When it began in 2001, mental health care reform in North Carolina was supposed to downsize state mental hospitals in favor of treating patients through community support closer to their homes. But adequate community networks proved difficult to establish. Money was wasted. Patients often were left to cope with the worst of both worlds.
The magnitude of the failure finally became evident a couple of years ago. Its effects continue to be felt, and patients and their families feel them most acutely. A report conducted through the state Department of Health and Human Services illustrates problems that persist. Nine community hospitals were surveyed about their experiences with the mental health system, and the results were not encouraging, to put it mildly. Story continues here ➤
