NAMI Report Reveals Deep Cuts to State Mental Health Services

A report published this month by NAMI reveals that states are slashing community mental health budgets and eliminating inpatient beds. Two-thirds of states have cut mental health care in the last three years—even though need has increased because of the nation's economic distress and troops returning home from war.

A wide range of services have faced cuts, including those that are key to preventing a crisis, including crisis intervention teams (CIT), acute (emergency) and long-term hospital treatment, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs, supportive housing and access to psychiatric medications. Without these services, states will increasingly shift the burdens of a crisis to the criminal justice system, and emergency rooms – which are more expensive and less effective.

To learn more about State Mental Health Cuts: A National Crisis, visit: www.nami.org/budgetcuts.

 

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