Mental health issues a top priority

Improving the lives of Montanans who are suffering from mental health issues will be a top priority for the legislature this session.  A current shortage of care is impacting our Montana families and communities, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that all Montanans suffering from a mental illness have access to adequate care in the community and, for those who need it, at our state acute care facilities.  When addressing the state’s mental health needs, it is vital that we focus on the entire continuum of care, including community treatment options, improving our state facilities, investing in youth diversion, and, perhaps most importantly, passing the governor’s Healthy Montana Plan.

Community treatment investments  are at the heart of what is needed to address current gaps in the system, including outreach, prevention services, crisis stabilization, and peer support services.  Community treatment investments are critical to keeping patients in their home and communities and out of state institutions.

While community treatment is our major focus it is just one part of the entire treatment continuum that needs to be addressed. The current state of our acute-care facilities is insufficient to meet the needs of people committed to the state’s care by the courts and their families.  For example, the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs has the capacity to serve 32 Montanans who have been committed as a part of a criminal case, but is consistently serving over 50 such patients. An immediate investment to increase capacity is needed for the safety and effective treatment of patients in the state’s care at the state hospital.  Further investments in community treatment options are essential, and we are thrilled that significant investments in those treatments are being proposed by the governor and legislators from “both sides of the aisle.”  However, we cannot forget about our responsibility to meet the immediate needs of those committed to our care in our state facilities. We should not feel forced into an either/or decision.  Montanans need our help across the spectrum of care, and they need our help now.

In addition, focusing on the needs of our youngest Montanans through youth crisis diversion services will help assure Montanan’s mental health issues are addressed before they become adults.  Untreated youth become untreated adults. Investing in mental health services for youth will result in reduced costs in the future.  In 2013, 19% of Montana’s youth received a Mental Health Diagnosis. This number has been steadily increasing over time, and the current state of Montana’s mental health infrastructure leaves our youth without the support they need.  As a result, we have increasingly had to displace youth and put them in out-of-state facilities.  Youth mental health services are an investment in Montana families and Montana’s future.

Finally, passing the Healthy Montana Plan is the single most important move the legislature can make in addressing mental health needs in Montana.  Expanding Medicaid under the Plan will ensure that all Montanans have full access to the mental and physical health care services available in their communities, including early interventions and treatments. We are committed to making a significant investment in the entire continuum of care that is necessary for creating strong families and strong communities in Montana.  

Casey Schreiner – HD 25