The State of Mental Health Services

Bladen County Commissioners received a report from Sharon Prevatte, Executive Director of the Southeastern Regional Mental Health System.

The system has long been one of the more difficult programs to administer and it appears changes in the past 10 years has not solved all the problems and more are anticipated.

In the early 90's, the delivery of mental health services change from being an agency with professional providers on staff, to going to the private sector for assistance.  In the more urban areas, private providers were available, however in many rural areas there were few, sometimes none.

Prevatte told Board members Monday night there would be more changes, not a return to where mental health was 10 years ago.

It appears the move will be to private for-profit organizations, or not-for-profits.  Mental Health agencies will likely be combined to make for larger service areas with reductions in funding.

Before the last big change, Bladen County had a Mental Health presence in Bladen County as a part of a 4 county area with headquarters in Lumberton.  That was closed about 10 years ago. 

The delivery of Mental Health Services continues to be a challenge.

Law enforcement officers tell horror stories about court ordered persons being picked up and no place to take them.  Deputies can spend hours waiting for someone to direct them where to take the patient.

Prevatte updated the Board on meetings held either in Bladen County or with Bladen County officials to provide them with information that will hopefully assist in the care of the mentally ill. 

She also gave the Commissioners some numbers relating to services provided to Bladen County residents.

For instance, in the last quarter of 2009, 171 consumers were screened for appointments with providers for mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services by their triage staff.  108 of these consumers were routine appointments, 41 were urgent appointments, and 21 were emergent appointments.  Of the 171 consumers that received screenings from Bladen County 39 were referred for Enhanced Benefits, 96 were referred for Basic Benefits, 22 were referred to Crisis and 14 were referred to Community Resources.  There was 1 face to face interview with 170 phone interviews conducted.

7 Bladen County residents were admitted to State Hospitals during the October 1 thru December 31 time period.

2 child/adolescent were admitted to Cherry Hospital. 27 Bladen County residents were admitted to the Psychiatric Inpatient Unit at Southeastern Regional Medical Center.  Of those 27 consumers, 1 was admitted for Alcohol Problems; 10 were admitted for Drug Problems and 16 for Mental Health Problems. 

22 local consumers were treated by Southeastern Regional Mobile Crisis Team,

3 were served by Tanglewood Arbor Facility Based Crisis Unit and 7 at the Arbor Crisis and Assessment Services, a walk-in clinic, during the last 3 months of 2009.