The NTSPP Advocacy Bulletin of the North Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians (NTSPP ) Executive Council May, 2011
Texans need your help to overcome the crisis in mental health treatment in our state.
Please consider the following facts:
*Texas ranks 49th in per capita mental health funding at $34.57. The national average is $103.53.
*Cost of community-based mental health treatment: $12 per day.
*Cost for state hospitalization: about $400 per day.
*Cost of incarceration: about $137 per day.
*Cost of emergency room visit: $1,265 per visit.
Untreated Texans will be caught up in a revolving door of jail, emergency room visits or hospitalizations. This is unlike any other health problem. Proper treatment saves dollars and saves lives. Texans deserve a humane response when afflicted with mental illness: Texans in the public mental health system are living, on average, 29 years less than the rest of the population. These people are our fellow citizens, neighbors, and family members. Modern psychiatric treatment is effective and should be available to those in need. Help our State to provide what can be life saving, cost effective and restorative of lives—namely, adequate funding for the treatment of those with psychiatric illnesses.
Thank you for your attention. Please contact us for further information on the treatment and prevalence of mental illness.
Edgar P. Nace, MD
President, North Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians
12700 Hillcrest Rd., Ste. 260Dallas, TX 75230
972-716-9678 (phone) 972-789-9324 (fax) epnace@aol.com
Osman Ali, MD
Chair, Public Psychiatry Committee, North Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians
Texas Mental Health Treatment Crisis
The advocacy bulletin
The Advocacy Bulletin will be published periodically in order to inform legislators of mental health and addiction issues. We welcome comments and requests for information on specific topics. Contact NTSPP at: ntsppchapter@gmail.com.?
