by Little Rock Family Staff
3/17/2009
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) issued a national report card today that gives Arkansas an F grade for its public mental health care system According to a press release from NAMI Arkansas, the report is a follow-up to a NAMI report published three years ago to measure the progress of states in achieving the goals of a presidential commission that called for transformation of the mental health care system, which too often is fragmented, outmoded and inadequate. In the previous report, Arkansas received a grade of D. This year it is one of 12 states that saw their grades decline. The national average is D, remaining stagnant from three years ago. Six states received Bs. Six received Fs. No state got an A. Click here for the full report. "There's not much to say about dropping from a D to an F," said Kim Arnold, Executive Director of NAMI Arkansas. "We are at rock bottom. We need to be investing in change and moving forward instead. "Clearly, our state has few of the moving parts for a proven, cost-effective mental health care system. Political leadership, investment, improved planning, and, lastly, action will be needed in order to improve." Arnold continued, "However, I do have hope for our state and our citizens. I know there is a strong desire for improvement in the mental health community. But, for that improvement to occur, we need desire and commitment from all." The report card is based on 65 criteria, including access to medication, housing, family education and support to National Guard members. It includes policy recommendations for federal and state leaders. State governments provided most of the information on which the grades are based
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