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Improving Mental Health in Massachusetts: Addressing Funding Challenges

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Massachusetts is a nonprofit group dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by mental illness. This report highlights the impact of inadequate funding on mental health services in Massachusetts and outlines NAMI-Mass's legislative priorities.

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Improving Mental Health in Massachusetts: Addressing Funding Challenges

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  1. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Massachusetts is a nonprofit grassroots education and advocacy group dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by mental illness. The State of Mental Health Services in Massachusetts: The Impact of Inadequate Funding Toby Fisher MBA/MSWExecutive Director Hearing of the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group August 17th, 2005 NAMI-Mass

  2. NAMI-Mass Legislative Priorities 2005 • Restore Funding to the Department of Mental Health: 20,000 chronically mentally ill individuals are desperately waiting for DMH services, of which over 3,645 of them are waiting for residential placement. The lack of available DMH services severely impacts the care of individuals with mental illness, gravely affecting families and communities. • II. Save Access to Appropriate Medications: All anti-psychotics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants used for the treatment of mental illness must be made available to optimize successful treatment. • III. Promote Housing for People with Mental Illness:Set aside at least 25% of the developed property value in cash to be used in a housing trust, or alternately set aside at least 25% of the housing developed from the liquidation and development of State Hospitals. • IV. Encourage Jail Diversion and Coordinated Re-entry Services From the Criminal Justice System. NAMI-Mass

  3. Massachusetts Picture • Financial Outlook Bleak Since 2000-just now improving • Deficit was in the range of $3 billion Representing 12% and state budget • The rate of Medicaid growth is 13%. • This was on top of flat DMH funding through the 1990s and extensive wait lists. NAMI-Mass

  4. DMH WAIT LIST FY 2000 SERVICE NEEDS Department of Mental Health FY 2000 Waiting Lists for Residential and Support Services NAMI-Mass

  5. NAMI-Mass Response to Crisis • Get to the Table. • Remember some changes are not legislative. • Protect Base Appropriation/Services • Support Tax/revenue Increases • Watch Funding Shifts from Dismantled Agencies or Reallocation from Existing Agencies • Look for Increased Efficiencies in Mental Health Service Delivery (services reduced or combined) • Monitor Medicaid Benefit NAMI-Mass

  6. NAMI-Mass

  7. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Massachusetts (NAMI-Mass) is a nonprofit grassroots education and advocacy group dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by mental illness. NAMI-Mass is a vital resource for families and individuals facing the challenges of biological brain disorders. Since 1983, NAMI-Mass has been highly effective in building awareness, reducing stigma, providing support, and advocating for patient rights. We have over 220,000 members nationally with three organizational levels. Localized affiliate grassroots groups help to insure that the local area mental health needs are being met. The state office, NAMI-Mass, provides coordination for the affiliates and NAMI-National coordinates the efforts of the states. For more information, please contact us. Phone: 1-781-938-4048/Fax: 1-781-938-4069 Toll Free: 1-800-370-9085/ Web: namimass.org NAMI-Mass 400 West Cummings Park Suite 6650 Woburn MA 01801 Toby Fisher MBA/MSW Executive Director NAMI-Mass

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