Report to Dougherty Commission includes coronavirus impact on mental health
Albany HeraldJun 15, 2020
"We went from in-clinic, or in-community face-to-face, to 70 percent teleservices,"
From
Of those served during the current fiscal year, 55 percent were male and 45 percent female, Glass said, and the split was 70 percent for adults and 30 percent for children.
"We see a lot of uncertainty about the future, job and economic loss," Glass said. "What that adds up to is anxiety and depression."
More people seem to be in despair and resorting to drug and alcohol use, she said.
Some uncertainty also applies to Aspire, whose primary state funding agency, like all state agencies, is looking at a possible 11 percent budget cut. That is the amount of budget reduction state lawmakers are considering to deal with the impact of decreased economic activity due to COVID-19.
State funding makes up about 50 percent of Aspire's budget, followed by about 45 percent from payments through Medicaid and Medicare. Glass told commissioners she has not gotten a figure for the exact amount of cuts Aspire could face for the budget year beginning
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"What we know is now is not the time to cut services," she said.
Aspire also oversees The Change Center, which offers peer-led support services for those recovering from drug and alcohol disorders.
Aspire's ability to provide services online and by telephone has been significant during the pandemic, Commissioner
"To be able to connect to services in their homes, I think that can make a big difference," Johnson said. "I think it gives access to your services."
In other business Monday, commissioners:
-- Approved a resolution accepting a
-- Accepted a
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