New Hampshire lawmakers are considering a bill that would increase housing opportunities for people with mental health issues. Senate Bill 410 passed unanimously in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee last week. It would provide $1.5 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to support the state's community mental health centers and transitional housing. “We know there is a housing crisis across the state, but that housing crisis is especially acute for people with mental illness and those transitioning from New Hampshire hospitals to the community,” the bill said. said the proponent, Senator Becky. Whitley supporters say the bill could ease the pressure of emergency room admissions on people experiencing a mental health crisis and waiting for treatment. ” New Hampshire Hospital has many people, sometimes more than 50, clinically ready at any given time. “They want to be discharged from hospital, but they don't have a suitable place to go. So for these people to be placed in a more restrictive environment is not only inappropriate, but it puts pressure on the whole system,” NAMI New Executive Director , said Susan Stearns. hampshire “If you can't get people through your back door, it's hard to get people in your front door.” “This bill would provide new funding for transitional housing for people with mental illness. Providing transitional beds can help reduce mental health bed shortages and emergency room admissions. Like all spending in non-budget years, this funding is dependent on available resources. “I appreciate the Health and Human Services Committee’s diligent efforts to address this important issue,” said Senate President Jeb Bradley. If the bill passes, the state's community mental health centers could receive up to $25,000 per transitional bed. I will go to the Senate floor and ask for a full vote.
New Hampshire lawmakers are considering a bill that would increase housing opportunities for people with mental health issues.
Senate Bill 410 passed unanimously in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee last week. It would provide $1.5 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to support the state's community mental health centers and transitional housing.
“We know there is a housing crisis across the state, but that housing crisis is especially acute for people with mental illness and those transitioning from New Hampshire hospitals to the community,” the bill said. said the proponent, Senator Becky. Whitley.
Supporters say the bill could relieve pressure from emergency room boarding for people experiencing a mental health crisis and waiting for treatment.
“New Hampshire hospitals admit many people, sometimes more than 50 people, every day who are clinically ready for discharge but have no suitable place to go. “It's not just inappropriate to be in an environment that's more restrictive, but it puts pressure on the entire system,” said Susan Stearns, executive director of NAMI New Hampshire. “If you can't get people through the back door, it's hard to get people through the front door.”
“This bill would provide new funding for transitional housing for patients with mental illness. Transition beds would reduce mental health bed shortages and emergency room admissions. As with all non-budget year expenditures, this funding is dependent on available resources. We appreciate the Health and Human Services Committee's hard work in addressing this important issue.”・Said Senate President Bradley.
If the bill passes, the state's community mental health centers could receive up to $25,000 per transitional bed.
The bill is now scheduled for a full vote on the Senate floor.
