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MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IN GREENSBORO
POLICY STATEMENT ON THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM OF CARE
Adopted April 14, 2008, by the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association in Greensboro
The Mental Health Association in Greensboro urges the North Carolina General Assembly to adopt the following goal: By the end of 2011, state-of-the-art Mental Health* treatment and support services will be readily available to all North Carolinians, without regard to ability to pay or county of residence.
The Mental Health system of care should be developed and maintained
in accordance with the following:
SYSTEM OF CARE
1. The system of mental health treatment and support services should be state directed and locally
managed, NOT state run.
2. The top priority in the use of state funding for Mental Health treatment and support services should
be to meet the needs of the most seriously ill or disabled.
3. The continuum of Mental Health treatment and support services should be based on best practices,
with priority in funding for psychiatric services, crisis services, increased local inpatient
capacity, housing, and medication assistance.
FUNDING
4. From and after December 31, 2011, the state should ensure full funding for a full continuum of
Mental Health treatment and support services, with priority on services in the local community, but
also including as appropriate, state-run facilities.
5. To the extent necessary to ensure full funding for Mental Health treatment and support services, a
source of tax revenue, such as an increased tax on alcoholic beverages, should be identified.
6. In order to maximize the use of available resources, funding for Mental Health community services
should be flexible rather than based entirely on age/disability categories.
JUSTICE:
7. Discrimination against people with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities or chemical
dependencies in health insurance and otherwise must be ended now.
* As used in this policy statement, “Mental Health” includes
developmental disabilities and substance abuse.
Mental Health Association in Greensboro
330 S. Greene Street, Suite B12,
Greensboro, North Carolina 27401
Ph 336.373.1402
Fx 336.273.4474
Sara Anne T. (Cissy) Parham
Board President
satparham@aol.com
Blair Benson
Executive Director
bbenson@mhag.org
