SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes · SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes . RESTORE PEER RECOVERY...
21
Transcript of SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes · SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes . RESTORE PEER RECOVERY...
Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
www.gmhcn.org
Sherry Jenkins Tucker, Executive Director
404-421-5683
Georgia Parent Support Network
www.gpsn.org
Sue Smith, Chief Executive Officer
404-758-4500 x101
Mental Health America of Georgia
www.mhageorgia.org
Jewell Gooding, Executive Director
770-741-1495
NAMI Georgia
www.namiga.org
Kim Jones, Executive Director
770-234-0855
Georgia Council on Substance Abuse
www.gasubstanceabuse.org
Neil Campbell, Executive Director
404-523-3440
Georgia Mental Health
Policy Partnership
ONE VOICE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences a mental illness each year, but less than half get treatment.
1 in 25 U.S. adults experiences a serious mental illness each year, but less than two-thirds get treatment.
1 in 6 US youth experience a mental health condition each year, but only half get treatment.
20.1% of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a serious mental health condition.
37% of adults incarcerated in the state and federal prison system have a diagnosed mental illness.
70.4% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosed mental illness.
41% of Veteran’s Health Administration patients have a diagnosed mental illness or substance use disorder.
ONE VOICE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
As a result of COVID-19, behavioral health care is more critical than ever.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention data shows a tragic psychological toll being
exacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
• 24% of Americans show clinical signs of depression.
• 30% show symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
• These numbers are about double those found in a 2014 survey.
Nearly half of Americans report the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health,
according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll.
• 47% of respondents sheltering in place reported negative mental health effects
• More than half the respondents who lost income or employment due to the pandemic reported negative men-
tal health impacts, with lower income respondents reporting higher rates of major negative impact.
• Respondents reported that their mental health will not hold out as long as their physical health or their finan-
cial health, under social distancing guidelines. Around twice the number said their mental health is already
suffering (15%), compared to their physical health (6%) and their financial health (9%).
Americans are reaching out for support.
• A federal emergency hotline, run by SAMSHA, for people in emotional distress registered a more than 1,000
percent increase in April, compared with the same time last year, with, roughly 20,000 people texting the line.
• In addition to an overall increase in calls to Georgia’s Peer2Peer Warm Line, there has been a 20% increase
in new callers who have never sought peer support through this resource.
• The NAMI HelpLine saw a 40% increase in demand in April.
• NAMI Basics OnDemand online class April inquiries were 6x higher than normal.
Communities are in need of care.
• Alcohol sales are up about 55% during the pandemic. Alcoholism is the number one cause of emergency
room visits.
• Negative mental health effects due to social isolation may be particularly pronounced among older adults and
households with adolescents, as these groups are already at risk for depression or suicidal ideation.
• Job loss is associated with increased depression, anxiety, distress, and low self-esteem and may lead to high-
er rates of substance use disorder and suicide.
• The closer one is to the frontlines—such as First Responders, Doctors, Nurses, and Health Care Workers—
the greater the potential impact of PTSD from the pandemic.
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
RESTORE PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES AND TRAINING If these proposed cuts are implemented, it will actually cost the state more money, as the initial savings will be dwarfed by increased expense for:
Crisis services (emergency room usage, crisis stabilization, mobile crisis teams, psychiatric hospitaliza-tions)
Homelessness
Criminal justice (arrest, trial, incarceration, probation)
Overdose deaths and suicides Additionally, school drop-out rates will increase, causing increased costs to society, and cities and counties will ex-perience increased expenses for unfunded mandates.
Tragically, people who are in recovery will be put in jeopardy.
The peer workforce is woven into the fabric of behavioral health care in our state. During this unprecedented public health crisis, peer-led training and programs are more important than ever to assist consumers on the path toward wellbeing and
recovery. Continued support for peer-led trainings and services during this period is a short-term investment that will yield long term benefits for Georgia consumers, the peer workforce, and community providers.
— Benjamin Druss. MD, MPH, Rollins School of Public Health
Certified Peer Specialist services are a scientifically-proven, evidence-based practice that significantly reduces unneces-sary psychiatric hospitalizations and emergency treatment, decreases psychiatric symptoms, increases hopefulness,
improves quality of life, and enhances patient activation to manage health and mental health care.
— Judith Cook, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago
ONE VOICE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
# Trained FY19 # Held FY19 # Reached FY19
Connections Support Group 39 853 6363
Peer 2 Peer Class 26 11 125
In Our Own Voice Presentation 54 182 4312
Peer Recovery Support Services and Trainings in Georgia
Georgia Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) Trained to Date
CPS Mental Health 2072
CPS trained as Forensic Peer Mentors 80
CPS trained as Whole Health and Wellness Coaches 711
CARES (substance use) 740
CPS-Y (youth and young adults) 83
CPS-P (parents) 171
RESTORE FUNDING FOR CHILD AND ADOLESCENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
• In Georgia, 1 in 5 children experience a mental health disorder in a given year. Most do not re-ceive the treatment and supports that would help them succeed in school and life.
• 76 of Georgia's 159 counties do not have a licensed psychologist.
• 77,878 Georgia children in grades 6-12 considered suicide in 2019 (self-report). Suicide is the second leading cause of death in children 10-17.
The budget areas listed under Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services represent a broad reduction in services and supports. The proposed cuts would cause the dismantling of many years of planning and growth as agencies statewide have worked together through the Interagency Directors Team (IDT) to develop and support an interagency approach that maximizes not only dollars but expertise to assure the very best outcomes for our children, youth and families. Proposed cuts would reduce services and supports that are critical for our youth during their transition to adult-hood, including supported employment and educational services. They should be restored.
Of concern is the loss of dollars that support research, training, and development, especially since so many services and trainings must be "developed and redeveloped" due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the research and development is housed in the Center of Excellence at Georgia State University.
Many DBHDD children, youth, adolescent, and family services that support mental health services for our children and families are now delivered in collaboration with other Departments such as DHS, DHR, DOE, DFCS, and DJJ. For ex-ample, DBHDD funds the Georgia Apex Program which is delivered by DBHDD in DOE schools. Apex:
provides early detection of child and adolescent mental health needs
increases access to mental health services for children and their families
strengthens coordination between community-based mental health and social service providers
improves school climate, including decreases in student disciplinary incidents
Apex is a proven program with strong community support. It is currently in 562 Georgia schools. More schools request service than current funding can support. To implement the proposed funding cuts would save little today at the great expense of tomorrow.
Apex is an indispensable part of Seminole County schools. It gives students someone to talk to when they just need a little help. It assists students who are having emotional difficulty. It has reduced school drop-out and has im-
proved academic performance. It is a wonderful program that should be in every school. — Sheila Williams, Seminole County Commissioner
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
# Trained FY19 # Held FY19 # Reached FY19
Family Support Group 26 506 4222
Family 2 Family Class 21 21 300
Homefront Class 7 2 17
Introduction to Behavioral Health and Addictive Diseases
(IBHAD) - 8 Hour
n/a 18 135
Introduction to Behavioral Health and Addictive Diseases
(IBHAD) - 8 Hour
n/a 6 121
RESTORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMUNITY SERVICES AND SUPPORTS
• Core Services – Funding for Community Providers to continue individual, group or family therapy, nursing assess-ments, and medication management which reduces higher level of care which would incur higher costs of care.
• Housing Vouchers - Supported housing and bridge funding to persons with serious and persistent mental illness helps individuals attain and maintain safe and affordable housing while supporting their integration into the commu-nity. It reduces the burden on homelessness, incarceration and cost of higher level of care.
• Supported Employment (SE) – Funding for evidenced-based program to support individuals with behavioral health challenges to obtain and maintain competitive employment. The services boost the economy simply by allowing those who may not have been able to work (due to behavioral health challenges) improve engagement with employ-ers.
• Community Services – Telehealth Access, Community Support Teams, Intensive Case Management Teams and Crisis Stabilization Units to offer rapid stabilization, filling in the capacity and resource gap left in the wake of State Hospital closures.
Of note: Without the support of behavioral health community services it would ultimately overturn the work gained by
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
ONE VOICE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Behavioral health care is vital to helping people recover or manage their behavioral health condition effectively. However, it can be difficult to find needed services. Without appropriate
funding, mental health services are frequently inadequate or unavailable. These partner organizations believe that public budgets should adequately fund the behavioral health
services and supports that get people the help they need.
Behavioral health funding is vital – and often at risk. Adequate funding for behavioral health care means more people can get the help they need.
− The amount of money in the budget for mental health affect the availability of behavioral health
services and supports, as well as who is eligible for them.
− Adequate funding means providing the full range of treatments, services and supports that help
people with a behavioral health condition live successfully, including crisis response and
stabilization, supportive housing, peer support, case management, medication, and more.
− Funding innovative treatments, like Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis, can
help young people experiencing psychosis realize the promise of hope and recovery.
Changes in the economy affect government revenue and, in turn, behavioral health budgets.
− In times of increased revenue, policymakers are under pressure to increase budgets for a wide
range of needs, such as health care, education, and public safety. In times of decreased revenue,
policymakers are under pressure to cut budgets.
− Behavioral health services are often cut when revenues decline—and don’t deserve to be because
behavioral health conditions do not go away in a down economy.
− Without appropriate funding, people don’t get the help they need to manage their behavioral health
condition successfully and more people end up in costly emergency rooms and with avoidable
hospitalizations, arrests and homelessness.
− In fact, the need for behavioral health care increases in a down economy because more people
lose their jobs and health insurance and more people use public services, such as Medicaid and
community mental health care.
Policymakers should take steps to protect continuity of care during economic downturns.
− Policymakers can cushion budgets against reduced revenues through a “rainy-day fund” and
tapping into it in a downturn.
− Policymakers can also preserve services by temporarily increasing taxes or issuing bonds to raise
funds for critical behavioral health services.
− By thinking ahead, policymakers can make decisions that help – not harm – people with behavioral
health condition.
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
ONE VOICE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
Seven Steps to Telling Your Story about Budget Funding
The following seven steps help you craft a succinct and powerful story.
ONE VOICE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Story Practice Sheet
Please refer to your Seven Steps Checklist for additional information
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
Story Practice Sheet (continued)
Please refer to your Seven Steps Checklist for additional information
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
ONE VOICE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATORS TO CONTACT:
Key Legislators in the Fight for Behavioral Health Funding
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Development and Public Health
Subcommittee Chair: Senator Renee Unterman 404-463-1368, [email protected]
Subcommittee Members:
Senator Dean Burke (Vice-chair) 404-656-0040, [email protected]
Senator Chuck Hufstetler 404-656-0034, [email protected]
Senator Butch Miller 404-656-6678, [email protected]
Senator Chuck Payne 404-463-5402, [email protected]
Senator Horacena Tate 404-463-8053, [email protected]
Senator Ben Watson 404-656-7888, [email protected]
House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources
Subcommittee Chair: Representative Katie Dempsey 404.463.2248, [email protected]
Subcommittee Members:
Representative Tom Kirby (Vice-chair) 404.656.017, [email protected]
Representative Tommy Benton 404.656.5126, [email protected]
Representative Emory Dunahoo 404.656.0152, [email protected]
Representative Michele Henson 404.656.7859, [email protected]
Representative Don Hogan 404.656.0178, [email protected]
Representative Henry “Wayne” Howard 706.722.1123, [email protected]
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
Sample Letter/Email to State Legislators
<<Date>>
Dear _________________,
The pandemic has forced Georgia into difficult budget decisions. More than ever any reductions made in behavioral health services would be felt by Georgia citizens around the state. Any savings would be offset by the need for expensive crisis services, higher Medicaid and criminal justice ex-penditures, increased costs associated with homelessness and institutionalization, and, inevitably and tragically, more suicide.
Georgia needs to make SMART behavioral health investments that lead to SMART behavioral health outcomes.
I urge you to:
Restore Peer Recovery Support Services and Training
Restore Children and Family Behavioral Health Services
Restore Behavioral Health Core Community Services
Continued investment in mental health services will pay large dividends and it is the right thing to do.
<< Share how the budget cuts affect you and your family>>
We will work as advocates to encourage Congress to send federal funds to the states to offset short-falls.
Sincerely,
<<Name>>
<<Address>>
<<Phone>>
<<Email>>
ONE VOICE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members
Dear <<Legislator Name>>,
The COVID-19 pandemic is pushing America into a mental health crisis that we aren’t prepared to address. Social isolation, financial distress, fears about health and an uncertain future are worsen-ing symptoms for people with behavioral health conditions and causing new behavioral health challenges for many others.
Congress must address this growing mental health crisis. I urge you to:
• Protect state and local capacity to provide behavioral health services: State and local govern-
ments are on the verge of making widespread cuts. Provide emergency funds to preserve behav-ioral health services and meet growing demand.
• Enhance the ability to respond to behavioral health crises: Helplines are experiencing surges in calls as people struggle, including establishing a three-digit hotline for effective behavioral health crisis care and suicide prevention.
• Protect people behavioral illness who are justice-involved: There are alarming gaps in our health care system’s ability to care for people in custody and as they reenter the community. Pro-vide Medicaid coverage for eligible people leaving the criminal justice system.
• Ensure safe housing for people with behavioral health conditions: Many people with behavior-al health conditions do not have safe housing or are at risk of losing housing with the loss of steady income. Invest in emergency rental assistance, assistance to homeowners and to people experi-encing homelessness. Preserve the behavioral health treatment infrastructure: While the need for behavioral health services has never been higher, many behavioral health providers are reducing services. Provide sufficient emergency funding for health care providers, including behavioral health providers.
Congress has the opportunity to elevate mental health care in this time of need. I urge them to act quickly to prioritize behavioral health.
Sincerely, <<Name>>
<<Address>>
<<Phone>>
<<Email>>
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
OR visit https://nami.quorum.us/action_center/ to automatically generate communication to your
legislators on the most up-to-date behavioral health legislative needs.
SEND A THANK YOU
•
•
•
FOLLOW UP
•
•
•
•
TWEET & POST
•
•
ONE VOICE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
STAY INVOLVED
• Use this toolkit and SHARE IT!
• Sign the change.org petition at
https://bit.ly/SMARTforBH
• Subscribe to the newsletters and
social media channels of all ONE
VOICE partners
— SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS —
•
•
Sample graphics available at https://namiga.org/take-action/
SMART Investments = SMART Outcomes
