A Wish for Mental Health Action in 2016

This is the time of the year when people take stock of what they have accomplished over the past 12 months, where they have fallen short, and then resolve to do better. For those who care about improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness, NAMI recently published a reference guide: State Mental Health Legislation 2015: Trends, Themes and Effective Practices to help us all assess policymaking in the past year.

Good news and bad news emerged from stare legislative sessions in 2015. The 75-page report can be reviewed at www.nami.org/statereport. It is intended to serve as an advocacy tool for state leaders and all who share a desire to strengthen mental healthcare systems that for too long have been fragmented and in perpetual crisis.

In 2015, the good news has been that many states recognized the need for mental health care reforms and some states have enacted legislation that can serve as models for other states. In addition, Congress has begun to move forward with comprehensive mental health care reform legislation, S. 1945 and H.R. 2646, which would provide a framework and support state efforts.

The bad news is that the number of states increasing their financial investment in mental health services is in decline. In the wake of the Newtown tragedy three years ago, 36 states and the District of Columbia increased mental health spending in 2013. In 2014, the number dropped to 29, including D.C. This year, only 23 states increased their mental health budgets.

Don't confuse warning bells with sleigh bells. They are a call to action in 2016. We need to keep them ringing in the New Year.

Budget cuts in mental health care come with costs. They include people living with mental illness who end up in emergency rooms, jail or homeless on the street. They include young people whose symptoms aren't recognized early enough to avoid the worst outcomes. They include deaths by suicide.

For 2016, states need to resolve to do better. To some degree, NAMI's report provides a road map for action. Beyond budget trends, it surveys legislation by topic and marks with gold starts those that NAMI considers notable, capable of serving as models for other states.

Thirty-five states adopted one or more measures in 2015 that received gold stars. Five states passed bills that stand out as the top five measures of the year. They provide ready models for other states in 2016:

• Arizona (HB 2488)--Housing

• Minnesota (SF 1458)--First Episode Psychosis program

• Utah (HB 348)--Criminal Justice and Mental Health

• Virginia (HB 2118)--Psychiatric Inpatient Beds

• Washington State (SB 5175)--Telehealth

A year from now, NAMI wants to see that all states increased investment in mental health services and passed bills modelled after those top five from 2015, as well as other gold star measures--and that Congress passed comprehensive mental health reform and the President had signed the bill into law.

It won't happen without strong advocacy from those of us who believe in the importance of mental health services and supports.

We share responsibility for educating lawmakers and holding them accountable. So sign up to take action and make a New Year's resolution to make your voice heard in 2016. If we all keep our resolution, we will have a better outcome in the future. That's my holiday wish for 2016--along with best wishes for you

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