Ascending Budget Cuts: What it means for the state of the Mental Health Care in NYC
In today’s economic world we are all accustomed to some hardships here and there. Many of us have felt the crunch of the unwavering economic downfall over the passed few years. Whether we have been laid off; have cut back on our spending; not taking vacations; or going back to school because you were unable to find a position in your career of choice. Nonetheless we are able to choose what we decide to do next. What happens when you do not have the luxury of choice? For many individuals with mental illnesses the choice of using stabilizing medications, being placed in inpatient care and treatment programs is often not a choice but a necessity in getting healthier. There is essentially no choice in deciding whether or not you want to have delusions, erratic behavior, become aggressive or violent or simply not having the cognitive stamina to get through the day. However the option of treatment and further assistance should be available.
In June of 2010, an estimated amount of $330 million dollars was cut from New York State’s budget used for funding mental health facilities and programs. In reading this you the everyday New Yorker may feel that these cuts have no direct relation to you. How is this relevant to me you ask? However what we should be asking ourselves is what does this mean to individuals with mental illnesses in New York City. First off it means that actual hospitals, clinics, non-profit agencies that house and treat these men and women may be closed or can longer fund long term treatment care. Lack of on going treatment (a combination of psychotherapies, medication regimens, outpatient support groups and the likes) become less and less available. The ultimate goal of the budget cuts are essentially to deinstitutionalize care.
As a result symptoms and behaviors that were once monitored and stabilized may become rampant. Desperation may set in due to lack of control and options and ultimately may led to tragic events. This blog entry by no means is to frighten but to make you all aware of the significant vulnerabilities of this population and the reality of what is taking place in our city and state. Just because we may not be a person with a mental illness, we may know someone through family and friends or we may encounter someone just as a passerby on the street. We should ask ourselves are these people’s lives any less valuable than a person with a malignant cancer needing treatment?
– Tamara M.
