Stories from media outlets across the nation covering violence and chaos in our communities have a common thread – timely intervention and lack of access to appropriate mental health treatment services for those in crisis. Similarly, I can’t help but note much of the health policy discussions of late focus on the same need for increased access to such services. Whether the issue is wall-time/boarding, emergency department overcrowding or homelessness – lack of access to appropriate mental health treatment services in our communities is at the core.

Preventing those that pose a threat to themselves and others from doing harm in our communities should be a top priority for everyone.   Much needed expansion of mental health care infrastructure will allow for the successful treatment, referral, and support of individuals who require outpatient mental health services, and are instead currently utilizing hospital emergency departments to access care – if seeking care at all.  With the notable reduction in the number of psych beds over the past several years, mental health patients have fewer and fewer options. We continue to hear growing concerns from emergency departments across the region that the volume of patients they are receiving in psychiatric crisis continues to increase.

“The Investment in Mental Health Wellness Act of 2013” (SB 82 – Steinberg) seeks to maximize federal funding opportunities, local realignment dollars, Prop 63 MHSA funds, foundation grant funds, and State General Fund monies.  The Act appropriates upwards of $200 million from the State General Fund for investment in community based treatment options for the mentally ill. Specifically, grant awards for county programs that increase capacity for mobile crisis support, crisis intervention, crisis stabilization services, crisis residential treatment, and some personnel resources.  The intent and purpose of these grant funds is to directly and positively impact these exact individuals. Counties within the HASC region have secured a combined sum of nearly $60 million in the first round of funding. 

The structure of these grants is flexible to allow for regional development in rural areas, as well as to provide for unique and variable regional needs. However, this will not occur unless hospitals are actively engaged in the dialogue as these grants are initiated. I encourage you – if you have not already done so – to act as a convener with ED directors, psychiatric hospital leaders and county mental health department staff in your local area. The next funding round opens July 14 and closes September 25, 2014. If you need assistance, have questions, or want to strategize please do not hesitate to contact me or your RVP directly.

Without question, these grants are a step in the right direction. Any opportunity to expand access to mental health crisis intervention services for high-need individuals must be taken advantage of ASAP. Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations will lower health care costs; and offering timely intervention services for those in crisis will result in safer communities for us all.