Mental Health Month focuses on access to services
“Mental health is
health” is the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ theme for May’s Mental
Health Month. That slogan reminds Minnesotans that not only are mental
illnesses common and treatable, but access to mental and chemical health care
is an essential part of everyone’s health.
Each year, one in five Minnesotans experience mental
illness, and one in 25 people live with a serious mental illness such as
schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Fortunately, there are more treatments,
services and community support than ever before, and, as a result, many people
with mental illness can and do recover.
“It is critical that people with mental illness get the
care they need,” says Minnesota Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper. “It’s
no different than any other health condition. Just like treatment for cancer,
people with mental illness need the right specialized medical care.”
In order to increase access for all Minnesotans to receive
the right care at the right time, building a continuum of care has been a focus
for the state for several years. People need to receive the most appropriate
mental health care in their own communities. Referral to more intensive care
and treatment other than what is required comes as a great expense to patients
and providers as individuals then must travel great distance from their homes
and families. While progress has been made, most areas of the state still do
not have the range of services to meet the need of Minnesotans requiring mental
health care.
Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed reforms to streamline access
to substance use disorder treatment, ensure more than 700 children’s
residential mental treatment beds remain available, and support counties’
efforts to expand community-based mental health services. The governor’s budget
also calls new funding to improve safety and quality at state-operated mental
health facilities that serve as a safety-net for vulnerable Minnesotans who are
not served by other providers.
A recent study by Minnesota Management and Budget found
that offering mental health services to the most vulnerable Minnesotans
provides real cost savings to the taxpayer and to the state’s economy in
reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations, job loss, involvement in
the criminal justice system and premature death.
As part of Mental Health Month, DHS created a web page
(mn.gov/dhs/mental-health) offering information about mental health and how we
can provide the right care for all Minnesotans.
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