CONSUMER AFFAIRS BULLETIN
Volume 3, No. 2 Summer 1998

Southeastern U. S. Regional Consumers/Survivors Meet

On March 20, 1998, in Atlanta, Ga., mental health consumers/survivors from eight southeastern states were convened by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to document the most-pressing, self-identified needs and issues that confront mental health consumers/survivors on regional, state, and local levels. Representatives from, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee reported on what consumers/survivors believed demanded the most urgent attention.

A variety of issues were raised such as transportation, stigma and discrimination, parity, improved professional education, crisis intervention and a range of managed care issues from contracting to accreditation to quality assurance and outcomes measurement. The following four issues, in order of priority, were identified as the issues that needed attention across the region:

Employment

Noted by virtually all of the states, employment-related concerns were ranked as the top priority. Issues surrounding the fear of losing social security and health care benefits were identified as major detriments to promoting employment, independence, and recovery. Improvements in vocational rehabilitation agencies were indicated as necessary as too often it was felt these programs focus solely on individuals with physical disabilities. The need for reasonable accommodations was also stressed.

Housing

Having access to community-integrated, safe, decent, affordable housing was also identified as a significant need to promote recovery. This topic included providing for persons experiencing homelessness including outreach, temporary shelter, support services, and permanent housing. Attention also needs to be placed on board and care homes to assure quality service delivery. Options such as supported apartments and peer-run housing were encouraged.

Peer-Run Services

More support needs to be offered to expand consumer/survivor-operated programs in order to make them available to larger populations. Such services as drop-in centers, peer counseling and case management programs were cited as offering quality, consumer/survivor-preferred services that are cost-effective and lead to recovery.

Access to Medications

Individuals reported that ensuring access to medications, particularly the newer atypical antipsychotic medications, was of significant concern. The cost of these drugs was cited as an obstacle as were the restrictive formulary practices that are associated with some managed care systems.

This is the first of three planned meetings in differing regions across the nation. For further information, please contact CMHS Consumer Affairs Specialists Paolo del Vecchio or Iris Hyman at 301-443-2792.

Consumer Affairs Bulletin
Volume 3, No. 2, Summer 1998