HOMES RI INTERVIEWS MHARI'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
Executive Director, Laurie-Marie Pisciotta, recently took part in an interview with Homes RI to discuss the intersection of mental health and housing, Olmstead Plans and advocacy strategies.
HOMES RI exists to increase and preserve the supply of safe, healthy, and affordable homes throughout RI.
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MENTAL HEALTHCARE FOR ALL: EQUITY REQUIRES ACTION |
Mark your calendars! April 30, 2021 will mark the kick-off of our virtual recognition of May Is Mental Health Month. This year's theme is, "Mental Healthcare for All: Equity Requires Action." We are mobilizing the community the mental health community to increase inclusion and diversity in Rhode Island's mental healthcare system.
The Planning Committee, made up of representatives from our community partners, has been meeting regularly to coordinate a month of activities. The Mental Health Association and other groups will provide virtual workshops and events, and NAMI Rhode Island will provide an advocacy training. You will hear guest speakers and so much more. We can't wait to share the calendar of events with you in April. Stay tuned!
Your organization can submit its May is Mental Health Month activities to be included on the website's calendar of events. There are also sponsorship opportunities available. To make sure your organization is represented during this month-long event, check out our page with sponsorship levels and benefits available. If you have questions about submitting your event(s) or about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jennifer Raxter (jennifer.raxter@mhari.org).
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
Each year, the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) advocates for mental health consumers and providers at the State House. Although the Rhode Island General Assembly is not holding in-person committee hearings due to the pandemic, that has not slowed down the whirlwind of legislative bills being considered this year. MHARI is tracking dozens of legislative bills. The following bills are a sample of what we have testified on so far.
Telemedicine (Senate Bill 004 Sub A) - Makes expanded access to telemedicine permanent in Rhode Island, ensuring that reimbursements to behavioral health providers are paid equitably across in-person, video conferencing and telephone appointments. The bill passed out of committee and will be voted on the Senate Floor on February 23 before moving to the House.
Minimum wage (Senate Bill 0001 and House Bill 5130) - People who are poor are twice as likely to have common mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, compared to the rich. This bill will increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by the year 2025. The Senate bill passed the Senate Floor and was referred to the House Committee on Labor.
Fair Housing Practices (House Bill 5257) - Prohibits landlords from discriminating against lawful sources of income like housing vouchers, alimony and child support. People with disabilities, including serious persistent mental illness, often receive SSI/SSDI benefits and housing vouchers. If passed, this legislation would make it easier for people with disabilities to find affordable housing. The bill was heard in the House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing on February 11. After being held for consideration, the Committee will vote on the legislation on February 25.
Health Insurance Reform - Enactment of the Rhode Island state-based individual mandate two years ago dictates that we balance the requirement for coverage with guarantees in state law that ensure coverage is both accessible and meaningful. Several bills in the General Assembly this session seek to codify in state law the consumer protections guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The bills include Senate Bill 3 which prohibits insurers from charging higher premiums based on gender; Senate Bill 5a and House bill 5441 which codify the ACA protections for those with pre-existing conditions and require coverage for the essential health benefits including behavioral health services, preventative and wellness services; and much more. We will also be advocating for bills to codify in Rhode Island law the ACA’s prohibition on annual and lifetime limits that have been used in the past by insurers to cap coverage for life-saving care for those struggling with chronic conditions or life-threatening disease.
Behavioral Health Provider Reimbursement (H 5546) - This bill would mandate incremental increases in the reimbursement rates paid to behavioral health providers over a period of five years. Rhode Island has a shortage of outpatient providers, especially psychiatrists, because of low reimbursement rates from public and private insurers. This bill would help attract new providers to insurance networks, so that patients won’t have to go on long wait lists to see a provider when they need one.
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VOTE YES ON 3!
Housing is on the ballot in the Special Election on March 2, 2021. The Mental Health Association is urging Rhode Islanders to vote YES on #3, which would issue $65,000,000 in general obligation bonds to improve housing affordability. The loan would help pay for the redevelopment of existing structures, new construction, and property acquisition. Affordable, safe and stable housing is the foundation of mental health. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) names the four pillars of recovery as Health, Home, Community, and Purpose. Investing in housing is an investment in people’s health.
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FIND OPEN PSYCHIATRIC BEDS IN RI
The Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals and the Rhode Island Quality Institute have partnered to develop a public-facing website to track open psychiatric beds in Rhode Island. This clever and useful tool aims to “efficiently collect and distribute bed availability information, reducing patient delays in accessing appropriate emergency, crisis stabilization, inpatient, and recovery services.” It contains information on recovery housing, inpatient detox treatment, residential facilities, and more.
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FIRST MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING A SUCCESS |
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The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island collaborated with Thundermist Health Center to offer a free virtual Mental Health First Aid Training on February 11, 2021. As part of our Bridging the Divide to Emotional Wellness series, 8 participants completed a 2-hour, self-paced online class and then participated in a 5.5 hour, instructor-led video conference. The training was facilitated by Jennifer Gaviria, LCSW from Thundermist Health Center. As a bi-lingual, bi-cultural professional, Jennifer is able to help address a broad range of concerns and questions from participants working in racially and ethnically diverse communities that face unique challenges to mental and emotional well-being.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a mental health crisis as much as it is a medical emergency and economic disaster. In order to help increase access to mental health information and resources, MHARI and Thundermist were thrilled to be able to offer this training. Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. It also reduces stigma and provides behavioral health resources to people who have never before considered treatment. This training gives participants the skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, including a substance use disorder, and help connect them to the appropriate care. This is the first of more training sessions to come.
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PARITY RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH
The Rhode Island Mental Health Parity Initiative has a series of free videos which feature need-to-know information, quick tips and resources to help you access behavioral health coverage you are entitled to from your health insurer.
Topics such as, "What is Mental Health Parity?" and "Defending Your Rights" can be found on the RI Parity Initiative website. All videos are available in English and Spanish.
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MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA FEATURES MHARI's RESOURCE GUIDE IN AFFILIATE NEWS |
National Mental Health America recently highlighted MHARI's Behavioral Health Resource Guides in their affiliate news release. The Guides are available in both English and Spanish and have information about 24/7 hotlines, referral services and support groups. |
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CREATING A FACEBOOK FUNDRAISER HELPS ALL RHODE ISLANDERS |
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If you are looking for a great way to help MHARI and spread awareness about our work among your friends and family, here is an easy way to do it.
- Head over to: facebook.com/mharhodeisland
- Locate the "Create a Fundraiser" icon and click "Raise Money".
- Customize your campaign, set a fundraising goal and begin inviting your friends and network connections to support mental health.
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