Rescue funds could rebuild RI’s shattered mental health care

J. Clement Cicilline is the former CEO of the Newport County Community Mental Health Center. Contributing to this comment are Thomas D. Romeo, former director of the Department of Mental Health, Delay and Hospitals; Richard C. Antonelli, former CEO of the South Shore Mental Health Center; Charles E. Maynard, former CEO of the Providence Center; and Richard H. Leclerc, former CEO of Gateway Healthcare.

The need of society for mental health services has existed since the beginning of civilization. But, it would take many years before even the most primitive care was available. Over time, people with mental illness were sent to asylums, which unfortunately became “storehouses of humanity” which often resulted in the exacerbation of the illness.

In the early years, Rhode Island was no better than any other state, offering only marginal treatment to people with mental illness. It was either institutional care or languishing in the streets.

Over the years, we have seen the advent of more effective psychotropic drugs and the development of outpatient mental health clinics. Some services were also available through private psychiatrists and psychologists, but only to those who could afford them.

Later, important developments included coverage of mental health services through private insurance policies, then Medicaid and the emergence of comprehensive community mental health centers. Rhode Island had taken the proverbial giant leap towards modern and effective care for treating mental illness.

In the mid-1980s, Rhode Island was ranked as the number one state in the country for the treatment of mental illness. There was a comprehensive system of care in place, with strong partnerships between and among community mental health centers, state government, the General Assembly, the general public and family members.

What has happened in recent years is not only tragic, but also irresponsible and indeed immoral. There has been a systematic withdrawal of financial support that has almost decimated this once-vaunted mental health system. State government, governors and lawmakers have all but abandoned their concern for a segment of our population that depends on a range of services just to meet their daily needs.

The need for mental health services is at an all time high. Mental illness, addiction issues and stress are a daily experience for millions of Americans, debilitating them in so many deleterious ways. Yet people cannot get the services they desperately need. Some reasons include inadequate compensation for mental health staff and woefully low reimbursement rates from insurance companies, putting the Rhode Islanders in the worst circumstances. The stigma of mental illness also prevents people from accessing services.

Serious action is long overdue. We need to ensure that people with mental illness have the opportunity to live in the community with basic resources such as food, safe and affordable housing, health care, employment opportunities, etc. Of course, making it happen comes at an expense, but what is life if we can’t help each other?

Because the government has a moral obligation to serve those in need, we are proposing that a portion of the US $ 1 billion Rhode Island bailout fund be devoted to the establishment of a modern, comprehensive and sustainable system of mental health care for adults and children. It would be the most humane and financially responsible thing to do, alleviate suffering and save millions.

This is a bugle call to the Governor and the General Assembly. We beg everyone to call them now and implore them to demonstrate this commitment to the common good and to make things just and fair. It’s really going to make a better world for all of us.