SENATE MEMORIAL 79

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Kay Papen

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO SEEK FUNDING THROUGH THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009 FOR A MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS TRIAGE FACILITY IN DONA ANA COUNTY.

     WHEREAS, interested parties in Dona Ana county have been advocating for increased access to health and human services, especially behavioral health services, for more than fifteen years; and

     WHEREAS, in 2005, the Dona Ana county health and human services alliance was created as an advisory body to the Dona Ana county health and human services department; and

     WHEREAS, according to the alliance, thirty-three percent of the detention center population in that county is in need of behavioral health services; and

     WHEREAS, individuals experiencing a mental health crisis often only have access to services provided in a detention center, a situation in which there are limited options for appropriate interventions and the individuals are separated from family and community supports; and

     WHEREAS, although community-based services are available, they lack systematic coordination and are seriously underfunded; and

     WHEREAS, a study conducted pursuant to Senate Memorial 34, passed in 2006, concluded that the south central part of New Mexico lacks the infrastructure to sustain a state-operated behavioral facility; and

     WHEREAS, this study recommended an increase in recurrent funding for inpatient mental health services of more than two million dollars ($2,000,000) to cover unfunded inpatient mental health services in Dona Ana county; and

     WHEREAS, the alliance and the Dona Ana county health and human services department have concluded that the key to addressing behavioral health problems is through a community-oriented, integrated service delivery system; and

     WHEREAS, a crisis triage center is the centerpiece of such a system; and

     WHEREAS, a crisis triage facility is able to house, in a safe environment where appropriate assessments and treatment can be administered, individuals who have been taken into protective custody or who are in severe psychological distress; and

     WHEREAS, the development of enhanced behavioral health crisis triage capacity is part of the Dona Ana county health and human services plan designed to promote access to health care services, address chronic diseases, prevent injuries and illness and address maternal and child health, oral health and teen pregnancy; and

     WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contains many opportunities to address health care, law enforcement and community services needs;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor be requested to seek funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for a mental health and crisis triage facility in Dona Ana county; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and to the director of the Dona Ana county health and human services department.

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