On Wednesday, March 9th, the national NAMI released a new report, "State Mental Health Cuts: A National Crisis." The report reviews state mental health budgets over the last few years. Maryland is highlighted in the report. The intent of this report is to emphasize the need to preserve and strengthen public mental health services, building on heightened public attention to mental health funding in the wake of the recent Arizona tragedy.
Below is the press release and the link to the report. Click here for talking points that can help you talk to your friends and family about how vital it is to protect mental health care from budget cuts in the State of Maryland and YOUR state!
For Immediate Press Release
Contact for Maryland: Kate Farinholt,
NAMI Maryland Executive Director
kfarinholt@nami.org
410-884-8691
New Report: Maryland has cut mental health by $26.2 million over three years and the budget squeeze is expected to increase - Columbia, Md., March 9, 2011: Maryland has cut state mental health care by 4 percent from fiscal years 2009 to 2011-ranking 23rd in the nation proportionately, according to a national report released today by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Overall, almost two-thirds of states have cut mental health, even though need has increased because of the nation's economic distress and troops returning home from war.
The total decrease in Maryland during the three-year period was $26.2 million. Budget pressure is expected to be tighter after enhanced federal Medicaid support expires in June 2011.
"Cutting mental health is penny-wise and pound-foolish," said Kate Farinholt, Executive Director of NAMI Maryland. "Costs get shifted to emergency rooms, schools, police, local courts, jails and prisons. The taxpayer still gets the bill and it often costs more."
"Mental health cuts can mean that clinics, crisis centers and hospitals are closed, admissions are frozen and emergency room visits increase. Even where services remain, staff is cut, wait times for appointments are stretched and when people are finally seen, it's for shorter amounts of time."
"Budget cuts mean people don't get the right help in the right place at the right time," Ms. Farinholt said. "Local communities suffer and families break under the strain. Some people end up on the street or dead."
Visit:
www.nami.org/budgetcuts for the full report and state by state tables.
The NAMI report is based on the best data available to date, focusing primarily on non-Medicaid mental health services financed by state general funds through state mental health agencies.
"Decisions need to be made carefully rather than simply putting mental health on a chopping block," Kate Farinholt said. If done right, the state budget crisis can still be turned into opportunity."
The report makes five recommendations for talking points to friends, family, legislators, and raising awareness:
1) Protect and strengthen mental health programs while tying funding to performance;
2) Maintain adequate hospital beds for psychiatric care and treatment;
3) Invest in early detection and intervention of mental illness in both youth and adults;
4) Implement mental health screening and assessment programs; and
5) Support widespread peer, family, and public education about mental illness.
NAMI Maryland is a grassroots organization dedicated to education, support and advocacy for persons with mental illnesses, their families, and the wider community. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illnesses and their families. For more information go to
www.namimaryland.org or call 1.877.878.2371.
To find your state chapter of NAMI, visit:
www.nami.org Passing the peace,
Posted By: agnes levine
Saturday, March 12th 2011 at 4:30PM
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