Over the last several years, WSHA has lobbied the state legislature to make significant investments in mental health. This work has resulted in tens of millions of dollars for capital funding for mental health beds. Using this funding, a number of new mental health beds have already opened and many more are in development.
The Department of Commerce just released the application for the first part of the 2016 mental health capital pool. This pot of money, $7.5 million, is aimed projects in facilities that help divert and transition patients from state hospital stays.
There will be a second application made available in two weeks for an additional pot of money, of $6.5 million, with an application deadline of July 28. The second will focus more generally on creating new beds, not necessarily for diversion or transition of patients from state hospitals. We will send that application out as soon as we receive it.
We encourage hospitals to apply for these funds to create more psychiatric capacity in their communities. (Cassie Sauer)
