Strategic plan to fix major gaps in behavioral health
Long before COVID-19, mental health services and supports have been inadequate in Washington County. HBHM spent the past two years developing a four-pillar, three-year action plan to address the crisis.
Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Washington County (HBHM), the region’s Health Equity Zone, has just released a bold new plan for transforming the behavioral health of area residents.
“Long before COVID-19 hit, mental health services and supports have been inadequate in Washington County,” HBHM Director Susan Orban points out. “Our children, friends, and neighbors continue to flood local emergency rooms in crisis, in increasing numbers.”
In response, Orban says, HBHM spent the past two years developing this new 3-year action plan to address the crisis.
“Most important, we prioritized the voices of consumers and their family members in developing strategies and solutions. It was a data-driven process, but driven by the wisdom of people who have lived through the experiences of mental health challenges.”
The plan has “four pillars”:
- culture change
- self-determination & inclusion
- parity & treatment, and
- the crisis system.
The online announcement included presenters David Covington, an international behavioral health innovator; SAMHSA Region 1 Administrator Tom Coderre; RI BHDDH (Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals) Director Kathryn Power, and URI Academic Health Collaborative Director Elizabeth Roberts.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed provided closing remarks.
The key documents:
- Full 3-year report
- The plan at a glance
- Integrated Needs Assessment 3-4-20, the key backup information that feeds the plan
- System Gaps, Priority Areas, and Strategies: A two-chart file that shows 1) the gaps in the existing behavioral services system, and 2) a proposed model that provides comprehensive preventive and responsive services
- Washington County Focus Group Report, a powerful group of consumers and families speak about their personal experiences with Washington County’s mental health system.
You can also watch the YouTube video of the event announcing the plan.
