March 25, 2010 

 

Contact: Bob Sharpe, 850-545-7606

or Rick Oppenheim, 850-386-9100                                                                       

 

 

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Rep. Denise Grimsley (R – Lake Placid) joined mental health and substance abuse experts and advocates at the Florida Capitol today for the fourth annual Behavioral Health Day, designed to make legislators and other decision-makers aware of the importance of accessible and affordable behavioral health services.

 

“With health care and the economy at the forefront of the nation’s concerns maintaining funding for behavioral health care programs and services is more vital than ever to the well-being of our state, our communities and our citizens,” said Bob Sharpe, president and CEO of the Florida Council for Community Mental Health (FCCMH). “We want to be sure our state leaders understand that failure to provide funding for these services could have a devastating ripple effect, compounding our state’s economic woes, endangering our most vulnerable citizens and causing great harm to our families and communities.”

 

Speakers at a morning news conference included Grimsley, Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon, Tallahassee Police Chief Dennis Jones, Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association (FADAA) Executive Director Mark Fontaine, National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Florida President Marcia Mathes and Sharpe. They discussed legislative issues that could negatively impact the behavioral health community, including the proposed plan to expand Florida’s controversial Medicaid reform pilot program and the projected widespread budget cuts for services. They cautioned that without funding for essential programs, Florida taxpayers will spend more for prisons, jails, hospitals, forensic facilities and other deep-end services.

 

According to Sharpe, research has shown that prevention and treatment services for mental health and substance abuse increase savings in medical care, welfare payments and prison costs. They also reduce homelessness, child abuse and neglect, crime, unemployment, poverty and poor education. The average annual per person cost for community mental health treatment is $1,461, compared to $119,691 for an individual placed in a state mental health facility and $140,000 in a forensic treatment facility. “Florida cannot afford to lose these cost-effective alternatives,” said Sharpe.

 

Exhibitors from across the state populated the third floor Capitol Rotunda with display tables and information about mental health and substance abuse programs, facilities, treatment and services. The event was sponsored by FCCMH, FADAA and the NAMI Florida.

 

FCCMH is a statewide association of 63 community-based mental health and substance abuse agencies that provide comprehensive services to adults and children throughout Florida. For more information, visit www.fccmh.org.

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