Advocates hope NH court ruling helps mental health patients waiting in ERs
Modified: 5/20/2021 11:00:11 PM
WEST LEBANON Mental health advocates, lawmakers and providers say they’re hopeful that changes underway to address the persistent problem of long wait times in hospital emergency departments for patients in need of inpatient mental health treatment will make a difference.
“For patients, they hopefully will pretty quickly see a decrease in wait times and rapid admission to inpatient care when needed,” said Ken Norton, the director of the New Hampshire chapter of the nonprofit National Alliance on Mental Illness.
After the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that psychiatric patients being held involuntarily in emergency rooms must be given a chance to contest their detention within three days of their arrival, Gov. Chris Sununu announced at a news conference last Thursday that he was issuing an executive order to try to address the matter.
11 hrs ago
CONCORD â The New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association (CBHA), comprised of the ten community mental health centers (CMHCs) in NH, is hosting many virtual events and supports during national Mental Health Awareness Month throughout the month of May. CBHA and the CMHCs are highlighting a wide variety of mental and behavioral health topics throughout these events, which offers something that will interest all age groups and interests.
This year more than ever, the need for awareness around mental health supports is all the more critical after more than a year of COVID-19. In order to help support the greater Granite State community, CBHA is always striving to reduce the stigma around mental healthcare, as well as educating where and how to seek supports. All ten CMHCs have worked tirelessly to provide care throughout the pandemic and continue to do so.