Mental Healthcare Coalition says 'Expand Services to Save Lives'

 

A statewide coalition of mental health advocates held a candlelight speak-out to share stories of how the state’s failure to fully staff and resource public mental health services has prevented residents from accessing lifesaving care. The Speak-out came on the eve of the Appropriations Committee Public Hearing on the Governor’s Proposed Budget where providers will testify about the growing crisis they’re witnessing firsthand.

 

After Governor Lamont’s budget proposal failed to adequately address the state’s ongoing mental health crisis, providers, patients and advocates are raising the urgent need to immediately fill the 1800 existing healthcare vacancies across state agencies.

 

Damien Nuzzo, a Nurse Clinical Instructor at Connecticut Valley Hospital and member of SEIU 1199NE, said she will testify at the hearing. that “We have watched our ability to serve the most vulnerable patients become decimated by the pandemic. At present, there are 800 vacancies at DMHAS which are unfilled, and this has decimated our service capacity at a time when our state, and our country, is facing an unparalleled mental health and addiction crisis.” 

 

In addition to the 800 mental health positions there are at least 500 anticipated retirements this year in the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services alone. These vacancies are leading to devastating outcomes like dozens of children stuck in emergency rooms due to understaffing at the state’s pediatric psychiatric hospitals, and the closing of entire treatment units and facilities by the state. 

 

During the speak-out, a light projection on the side of the building urged state legislators to “Expand Services to Save Lives.”

 

Ahead of Governor Lamont’s budget proposal, the statewide coalition had laid out its roadmap to fully fund mental health and addiction services including:

 

• Expanding Services to Save Lives. Increase funding for DMHAS, address staffing shortages in treatment facilities, and ensure a living wage for mental health service workers.

 

• Guaranteeing Equity. Treatment programs accessible to everyone. Expansion of young adult services, crisis stabilization services, peer-run respite care, and community based transitional services.

 

• Adopting a Holistic Approach to Mental Health Care - Especially for Youth. An integrated system of care for at-risk children is critical. Enact meaningful investments in schools and community programs and provide holistic, preventive services statewide.