Results of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County mental health survey show disconnect, spark change
Montana StandardJan 13, 2019
According to Rediske's report, 54 percent of the 208 respondents said they "agree or strongly agree" that they know at least one county resident who can't access needed mental healthcare. In addition, 81 percent of respondents "disagreed or strongly disagreed" that county mental health needs are being met.
The survey findings also shed light on
But there was disconnect between some of the survey responses.
Although the majority of survey participants said access to local mental health services is lacking, nearly half also said they know where to seek help for mental health concerns and feel comfortable doing so, the report said.
After further digging, the research team discovered there are more services available to
"The communication between providers and consumers isn't good. There's a lot of confusion," said
One glaring example of the declining but persistent availability of local services can be found in the
"The state is grossly lacking in early mental health services, such as targeted case management and in-home support services," Bugni said. "Some of these programs were completely decimated, cut 60 percent from where they were two years ago."
And AWARE is among the programs that have been "decimated," Bugni said. As a result of the budget cuts, the non-profit organization has "mostly eliminated" targeted mental health case management or in-home support services across the state. Over the past few years of continued cuts to mental health services, he said they've gone from roughly 14 psychiatrists to one psychiatrist and a mental health nurse.
"No matter what community you talk too, it's fair to say they are significantly lacking in mental health services," Bugni said.
However, Bugni said there are some community mental health services still available through AWARE. In
But while these programs offer some community support, Bugni said they don't have as great of an impact as AWARE's targeted case management and in-home services did.
"We're waiting to see what the 2019 legislature might do and will try to collaborate with hospitals and community health centers to provide some in-home services," Bugni said. "But it's hard to find other viable sources of funding for these community pieces. ... We're trying to be optimistic during this time."
Bugni said he isn't familiar with Rediske and Basirico's mental health survey results but would be more than happy to work with them to better communicate what AWARE services there are. He said he also thinks a possible disconnect could stem from the media coverage around the state health department's budget cuts being restored.
"Just because some service rates are back to what they were beforehand, that doesn't mean programs forced to completely shut down are back up and running," Bugni said.
While Rediske said she didn't quite expect to see this communication-based disconnect, she also said it's not unique to
Moving forward, Rediske plans to work with Basirico and county health officials to learn more about how mental healthcare providers are communicating with the public in other rural areas across the state. She and Basirico hope this information will help them better understand how to better inform
"We want the public health department to be a gateway or portal to these services. We want people to call or drop in to ask where they can find help and to be able to direct them to the best possible resources," Basirico said. This could take the form of a continually updated document listing all available local services that the health department can hand out to people, Basirico added.
But this middle man plan isn't the only idea sparked by the survey results. Basirico said she's looking at how
Basirico also said she hopes to find ways to embed mental health services in buildings with other health providers in response to negative perceptions of mental illness.
"Some people might not seek help if they think they'll be seen entering a mental health facility," Basirico said. "It's not recognized as something positive. Breaking down these barriers can be done, but it will take time."
All of these ideas are just ideas at this point, Basirico stressed. She said she hopes to use some of the survey results to apply for grants that could help fund a more structured outreach and educational campaign for the county.
Basirico also hopes to get some financial help from the county but isn't sure what that would look like. She and Rediske handed the survey results to
"The commissioners have a lot on their plate," Basirico said. "Before we go to them again, we hope to have solutions we can offer. Then we can see if they can help fund those solutions or if they have other contacts we don't."
Overall, the women feel the survey results are helpful. They believe the data provides a baseline of the community's perception of mental health and mental health services and has led them to better understand what needs improvement.
"This survey has grown into something that has the potential to impact people, which usually doesn't happen with projects like this," Rediske said.
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