Far too often, NAMI family members and friends must watch people they care about deteriorate into frightening conditions before help can be obtained. After much suffering for the consumer, hospitalization typically takes place. The above is what we all have accepted as the way mental health care is supposed to be. But that is NOT how it has to be. Other states have used resources freed up from closing hospitals to create such programs as crisis stabilization units, mobile outreach teams, consumer-run programs, and more.
Housing receives lots of attention and resources in states that have good systems of community care.
Consumers in Virginia deserve more than a revolving door in and out of the hospital. They deserve a shot at recovering and reaching their highest potential. The moment to give them that shot is now. We argued for and are now comfortable with the bills' inclusion of language that states that the communities affected by changes in hospital status will actively participate in planning the new community system of care. We have argued mightily that consumers, families, mental health professionals and others from the locality should be in the driver's seat planning changes they want. .