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Strengthening America's Community Mental Health System
Dr. Andy Kind-Rubin, Chief Clinical Officer, Child Guidance Resource Centers
Our nation is still reeling from the tragedy at Virginia Tech. As the shock wears
off, the natural inclination is to find fault. We search for the “black box” – the
evidence of what went wrong. While there are undoubtedly many factors that might
have changed the outcome of April 16, there is an underlying issue that can't be
ignored.
Mental illness affects almost 60 million Americans. That's an estimated one in every
four adults and one in every five children. Mental illness is more common than cancer,
diabetes or heart disease, making it the leading cause of disability in the United
States.
As Americans, we are so frightened by mental illness, or the stigma associated with
it, that we do a fairly good job of ignoring it. So does our government.
Despite advances in medicine and therapy that make it possible to treat and prevent
lifelong disability from mental illnesses with increasingly greater success, the
systems that do so are woefully underfunded at all levels. Even Medicare discriminates
against mental health treatment, as do private health insurance companies. Almost
90 percent of private health plans place on mental health care limits that they don't
place on medical/surgical care.
The cost to all of us is horrific. Senseless tragedies. Wasted lives. Broken families.
Increased crime. Lost productivity.
How many more tragedies must occur before our national and state leaders get serious
about making mental health care a priority?
There are more than 2,000 community mental health organizations across the country,
that have brought quality treatment to millions in need of mental healthcare — including
those with serious mental illnesses, the uninsured, the homeless and children in
foster care.
Chronically underfunded, most of these organizations have, in recent years, wrestled
with managed care, diminishing resources, and growing needs. Some have been forced
to merge or go away entirely, leaving large geographic areas without accessible care.
For the most seriously mentally ill, case management services and community supports
are being cut back. And services to adults and children with depression, anxiety
or disruptive behaviors, who with treatment could lead highly productive lives, have
been all but eliminated. There are too few dollars to support experienced professional
staff capable of doing so much more.
We know now that Seung Hui Cho, the gunman at Virginia Tech, was diagnosed with a
mental illness and ordered to get treatment. He spent some time at a psychiatric
hospital. But it wasn't enough. He fell through the cracks. Our nation's funding
priorities did not allow for a comprehensive system of early intervention, assessment,
monitoring, treatment and authority to keep him from being a danger to himself or
others.
There are solutions, but the problem is of such magnitude that it will take a dramatic
shift in our thinking and government action, recognizing the prevalence of mental
illness and recognizing that treatment is indeed worth our time and money.
One such solution to addressing mental health needs is Child Guidance Resource Centers
(CGRC). CGRC is a private, non-profit, community behavioral healthcare organization
dedicated to providing quality care and educational services that best meet the needs
of children, youth and their families. With over 50 years of service, CGRC is committed
to creating and sustaining healthy and secure communities through an array of highly
qualified clinical services that address and maintain the health and well-being of
the clients we serve.
We were all witness to the tragedy at Virginia Tech and the effect it has had on
our nation and communities. Not only are adults affected by such an occurrence, but
our children are also affected. It is imperative that there be a support network
in place for future needs as a result of crisis.
Research has shown that the earlier the intervention with a child, the more effective
the treatment will be over a long-term which then reduces more serious mental illness
that one might see in adults.
CGRC is committed to advocating for our clients, not just during May which is Mental
Health Awareness Month, but throughout the year. We help ensure that our clients
receive the services they need not just in the community but also on the County and
State levels and are able to provide a variety of programs for various needs. One
such program which has had a direct impact on reducing incidents such as the tragedy
at Virginia Tech, and others like it is the OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program. This
intervention is being utilized throughout school districts in Pennsylvania. This
evidence-based program has the direct result of reducing bullying, a factor widely
associated with serious school violence.
CGRC has recently worked with several school districts to train over 120 school professionals
to implement the program in their school districts.
Perhaps the tragedy at Virginia Tech will help us focus on the need for ongoing care
for those with mental illness. For more information about Child Guidance Resource
Centers please visit our website at www.cgrc.org or call us at 484-454-8700.
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