In a society where public violence is becoming more commonplace, Virginia has decided to make access to mental health support services more restrictive and harder to obtain for individuals with mental illness. The new “emergency “ regulations place more burden of proof on the individual to provide documentation of mental diagnosis, past psychiatric hospitalizations and proof of psychiatric medications, and  require much more bureaucratic red tape  in order for service providers to provide needed services.

Individuals with specific mental health diagnosis have been excluded from mental health support services, unless additional documentation can be provided, resulting in delay of service provision, and possibly leading to so much frustration that the individual that needs services just gives up.

The “support” portion of mental health supports is being stripped from the service, leaving the skills training component, therefore lessening the comprehensive nature and quality of services, as well as the needed qualifications of individuals in a direct client service role.

I agree that budget concerns need to be addressed in VA, but the mental health system is not the area to cut corners. This shortsightedness will lead to increased psychiatric hospitalizations by individuals who have lived independently in the community for years with some supports, as well as increased costs to VA and taxpayers.

 What is Virginia doing to its citizens?