BOSTON — The COVID pandemic has exacerbated the behavioral health crisis, especially in western Massachusetts, and highlighted the urgent need for accessible community services. Lawmakers and behavioral health leaders in western Massachusetts agreed at a recent virtual forum.
“The roadmap to behavioral health is to find the doorway and walk through that doorway for medical evaluation and emergency access to behavioral health care,” sponsored by Brandeis’ Heller School. Speaking at the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said: University. “It’s about that front door so that the emergency room doesn’t become the only aisle for so many people.”
The 2020 statewide COVID-19 Community Impact Study found that lack of access to mental health and substance abuse treatment is having a significant impact on individuals and families across western Massachusetts.
Baystate Health president and CEO Mark Keroack said some of the region’s unique public health challenges are often related to transportation problems, lack of economic opportunity, and internet access. said.
“The notion that social stressors exacerbate or manifest behavioral health problems is not new. while others such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and autism vary widely. It is closely intertwined with social issues such as food insecurity, legal issues and substance use disorders.”
Keroack explained that behavioral health has historically been the “poor stepchild” of the medical community, and chronic underfunding has plagued the field for generations. However, the recent “A Roadmap for Behavioral Health ReformGovernor Charlie Baker’s 2021 announcement helped behavioral health professionals highlight issues at the forefront of the field.
“We now better understand that money invested in behavioral health can help control overall health costs by improving care plan adherence and healthy lifestyles. “By understanding these links, Baystate Health is using behavioral health providers to detect problems early and coordinate care across specialties,” said Keroack. We have now incorporated it into all primary and specialty areas, and it has also led to plans to expand our inpatient capacity.”
Behavioral disorder patients in Western Massachusetts are at risk of exacerbation due to lack of community resources, which could dramatically increase the demand for inpatient care.
Stephen Wynn, president and CEO of Behavioral Health Network, says the number of mental health beds needed for institutional care can easily balloon into people in their 50s and 60s.
Lawmakers are working to implement reforms, but Wynn said understaffing is slowly complicating the emergency department crisis for many health care providers.
The Behavioral Health Network currently operates 11 outpatient clinics in western Massachusetts where people can come for treatment for mental health and substance use problems. However, lack of funds to hire and retain staff has traditionally posed a challenge.
“Our biggest hope is to provide community behavioral health centers with resources that will allow them to pay people decent wages and hopefully reduce turnover,” Winn said. said. “Turnover rates lead to waiting lists and will continue to do so. When communities don’t get the care they need, people’s needs become more acute and ultimately more intensive care. They will be sent to the emergency department where they are needed.”
The COVID-19 pandemic and telemedicine options have prompted more people in the region to seek behavioral health services. According to the Massachusetts Foundation’s Blue Cross Blue Shield: latest statsinsurers reported 8 million in-person and virtual behavioral health visits in the third quarter of this year, up from 4 million in 2019.
State education loan repayment application under $130 million program announced by Baker administration in November It will open this month. Social workers, doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, substance use recovery coaches, and others working in community health centers can apply and seek funding between $12,500 and $300,000.
Behavioral health leaders said the loan repayment program meant the state recognized its role in fostering a healthy behavioral health infrastructure, which would have a significant impact on the job market.
said Tania Barber, President and CEO of Caring Health Center in Springfield. “I think this is a great opportunity to help move the needle more than ever before.”
Nino Mtchedlishvili contributes to the Gazette as a member of the Boston University Statehouse Program.
