On Wednesday, the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force heard concerns that outpatient mental health care in our area is inadequate.

North Carolina Representative Verla Insko told members of the task force how reforms meant to streamline state and federal funding have inadvertently cut both the number and quality of mental health care providers.

The task force met twice this week to hear public comment about the needs of those on the front lines of the mental health field. Mayor Kevin Foy created the group last December to identify strategies to deal with the decrease in state-funded programs and services. According to the taskforce’s website, Chapel Hill is especially affected because many mentally ill patients stay in the area after receiving short-term treatment at UNC Hospitals.

Donna Smith, whose son suffers from mental illness, spoke about the need for family support and community services outside of emergency room visits and hospitalization.

Her concerns were echoed by therapists and social workers from UNC, who said that the lack of reliable outpatient care makes it hard for patients to establish independence and contributes to a cycle of crisis, intervention, and instability.

The task force will report their recommendations to the Chapel Hill Town Council and Orange County Board of Commissioners. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday March 6th at the Town Operations Center on Millhouse Road.

For more information, visit http://mentalhealthnc.wordpress.com/