Further Mental Health Questions

 Questions About Mental Health Services continued. 

Why did I post the information yesterday on Minnesota Mental Health facilities? Because curiosity was stimulated through random conversations. Maybe the story was over. 

However, upon arising I looked at the Star Tribune newspaper. On the front page, an article describes how a major insurance carrier is cutting back on coverage for therapy counseling.

The answer to my question about the relevance of facts related to Minnesota Mental Health care is that support for troubled people is being made more difficult to find and afford. There is a long-term trend. Once large hospitals provided safety for vulnerable people by keeping them off the streets, out of jails and prisons, and made families safer.

Smaller treatment centers and retirement communities hardly fill the need but they appear to be best we can do.

 

The costs can be high. Average annual US cost is $82,000 for semi private care for one person.  I know of one couple who face an annual cost of $250,000.

 

Hopefully Long Term Care Insurance was put in place years before.  Even so life savings may soon be exhausted. Medicade will provide some aid. The emotional stress from financial collapse increases the possibility of serious illness.

 

Rural areas are sparsely settled many do not have medical services for child birth or the end of life journey. Care often involves separation from family and neighbors.

 

The diversity of Minnesota culture and ethnic life is a unique challenge for understanding mental health. 

History beginning with Native American people needs to be understood as we look to the future. Next questions may appear in this weblog.

  Delton Krueger 9-6-17