CONTACT: Carole Szpak	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
202/393-6700, Ext.101 comm@naphs.org

Factors Affecting Access to Psychiatric Care Outlined in New NAPHS White Paper

Click here for the PDF of the White Paper

(Washington, D.C., April 7, 2003)… Millions of Americans of all ages experience psychiatric and substance use disorders every year, but access to necessary services is becoming an increasing challenge for many, according to a new white paper from the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS). Challenges Facing Behavioral Health: The Pressures on Essential Behavioral Healthcare Services gathers data from various sources to outline national trends that are "contributing to unprecedented pressures on essential behavioral healthcare services." The white paper also offers recommended solutions. The white paper notes that:

Overall funding for behavioral health has been reduced dramatically. While overall health spending increased 15.7% between 1992 and 1999, mental health and substance abuse spending decreased 17.4% during this period, according to a Medstat study in the January/February Health Affairs.

Access to acute psychiatric care has been strained by psychiatric hospital closures and bed reductions nationwide, the white paper notes. Between 1992 and 1999, the number of beds in state psychiatric hospitals declined 32% and beds in private psychiatric hospitals decreased 23%. Between 1992 and 2000, the number of beds in general hospital psychiatric units declined an estimated 15.6%.

Rising demand (as seen in historically high occupancy rates) and constrained capacity have overburdened emergency departments.

Children and adolescents with behavioral healthcare disorders have been particularly hard-hit by access challenges.

The cost of care continues to grow. Workforce shortages, skyrocketing professional liability costs, increasing pharmaceutical costs, and ever-growing regulatory requirements are key factors driving cost.

The white paper outlines 11 specific actions that could help to ease access problems (including, for example, passage of mental health parity legislation and creation of programs to assist communities in developing innovative models to address the growing acute care crisis).

To Request the White Paper
To request a single, free copy of the white paper, email maria@naphs.org (noting "White Paper" in the subject line). Or write to NAPHS, ATTN: White Paper, 325 Seventh Street, NW, Suite 625, Washington, DC 20004-2802. NAPHS advocates for behavioral health and represents provider systems that are committed to the delivery of responsive, accountable, and clinically effective prevention, treatment, and care for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with mental and substance use disorders. NAPHS represents behavioral healthcare provider organizations, including more than 300 psychiatric hospitals, general hospital psychiatric units, residential treatment centers, youth services organizations, and behavioral group practices.

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