Community Voices

The mental health community in Eastern Connecticut has grown louder and stronger over the past several years, using their collective voice to draw attention to issues and concerns facing our region.  Our members have influenced legislators and decision-makers for their own good and the good of their friends and neighbors.  

To say that I am proud of these advocates would be a gross understatement - I am humbled and inspired by them as people, and by their work as individuals and as a group. I have learned so much about tenacity and hope from our members.

Today I want to share a testimony written by Brenda Joyce Kingsley, a resident of Putnam, Connecticut.  Brenda was the winner of the Eastern Regional Mental Health Board's 2016 Advocate of the Year Award, and she uses her strong, powerful voice to speak on behalf of herself and her friends and loved ones.  

​Please read and share Brenda's story about health insurance.

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“Insurance” – Brenda Joyce Kingsley

"I am 66 years old. I have insurance coverage: Medicare and Husky Health.  This means I can go to my family doctor; I can go to doctors to have follow-ups: thyroid, kidney, liver, and heart doctors.  I can get prescribed medicines for my health – thyroid medicine, liver medicine, and cholesterol medicine. 

I can get medicine for my mental health: bipolar, anxiety, and depression.  I have insurance coverage for mental health appointments.
 
Because I have insurance, I can go to a medical hospital.

Recently the liver doctor did an endoscopy and colonoscopy – results: bacteria living in my stomach.  I had to take prescribed medicines for 10 days.  I’ve been good now for 10 years, because I had insurance coverage I was able to get the procedure done.

I have insurance.

Last year I needed an eye exam because I had to get bifocal glasses.  I was covered by insurance. With insurance, I am able to get the eye exams from the eye doctor.  Insurance covered the eye glasses.

Not to have insurance – not to have coverage – not to have the medicines I need for physical and mental health – I would not have the physical and mental health I have now.  I do not know what would happen to me, how sick I would become.

We are talking about a lot of people that would be left with no insurance."


Got a story that you'd like to share?  Please send it to our interim director, Kati Mapa, at kmapa.ermhb@gmail.com for consideration.