be in its
(19:20):
category all its own, because I feel it's clear clearly
the demand is here. So you know, I really can't
answer the question except that it has to do with money.
It's not a money maker.
Speaker 5 (19:32):
Absolutely, that has to do with money. These hospitals.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
If they can't I find a way to have a
billable illness through the insurance companies, they don't want it.
They don't want to deal with it, they don't want
Anthon to do with it because they have to make money.
What I mean, insurance companies just won't won't pay for it.
They just deny it. They don't give you a reason,
they just deny it. So at of hospitals now don't,
for lack of a better word, have time to join
(19:56):
this fight with the insurance companies. Plus they don't want
to bite the handed feeds, and for lack of a
better word, so they just ignore it. They just well,
we're not going to do it, and that's the end
of the and what are you going to do? And
they say they're not going to do it, how do
you force them to do it?
Speaker 5 (20:08):
I don't know how.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
That's a fight that's got to be taken on by
by the government to say that these insurance companies.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
Wait a minute, this is an illness you need. Do
we recognize this?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
I agree, and I have said that I have suggested
actually in this Community Service Board that we have some
kind of a task force where we get people in
the room, providers in the room and talk to them
about why they don't want to take insurance. Are there
are definite reasons why? Because these it's a nightmare to
deal with insurance companies for them, they want to control
how they see their patients, how often they see their
(20:38):
patients what they give their patients. So you can understand
why these providers are opting to say no, I'm not
taking insurance. But it would still be good to get
them in a room out with perhaps some politicians and say, look,
how do we put pressure? You know, the problem is
I keep getting pushedback whenever I suggest these kinds of things.
Oh are we really going to fight? You can't fight
(20:59):
the insurance company. Oh you can't do this or you
can't do that. Well you have to start somewhere. You know.
If if that's the case, well I say in these meetings,
well why don't I just pack up and go home
and watch Judge Judy, you know, like, let's we have
to we have to begin somewhere. The same thing about
recruiting pediatric psychiatrists to the area I have. The Commissioner
(21:19):
of Mental Health, Jean Marie Nubero, always says, well, you know,
pediatric psychiatrists are like unicorns, you just can't find them. Well,
then what do we do about that? How do we
how do we talk about it?
Speaker 3 (21:31):
We deal with the issue.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
How do we deal with the issue instead of putting
it on a shelf somewhere and pretending like it doesn't exist.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
What advice would you give to perhaps listeners who are
listening to us now who have this issue in their
own families. You know, they have a young child, a
teenager that they know something is not right and they
don't know where to go. What what advice would you
give them from your own experience?
Speaker 2 (21:54):
The first step is to get your child to a counselor,
because it's the counselor really first who determines whether this
is situational or whether this is beyond. Like my daughter's
counselor when I first brought her, she was eleven years old,
and she's a local counselor. She's wonderful. She still sees
her today good And she said to me, the kid
(22:15):
ain't happy and she should be happy. She's eleven. So
I think this is not situational. She needs to see
a doctor. So it's the counselor who really gets into
the nitty gritty with the child and the parent figures
out what is going on here. That's the first step. Now,
that's provided you can find one, and one you can afford. Right. Unfortunately,
(22:36):
but in an ideal world, let's say, let's say a
parent can't afford it. Counseling is the first step, and
then pediatric psychiatrist ideally or some provider who can prescribe,
and then it's really a long term relationship that continues
for the rest of that child's life. If it is indeed,
you know, a chemical issue and an inherited issue.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
How important was it for you and your husband as
as a parents to be able to seek out you know,
sometimes being able to do exactly what we're doing is
almost therapeutic to talk about various situations. Is there resources
available for people who are who have the situation I
know Andrew Grady spoke to me about, is it Nammy is?
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Yes, yes, And actually I've reached out to NAMI a
couple of times because they have a board and I've
talked with them about, you know, possibly being on their board.
But it is particularly it is it is an organization
that specifically helps families of people who are suffering from
mental illness.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
So because it's exhausting, yeah, it is exhausting.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
I was telling you during the break, I've been up
since two and you know, my daughter who is away,
my younger daughter, is not having such a great week.
So it's it's upsetting you know it's upsetting, but I'm lucky,
you know, I am so grateful. And here's here's the thing.
My daughters are really proof that it works right right
(24:05):
and if you can diagnose, eally, develop a relationship with
the doctor, have counseling, have a support system, whether it
be at home, school that you know this, this can work.
My older daughter's a senior at Maris, she's on the
dean's list. You know, my younger daughter's doing well. It's
a daily thing. It's one day at a time, and
(24:27):
you know, we can't predict the future, of course, but
the but the.
Speaker 3 (24:29):
Good news is that there are more good days and
bad days. Is that a fair thing for you to say?
Or is it just they're just there?
Speaker 2 (24:36):
There are days, There are days, you know, and I
think as a parent, whenever you have a child with
any kind of challenge, whether it be physical, mental, emotional,
you know, it's easy to sit there in a chair
and feel sorry for yourself. There are days when I say,
you know, why why me? You know why why them?
(24:56):
Why my family? But you know you can't can't do
that for too long. You have to get past that.
And I believe very much that we're here that there's
part of that, It's part of a plan.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
Right.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
There's a reason why I've been given this task as
a mother, right, and why they've been chosen for this,
you know, mis journey. And I really think it's because
God thinks I have a voice and I can use
it and help others, you know, help a child, help
another parent perhaps. And I think they're going to help
(25:29):
others as they move through life because they can relate
to others and they can spot someone a mile away
who has the same issues that they do. That's the
beauty of having that illness yourself. You can recognize it
in others and help others. Right, So that's my hope.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
So what's your next step? What what are the next things?
I mean, I mean, you're going to be I know
you're going to be making more speeches.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
I don't know, but I don't know that that was
my first speech.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
Really well, I got to say, well you're here today,
So I mean, so that's that speech got you on
air talking to all of our listeners in the Hudson Valley,
which I'm grateful for it.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
I'm grateful to you and for having at all.
Speaker 5 (26:02):
I appreciate it. So is national Alliance on Mental Illness
is what it stands.
Speaker 3 (26:07):
A listener just texted me a National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Thank you listener, Mary, and thank you Uncle Mike.
Speaker 4 (26:12):
Well, you know, it's interesting you were talking about trying
to recruit child psychiatrists. The other problem that we're faced
with today is the medical schools. They've gotten away from
teaching about the Hippocratic oath and getting into medicine. They've
become a business school. They're teaching these young doctors, this
is where you want to go to make the most money.
(26:33):
I can't tell you how many young doctors is that
what they're focused on, the business side of medicine.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Mike, I know a lot of mds who are also MBAs.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
I mean to try to get that people to go
into child psychiatry. They're telling them medical school, you can't
make any money doing that because you're not going to
get insurance money.
Speaker 5 (26:51):
Don't do that. Go do this instead, because.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
You're going to make more money. And that's what's happening.
I mentioned that the other night. I don't know if
you remember that. I and I said that, you know,
we need to start recruiting and incentivizing young people in
college to enter that field, otherwise we're going to be
in serious trouble in ten years. I tried to get
my younger daughter to go into that, but you know,
once she found out how much school, it's another ten
(27:14):
years of school. She's a friend.
Speaker 3 (27:16):
Now I'm done with that, exactly correct.
Speaker 4 (27:17):
Now let's start ten years either we're already in serious trouble.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
I know that it's going to get a lot worse,
but better to start now. Do you have to take
a break out it?
Speaker 3 (27:25):
Wait? Yeah, well I'm sorry. My producer in there, Jeff
the board man, is saying, take a break, take a break,
take a break. We'll be right back. Let's take a
quick break. We'll be right back. That's okay, We'll be
right back with Janine Agnolette. And we are back with
Janine Agnolette talking about this issue in Dutchess County. This
has been a fascinating conversation and I have to tell
you something, Janine, It's going to be the first of
(27:47):
many conversations that I'm going to be having with you
and the efforts that you're making in terms of being
able to as I said, and as you said, to
get all as my boss, my former boss Ross Perrot
used to tell me when we were confronted with an
issue in the business world, and get all the liars
in the room at the same time, and we're going
to figure this out. And I'm telling you, Janine, you're
(28:07):
the person who's going to help figure this out for
our future. Not alone, not alone, Not alone.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
The group called Healthy Minds for Children and run by
this lovely woman by the name of Terry Schneider. And
these are a group of parents who've been doing who's
been fighting for this for years.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
Can we get her on the Can we get her
on the show?
Speaker 4 (28:24):
She?
Speaker 3 (28:24):
Can she come on and call one day? There you go,
let's get her on.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
So you know that's the thing. You can't do it alone, right, And.
Speaker 4 (28:32):
We have a podcast as well, and I think it
makes sense to get the group together for a podcast
without a doubt.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
We don't have any constraint doing a podcast on mental health.
Speaker 4 (28:40):
You can come in and do ours and see what
it's all about.
Speaker 3 (28:42):
Yeah, come on in any Friday afternoon. Uncle Mike and
I record our podcasts for futures commercials.
Speaker 5 (28:48):
It's it's just a discussion.
Speaker 2 (28:50):
Yeah. So we were talking about encouraging people to go
into this field. Sure, And during the break I was
mentioning that six years ago, Nyu Grossman, you know, medical
school made tuition free for any student who wanted to
go into pediatrics. So again I think this can be done.
Speaker 5 (29:10):
How did that work out?
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Well, it continues.
Speaker 5 (29:12):
I mean they got people that are doing it, sure
of course.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Okay, yeah, absolutely, because again pediatrics is not the moneymaker.
You know, students would rather go into other fields.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
You know.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
That's the other side of this conversation is that the
government needs to go after the insurance companies and stop
with this.
Speaker 3 (29:29):
You know.
Speaker 4 (29:29):
I had situations where I would it was a certain
drug I was on and the woman's telling me, we've
decided it's not medically necessary. And I'm like, well, where
did you go to medical school? Oh well I didn't.
I said, well my doctor did, and he's telling me
it's necessary. So what it gives here, right, And they
don't want to have the discussion with you. They make
a decision and that's it.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
So what I brought up the other evening was the
insurance issue, right, the recruitment issue, sure, for the future,
you know, and also really trying to address these issues
and some kind of task force, you know, you know,
not saying well, we can't recruit well. The other thing
is sorry, I get off track.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
That's okay.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
North Well Health is supposed to be kind. I don't
know if you've heard that. It's sure has to be
coming in and taking over NUVET. So there is some
hope that perhaps a conversation with them will lead to
what we're hoping for, that one of these two institutions
will take on this on this charge.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
So when you think about our area, I mean we're
sixty miles north of New York City, sitting seventy five
miles south of Albany. I mean, this is the area
to do it in.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
If you think it's a mass wasteland here. I've always
said that, And when I was a reporter years ago,
it was a media of wasteland. You know, you're stuck
somewhere between New York City and the Albany.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
Right, But that's changing, And the demographic here is changing
because we have so many people that moved here from
New York City during COVID and the whole demographic here
has changed. So maybe there's more voices here than we
realize that we need to tap into.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
There's more demand for sure, how do people.
Speaker 4 (30:53):
So if someone we have parents that are listening to
us going through what you went through right now while
we're saying this on the air, is there a way
they can get in touch with you with a group
you're talking, How did they get a hold of you
to try to help?
Speaker 2 (31:04):
Well, I think there is an opportunity, first of all,
for everyone to come to the you know, those meetings
that I attend, those Community Service Board meetings are open
to the public.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
For the Dutchess County Legislature.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
So if you go on the Mental Health Duchess County website,
you can see the dates of all the meetings. They're
typically the third Monday of every month at noon, and
so that's a good way to start because you'll see
everyone there. You know, we have people representing a drug
and addiction. There are people representing youth and teens, people
(31:38):
with disabilities. So you see a real gamut cross section
of the community in those meetings, and they're open to anyone.
You just have to let them know that you're looking
to attend. So that's one thing, and that's how I
could be reached probably best. I mean, I could give
out my phone number, I don't care.
Speaker 5 (31:52):
No no, no, no, no, no no.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
I think that's a good place to start. And I
want you to use this platform in the way that
you feel is necessary to be able to keep this
message coming, to keep this message in the forefront. And
Uncle Mike and I promise that we will do whatever
we need to be able to do because this is
an issue that's very close to our hearts.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
And I really mean it. If anyone contacts you and
would like to contact me, you feel free to give
out my number.
Speaker 3 (32:18):
I'll do that. Well.
Speaker 4 (32:20):
I think the committee meetings you're talking about is an
anonymous way to get involved. Some people, you know, they
don't want they want to be anonymous at first and
try to understand everything. So I think those meetings are
probably really the best way listening.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
And they're held at North Road, the building at North
Road where the Stabilization Center is. I don't know if
a lot of people know about the Stabilization Center, but
it's there. We try twenty four to seven and it's
right across from Midhudson Regional Hospital.
Speaker 3 (32:45):
Well, right, good, fascinating, and I'm so glad that we've
just begun to be able to highlight what you're doing.
As I said, what you said the other night in
front of the Duchess County Legislative Legislative Body was is
well said, well organized, and it prompted me to get
you on. And I'm so grateful that you came on
(33:06):
to talk about this issue.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
Thanks.
Speaker 3 (33:07):
We're going to continue to talk about this issue as
in the next weeks and months to occur.
Speaker 4 (33:13):
We've already been having the conversation. So Andrew comes out
of your week with and we're trying to get that stigma.
Speaker 5 (33:18):
Of mental that we got to get rid of that stick.
Speaker 3 (33:20):
Indeed, we do mental health.
Speaker 4 (33:21):
Mental illness is an illness, just like any other illness,
and it's got to.
Speaker 3 (33:24):
Be treated at least never give up, never give up,
never give up. Hope and Jenne, thank you for what
you're doing. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:29):
You can listen to Hudson Valley This Morning with Ed
Kuwalski Monday through Friday six am to nine am on
News Talk Radio fourteen fifty thirteen seventy am and ninety
eight five FM WKIP
You're listening to the best of Hudson Valley this morning
with Ed Kowalski and Uncle Mike. This week we're talking
to Janine Agnolette talking about pediatric psychiatry in the Hudson
Valley and the lack thereof. I am pleased to welcome
to the wk IP studios someone who I met for
(00:22):
the first time at the Duchess County February legislators meeting,
Janine Agnolett is here.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Oh very nice.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Said good morning, good morning, thank you very much for
coming in. And Janine was she made at the end
of At the conclusion of every legislative meeting, members of
the public can come up and in a very compressed
period of time address any issues that is on the
public's mind. And Janine came up and addressed something that
I was just absolutely fascinated in listening to. And after
(00:55):
she I'm going to ask her to sort of summarize
what she said in a minute. But after she may
her presentation to the legislator, I went up to her
and I said, I really need to get you on
the radio. So welcome and thank you for coming on here,
for having me out tell us what the story was again,
for our listeners.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Well, the story is that I'm a mother of two
daughters who suffer from mental illness. I happened to serve
on the what used to be known as the Mental
Hygiene Board of the Dutchess County Legislature, now known as
the Community Services Board. So I volunteer my time on
this board. And basically, we are the eyes and ears
(01:31):
of the community. We're supposed to be We're supposed to
bring these issues regarding mental health to the county to
let them know what's sort of going on and what
people are thinking and feeling and experiencing. And so I'm
one I think of two parents who are on that board.
So I was interviewed for that position. You're appointed by
(01:51):
the legislature, and so I believe I got the spot
because I'm a parent and because of my story and
the journey that I've sort of been on for the
past eleven years.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
You know what struck me about what you just said
at the meeting as well as what you just said
now all too often, and Uncle Mike and I have
spoken a lot about this issue. The stigma that mental
illness has is so much it's so much different than
having a child or a spouse or a parent who
(02:21):
has you know, cancer, or who as multiple sclerosis or
as muscular dystrophe. When you start talking about and I
was struck absolutely how brave you were, and by the
way I was struck about how brave you are now
by being able to say, I have two children who
suffer from this.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
It was not easy, I have to tell you. Even
though I talk about it with friends and family and
it's a known fact among those who know me and
know my daughters, it's still hard to air that quote
dirty laundry in front of an entire county. Also to
talk about the financial aspect of it and all the
other effects that it has on your family life. It's
really hard, but I feel compelled to do it for
(03:01):
reasons that I explained.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
You will, and we're going to get into that in
half a second again while you're with us. The other
thing that you ended up saying is the financial aspects
of what you're doing. Now, can you share a little
bit with with our listeners about that.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
It's important to mention because it prevents so many people
from getting the help they need, so many children from
getting the help they need. Now, I just want to
say that you can't put a price tag on the
health well being of your children. Actually that I'd live
on the street if I had to to save my children,
and most parents would. But I feel important to mention
the numbers because the shock value that I get out
(03:38):
of it is really incredible when I see the faces,
the look on people's faces because they either don't know
or they don't realize. And I think it's important for
our lawmakers to know that. I use this example in
my speech. But you know, my husband and I could
have bought a summer home literally with the money that
we've spent over the past eleven years. So I typically
(04:00):
when my daughter was first diagnosed, first of all, I
had to drive three hours in any direction to find
someone to diagnose my daughter properly.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Now, and that was because there was really no providers
in the Duchess County, in the Hudson Valley area. Right.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
There are no board certified pediatric psychiatrists in this area,
in this county.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Let's say that again, because when you said that.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
There are no it's not surprising psychiatrists in this area.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
I was surprised when I heard that much.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
I'm not surprised. I mean all we do with all
I do with with MHA. You know, mental health has
been completely neglected in this country, especially here in the
Odson Valley, because it's not viewed as it's it's We
say it all the time. If you break your arm,
or if you're appendix burst, you go to a doctor
to get treated. Well, if you have any kind of
mental problem, it's the same thing. It's it's it's an
(04:48):
illness that needs to be dealt with, and if it's
not dealt with, it often ends badly. Yes, and we've
neglected that for so long, and we're still neglecting.
Speaker 5 (04:56):
I mean, thank god.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
You know m h A is here.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
There's some private and UH organizations that are trying, but
it's so overwhelming at this point. Now there's so many people.
I think something that would be more shocking is how
many people listening to us are dealing with what you're
dealing with, but not dealing with it because they don't
know what to do right with.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Many We know there are children out there suffering. We
know it. And that's why I said the other night,
you know this is an emergency, absolutely not recognizing I
feel like they're just not sensing the urgency of this situation,
and you know, every day there's a school shooting almost
every day now, And yet I get riveted by those
(05:33):
stories because I like to look at the teenager. Most
often it's a teenager. I like to look at that
child and see what the story is. And it is
more often than not, you know, someone who has not
gotten the mental health.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
But what's even more frightening is they're on the radar
every time they know these children, They know that these
children are having a problem, and they choose not to
deal with it.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
That it goes back to the stigma because people don't
speak up right. If someone here in the office in
the studio was suddenly had palpitations or fell to the floor,
you'd call nine one one, right. But I hear so
many stories of parents with children, you know, have taken
their own lives, adults whose spouses have taken their own lives.
And then afterwards you hear people coworkers say, well, you know,
(06:18):
I saw that, you know, she was really you know,
not herself for a long period. You know, I noticed
that he wasn't really dealing well and he was upset
and say something, you know, and people are afraid to
say something.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
The other night.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
How many legislators came up to me after I spoke.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
I didn't see a lot too.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Yeah, and that's because they know me personally.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Tony Dquaining was one of them.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Yes, I know Tony Tony a long time. But the
point is they don't want to talk about it. They
don't want to talk about it because it's still taboo.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
How do we change that? How do we change that
in a way that is meaningful and substantive.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
I think it's changed since COVID. I think more people
are talking about it. More kids are talking about it,
more parents are talking about it, more teachers are talking
about it. But I don't know that I have the answer.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
Well, one of the huge problems is that anyone a
child is another situation because for a child, hopefully the
parents are advocating for him. But when you're going through
any kind of a mental issue, most of the time,
the people who are going through don't know they have
a problem. It's the people around them have to step up,
(07:27):
has to be in there, and the families sometimes are
embarrassed or whatever, and they don't want it and they
let it go right and then usually when it finally
is brought to the surface, it's out of crisis and
when it's brought the diserps.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
And so we have some crisis centers coming to our area.
I believe they're working on a crisis center for children.
But the point that I always make after that is
that's great. You know, you could take your child there
when they're in the crisis, but after they leave there,
what happens. That's right, because a child has to have
a relationship with a provider with it, ideally with a psychiatrist,
(08:00):
and I should There's one point I'd like to get
across this morning at any point, sure, and that is
the clarification between situational mental illness and an inherited genetic chemical.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Now that would be an example of a situational aspect
of mental health. Would it be someone going through post
traumatic stress for example? That would be.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Something or a teenager who has gone through the divorce
you know, of their parents, or whatever circumstances, any kind
of trauma, right, or perhaps there's a learning issue there,
or any kind right, as you said, any kind of
life altering circumstances that make them anxious, upset.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
And the problem with children is sometimes they have they've
been in the class for years and there's not recognized
and the kid is sitting in the classroom thinking, what
the hell is wrong with me? None of these other
kids are acting like this. And if we don't address
that so the child knows it's okay. You know, it's
not your fault. You have something that needs to be treated,
(08:59):
or there's kids that how many kids have we adults? Well,
I'm just I'm dyslexic and I've been all my life
but it never got addressed and I just figured out
how to get through. Well, think about the trauma there.
If you're sitting in there and everything is backwards upside
down and you think you're you think you're you're, you're
you know you're, you're not intelligent enough to be there.
That's that's an anxiety and the depression you know you
(09:21):
don't need to deal.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
With the other scenario is that what I just spoke
of the inherited.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Hang on to that thought from nine because we have
to take a quick break and I'd want to be
able to come back and talk about that particular aspect
where we're with Janine Agnolette, who's talking about mental health
for teenagers in the Duchess County area and we'll be
right back. We are rejoined. Thank you for waiting through
break with us. We're rejoined with by Janine Agnolett, who's
(09:48):
talking about her circumstances and her issues pertaining to dealing
with mental health awareness and mental health treatment for young
people in Dutchess County.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
So I'm curious, let's go. So your message to the legislature.
I should have been there. I was trying to get there,
but I was What was your message to the legislature.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Well, my message was that this is urgent, that this
is a county emergency. I shared my story more or less.
You know overall that I've lived here for thirty five years,
that eleven years ago when my daughter was having trouble,
I couldn't find a pediatric psychiatrist here for her. And
it's eleven years later and there's still no pediatric psychiatrist.
(10:29):
So what are we doing, folks? You know, sort of
posing the question also saying, you know, what kind of
quality of life is it?
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Really?
Speaker 2 (10:36):
And this was kind of got to see of me,
I guess to say, you know, what kind of government
turns its back on its children?
Speaker 5 (10:43):
You know, it's like.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Every nation in the world understands the investment you have
to make in your children, and for some reason, our
priorities are just a little bit reversed in that we're
focusing a lot on adults, which is great, adults need help.
But you know, I had a psychiatrist say to me once,
why do you think I work with children? I work
with children because there's still hope when adults are seeking treatment.
(11:07):
As adults, that ship is pretty much sailed. Their patterns
of behavior are set. They're already addiction. You know, they're
already addicted. They're already they're already who they are. But
for children, if you diagnose, just like with cancer, if
you diagnose them early and you get them a doctor,
they have a relationship with them, and you get them
on the right program and counseling and a support system
(11:30):
just like my girls had. Thank god, you know, their
success rate is very high and they have a great
chance of survival and having a productive, happy life. If
you don't do that, you know, in ten years, this
is what I said the other night, in ten years,
we're going to have a real problem.
Speaker 4 (11:47):
Well, and the footnote to what you're saying is, by
the way, it's eleven years later. And there is still
nothing here, nothing else.
Speaker 5 (11:53):
So what are we doing.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
By the way, the number of children is growing exponentially
that have this problem. You're here in Dutchess County. It's growing,
and we still have nobody here to help them.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Not to your point the data, because I have access
to the data because I'm on this committee. Hundreds of
children are being sent out of county for mental health services.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
Which adds more stress to the whole situation because you
have to far away.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
How do you drive two hours to see your son
or daughter when they're in a facility in Westchester And
maybe you don't have money, Maybe I don't have money
for gas, Maybe you're single parents, maybe you don't have
a car.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
And then you take on the financial side you're talking
about maybe you've got to work three jobs to be
able to pay for this, so you don't have time.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Absolutely, Look, I you know, I'm not embarrassed to say that.
When my daughter was first first had to go to
this psychiatrist in Westport, Connecticut, he charged eight hundred dollars
a session, and the first diagnosis session getting to know
her was I think fifteen hundred. I was selling I
was selling silverware on Main Street at the Arlington Extre Change.
Speaker 5 (13:00):
You know, I actually was you.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
I said, you know, you do what you have to do.
I better sell something because the bills just piled up
and very very quick.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
He There's another issue that we needs to be is
the insurance companies don't want any part of this.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
It's the other issue I brought up, because even the
providers who do exist will not take insurance and as
is the case with my daughter psychiatrists currently, they and
you can't put it on a credit card either. I
mean they want cash, cash or check. I venmo my psychiatrist. Wow,
my daughter psychiatrist. Yeah, So these are real challenges you
(13:38):
see now why it's impossible for most children in this
community to get help, and.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
The dangers of them not getting help are exactly as
you laid it out the other night. That that you know,
I think you even said, the next school shooting, the
next tragedy that's going to happen, is going to be
in our own community, and and we're not. And you
were in effect saying I told you so, well, I would, right.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
But what I started to say before the break was
that that other section of the population that has this
inherited mental illness. That's the serious stuff. That's the bipolar,
that's the schizophrenia. But these are complicated children with complicated issues,
and they need a psychiatrist, and they need medicine. That's
the only way. This is chemical. So you can't help
(14:30):
those kids with counseling alone. They need medicine.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
And by the way, the follow up care. Once somebody
is on a pharmacological solution. How many times have we
known people who say, well, I'm feeling pretty good, I
don't need to take this medicine anymore.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Especially with children as they go through puberty, their body
chemistry changes in the medicine they're taking it twelve may
not work at fourteen, absolutely right. There needs to be
changed or added to or taken away from and you
have to have a psychiatrist involved to do that.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
It takes years to really get that chemical balance, and
the kids change. I've been told their brains aren't fully
developed till they're twenty five.
Speaker 5 (15:11):
Really, I'm still waiting mind to develop.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Mike and I in our sixties and we're still hoping
our brains are going to be developed.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
So it is so you're really it is complicated. But
those those inherited issues tend to be the ones that
the onset is typically at twelve or thirteen. We know this, right,
So that's when you know these kids are changing, right,
And that's when this illness, you know, sort of breaks havocate.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
It begins making itself known.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
And boys tend to be Now I'm not a doctor,
as you know, I'm just a parent, but I talk
to a lot of doctors and I talk to a
lot of parents. So boys tend to be more violent, right,
That's why when you see a lot of these shootings,
they're rarely girls, if ever, so it manifests its self
in a more violent way, and so it is a problem,
(16:04):
as we know. Unfortunately, it's not being dealt with.
Speaker 5 (16:08):
Right, right, right should have Andrew Cole and I forgot.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Well, that's okay, that's okay. This is the conversation, and
I'm sure he's listening, and we certainly we'll be talking
to him when we come back. Janine, I want to
talk to you about what what do you think needs
to happen? I mean, you know, it's interesting, and I'm
glad you said that, and I'm glad to sort of
re echo that that there was only two legislators who
came up and approached you to talk about this issue,
(16:33):
and there was a there was a room full of them. Ye,
I believe right, that's correct. So we need to talk about.
Speaker 4 (16:40):
The reality of is Let's not sugarcoat it. Okay, we
talked about the violence that can happen. The reality is
most of these kids that go untreated, if it manifests itself,
it's going to end up in suicide. It's where it's
going to end up. That's what happens. They can't handle
it anymore, and the parents can't even help them to
the point where they can keep them from doing that,
and those suicides are happening all the time.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
Yes, we will be right back. You're listening to news
radio fourteen fifty thirteen seventy AM ninety eight five FMWKIP.
Will be rejoined after this quick break with by Janine Agnolett,
who's in studio to talk about a very, very pressing
and serious issue in Dutchess County. We'll be right back.
We are rejoined by with the Janine Agnolette talking about
(17:22):
the issues of mental health awareness, mental health treatment for
young people in Dutchess County. A fascinating conversation Oh well,
thank you, hav a fascinating conversation. I wanted to talk
a little bit about where we go from here, you know,
I mean, how vocal are you? How vocal are you
going to be? What do we need to be able
(17:42):
to do to get everybody in the room at the
same time, As my old boss, Ross Perrot used to say,
and figure this issue out.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Right, Well, I think, you know, we all have to
stand together. I mean, I think other parents who are
going through what I'm going through and have gone through
what I'm going through, really need to start its efforts
to you know, contact your legislator, contact your congressman, contact
your state senator, go right to the top. You know,
I've written letters to the governor. I think we just
(18:12):
have to start speaking out and saying that this is
really not acceptable anymore. There is some hope in that.
You know, there is money available from the State of
New York for one of our lovely hospitals in this
city to take on this issue and treat children with
mental illness.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
So why don't the hospitals in our area deal with
this issue.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Well, having worked in one of those hospitals for ten years,
I know that pediatrics is something. Pediatric specialties, I should say,
is something that was always difficult to recruit to this
area because they've always felt that the demand was not
here because it's all about the dollar. Don't forget, you know,
it's all about money unfortunately. But so you know, a
pediatric nephrologist, a pediatric you know, or the pedist you know,
(19:00):
you have to go south or north for those specialties.
And that's always been the case. I mean, maybe one
physician will come up one day a week or something
like that, but but overall, pediatrics was always a tough
sell in this area. Pediatric specialties so specialists. So but
I feel that pediatric psychiatry should really be in its
(19:20):
category all its own, because I feel it's clear clearly
the demand is here. So you know, I really can't
answer the question except that it has to do with money.
It's not a money maker.
Speaker 5 (19:32):
Absolutely, that has to do with money. These hospitals.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
If they can't I find a way to have a
billable illness through the insurance companies, they don't want it.
They don't want to deal with it, they don't want
Anthon to do with it because they have to make money.
What I mean, insurance companies just won't won't pay for it.
They just deny it. They don't give you a reason,
they just deny it. So at of hospitals now don't,
for lack of a better word, have time to join
(19:56):
this fight with the insurance companies. Plus they don't want
to bite the handed feeds, and for lack of a
better word, so they just ignore it. They just well,
we're not going to do it, and that's the end
of the and what are you going to do? And
they say they're not going to do it, how do
you force them to do it?
Speaker 5 (20:08):
I don't know how.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
That's a fight that's got to be taken on by
by the government to say that these insurance companies.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
Wait a minute, this is an illness you need. Do
we recognize this?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
I agree, and I have said that I have suggested
actually in this Community Service Board that we have some
kind of a task force where we get people in
the room, providers in the room and talk to them
about why they don't want to take insurance. Are there
are definite reasons why? Because these it's a nightmare to
deal with insurance companies for them, they want to control
how they see their patients, how often they see their
(20:38):
patients what they give their patients. So you can understand
why these providers are opting to say no, I'm not
taking insurance. But it would still be good to get
them in a room out with perhaps some politicians and say, look,
how do we put pressure? You know, the problem is
I keep getting pushedback whenever I suggest these kinds of things.
Oh are we really going to fight? You can't fight
(20:59):
the insurance company. Oh you can't do this or you
can't do that. Well you have to start somewhere. You know.
If if that's the case, well I say in these meetings,
well why don't I just pack up and go home
and watch Judge Judy, you know, like, let's we have
to we have to begin somewhere. The same thing about
recruiting pediatric psychiatrists to the area I have. The Commissioner
(21:19):
of Mental Health, Jean Marie Nubero, always says, well, you know,
pediatric psychiatrists are like unicorns, you just can't find them. Well,
then what do we do about that? How do we
how do we talk about it?
Speaker 3 (21:31):
We deal with the issue.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
How do we deal with the issue instead of putting
it on a shelf somewhere and pretending like it doesn't exist.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
What advice would you give to perhaps listeners who are
listening to us now who have this issue in their
own families. You know, they have a young child, a
teenager that they know something is not right and they
don't know where to go. What what advice would you
give them from your own experience?
Speaker 2 (21:54):
The first step is to get your child to a counselor,
because it's the counselor really first who determines whether this
is situational or whether this is beyond. Like my daughter's
counselor when I first brought her, she was eleven years old,
and she's a local counselor. She's wonderful. She still sees
her today good And she said to me, the kid
(22:15):
ain't happy and she should be happy. She's eleven. So
I think this is not situational. She needs to see
a doctor. So it's the counselor who really gets into
the nitty gritty with the child and the parent figures
out what is going on here. That's the first step. Now,
that's provided you can find one, and one you can afford. Right. Unfortunately,
(22:36):
but in an ideal world, let's say, let's say a
parent can't afford it. Counseling is the first step, and
then pediatric psychiatrist ideally or some provider who can prescribe,
and then it's really a long term relationship that continues
for the rest of that child's life. If it is indeed,
you know, a chemical issue and an inherited issue.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
How important was it for you and your husband as
as a parents to be able to seek out you know,
sometimes being able to do exactly what we're doing is
almost therapeutic to talk about various situations. Is there resources
available for people who are who have the situation I
know Andrew Grady spoke to me about, is it Nammy is?
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Yes, yes, And actually I've reached out to NAMI a
couple of times because they have a board and I've
talked with them about, you know, possibly being on their board.
But it is particularly it is it is an organization
that specifically helps families of people who are suffering from
mental illness.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
So because it's exhausting, yeah, it is exhausting.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
I was telling you during the break, I've been up
since two and you know, my daughter who is away,
my younger daughter, is not having such a great week.
So it's it's upsetting you know it's upsetting, but I'm lucky,
you know, I am so grateful. And here's here's the thing.
My daughters are really proof that it works right right
(24:05):
and if you can diagnose, eally, develop a relationship with
the doctor, have counseling, have a support system, whether it
be at home, school that you know this, this can work.
My older daughter's a senior at Maris, she's on the
dean's list. You know, my younger daughter's doing well. It's
a daily thing. It's one day at a time, and
(24:27):
you know, we can't predict the future, of course, but
the but the.
Speaker 3 (24:29):
Good news is that there are more good days and
bad days. Is that a fair thing for you to say?
Or is it just they're just there?
Speaker 2 (24:36):
There are days, There are days, you know, and I
think as a parent, whenever you have a child with
any kind of challenge, whether it be physical, mental, emotional,
you know, it's easy to sit there in a chair
and feel sorry for yourself. There are days when I say,
you know, why why me? You know why why them?
(24:56):
Why my family? But you know you can't can't do
that for too long. You have to get past that.
And I believe very much that we're here that there's
part of that, It's part of a plan.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
Right.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
There's a reason why I've been given this task as
a mother, right, and why they've been chosen for this,
you know, mis journey. And I really think it's because
God thinks I have a voice and I can use
it and help others, you know, help a child, help
another parent perhaps. And I think they're going to help
(25:29):
others as they move through life because they can relate
to others and they can spot someone a mile away
who has the same issues that they do. That's the
beauty of having that illness yourself. You can recognize it
in others and help others. Right, So that's my hope.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
So what's your next step? What what are the next things?
I mean, I mean, you're going to be I know
you're going to be making more speeches.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
I don't know, but I don't know that that was
my first speech.
Speaker 3 (25:53):
Really well, I got to say, well you're here today,
So I mean, so that's that speech got you on
air talking to all of our listeners in the Hudson Valley,
which I'm grateful for it.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
I'm grateful to you and for having at all.
Speaker 5 (26:02):
I appreciate it. So is national Alliance on Mental Illness
is what it stands.
Speaker 3 (26:07):
A listener just texted me a National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Thank you listener, Mary, and thank you Uncle Mike.
Speaker 4 (26:12):
Well, you know, it's interesting you were talking about trying
to recruit child psychiatrists. The other problem that we're faced
with today is the medical schools. They've gotten away from
teaching about the Hippocratic oath and getting into medicine. They've
become a business school. They're teaching these young doctors, this
is where you want to go to make the most money.
(26:33):
I can't tell you how many young doctors is that
what they're focused on, the business side of medicine.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Mike, I know a lot of mds who are also MBAs.
Speaker 4 (26:41):
I mean to try to get that people to go
into child psychiatry. They're telling them medical school, you can't
make any money doing that because you're not going to
get insurance money.
Speaker 5 (26:51):
Don't do that. Go do this instead, because.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
You're going to make more money. And that's what's happening.
I mentioned that the other night. I don't know if
you remember that. I and I said that, you know,
we need to start recruiting and incentivizing young people in
college to enter that field, otherwise we're going to be
in serious trouble in ten years. I tried to get
my younger daughter to go into that, but you know,
once she found out how much school, it's another ten
(27:14):
years of school. She's a friend.
Speaker 3 (27:16):
Now I'm done with that, exactly correct.
Speaker 4 (27:17):
Now let's start ten years either we're already in serious trouble.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
I know that it's going to get a lot worse,
but better to start now. Do you have to take
a break out it?
Speaker 3 (27:25):
Wait? Yeah, well I'm sorry. My producer in there, Jeff
the board man, is saying, take a break, take a break,
take a break. We'll be right back. Let's take a
quick break. We'll be right back. That's okay, We'll be
right back with Janine Agnolette. And we are back with
Janine Agnolette talking about this issue in Dutchess County. This
has been a fascinating conversation and I have to tell
you something, Janine, It's going to be the first of
(27:47):
many conversations that I'm going to be having with you
and the efforts that you're making in terms of being
able to as I said, and as you said, to
get all as my boss, my former boss Ross Perrot
used to tell me when we were confronted with an
issue in the business world, and get all the liars
in the room at the same time, and we're going
to figure this out. And I'm telling you, Janine, you're
(28:07):
the person who's going to help figure this out for
our future. Not alone, not alone, Not alone.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
The group called Healthy Minds for Children and run by
this lovely woman by the name of Terry Schneider. And
these are a group of parents who've been doing who's
been fighting for this for years.
Speaker 3 (28:22):
Can we get her on the Can we get her
on the show?
Speaker 4 (28:24):
She?
Speaker 3 (28:24):
Can she come on and call one day? There you go,
let's get her on.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
So you know that's the thing. You can't do it alone, right, And.
Speaker 4 (28:32):
We have a podcast as well, and I think it
makes sense to get the group together for a podcast
without a doubt.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
We don't have any constraint doing a podcast on mental health.
Speaker 4 (28:40):
You can come in and do ours and see what
it's all about.
Speaker 3 (28:42):
Yeah, come on in any Friday afternoon. Uncle Mike and
I record our podcasts for futures commercials.
Speaker 5 (28:48):
It's it's just a discussion.
Speaker 2 (28:50):
Yeah. So we were talking about encouraging people to go
into this field. Sure, And during the break I was
mentioning that six years ago, Nyu Grossman, you know, medical
school made tuition free for any student who wanted to
go into pediatrics. So again I think this can be done.
Speaker 5 (29:10):
How did that work out?
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Well, it continues.
Speaker 5 (29:12):
I mean they got people that are doing it, sure
of course.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Okay, yeah, absolutely, because again pediatrics is not the moneymaker.
You know, students would rather go into other fields.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
You know.
Speaker 4 (29:23):
That's the other side of this conversation is that the
government needs to go after the insurance companies and stop
with this.
Speaker 3 (29:29):
You know.
Speaker 4 (29:29):
I had situations where I would it was a certain
drug I was on and the woman's telling me, we've
decided it's not medically necessary. And I'm like, well, where
did you go to medical school? Oh well I didn't.
I said, well my doctor did, and he's telling me
it's necessary. So what it gives here, right, And they
don't want to have the discussion with you. They make
a decision and that's it.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
So what I brought up the other evening was the
insurance issue, right, the recruitment issue, sure, for the future,
you know, and also really trying to address these issues
and some kind of task force, you know, you know,
not saying well, we can't recruit well. The other thing
is sorry, I get off track.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
That's okay.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
North Well Health is supposed to be kind. I don't
know if you've heard that. It's sure has to be
coming in and taking over NUVET. So there is some
hope that perhaps a conversation with them will lead to
what we're hoping for, that one of these two institutions
will take on this on this charge.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
So when you think about our area, I mean we're
sixty miles north of New York City, sitting seventy five
miles south of Albany. I mean, this is the area
to do it in.
Speaker 2 (30:30):
If you think it's a mass wasteland here. I've always
said that, And when I was a reporter years ago,
it was a media of wasteland. You know, you're stuck
somewhere between New York City and the Albany.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
Right, But that's changing, And the demographic here is changing
because we have so many people that moved here from
New York City during COVID and the whole demographic here
has changed. So maybe there's more voices here than we
realize that we need to tap into.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
There's more demand for sure, how do people.
Speaker 4 (30:53):
So if someone we have parents that are listening to
us going through what you went through right now while
we're saying this on the air, is there a way
they can get in touch with you with a group
you're talking, How did they get a hold of you
to try to help?
Speaker 2 (31:04):
Well, I think there is an opportunity, first of all,
for everyone to come to the you know, those meetings
that I attend, those Community Service Board meetings are open
to the public.
Speaker 3 (31:15):
For the Dutchess County Legislature.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
So if you go on the Mental Health Duchess County website,
you can see the dates of all the meetings. They're
typically the third Monday of every month at noon, and
so that's a good way to start because you'll see
everyone there. You know, we have people representing a drug
and addiction. There are people representing youth and teens, people
(31:38):
with disabilities. So you see a real gamut cross section
of the community in those meetings, and they're open to anyone.
You just have to let them know that you're looking
to attend. So that's one thing, and that's how I
could be reached probably best. I mean, I could give
out my phone number, I don't care.
Speaker 5 (31:52):
No no, no, no, no, no no.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
I think that's a good place to start. And I
want you to use this platform in the way that
you feel is necessary to be able to keep this
message coming, to keep this message in the forefront. And
Uncle Mike and I promise that we will do whatever
we need to be able to do because this is
an issue that's very close to our hearts.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
And I really mean it. If anyone contacts you and
would like to contact me, you feel free to give
out my number.
Speaker 3 (32:18):
I'll do that. Well.
Speaker 4 (32:20):
I think the committee meetings you're talking about is an
anonymous way to get involved. Some people, you know, they
don't want they want to be anonymous at first and
try to understand everything. So I think those meetings are
probably really the best way listening.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
And they're held at North Road, the building at North
Road where the Stabilization Center is. I don't know if
a lot of people know about the Stabilization Center, but
it's there. We try twenty four to seven and it's
right across from Midhudson Regional Hospital.
Speaker 3 (32:45):
Well, right, good, fascinating, and I'm so glad that we've
just begun to be able to highlight what you're doing.
As I said, what you said the other night in
front of the Duchess County Legislative Legislative Body was is
well said, well organized, and it prompted me to get
you on. And I'm so grateful that you came on
(33:06):
to talk about this issue.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
Thanks.
Speaker 3 (33:07):
We're going to continue to talk about this issue as
in the next weeks and months to occur.
Speaker 4 (33:13):
We've already been having the conversation. So Andrew comes out
of your week with and we're trying to get that stigma.
Speaker 5 (33:18):
Of mental that we got to get rid of that stick.
Speaker 3 (33:20):
Indeed, we do mental health.
Speaker 4 (33:21):
Mental illness is an illness, just like any other illness,
and it's got to.
Speaker 3 (33:24):
Be treated at least never give up, never give up,
never give up. Hope and Jenne, thank you for what
you're doing. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:29):
You can listen to Hudson Valley This Morning with Ed
Kuwalski Monday through Friday six am to nine am on
News Talk Radio fourteen fifty thirteen seventy am and ninety
eight five FM WKIP
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