A new report examining behavioral health trends in Virginia has found a significant five-year increase in hospital admissions for depression, PTSD, drug use and autism spectrum disorder.
Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association found rising suicide rates, the ongoing opioid epidemic and youth mental health challenges all demonstrate the depth of the crisis.
The “Behavioral Health in Virginia: Transforming Access, Care, and Outcomes” report was shared at a health summit in Richmond and now has been released to the public.
The report also addresses the ongoing workforce shortage, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Many rural hospitals in Virginia are facing challenges as financial instability leads to fewer insured patients. While hospitals are paid through Medicare and Medicaid programs, the reimbursement is usually below the cost of care.
“As demand for behavioral health services continues to grow, Virginia’s hospitals are leading the way in working with government and community partners to expand access, strengthen heath care workforce development pathways, and devise innovative strategies to meet community needs,” said Sean T. Connaughton, VHHA President and CEO. “The VHHA behavioral health report is being shared with the public as an important part of that continuing dialogue.”
ICYMI
- Analysis | Hospital admissions up in Virginia for patients with depression, PTSD, autism
- Mental health professionals in demand; concern majority ‘graying out’ of workforce
- Albemarle County | HART team delivers alternative to jail, ER for those in crisis
- Harrisonburg: A mental health crisis is among top five emergency calls to police
- Report | Mental health, substance abuse rates for adults in America ‘unacceptably high’
In the report, VHAA shared four strategic priorities to create a more equitable and sustainable behavioral health system.
The priorities include:
- Strengthening the behavioral health workforce through loan repayment programs, targeted training initiatives and robust pipelines to attract and retain talent
- Expanding access through innovation by investing in telehealth, mobile crisis units and transportation supports, particularly in rural areas
- Improving system integration by enhancing data sharing, streamlining case management and fostering cross-sector collaboration to reduce fragmentation
- Scaling crisis services statewide to provide timely, community-based responses that reduce strain on emergency departments and law enforcement
“The presence of growing service demand, persistent workforce and reimbursement challenges and the unique care needs of a diverse patient population requires stakeholders, including providers, to collaborate on solutions and strategies,” said Connaughton.
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Crystal Graham
