The most under-served medical conditions that exist are mental illness. We have this artificial line of separating mental health from medical illness, mostly due to insurance companies. Greedy insurance companies and ACA requirements have pushed the majority of licensed psychiatrists to a private pay system, which is contrary to the best interest of the public and leaves the poor without treatment.
The fact is mental health problems are medical problems, and licensed psychiatrists and medical physicians are required to make meaningful improvements in the stability and lives of the mentally ill. No one is going to counsel their way out of bi-polar, and the majority of serious mental illness.
The majority of our mentally ill population are under-treated, if treated at all. The mentally ill fill the jail, comprise a large majority of the homeless, and have a much greater propensity to drug abuse and addiction. Yet, the mentally ill have the least access to medical care and treatment from qualified licensed physicians and psychiatrists.
While unfounded, public perception of mental illness is an obstacle to treatment. There is a pervasive shortage of licensed psychiatrists and facilities in Hamilton County. That is a fact - we simply do not have enough licensed psychiatrists or facilities in Hamilton County.
It is a myth that the mentally ill can be treated by simply talking to a counselor. This is a completely inadequate approach that has mass populations of the mentally ill missing appropriate and individualized evaluation and treatment. The mentally ill should have complete medical evaluations. Often times there are root medical causes that perpetuate mental illness. The mentally ill are not receiving these medical clearances to identify or rule out root medical cause.
While social workers and counselors should be a part of the equation, the drivers should be licensed medical physicians, psychiatrists, and facilities for treatment.
Problem is, we don't have enough psychiatrists or facilities in Hamilton County.
Currently, the two primary existing mental health facilities are overflowing and often times have patients stacked in their hallways. These facilities mean well, and do the best they can with completely inadequate resources to achieve even a reasonable standard of care.
The Hamilton County Jail is also housing many mentally ill patients as these treatment facilities. Sometimes, the jail is the only option.
The mentally ill have a propensity to self medicate, which is a direct path to the justice system. The relationship between drug abuse and mental illness is not a causal one. The Hamilton County Jail is the front line of mental health, and that is really messed up. I respect the job the jail is doing with virtually no resources due to our inept elected Hamilton County Commissioners that have denied funding requested by the sheriff for almost two decades. Yep, inept Hamilton County Commission, that is what I said.
The mentally ill at the jail should be receiving mental health triage by licensed professionals. Johnson Mental Health only responds if requested. If any facility in our region needed an on staff licensed mental health professional, it would be the Hamilton County jail.
Our Hamilton County Commissioners are directly responsible for the Hanoi Hilton conditions at the jail, period. Any government that allows mentally ill people to be stacked in cells urinating over one another sleeping in the floor needs to be sued for civil rights violations. Will add that to my to do list.
In short, the standard of care for the region's mentally ill is deplorable and missing the primary components of real physicians that can evaluate medical needs including medication and facilities to house the mentally ill. No one is going to counsel their way out of a large majority of mental illness.
A reasonable standard of care cannot exist within the current framework in Hamilton County that lacks access to licensed psychiatrists and facilities.
Erlanger Hospital just published that they wish to gain authority from the state of Tennessee regulatory board for a 200-bed facility. Erlanger is a real medical leader and has identified the greatest medical need in the community.
We would not send a diabetic out of an emergency room without evaluation and treatment.
Why are the mentally ill sent out of emergency rooms untreated or even given a course of action?
Erlanger Hospital, the facility you propose is greatly needed. Please share with the public what we can do to support your proposal.
Thank you, Erlanger Hospital.
April Eidson