Taking Action to Address Global Problems

ACMHA SummitMarch 25, 2010

Wilma Townsend, MSW

Economic Implications for peoplePeople dropping from middle class

economically

More individuals having depression and anxiety

More individuals turning to drugs and alcohol

Increase need for behavioral care services

Greater impact on ethnic and cultural groups

Economic Impact for systemsFunding cuts at the state level

Failure to diversify funding (reliance on Medicaid)

Erosion of behavioral health budget by increase Medicaid match

Impact of the possible decrease of direct care staffing and administrative over sight

Increase access to behavioral health by people previously uninsured and underinsured

Decrease funding to many ancillary support and advocacy services (MHA’s, NAMI, Boy/Girls clubs, etc.)

Economic Impact on Consumer Operated Services

Decrease revenue for COS

Increase use of services by persons effected by economic downturn including ethnic and cultural groups

Recognize the need to demonstrate their service value and cost effectiveness

SolutionsCollaborate and Coordinate

Behavioral health must work with Primary Health care system (total health care i.e. private practice) Fiscal streams and management is different for the

two systems, they must review, evaluate and implement the most fiscally sound process for collaborative patient care

Increase collaboration between COS and provider agencies for peer support services

Increase linkages between COS and other community human and social services

Solutions ContinuedIncrease acceptance and recognition of the

value and benefits of COS by the behavioral health and Primary Health systems“A CMHS study of consumer-run services conducted by

Jean Campbell, et.al. (2004), found that peer support can reduce symptoms, enlarge social networks and enhance quality of life, especially when offered in conjunction with traditional mental health services. It also found that people who are offered consumer-operated peer-support services show greater improvement in well-being over time than those offered only traditional mental health services.”

Solutions ContinuedThe development of culturally specific

interventions and treatment processesThe system does not provide services to

culturally and ethnically diverse populations at a consistent competency level