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Virtually attending the @MHLegislativeBk rn. This year's title: #PerfectStorm: pandemic, racial inequity & social injustice.
@MikeWoodard is the MC. Several other lawmakers are here for a panel & @NC_Governor, @SecMandyCohen and people with lived #mentalhealth experience
#ncpol
@MikeWoodard is the MC. Several other lawmakers are here for a panel & @NC_Governor, @SecMandyCohen and people with lived #mentalhealth experience
#ncpol
Video message from @NC_Governor:
"I'll continue pushing to make health care more accessible, including:
-expanding #Medicaid
-more nurses in schools
#ncpol
"I'll continue pushing to make health care more accessible, including:
-expanding #Medicaid
-more nurses in schools
#ncpol
. @SecMandyCohen addressing the group live.
She starts out talking about the limited supply of #COVID19Vaccines.
Normally the @MHLegislativeBk is held at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill, but today they are giving vaccines out there.
#ncpol #mentalhealth #perfectStorm
She starts out talking about the limited supply of #COVID19Vaccines.
Normally the @MHLegislativeBk is held at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill, but today they are giving vaccines out there.
#ncpol #mentalhealth #perfectStorm
. @SecMandyCohen doubles down on the need for #MedicaidExpansion, which would allow more people to get health coverage.
But she said it's not the only tool. @ncdhhs is moving forward with #medicaid transformation and "whole person" care, which includes #mentalhealth.
But she said it's not the only tool. @ncdhhs is moving forward with #medicaid transformation and "whole person" care, which includes #mentalhealth.
. @MikeWoodard introducing @KodyKinsley, deputy director of behavioral health & IDD @ncdhhs.
Woodard says Kinsley drew the "short straw" and was appointed lead on operations response for #COVID19. Also poking fun at him for his long hair, which hasn't been cut since the pandemic.
Woodard says Kinsley drew the "short straw" and was appointed lead on operations response for #COVID19. Also poking fun at him for his long hair, which hasn't been cut since the pandemic.
. @KodyKinsley: I grew up in Wilmington and remember hurricanes well. The past year has been like one of those storms combining several factors:
COVID19, racial inequality, social injustice, designing future programs & maintaining day-to-day operations.
#mentalhealth #ncpol
COVID19, racial inequality, social injustice, designing future programs & maintaining day-to-day operations.
#mentalhealth #ncpol
. @KodyKinsley: on the other side of the storm is hope.
We have so many opportunities to make things better.
@MHLegislativeBk #ncpol #covid19nc #mentalhealth #perfectstorm
We have so many opportunities to make things better.
@MHLegislativeBk #ncpol #covid19nc #mentalhealth #perfectstorm
. @KodyKinsley notes that change is always disruptive and he wants to move forward with Medicaid Transformation as smoothly as possible. #ncpol #mentalhealth
. @kodykinsley: During the pandemic, we've moved #telehealth forward 10 years in 10 days time.
Investment in telehealth has allowed people to get care and stave off #mentalhealth crisis. #ncpol
Investment in telehealth has allowed people to get care and stave off #mentalhealth crisis. #ncpol
. @KodyKinsley: Often people who need help don't know who to call outside of 911.
In NC, there's one number to call if you need basic resources, mental health services or just someone to talk to.
The Hope 4 NC helpline: 1-855-587-3463
#ncpol #mentalhealth #perfectstorm
In NC, there's one number to call if you need basic resources, mental health services or just someone to talk to.
The Hope 4 NC helpline: 1-855-587-3463
#ncpol #mentalhealth #perfectstorm
. @KodyKinsley listed NC's unmet need BEFORE the COVID19 pandemic.
The funding is not enough for the need.
Tragically, suicide has become the leading cause of injury death.
#ncpol #mentalhealth #perfectstorm
The funding is not enough for the need.
Tragically, suicide has become the leading cause of injury death.
#ncpol #mentalhealth #perfectstorm
. @KodyKinsley: "An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure."
A little funding on the front end could help someone maintain their health, job or home.
A little funding on the front end could help someone maintain their health, job or home.
23% increase in opioid overdose-related emergency room visits in 2020. Pandemic-related stressors (job losses, housing instability, stress, disease) have led some to return to drug use. And the street drugs are more contaminated (fentanyl). I've got a story on this next week
Moving to a Q&A time with @KodyKinsley and McCoy, MD FAPA, Senior Medical Advisor @ncdhhs.
Q1: How is @ncdhhs preparing to handle the influx of clients to the state health system during/after COVID19?
#ncpol #mentalhealth #perfectstorm
Q1: How is @ncdhhs preparing to handle the influx of clients to the state health system during/after COVID19?
#ncpol #mentalhealth #perfectstorm
A1: Kinsley: peak need comes 6 mo after a crisis ends.
Need to grow group of providers w/ lived experience (peers) and those of color to meet the needs of marginalized communities.
Keep advancements made with telehealth after the pandemic.
Need to grow group of providers w/ lived experience (peers) and those of color to meet the needs of marginalized communities.
Keep advancements made with telehealth after the pandemic.
Kinsley addressing the state's low ranking for child health:
Most children in NC have some kind of insurance. (Would be better with medicaid expansion, he says)
But the average child has to wait up to 4 months to see a child psychiatrist. Not OK! he says. #mentalhealth #ncpol
Most children in NC have some kind of insurance. (Would be better with medicaid expansion, he says)
But the average child has to wait up to 4 months to see a child psychiatrist. Not OK! he says. #mentalhealth #ncpol
Kinsley on psych bed issue: Only 64% of state psych beds are occupied.
The rest aren't operational due to lack of funding.
Dix property sale was used to build more psych beds across the state. We don’t need money to build beds, but we need $$$ to operate those. #mentalhealth
The rest aren't operational due to lack of funding.
Dix property sale was used to build more psych beds across the state. We don’t need money to build beds, but we need $$$ to operate those. #mentalhealth
Kinsley: The state psych beds should be providing care for the most complex mental health needs in the state.
$1300 a day is the average cost of care in a state psych hospital.
Think about what that could do in preventative care.
#mentalhealth #ncpol
$1300 a day is the average cost of care in a state psych hospital.
Think about what that could do in preventative care.
#mentalhealth #ncpol
Kinsley: State psych beds are also being occupied by forensic patients — people who have been arrested but are not competent enough to stand trial.
In other states, that’s provided in different settlings, not state psych hospitals.
This contributes to the ED wait times.
In other states, that’s provided in different settlings, not state psych hospitals.
This contributes to the ED wait times.
I need to explore this issue more and write about it. Anyone with info about the forensic psych bed issue, please reach out. My DMs are open.
Incredible story from Donna Carrington, someone with lived #mentalhealth experience.
She emphasized the need to include housing as a foundation of mental health wellness. Her family has experience with homelessness.
#ncpol #perfectstorm
She emphasized the need to include housing as a foundation of mental health wellness. Her family has experience with homelessness.
#ncpol #perfectstorm
. @CunninghamNCRep is awarded the 2021 Rep. Paul Luebke Legislative Campion on #MentalHealth Award.
Cunningham dedicates the award to her children. Her son has a mental illness and developmental disability. She's been open about her story.
#ncpol #ncga
Cunningham dedicates the award to her children. Her son has a mental illness and developmental disability. She's been open about her story.
#ncpol #ncga
. @MikeWoodard gives a huge shout out to @NCHealthNews (while wearing a NC Health News mask) and says he has our website bookmarked and reads it every day.
We publish 5 days a week and you can read and subscribe for free! Check us out at http://nchealthnews.org
#mentalhealth
We publish 5 days a week and you can read and subscribe for free! Check us out at http://nchealthnews.org
#mentalhealth
