There is a lack of understanding around the services ARRM members provide to people with mental health issues and the challenges they face.
Minnesotans have growing concern about the vitality of the mental health care network, including shortages of providers, treatment locations, supportive housing and overall resources. As an example, a recent study found that approximately one in five patients admitted to hospitals for mental health issues are forced to remain there well beyond the time when they are stable for discharge because the necessary care facilities were not available.
This happens in our industry, too, and it creates yet another pressure on providers. It is commonly reported that providers of residential services continue to care for people whose mental health condition deteriorates to the point where they need a more intensive care setting well after the required 60-day notice transition period. Similar to hospitals, this is because the necessary facilities do not have space and there is nowhere else for that person to go.
ARRM is collecting information from members to quantify this situation and provide education and guidance to the Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health. A three-question survey was sent to leading contacts at all ARRM Organizational Members on October 20. It’s essential that we collect as much information as possible to present a clear picture.
The questions are:
- How many 60-day notices of discharge have you provided to individuals in 2016?
- Of those, how many were still in the home 61 days or more after the notice?
- Of those, how many days each individual was in the home after the targeted discharge date?
If you are the person in your organization best equipped to provide information in this area, please make sure your organization completes the survey by October 28 (next Friday).
Contact Luana Slayton (lslayton@arrm.org) if you have questions or information to provide.