In addition **[TOTAL NIMH to research; includes homeless and state planning grants; CSP/CASSP, homeless and prevention demonstrations; protection and advocacy; clinical training] The NAMI/MHLG alternative budget would increase the total NIMH budget to $867.9 million. The difference ($113.6 million) between the President's request for research and the NAMI/MHLG recommendations, as compared to the shortfall ($271.9 million) you will note in the table concerning the major National Plans, is due to our understanding of the limited current fiscal environment. resources available in the However, this Subcommittee, as soon as additional resources become available, should implement the NAMI/MHLG recommendations to fully meet the budget requirerents called for in the National Plans which I know are of high priority to this and the House Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations. In this regard, it is important to emphasize, only with the NAMI/MHLG budget proposal that I present to you today, would NIMH be able to fund four new basic and clinical Research Centers; two new organization and financing Research Centers; and maintain some momentum on NIMH's major blueprints for action during the 1990's, including the National Plans: The National Plan for Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders NIMH is moving vigorously ahead with the Child and Adolescent research strategy as requested by the Congress. The Plan is a systematic, science-based attack on the mental disorders that affect 8.1 million, or 12%, of the country's 66 million youths, açe ༢ or linder. one-third of these young people who neeċ Only treatment receive it. The major initiatives are: Epidemiologic for Catchment area Study: Centers Severely mentally ill persons suffer from long term, persistent mental aspects of their lives. They experience diverse, disruptive symptoms with attendant high levels of disability. Some examples of severe mental disorders are schizophrenia, schizophreriform delusional disorder; psychotic disorders, and ranic disorder, depression. 1) Priorities for clinical and rehabilitative care research to be detailed in the Plan include: Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation, and Outcome. 2) Priorities for service system and Continuity, Law and Mental research include: Coordination Health, and Financing. 3) Initiatives in research resources include: Knowledge Transfer and Exchange, and Research Training. The National Plan for Research on Schizophrenia And the Brain The National Plan for Schizophrenia Research generated a number of initiatives including advances in molecular genetic linkage techniques as well as imaging, electrophysiology, and the development of new treatments. The report on Opportunities for NINH Neuroscience Research focuses on the increases in knowledge to be gained through clinical neuroscience, such as brain imaging, and new discoveries which have established the ability to reproduce and grow human brain cell cultures. Planning for these research strategies revealed complementary and shared elements that led to combining the plans into a single, cost-efficient initiative including: Therapeutic Medications Development, Diagnostic Centers for Psychiatric Linkage, Integration of Basic and Clinical Approaches, Regional Imaging Centers for the Study of Mental Disorders, and Molecular Neurobiology. ADAMHA BLOCK GRANT In recent years, researchers have discovered that many individuals with serious mental illnesses also suffer from substance abuse disorders, particularly during acute phases of their mental illnesses. This is something, Mr. Chairman, which many of our family members who have experienced the mental illness of a loved one can vouch for. Unfortunately, providers in the community are most mental health not equipped to treat substance abuse disorders. Similarly, most substance abuse providers are not knowledgeable about or willing to treat mental illnesses. As it is currently structured, the Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) Block Grant is an ideal mechanism for focusing federal resources into the comprehensive treatment needs of individuals with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. Mr. Chairman, we look to your Subcommittee for leadership in emphasizing the importance of dual planning and coordinated efforts by Block Grant recipients in treating individuals with these dual diagnoses. PROJECTS TO AID THE TRANSITION FROM HOMELESSNESS Mr. Chairman, it is conservatively estimated that 35% of all homeless individuals are seriously mentally ill. Many of these individuals also suffer from substance abuse disorders. Last year, Congress passed important legislation designed to address the needs of this population called "Projects to Aid the Transition from Homelessness" or PATH. The intent of PATH is to link housing and services for persons who are homeless and mentally ill, including those who suffer from or substance abuse disorders. 80% of the monies dispersed to community providers by states must be used for purposes such as community mental health services, case management services, substance alcohol abuse treatment, and referrals for primary health services. 20% of the monies may be used for housing purposes such as minor renovations, security deposits, one-time rental payments, and coordinating between housing and service providers. States are required to contribute $1.00 for every $3.00 of Federal funds received under PATH. The Budget submitted by the President targets $42 million for PATH. This is far below the $75 million authorized for the program by Congress last year. This despite the fact that PATH builds upon an approach which has already proven successful under the Stewart B. McKinney Act, the Mental Health Services Block Grant program. NAMI members familiar with the implementation of that program agree that its only shortcoming was that not enough monies were available on an annual basis to begin to meet the needs of this vulnerable and highly deserving population. PATH represents a significant step forward towards addressing this problem. We therefore respectfully urge the Subcommittee to appropriate the full $75 million for this important program. COMPREHENSIVE STATE MENTAL HEALTH PLANNING GRANTS Mr. Chairman, in 1986, Congress passed the Comprehensive Mental Health Planning Act (P.L. 99-660) As a result of this Act, all States were required to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the treatment and services needs of persons with mental illnesses in the community. The Act further mandated that mental health planning Councils be developed in all States, with at least 50% of all members comprised of individuals with mental illnesses and their families. Today, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and seven territories have developed such plans, in many of them the first long-range blueprints for addressing the needs of this population in a coordinated, cohesive fashion ever developed. The mental health planning Councils were an integral process in all cases. part of this most crucial The process is now entering into its second, stage, implementation of these plans. The work of the Councils in overseeing implementation will be crucial to this process. Recognizing this, Congress last year authorized $5 million for these Councils as part of the Mental Health Amendments of 1990 (P.L. 101-639). Although a relatively small amount, these monies are used productively to enable Planning Council monitor, evaluate, and revise existing planning and implementation activities. We therefore urge the Subcommittee to appropriate the full $5 million for these grants. if the members to overarching goal of In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, conquering mental illness by the year 2000 is to be met, it is essential that the elements which could be supported by the NAMI/MHLG budget proposed here be put into place now. As I have tried to emphasize in this short space and time, the entire spectrum of fields related to mental illness are ripe with genuine research opportunity, from basic science to health care systems. neuroscience and behavioral Now is the time for this Subcommittee and the Congress to соле out in strong support of these critical endeavors, and ensure that the future of this nation will receive the full benefit of today's potential so that this does not become the "Decade of Mediocrity. |