RECOMMENDATION(S):
ACCEPT the joint update report from Behavioral Health Services and the Mental Health Commission on the public mental health care system, child and teen psychiatric services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None. This is an informational report.
BACKGROUND:
On October 30, 2017, the Family and Human Services Committee (FHS) accepted a report from the Health Services Department addressing various mental health services issues and concerns raised by the FHS, the Board of Supervisors, the Mental Health Commission, the Civil Grand Jury, and members of the public. These issues and concerns centered upon the difficulty in accessing mental health care, particularly for children and youth experiencing serious emotional disturbances. Indicative of this lack of access was the 1) increase in Psychiatric Emergency Services visits, 2) long wait times to access care, and 3) shortage of clinical staff, especially psychiatrists. The Health Services Department report addressed these issues and concerns, and reported upon the initiatives and progress made to date. The FHS asked the Department to provide an update to the Mental Health Commission in six months, and to the FHS annually thereafter. The last status report made to FHS was on September 24, 2018.
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