AROUND THE BHN with Pat Rehmer

The ongoing heroin and opioid epidemic is certainly garnering a lot of public attention these days, and justifiably so. But as someone who cares deeply about populations that too often go neglected, I worry that the focus on addiction is taking the spotlight from the work that needs to be done for those suffering from chronic mental illness and related issues such as homelessness, discrimination and isolation.

That’s why I am so proud of the work being done at Rushford as part of its designation as a Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) in the central Connecticut region. As the designated LMHA, Rushford receives funding from the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to provide critical services for underinsured and uninsured populations of people suffering from mental illness and associated issues.

The work being done by the LMHA teams at Rushford often make the difference in a patient’s ability to survive, whether it’s helping to connect them to medical care or referring them to homeless shelters. But more than that, the work helps patients get on a track that will improve their long-term health and even develop an independent lifestyle. The responsibility of the LMHA is to support people as they move into recovery, however the individual defines that.

The emphasis under the LMHA designation is to help patients take active steps that will prevent their illness from putting them in a difficult situation. The designation is also meant to provide services when a crisis occurs. LMHA services at Rushford include:

• A mobile crisis program that allows us to react quickly and efficiently to help those who are in need

• Respite beds for those who are in need of shelter or clinical supervision

• Community support teams that work closely with all local stakeholders to make sure services are reaching those who need them most

• A Behavioral Health Home program that strives to connect patients with a primary care physician or practitioner who can address health issues in the early stages, such as weight gain or diabetes

• Homeless outreach and housing teams that work to help people get into long-term shelters

The idea is to assist people into recovery and support them on their journey.

Pat Rehmer, MSN, ACHE, is Hartford HealthCare senior vice president for behavioral health and president of the Behavioral Health Network. Her column appears monthly in BHNews.