The following policy recommendations were developed by Women In Government’s Mental HealthTask Force in May 2009 and approved by the Board of Directors in June 2009. The Task Force consists of a national, bipartisan group of women state legislators.
Task Force Mission Statement
The Mental Health Task Force aims to promote recovery and resiliency through access to and the integration of primary and mental healthcare services, eliminating stigma and enhancing the quality of life for persons with mental illness across their lifespan. The Task Force supports an innovative approach by educating policymakers, the public, and other stakeholders, implementing evidence based and early intervention and prevention strategies, enabling effective state policies and advocating for sound federal policies.
Statement Re: Workforce Development
Mental health programs aimed at workforce development need sustainable, long-term funding. During times of fiscal stress, states should protect funding for mental health services and other preventative programs. States should pursue policies such as business incentives, tax credits and training programs that promote workforce development, training, and long-term employment for the mentally ill. States should engage community colleges and universities in developing skills training programs for severely mentally ill; and encourage collaboration between labor departments, mental health providers, mental health insurers, educational institutions, the private sector, and the criminal justice system.
Statement Re: Data Collection and Outcomes Measurement
Data collection and outcomes measurement is crucial for strengthening mental health programs, justifying ongoing financial support of programs, indentifying the economic benefit of programs. Policy makers should support the development of measurable outcomes that can be applied to all mental health programs within their state. Legislation mandating the collection of mental health status data among prison populations is also necessary to understand the link between mental health and incarceration. States should collaborate with universities in collecting and evaluating data.
Statement Re: Reducing Incarceration of the Mentally Ill
States can reduce the number of mentally ill who are incarcerated by ensuring that current legislation is sensitive to mental health concerns. States should take steps, such as “smart on crime” approaches, to release eligible mentally ill prisoners, reduce repeat offensives among the mentally ill population, development alternatives to incarceration, and introduce mental health programming such as mental health courts and crisis intervention teams within the criminal justice system.
Statement Re: Primary Care Integration
A holistic approach to mental health includes collaboration among mental health care providers and insurers, the criminal justice system, the business community, and educational institutions. Opportunities for mental health assessment should exist at all stages of processing within the criminal justice system. States should look for opportunities to co-locate mental health and criminal justice services, and invest in new technologies such as electronic medical records to streamline assessment and treatment of the mentally ill. Educational efforts for primary care physicians to treat mental illness should be supported.
Statement Re: Innovation and Excellence in Mental Health Care
Policy makers can promote innovation and excellence in mental health care by funding pilot programs; encouraging public/private partnerships and grant matching; strengthening relationships with community colleges, faith-based organizations, service providers, and the business community; educating constituents on mental health; and strengthening program evaluation through data collection.
For more information, please visit www.womeningovernment.org.
