LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – A year-long investigation by the Department of Justice has concluded that Kentucky officials need to do more to keep the mentally ill out of hospitals and prisons.
The report, released on Tuesday, describes how a lack of local mental health services is leading to thousands of people being hospitalised unnecessarily.
Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday expressed surprise at the report's release.
He declined to comment on the findings.
“We just want to make sure that we're moving in the right direction, that we're serving everybody, that we're making mental health a priority,” Beshear said, “but we also want to make sure that the reports are accurate and within the bounds of the law.”
The Justice Department said the lack of community mental health support could violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Beshear questioned that conclusion but said he looked forward to discussions with the Justice Department.
“We hadn't heard from them for 11 months until yesterday, so we're hopeful we'll hear from them now,” he said. “I believe there are some aspects of the report that will provide very good guidance and inspire the General Assembly.”
The Justice Department report comes at a time when mental health experts say the state's system is in crisis, with not enough providers to meet demand and burnout rampant.
The Justice Department report focused on Louisville, stating, “…police officers routinely respond to mental health crises in Louisville due to a lack of community-based services. Many of these encounters could have been avoided with community-based services, which could be an alternative to incarceration.”
Reached for comment Wednesday, Mayor Craig Greenberg said the responsibility for the issue lies with the state and federal governments.
“If the state is to provide access to the mental health services that so many people in our community need, we need to increase funding for nonprofits,” Greenberg said.
Beshear pointed to recent improvements in mental health services.
He blamed the Republican-controlled Congress for not approving funding for agile crisis response teams, a Justice Department recommendation to keep mentally ill people out of prison and keep them in treatment.
“While Louisville was under investigation by the Department of Justice, the Legislature allocated twice the amount of funding the Governor requested for a mobile crisis center,” a Senate majority spokesperson responded. “In contrast, the Governor's office did not communicate Louisville's needs to the Legislature. The Legislature understands the importance of mental health care and is committed to finding solutions that work for all Kentuckians.”
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