Idaho needs to up its game in providing behavioral health services. These clinics could help.

Idaho should adopt an approach now being used in 42 other states, writes guest columnist Jim Jones.

There is a chronic shortage of behavioral health resources in Idaho. The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that about 100,000 Idaho adults had an unmet need for mental health treatment in 2018-19.

Children fare no better in the Gem State. Idaho has received a 46th place ranking among the states for child access to mental health care. The Idaho suicide rate hit a record high of 420 in 2020. Suicide calls have seen an uptick in Boise, and most likely across the state, since the first of the year. There were 250 reported drug deaths in Idaho in 2018. These problems have intensified since the onset of the pandemic.

There is a critical lack of crisis intervention help for people with serious mental health or drug abuse problems, particularly for those without insurance coverage or other financial resources. People who need immediate help are often turned away because existing crisis response facilities are already crowded. Sometimes, the only alternative is to call in law enforcement officers, many of whom are not trained to deal with mental health and other crisis issues.

To its credit, the state has begun to reduce the behavioral health deficit with regional behavioral health centers but there is a long way to go to meet the need. The Idaho court system has contributed with its problem-solving courts. Drug courts, mental health courts, and veteran treatment courts have been instrumental in helping people deal with mental issues and drug abuse.

Read more: https://idahocapitalsun.com/2021/07/23/idaho-needs-to-up-its-game-in-providing-behavioral-health-services-heres-an-option-that-could-help/