Budget crisis in mental health industry

Caring for a disabled family member can be difficult.

That is why many families depend on the government’s help for programs to keep their disabled family member active.

Now some of those programs are being threatened.

There is a budget crisis in the mental health industry, which means some services for disabled clients could be cut in half.

Today families protested against the new budget outside of RHA, a mental health facility for the disabled.

There are 75 mental health organizations in our area. All of them are part of the Southeastern Center for Mental Health in Wilmington.

Last year the agencies spent about twelve million dollars for mental health services, which was four million dollars over budget.

Southeastern had to use its reserve funds to make up for the overspending.

For the new budget year beginning July first, the Southeastern Center has to divvy up $8.3 million among its agencies.

That means some jobs and programs will have to be cut.

Protester Nancy Freas said, “We’re just here hoping that we can have this whole program remain and everyone can have their hours and attend the program.”

Southeaster Center doctor Art Constantini said, “It’s not so much that the budget has been cut, we’ve got to spend less money than what was spent last year, but the important thing are the services — what services do you really need and how can we provide those in the most cost effective way.”

Officials at Southeastern say that it can cost up to $200,000 to serve at least one disabled client.

Southeastern management plans to meet with each agency to find out which clients need the services the most.