For the last 25 years as a Counselor/Social Worker I have been frustrated with the lack of collaboration, coordination and opportunities for people to get the help they need. Mental health and substance abuse treatment is getting more scarce despite our awareness that there is a desperate need for more of it.

The U.S. only has 5% of the worlds population but 25% of the worlds prisoners and 50%of males and 75 %of female inmates in state prisons, and 75% of females and 63% of male inmates in jails, will experience a mental health problem requiring mental health services in any given year. 30-60% of inmates have a substance abuse disorder.

Homelessness is another problem that more often than not is connected to substance abuse disorders or serious mental illness. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, data from research conducted in the past five years indicates that
• About 30% of people who are chronically homeless have mental health conditions.
• About 50% have co-occurring substance use problems. According to analyses of data from the 1996 NSHAPC;
• Over 60% of people who are chronically homelessness have experienced lifetime mental
health problems
• Over 80% have experienced lifetime alcohol and/or drug problems

What are WE going to do about it?? I am looking for individuals who can look at this issue differently and can help to make systemic change real! What are your thoughts/experience? Please Click below and get involved in our campaign and upcoming summit to address the issues, including drunk driving!

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