Brownback proposed a $10 million mental health initiative last month. In 2011 Brownback had proposed $10 million in cut’s to the states mental health programs.
The need for mental health services seems to be one both the right and left can get behind. As a state we have a unique opportunity to put our resources to use in a way that can help generations of Kansans who suffer from mental illness. I hope for everyone’s sake that genuine reform occurs. When it comes the mental health of Kansas everyone has a stake.
Last week Rev. Adam Hamilton represented Kansas in the inauguration festivities as he preached the Inaugural Prayer Service. Hamilton spoke about the importance of unity and vision in his message.
“A compelling vision unifies us,” Hamilton said to the President during the sermon. “We're in need of a new common national vision. Not one that is solely Democratic or solely republican. We need one or two goals or dreams that Americans on both sides of the aisle can come together and say, ‘Yes, that's what it means to be American.’ That's where we need to go."
I believe creating access to mental health services can be one of those unifying goals. And I think Kansas can be lead the way, as an example to other states.
I don’t agree with Gov. Brownback’s politics, but I sincerely hope he succeeds in this initiative.
This is not a problem that we can just throw money and expect to see an impact. Here are three areas that I think must be addressed to create a comprehensive mental health system that fosters a healthy society:
Psychiatrist shortage. The shortage of psychiatrists had not been part of the media’s post-Newton discussion on mental health. But this shortage is real and has already had an in pact on patients throughout the country. In 2008 only 4 percent of graduating medical students applied for residency programs in psychiatry. It can take up to three months for a first-time patient to get into a psychiatrists. Because of this delay most people who suffer from severe mental illnesses to not receive help until they are arrested or hospitalized. It’s no surprise that 38 percent of the adult correctional facility population in Kansas are mentally ill.
Licensed counselors in public school. As school districts’ budgets continue to shrink, school counselors are often the ones on the chopping blocks. Many elementary schools do not have full-time counselors and some don’t have counselors at all. The same is true for some middle schools and high schools. Concerned parents or students who might have turned to a professional they know and trust at their school no longer have that option. This make seeking help even more difficult. Because mental health is an issue that effects public safety and the state’s budget, it makes sense to invest in school counselors. Early interventions can keep these kids from becoming adults who end up in state correctional facilities or state mental health hospitals.
Lack of an efficient referral systems. We need to work on a system that connects primary care providers to community mental health centers and psychiatric practices. Too often primary care providers overextend themselves by diagnosing mental illnesses and prescribing psychiatric medications. When primary care providers get the diagnosis wrong, instead of receiving much needed help the patient’s illness continues to worsen. We need to develop a system where psychiatric patients can easily be referred and treated by specialists.
These reforms may seem like only a dream, but I believe they can become reality. The Governor's Mental Health Services Planning Council meets tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the KNEA building. I will be live Tweeting the event. You can follow me on Twitter at @ArleysWords.
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