BALTIMORE, MD (March 11, 2009) – Maryland is among the top six states for delivery of care to adults who have a serious mental illness, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today announced.  The state was one of six to be awarded a grade of “B” – the highest rating given in a national report released today by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). 

“This ranking correctly recognizes the great strides Maryland has made toward improving mental health care,” said DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers.  “Now that we are among the leaders in the nation, we have to be vigilant to ensure that the gains we have made are not lost in the midst of these challenging times.” 

In its report card, NAMI officials note Maryland is a national leader in several areas, including support of consumer empowerment, collaboration with consumer and advocacy organizations, and in a wellness and recovery approach to mental health services. 

“Maryland is a leader in the implementation of evidence-based practice models to support consumer empowerment,” said Renata J. Henry, DHMH deputy secretary for Behavioral Health and Disabilities.  “Some services are designed to help consumers transition from hospitals to community living; others to provide supported employment services that help consumers get, keep and maintain jobs in the community.  An important part of this model is to integrate these services for those with co-occurring disorders such as substance abuse and mental illness.” 

The NAMI report highlighted a five-year federal transformation grant awarded to Maryland in 2005 that has led to development of new approaches for mental health consumers and their families.  Many of these are in collaboration with organizations such as On Our Own of Maryland, NAMI-Maryland, the Mental Health Association of Maryland, and the University of Maryland. 

For instance, MHA works with On Our Own and the University of Maryland in the development of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), which is a consumer-driven initiative where peers are trained to work with other consumers to help them plan for mental health recovery. 

Other areas of care covered under the transformation grant include primary care and mental health integration; cultural competence; older adult needs; and reduction in use of restraints and seclusion. 

“One innovative technique is a collaboration with consumer quality teams that visit outpatient and inpatient facilities to interview our consumers about the services they receive,” said Dr. Brian M. Hepburn, executive director of the DHMH Mental Hygiene Administration (MHA).  “Results from these unannounced visits are in turn shared with the facilities so they can make necessary improvements.” 

NAMI also recognized the state for its effort to divert people from emergency rooms to community based organizations, and therefore freeing up beds in hospital psychiatric units.  That, combined with the purchase of beds in private facilities, means Maryland is better able than many states to maintain availability of beds for those in need of inpatient services.