St. Louis County Executive Page Seeks Expansion Of Mental Health Services At St. Louis County Department Of Public Health

Chesterfield MO

26 May, 2022

3:48 AM

Description

Press release from the St. Louis County Government: May 25, 2022 ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO (May 25, 2022) - With an increase in need for mental health services, County Executive Dr. Sam Page is seeking more funding to expand services available through St. Louis County's Department of Public Health. Two unique funding opportunities are available. St. Louis County will receive about $45 million from the state's opioid settlement announced in February. As well, there are about $74 million in unappropriated federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. "More than 75 percent of those who took the Community Needs Survey said they'd like the federal funds to be used to expand mental health services," County Executive Dr. Sam Page said. "Our health departments are the access point to healthcare for our most vulnerable residents, and given the overwhelming community need, more must be done." Based on the first quarter of 2022, the Department of Public Health is on track to see more than 3,000 patients who need mental health services Until this year, the health department typically served 2,300 patients per year for mental health services. County Executive Page highlighted two areas where the Health Department could dramatically expand services if the funding was made available: Mental Health Case Management – Trained clinicians would work closely with patients to address their physical, emotional, and environmental needs. After a thorough assessment, the Health Department would work with a variety of community partners to link the patient to free-of-charge care, creating a path to successful treatment. Substance Use Treatment – A dramatic increase in our prevention, treatment, and harm reduction programs, specifically for alcohol and opioid use. With the help of several partners, the Health Department is updating and expanding its Opioid Action Plan and should have it completed in the coming weeks. The full media briefing from Wednesday morning can be viewed here. This press release was produced by the St. Louis County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.