Massachusetts gets a C- for mental health care system

[pilgrimm]

I knew it wasn't great, but I didn't know it was this bad. In one of the bluest of blue states with a world class hospitals and research, this is very very disappointing.

Massachusetts is home to world-class resources that could support the finest public mental health care systems in the nation, but unfortunately, due to tens of millions of dollars of cuts in the last five years, it falls short of its potential.

The state has many advantages. It is geographically small and relatively wealthy. It does not depend on county bureaucracies to deliver mental health services. With four medical schools, its density of psychiatrists and psychiatric residents is among the highest in the country, and it is home to many of the best psychiatric training facilities. Boston University's Center for Psychosocial Rehabilitation is a national incubator for innovation.

Historically, Massachusetts is sometimes better at innovating than in learning from others. In 1972, Wisconsin established the nation's first Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team. Massachusetts did not launch its own statewide initiative until almost 30 years later. Memphis, Tennessee, pioneered police Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), which are expanding nationwide, but in Massachusetts this program still needs substantial expansion. The work is just beginning.

Money is needed to put good ideas into practice. For over a decade, the system has been grossly underfunded, resulting in long waiting lists for case management,residential, and support services.

continued here:http://www.nami.org/gtstemplate.cfm?section=grading_the_states&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=30875

more here:

http://www.nami.org/gtstemplate.cfm?section=grading_the_states&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=30875




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[stepnw1f]

1. No Shit

You are from Dot?

[pilgrimm]

2. Yeah, I live there...why, do you?

I'm actually from Marshfield, but I've been living in Dorchester for a few years now.

[stepnw1f]

3. Close Though

One town over from there. Interestingly enough, I have a friend who is an artist/musician who is from there. Just a coincidence I suppose.