SOURCE: National Association of County Behavioral Health Directors

WASHINGTON, March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of County Behavioral Health Directors (NACBHD) today announced the results of the first- ever national survey of county-based health programs for people with severe and persistent mental illness.

The survey, conducted at a time when services to the mentally ill are increasingly being offered primarily at the local level, identifies the most pressing issues facing community service agencies. Improving rehabilitative support, such as education and employment services, and improving coordination of benefits and accountability between agencies, providers and patients run close behind improving public understanding on the list of national priorities.

"Advancements in technology in the form of medication have changed mental health care irrevocably and will continue to improve the way we deliver service. Business as usual has changed forever -- we can start to expect different and better outcomes,'' said Bob Egnew, NACBHD founder. "These medications enable people to pursue education at a more advanced level. Education is the great equalizer. It opens the gateway to an incredible realm of opportunities that will help lessen the stigma associated with mental illness.

Michael M. Faenza, President and CEO of the National Mental Health Association, is a compelling and visible advocate for improved treatment and stigma reduction. "We need to get to a place in America where people see mental health as a continuum, a part of being human, and recognize that it is as important to treat mental health problems as it is physical health problems.''

"This survey gives a bottom-up national picture of the transition to community-based mental healthcare that is taking place in every public behavioral health system in the country from the perspective of those who are most directly involved,'' said Michael J. English, J.D., Director, Division of Knowledge Development and Systems Change, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/Center for Mental Health Services. "This is important documentation that allows us to more effectively promote positive solutions that will raise the quality of care across the country.''

Directors Urge Change in the Way the Public Views People with Mental Illness -- Public Understanding is a High Priority

Behavioral health directors strongly believe that America must improve its understanding of serious and persistent mental illness. They rate this as the highest priority for the nation's mental health agenda. County behavioral health directors also see a need to reduce barriers -- financial and otherwise -- to pharmaceutical therapies.

Quality of Rehabilitative Educational and Employment Programs Need Improvement

The majority of county behavioral health agencies surveyed offer supported education programs (71%), but a sizable minority does not (29%). There is no indication that more supported education programs will emerge in the near future, as one in four respondents (24%) had neither programs nor plans to offer any.

High school or GED study is the option most frequently offered. Very few respondents indicated supported education agreements with four-year colleges.

Directors Witness New Pharmaceutical Therapies Positive Impact on Consumer Success

Most county behavioral health directors are familiar with the new generation of antipsychotics (clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine). Nearly all say that they serve consumers (patients) taking one of the newer medications.

Directors believe that the new medications have improved compliance rates and lowered hospitalization rates, and encouraged consumers to take advantage of rehabilitative services such as education and employment. In fact, county behavioral health directors believe that consumers who are on newer medications are more likely to reach their educational or vocational goals than those on conventional therapies.

The opinion survey was conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide for the National Association of County Behavioral Health Directors (NACBHD), a nonprofit membership organization comprising county/local behavioral health authorities with statutory responsibility for the planning and delivery of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services and the state associations that represent their interests. NACBHD is an affiliate of the National Association of Counties.

For more a complete copy of the survey results go to NACBHD: National Association of County Behavioral Health Directors.

The National Association of County Behavioral Health Directors (NACBHD) is comprised of organizations having statutory responsibility for the planning and delivery of mental health, substance abuse, and/or developmental disability services at the county or multi-county level. NACBHD is an affiliate of the National Association of Counties.