UNM researchers find mental health care 'gaps'
Albuquerque Journal (NM)Oct 31, 2014
Researchers at UNM arrived at the figure after interviewing health-care providers about the number of people they serve and examining national data on the prevalence of mental illness and addiction.
Altogether, they estimated about 151,000 people in the county last year had mental health problems that could have been addressed with treatment. But only 98,000 were served by local providers.
"That's a gap of over 50,000 who could have benefited from treatment and didn't get into care," said
She and others compiled the report under a contract with the city of
Proponents of raising taxes to pay for new mental health programs released the report Thursday afternoon.
Based on interviews and other research, Bonham said
One area of need is a better "crisis system" for people who need help right away. A task force that includes city, county and state officials has recommended creation of a crisis-stabilization center to address that need -- a place where police could take people who need immediate help but shouldn't go to jail or an emergency room.
The community also needs more options for people who would benefit from intensive outpatient care, Bonham said. These are people who need frequent treatment or counseling but can otherwise live at home.
A third need is for rehabilitative services that help people get back on their feet with a job or education that fits their skills, according to the study.
"We have a lot of good care, but there are some gaps," Bohman said in a news conference.
City Councilor
The ballot measure up in Tuesday's election asks county voters whether they'd support a one-eighth of a cent gross-receipts tax for mental health services. It would raise about
In
The election results won't be binding, but elected leaders say they're prepared to act on them.
"On a personal level," Pena said, "I also want to utilize this study to inform local, state and national policymakers about the dire situation we're facing in our community."
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