Text Size:
ADVOCACY
Legislative Priorities of NAMI Massachusetts
I. Restore Funding to the Department of Mental Health: We must increase community-based services for individuals with serious psychiatric conditions whose lives depend upon residential, community support services and at times acute services. The lack of available DMH services severely impacts the care of individuals with mental illness, gravely affecting families and communities. Governor Deval Patrick has in fact stated that “Increasing access to mental health treatment and support for children and adults” is one of his core principles.
II. Preserve Access to Appropriate Medications: Mental health patients often do not experience similar therapeutic effects from similar medications. Therefore, all anti-psychotics, anti-depressants and anti-convulsants used in the treatment of mental illness must be made available to optimize successful treatment. Restricting access to mental health medications and medical treatments, especially those for acute illness, can easily require more costly inpatient treatments and emergency services in the long run.
III. Promote Housing for People with Mental Illness: Safe and affordable housing for the mentally ill is crucial for recovery. State hospitals were originally intended to serve the mentally ill, and with the advent of more cost effective, humane, community-based services, it is now possible to consolidate hospitals and save valuable tax dollars. Housing for the mentally ill must be established when state surplus land use legislation is passed. For example, at least 10% of Medfield Hospital should be converted into subsidized housing for the mentally ill.
IV. Encourage Jail Diversion and Coordinated Re-Entry Services From the Criminal Justice System. Incarceration of the mentally ill is detrimental to both the individual who does not receive proper treatment and taxpayers who must pay the cost of unjust imprisonment. Jail diversion has been shown to be an effective way to provide appropriate treatment for the mentally ill and ensure a safer community. Re integration services have proven to be successful in allowing people with mental illness coming out of a correctional facility to improve their chances of success living in the community.
V. Establish a Comprehensive Children’s Mental Health Service System: About 1 in 10 children in the U.S. suffers from a mental illness severe enough to cause impairment. Research shows that reaching children with mental illnesses early with appropriate treatment significantly improves their long-term prognosis. Conversely, the failure to provide treatment has tragic consequences. Families know all too well that the system is failing children and adolescents with mental illnesses. NAMI-Mass must focus attention on systems reform and to help and support families so that no child or family is left behind as the state works to be in compliance with Rosie D. v. Romney. 
2011 Legislative Bills:
S1103 Act on Hospital Essential Services
Act Establishing CIT Working Group
The Massachusetts Mental Health System is Critically Underfunded (PDF) 2011 NAMI Mass Position Paper
Massachusetts Emergency Behavioral Health Services Program NAMI Mass final 2010 position paper
To find who your legislators are or where to vote call 617-722-2000 or go to http://www.wheredoivotema.com
Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse
ParityImplementationToolkit for Addiction & Mental Health Consumers, Providers and Advocates. Simplifying the Appeals Process: Strategies for Winning Appeals With Your Health Plan
