1. Mental Health “They Walk Amongst Us” Barriers to Mental Health Access & IMD Exclusion Act Jua’Quetta Ross

2. What comes to mind when you think of mental health?

3. What are some ways in which you seek to improve your mental health?

4. ISSUE IMD Exclusion Act Know the importance of mental well-being Understand the types of barriers to mental health access Evaluate alternative methods in place for addressing mental health needs.

5. Evidence base background SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found in 2008 that just over half (58.7 percent) of adults in the United States with a serious mental illness (SMI) received treatment for a mental health problemNational Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Women and adults over 50 were more likely than men and younger adults to use services for depression. 26.2% of the U.S. population suffer from a Mental Illness (12-month prevalence) – 22.3% of these cases are very severe

6. Solution Psychiatric hospitals should not close until there are enough community based programs built. The rationale should be driven by the quality of care rather then focusing on the cost. Focus on increasing the awareness of mental health (offering low/to no cost health awareness fairs in underserved communities

7. Why this issue must be addressed Mental health disorders are the most impairing of chronic diseases. (Gamm et al, 2003) Mental illnesses can affect ones schooling, relationship with peers and family, and overall attitude If gone ignored, mental illness can become a critical barrier to a person coming back to their regular state of mind….

8. Venue Federal – Focus on funding the state for inpatient hospitalizations State – Speed up process for community based programs Local – Form structured community organizations that will educate and create awareness of mental health

9. Policy Champions Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) cosponsored the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act of 2013 (S. 162) Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH supporting inclusion of this legislation as a component of the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 689

10. Stakeholders Analysis (School Mental Health Services in the United States, 2002-2003) World Health Organization (WHO) National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Mental Health America (MHA) Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Governmental

11. References Gamm, L., Pittman, S., & Stone, S. (2003). Mental Health and Mental Disorders- A Rural Challenge: A Literature Review. Rural Healthy People 2010(2) pg. 97-114 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2012). Mental health. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-health-topics/mental-health/home.html http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-health-topics/mental-health/home.html National Instistitute of Mental Health. (2012). Mental Health Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1ANYDIS_ADULT.shtml http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1ANYDIS_ADULT.shtml