TNC
01-27-2005, 06:25 PM
Idaho Leads the Nation Through the Mental Health Coalition
BOISE --- More than two dozen legislators convened at a luncheon
today to hear how Idaho is leading the nation through its creation of
the Idaho Mental Health Coalition. Idaho is the first state to undertake a comprehensive effort addressing community safety by bridging gaps in the mental health care system for offenders.
Idaho Department of Correction Director Tom Beauclair told lawmakers about the impact the mental health population has on prisons, jails and communities. He explained how policy shifts began closing many of the state's mental health hospitals in the 1950's. ''Prisons have become defacto mental health institutions. As a result of this shift in policy, we're often locking up people who actually need treatment,'' Director Beauclair said.
Medical care for the mental health population costs the Department of Correction $1.34 million each year. Nearly one out of four adult inmates in Idaho (1,500 offenders) has a mental illness. Idaho Juvenile Corrections says that more than 44 percent of all juveniles in the system exhibit mental health problems. County jails repeatedly lock up the same people with mental health issues.
Karl Kurtz, Director of Idaho Health and Welfare said, ''The coalition
is a starting point. The people coming out of the correctional
institutions will be our neighbors. How we address their needs is
crucial.'' Kurtz called the coalition's move for increased information
sharing a big start. ''We're working with lawmakers to make it easier to share medical information,'' Kurtz said. Among other benefits, that would prevent duplication of efforts.
Boise State University Dean Michael Blankenship and BSU students are
helping to create a database of mental health resources available
statewide. He told legislators the coalition is, ''model of how we can
work together to address a growing issue.''
In Idaho correctional facilities house more mental health patients than mental health institutions.
http://www.corr.state.id.us/press_releases.htm#mental
BOISE --- More than two dozen legislators convened at a luncheon
today to hear how Idaho is leading the nation through its creation of
the Idaho Mental Health Coalition. Idaho is the first state to undertake a comprehensive effort addressing community safety by bridging gaps in the mental health care system for offenders.
Idaho Department of Correction Director Tom Beauclair told lawmakers about the impact the mental health population has on prisons, jails and communities. He explained how policy shifts began closing many of the state's mental health hospitals in the 1950's. ''Prisons have become defacto mental health institutions. As a result of this shift in policy, we're often locking up people who actually need treatment,'' Director Beauclair said.
Medical care for the mental health population costs the Department of Correction $1.34 million each year. Nearly one out of four adult inmates in Idaho (1,500 offenders) has a mental illness. Idaho Juvenile Corrections says that more than 44 percent of all juveniles in the system exhibit mental health problems. County jails repeatedly lock up the same people with mental health issues.
Karl Kurtz, Director of Idaho Health and Welfare said, ''The coalition
is a starting point. The people coming out of the correctional
institutions will be our neighbors. How we address their needs is
crucial.'' Kurtz called the coalition's move for increased information
sharing a big start. ''We're working with lawmakers to make it easier to share medical information,'' Kurtz said. Among other benefits, that would prevent duplication of efforts.
Boise State University Dean Michael Blankenship and BSU students are
helping to create a database of mental health resources available
statewide. He told legislators the coalition is, ''model of how we can
work together to address a growing issue.''
In Idaho correctional facilities house more mental health patients than mental health institutions.
http://www.corr.state.id.us/press_releases.htm#mental