**[TOTAL NIMH In addition 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

recommendations, as compared to the shortfall (5271.9 million) you

will note in the table concerning the major National Plans, is due

becore available, should inplement the NAMI/MHLG recommendations

budget proposal that I present to you today, would NIMH be able to

momentum

on NINH's major blueprints for action during the 1990's,

?lan FY 92

700

Pres.
FY 92
146,550

Chiid and Adolescent Disorders

202,

Shortfall

The National Plan for Research on child and Adolescent Mental

Disorders

NIMH is moving vigorously ahead with the Chiid and Adolescent

meament sesearcs; gypac-c Pesearch arc Researcs Dereistrai

Yuiticenter tiona? Co 16 borative Treatment Tria's; "License

Colaborative treatment Stucy: Prevention of rental disorcers and

senaviora? Problems; and Research Training and Career Deveiopment.

The National Plan of Research to Improve Care For

Severe Mental Disorders

depression. 1) Priorities for clinical and rehabilitative care research to be detailed in the plan include: Assessment, Treatment

include: Knowledge Transfer and Exchange, and Research Training.

linkage techniques as well as imaging, electrophysiology, and the

cevezoment of

new

treatments.

The report on

Opportunities for

their mental illnesses. This is something, Mr. Chairman, which many

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

of individuals with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders.

by Block Grant recipients in treating individuals with these cual

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 ili, including those who suffer from substance abuse disorders. 80% of the monies dispersed to community

alcohui abuse treatient, and referrals for primary health services.

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 vuinerable

and highly deserving population. PATH represents a significant step

forward towards accressing this probiem. We therefore respectfuiiy

urge the Subcommittee to appropriate the full $75 million for this

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 individuais 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

stage, implementation of these plans. The work of the Councils in

monitor, evaluate, and revise existing planning and implementation

activities. We therefore urge the subcommittee to appropriate the

NAMI/MHLG budget proposed here be put into place now.

As I have

Subcommittee and

the Congress

to

out

in strong support of