West Virginia's Mental Health Crisis

West Virginia is experiencing a mental health crisis. People with mental health needs are finding it increasingly difficult to receive care in their communities as services are eliminated due to regulations or funding reductions.

The deterioration of community based services for people with mental illness has resulted in needless suffering for thousands of West Virginians and their families. Suicides, substance abuse, commitments to state hospitals and homelessness are all rapidly increasing in our state. Individuals in need of community based mental health services and supports can no longer wait for the completion of additional studies and reports. They need help now.

Recognizing the growing mental health crisis and the need for immediate action, we the undersigned urge Governor Manchin and the Legislature to adopt the following recommendations to address West Virginias mental health crisis:

With more than a decade of studies, reports, commissions and failed solutions, the mental health crisis needs the personal involvement of Governor Joe Manchin to provide the leadership necessary to solve the challenges facing services to people with a mental illness.

The State Supreme Court should allow Judge Duke Bloom to proceed with hearings to examine conditions at state psychiatric hospitals based on a report from the court-appointed Ombudsman.

The state should fund the expansion of peer support, wellness recovery plans and other community based support programs that have proven successful in helping people with mental illness live independently within our communities.

A portion of the funding to rebuild the community based services should provide $1.5 million (plus the federal match) for three consecutive years of equal, across-the-board Medicaid rate increases for clinic and rehabilitation codes. Adequately funding these services is an important first step in re-establishing community-based behavioral health services across the state.

Medicaid coverage for people with mental illness should be expanded to include essential community supports as covered by other state Medicaid programs.

A continuum of care needs to be established so that a broad array of services are available to support the mentally ill. These should not just be bricks and mortar but should include peer support, clinic and rehabilitation services, residential care, groups homes, substance abuse treatment and individual practioners.