Mental health crisis in California

Abstract

Over the last 30 years, California dejure (legislated) mental health policy has been based on deinstitutionalization and outpatient care through community mental health systems. But by the end of the 1970s, there was a growing concern over whether deinstitutionalization had successfully occurred, whether community mental health systems had failed and whether mental health systems had ever been adequately funded. In a national study released in 1990, California was named one of four states where mental health delivery has regressed in the past two years. A review of current California mental health policies indicates dejure and defacto policies are not the same. Most mental health dollars are going to state hospitals and community acute inpatient facilities. Budgets for community mental health have been steadily eroded, and the current mental health system is in crisis. Implementation of mental health policy is dependent on intergovernmental financing, and each level of government tries to avoid costs. Definitions of which clients are to be served remain unclear while pressures for more social control mount. Mental health remains segregated from physical health policy-making and continues to operate at a political disadvantage in general fund budget battles.