I should probably clarify a key point about Bipolar Woman. She does not work in my office. In fact, she does not work at the County. My job involves working with non-profit agencies and community members. Bipolar Woman is a community member and volunteer. She’s usually pretty put-together, but lately she’s been having more frequent manic episodes.

And while she easily becomes a disturbance during the workday, she’s a reminder that the public health care system has wide, gaping holes. People who need access to mental health services aren’t getting it. The guidelines for MHMR now state that only people diagnosed with major depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are eligible to receive services from community clinics. But, this doesn’t mean people who receive one of these diagnoses can walk into any community clinic and automatically receive care…..community clinics are overburdened already (thanks to budget cuts and reorganization within MHMR), so people who try to access services from clinics are either given a new diagnosis (that isn’t one of the three priorities), or put on waiting lists that can span anywhere from 6 to 8 months. That’s a long time to wait when you’re in crisis. And I would say that based on her behavior today, Bipolar Woman is definitely in need of some immediate care.

On a lighter note, as I was leaving the office, Bipolar Woman happily reported that Bill Cosby is coming to Houston on Monday…..and that his visit was a sign that she was protected from the forces of Satan.

“Super!” I said, before running out the door.