South Carolina announced cuts of at least 12 percent to its mental health budget. This will come as a result of closing programs, staff cuts, a freeze on hiring, and eliminaitng 75 in-patient beds. The projected $26 million reduction might increase by another $7.8 million. Advocates worry that the impact of reducing services will be transferred to emergency rooms, jails and homeless shelters.
Elsewhere:
A spike in anxiety, depression and suicide risks in Denver.
In New York, reports the Poughkeepsie Journal, advocates are asking the governor to "look first at trimming the state's expensive sex-offender treatment program to help during New York's fiscal crisis rather than reducing services for people with mental illness."
Arkansas is expecting cuts for school-based mental health.
The Medicaid crisis hit Kentucky, where enrollment jumped; Idaho intends to save with unpaid time off.
