May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when all who are committed to helping those living with mental health conditions can pause to reflect on the meaning of their work. This is also a time for us to continue fostering greater awareness, empathy, and understanding for those in need of care.
Here at HASD&IC, we know that many Californians are unable to get the behavioral health care they need due to a shortage of resources. This shortage also makes it harder for hospitals to keep up with increasing demands — and it means that building the capacity to care for more people is imperative.
This lack of capacity is evidenced by the number of days patients admitted for acute psychiatric services remain in hospitals — the highest level of care — despite being ready for discharge, due to a lack of appropriate placement options in the community. In 2019, San Diego and Imperial County hospitals experienced more than 14,600 so-called “administrative days.” Last year, that number grew to more than 20,000. That’s an unsustainable trajectory, and patients in need continue to be left without the care they need in the most appropriate setting.
HASD&IC continues to work with Health Management Associates (also known as HMA) on an environmental scan of the current state of behavioral health across San Diego and Imperial counties. We look forward to the insights and recommendations this effort will yield to improve the system of care for the whole region. Stay tuned for updates as work progresses.
It’s never been more important to understand our communities’ health needs than now. With the congressional House Committee on Energy and Commerce recently passing a proposal to cut more than $715 billion over 10 years from Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), resources for behavioral health care could be slashed even as demand continues to skyrocket.
As we take time to reflect on those in need during Mental Health Awareness Month, the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ theme of “In Every Story, There’s Strength” is a reminder that there is power in making our voices heard — whether that’s by sharing stories of our own journeys regarding mental health with friends and family, or sharing them with legislators to protect our communities’ access to reliable, high-quality health care.