WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: State aims to reform mental health services

State aims to reform mental health services

By: Ashley Porter, WLBT News

As part of one of the state's 15 regional mental health centers, Tomora Thomas knows the hesitation some people face when deciding whether to seek mental help.

"There's not a stigma or anything wrong with seeking help. You're just trying to take care of your behavioral or your mental health issues like you would do a medical problem," Thomas said.

That stigma is one thing these of fiscal are trying to change.

"The stigma associated with mental health is often the one thing that causes people not to seek mental health treatment," said Ed Legrand, Director of the Department of Mental Health.

They met Friday to talk about mental health reform in Mississippi.

"What the committee hopes to do is see what services are being provided that we need to expand and what services need to shift into another area," said Senator Hob Bryan (D), Amory.

Over the years, a lot of mental health treatment has shifted from institutions and into the community. But here at the state capitol, officials during the hearing said Mississippi isn't keeping up.

"The state of Mississippi cannot afford to build beds to serve all the mental health needs for the people in the state of Mississippi. We have got to provide increased access in our community programs," Legrand added.

"I'm firmly committed to redirecting resources to community-based programs with legislative support to do that," Legrand said.

A national report out Thursday ranked Mississippi last when it comes to Medicaid services for people with intellectual disabilities. It says there needs to be more community-based care. In a statement, Mississippi State Hospital, a psychiatric treatment facility, says, "In-patient care is the highest level of care available and should be reserved for those with incapacitating symptoms who cannot care for themselves And there is no other safe option for them."

"It's important to talk about mental health because funding is limited and we need to create an innovative program to provide more services," Thomas added.