A new report has claimed that only one in three people with commercial health insurance who have a mental health condition receive adequate mental health care.
A report released by the mental health advocacy group Inseparable found significant barriers to Americans’ ability to access and utilize services for mental health and substance use disorders.
Dr. Benjamin Miller, a clinical psychiatrist and co-author of the report, said one of the big concerns overall is that the public continues to place more importance on mental health than other aspects of health. Stated.
“We’ve built walls and artificial barriers around care, and care has become one of the most invisible things,” Miller asserted. “When you are in crisis, when you or your loved one needs the help you need, you have to work harder to get that help. It’s like a cruel irony.”
Miller noted that the report includes more than a dozen evidence-based solutions for national policymakers. It also includes a scorecard showing each state’s progress in implementing policies that make it easier to find and pay for mental health care.
The study also pointed to a lack of follow-up care after an emergency room or hospital visit, which means the majority of people seeking help for mental health or substance use suffer from relapse or readmission. This means that the risk is high. Miller added that many of them can’t find a private practice.
“We talk a lot about workforce, because if we don’t have the clinicians to do that job and we keep referring people into the system, we won’t have enough people to treat them,” Miller said. said. “We have to solve that problem too.”
Angela Kimball, Inseparable’s chief advocacy officer and a co-author of the report, said health policy is largely determined at the state level, where her organization is most likely to push for change. added.
“In states like Illinois, we have members of Congress introducing very important legislation that seeks to address some of the barriers to accessing necessary and deserved mental health and substance use services. ,” Kimball said. He emphasized.
Disclosure: Inseparable donates to funds for reporting on criminal justice, health issues, mental health and social justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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Mental health experts in Connecticut and the United States are working to prevent suicide among veterans.
According to the study, suicides among veterans increased by 95% nationwide between 2001 and 2020, peaking in 2018. In Connecticut, recent data shows a decline from the previous year.
Experts say social isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic is partly to blame for the nationwide increase.
Dr. Joshua Block, a psychologist with the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, said difficult personal experiences can also take their toll.
“PTSD often leads to feelings of isolation from others and difficulty feeling safe in the world,” Block explained. “As you can imagine, when you feel threatened or in danger, your daily life feels unsafe.”
Block cited psychosocial activities, along with programs at area hospitals, as an important step in helping veterans adjust to life after deployment. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers federal grants available for community-based suicide prevention efforts.
If you are in crisis or have suicidal thoughts, call 988 and press “1” on the Veterans Crisis Line.
Challenges remain in accessing care, including a shortage of mental health professionals in many areas and personal and societal attitudes regarding acceptance of this care.
Block acknowledged that there are still misconceptions about veterans’ mental health, especially that there is no hope in their lives.
“What I’ve learned about veterans who experience these challenges and struggles as I’ve worked with them throughout my career is that they are incredibly resilient,” Block said. emphasized. “Many of these veterans have experienced significant recovery from mental illness and are living meaningful and rewarding lives.”
Block noted that peer specialists (veterans who have received treatment) help newcomers understand the importance of receiving help when needed.
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Committees in both chambers of the General Assembly are hearing testimony on a measure that would change the way Maryland health insurance companies make treatment coverage decisions.
The process known as “utilization review” can be time-consuming and opaque, and standards may be set by insurance companies rather than clinical standards.
The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony Wednesday on Senate Bill 791, which would require insurance companies to use professional nonprofit clinical guidelines to determine coverage.
David Lloyd, chief policy officer at Inseparable, a nonprofit mental health advocacy group, said this approach would remove barriers to care.
“We are taking important patient protection measures to ensure people get the care they need for their mental health and substance use conditions,” Lloyd said.
Testimony on related legislation will be heard before the House Health and Government Operations Committee on Thursday.
The measure would allow patients to continue taking previously approved drugs and maintain coverage for existing drugs for 90 days if they change insurance companies. The bill would also require insurers to establish real-time benefit checks that allow prescribers to view electronic medical records to check coverage, drug costs, and more.
Lloyd argued there was a need to speed up the licensing process, which can be time-consuming and harmful to people at risk.
“These types of barriers can be extremely harmful, especially for people struggling with mental health or substance use issues,” Lloyd pointed out. “And ultimately they may be denied access to treatments that are important to their health.”
If passed, electronic medical records systems would be required to be in place by July 2026.
Disclosure: Inseparable donates to funds for reporting on criminal justice, health issues, mental health and social justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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Many people with persistent mental illness find it difficult or even impossible to participate in common activities such as work or friendships.
At Greeley, a unique clubhouse model has helped restore the social connections lost since 1990.
Frontier House Clubhouse member Ashlyn McMillan says one of the easiest ways to deal with mental illness is to disconnect from your mind, but when you’re alone your mind can become your biggest enemy. He said there is.
“One of the things we’re always dealing with is isolation,” McMillan noted. “Isolation is a big disconnect, one of the biggest disconnects. You’re sitting at home alone and you don’t have anything to distract you from what’s going on in your head. Clubhouse allows you to do that. Masu.”
There is no individual cost for membership in the Frontier House Clubhouse. There is no expiration date and anyone with a behavioral health exam can participate. Frontier House follows the Clubhouse International Model of evidence-based psychosocial rehabilitation. Participation is completely voluntary, with some members participating daily and others whenever they feel the need.
Frontier House Clubhouse Director Renee Shell said relationships in the clubhouse are collegial. Staff and members work together to tackle challenges and achieve life goals that are key to mental health, such as finding meaningful work and social relationships. In most institutional settings, people living with mental illness are clients or patients, but Schell explained that you are first and foremost a clubhouse person.
“It’s a place to peel away the labels and stigma that people with mental illness may experience,” Schell emphasized. “We don’t necessarily focus on the individual’s diagnosis, but rather on the person’s strengths, talents, and abilities.”
Clubhouse helps reduce self-harm, hospitalization and incarceration related to mental illness by providing people with opportunities for friendship, employment, housing, education and access to natural supports in a caring and safe environment. has contributed to the reduction. McMillan admitted that at the end of a therapy session or doctor’s visit, it can sometimes feel like the support ends when you leave the office.
“Then you go home and that’s where that support ends,” McMillan said. “In the clubhouse, there’s always support. If there’s a crisis after hours, if something happens where we need help right now, our staff and other members will come and help.”
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