Election Candidates Respond to NAMI-SCC Questionnaire

The NAMI-SCC legislative committee sent out a questionnaire and position paper to the candidates from the 2^nd district supervisory race, 15^th congressional district, and the Santa Cruz county district attorney race. Responses were received from Jim Cunneen, Candidate for the 15^th Congressional District, Ron Ruiz, candidate for District Attorney, Christine McGuire and Ellen Pirie, candidates for 2^nd District Supervisor.

The NAMI position, question and candidate responses are listed below:

Supports civil rights and community tolerance.

NAMI Position: We ask candidates and elected officials to avoid stigmatizing language such as identifying persons with mental illness as “crazy”, “weird”, “lazy”, “manipulative”, etc. Avoid using the term “schizophrenia” as a colloquialism to describe a decision or action (i.e. “my opponents position on X is schizophrenic, on the one hand he states…”).

Question: What are your feelings regarding the use of mental illness descriptions as colloquialisms?

Jim Cunneen: People with mental illnesses must be treated with respect and dignity. All of us should be on guard as we use common expressions that may hurt or stereotype others. Many are very capable of leading full and happy lives. If elected to Congress, I will fight against such negative stereotyping.

Christine McGuire: I certainly believe that any person suffering from illness, be it physical or mental should be treated with respect. Therefore, I do not endorse the use of any terminology that would diminish the dignity of an individual with mental illness. The use of colloquialisms can lead to indifference toward health conditions and may serve to trivialize afflictions that demand our full attention.

Ellen Pirie: I agree with NAMI’s objections to using mental illness descriptions as colloquialisms. As the Directing Attorney of Senior Citizens Legal Services for the past 14 years, I have worked with many clients who suffered with various mental illnesses. I believe that we should avoid using negative descriptions of people with mental illness. I have always tried to be conscious of those terms which stigmatize people who suffer from such conditions and I plan to avoid using such terms in the future.

Ron Ruiz: I have a paranoid schizophrenic daughter. It is insensitive and inappropriate to use mental illness descriptions as colloquialisms.

Work against discrimination in zoning laws and land use decisions.

NAMI Position: Discriminatory zoning laws, use permit requirements and land use decisions are sometimes used to discriminate against the mentally ill. When a home or facility for mentally ill persons is proposed, neighbors often organize against the project, thus keeping mentally ill people, as a group out of the neighborhood. Such opposition is obviously discriminatory.

Question: If elected, how would you respond to neighbors concerns about a proposed home of facility for mentally ill persons being located in their neighborhood? Would you support such a home/facility?

Jim Cunneen: Land use decisions and zoning laws are decisions made at the local government level. I do not believe the federal government should play a role in such local decisions. However, I would be willing to use my position to help air both sides on the issue of housing for the mentally ill.

Christine McGuire: If elected to the Board of Supervisors, I feel it my duty not to commit to a particular project without first knowing the specific details of the project (for example: cost, location, number of residents, etc.) It would be irresponsible to endorse any project without knowing all the facts. I believe that neighbors most closely affected by a particular project have a right to be heard and if they have concerns, have their concerns considered and addressed where possible. Similarly, potential residents of a home or facility for mentally ill and their advocates have a right to be heard and have their concerns considered and addressed.

Ellen Pirie: Such discrimination is often based on fear and a lack of information about a proposed project. I would ask the neighbors and the project staff to meet and discuss issues such as supervision, house rules, etc. Whether I would support a particular proposal would depend on the particular facts of the proposal. However, I would not vote against such a project solely because the project would house the mentally ill.

Ron Ruiz: Facilities and homes for mentally ill persons are fully appropriate for residential neighborhoods. I would not and do not tolerate discrimination based on mental illness.

Support Health Care Reform – equality for mental & physical illnesses.

NAMI Position: Health insurance programs, both public and private, have traditionally discriminated against persons with mental illnesses. Now that the Surgeon General’s report has been published, it is NAMI’s goal to achieve equal benefits for physical and mental illnesses.

Question: As an elected official, how would you help us to end discrimination in the health care system against people with serious mental illness?

Jim Cunneen: As a California State Assemblyman, I strongly supported the Mental Health Parity Measure, as part of the Patients Bill of Rights. This measure would extend mental health coverage for biologically based mental illnesses. I would be inclined to support similar measures at the federal level.

Christine McGuire: As a County Supervisor one of my jobs will be to set policy and approve budgets of county departments. I will work toward ensuring that county-funded health care facilities and insurance programs for Santa Cruz County employees meet the needs of county residents and county employees and their families with mental illness.

Ellen Pirie: I will support equal insurance benefits in any way I can.

Ron Ruiz: I strongly support a health care system that in no way discriminates against persons with mental illness.

Support Mental Health Services in our Community

With deinstitutionalization came fiscal neglect, handing local communities the responsibility, but not the resources, to take care of people who have serious mental illness. Homelessness, jail, drug abuse and broken families have been a result of this now common story.

Question: Would you help to increase the funding for mental health programs during your term in office?

Jim Cunneen: Yes. I would support increases for the funding for mental health programs. I would encourage the federal government to provide its fair share of funding to the states. I have supported increased funding as a State Legislator.

Christine McGuire: I will work to maximize the resources and services available to meet the needs of the mentally ill within the restraints imposed by our county’s budget.

Ellen Pirie: As the director of an agency serving the elderly, some of whom suffer from mental illnesses, I have supported funding for programs for the mentally ill and I will continue to do so as Supervisor.

Ron Ruiz: The District Attorney does not have budgetary control over mental health program spending, but I believe we need substantially increased funding for these invaluable programs.

Question: Are you aware of the various mental health facilities in Santa Cruz County helping the mentally ill? Would you like a tour of the facilities?

Jim Cunneen: Yes, I am aware of the various mental health facilities in Santa Cruz County. I would be happy to arrange for a tour of the facilities. I would prefer to tour facilities in, or that serve the Santa Cruz Mountain communities or Scotts Valley, as they are part of the 15^th Congressional District.

Christine McGuire: For the past 15 years I have worked as a Prosecutor in the Santa Cruz County District Attorneys Office. My position as well as my commitment to various boards and commissions have given me the opportunity to reach out to and work with County Mental Health Services as well as other organizations. I am certain that a tour of mental health facilities would enrich my understanding of the compelling needs of the mentally ill and would assist me in providing leadership and representation for the many people suffering from mental illnesses in Santa Cruz County.

Ellen Pirie: I believe that I am aware of the mental health facilities but I would like a tour.

Ron Ruiz: I am very familiar with the local mental health facilities. I would be pleased to take another tour of mental health facilities in Santa Cruz County.

Opinions expressed in this web site do not necessarily reflect the views of NAMI Santa Cruz County, NAMI California or any affiliated organizations. We attempt to present a balanced perspective on issues by presenting multiple viewpoints.

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