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14 <br />MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE REPORT <br />ATTACHMENT A <br />AGENDA #5a <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Town Council <br />FROM: Kevin C. Foy, Mayor <br />SUBJECT: Mayor's Mental Health Task Force <br />DATE: October 15, 2008 <br />PURPOSE <br />The purpose of this Task Force is first to identify the impact on the Chapel Hill community of changes in the <br />mental health service system, second to create awareness and generate discussion about the mental health <br />service system, and third to make recommendations for the future. <br />BACKGROUND <br />In 2001, the North Carolina General Assembly implemented reforms to the State's mental health service <br />system. The intent of the reform was to transfer patients from hospitals and other state institutions to <br />community programs. However, a combination of the privatization of services and new regulations left many <br />people without services. In addition, hospital admissions continue to rise. Local Management Entities (LMEs) <br />have sometimes been unable to effectively navigate the new regulations and provide adequate care for <br />people in need. <br />The future of mental health care is uncertain. Over the past seven years mental health programs in counties <br />across North Carolina (including Orange County) have either discontinued services or become independent <br />nonprofit organizations operating with limited resources. <br />The location of UNC Hospitals, a state hospital, uniquely affects Chapel Hill and Orange County. Patients <br />from around North Carolina who need mental health services may choose UNC Hospitals as their treatment <br />provider. UNC Hospitals can therefore serve as the initial access point to Chapel Hill for some patients. <br />Patients who seek care at UNC may remain in the area upon discharge. Because of the current situation <br />regarding treatment options, discharged individuals can have trouble getting access to ongoing treatment. <br />Local nonprofits attempt to provide services, but often face the obstacles of limited budgets and limited staff. <br />DISCUSSION <br />I am creating a special Mayor's Mental Health Task Force to discuss, examine, and assess the situation of the <br />mental health care system in Chapel Hill. The charge of the Task Force is: <br />1. To assess the state of the mental health care system in the greater Chapel Hill community, focusing <br />on the services provided, funding, and impact on the community as a whole. <br />2. To create broader awareness of mental health care issues in Chapel Hill and generate discussion. <br />3. Based on the Task Force's findings, provide recommendations regarding the future of mental health <br />care services for residents of Chapel Hill and Orange County. <br />12 <br />