Creates a course of instruction to train mental health providers in veteran specific mental health issues

Summary of provisions

Section 1 short title "The Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative";

Section 2. Legislative Intent;

Section 3 instructs the Division of Veterans Affairs to award a grant through an open and competitive process of no less than $500,000 for the purpose of training social workers, in a course of study related to the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD, TBI and combat related mental health issues to include substance abuse. Provides that Veterans Affairs shall have the power to audit such association to ensure the proper expenditure of state funds;

Section 4 Describes what the association receiving the grant must do in relationship to the course of study;

Section 5 Provides that the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) will consult with the Division of Veterans Affairs and provide guidelines necessary for the proper implementation of this program;

Section 6 Provides that the New York State Education Department, as part of continuing education for social workers, shall require a course of study related to the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD, TBI and combat related mental health issues to include substance abuse.

Section 7 Limitations on the scope of practice.

Section 8 Effective Date

Justification

The State of New York and the country at large are facing a formidable challenge in serving the mental health needs of veterans returning from active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, over one and a half million active duty and reserve members of the U.S. military have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, and nearly one half million have been redeployed. With each deployment, our service members encounter extreme strains on their physical and mental health, which, in many cases have resulted in unprecedented rates of health and mental health problems, most notably post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Equally alarming, are numerous reports of increased suicide, addiction and homelessness among our returning soldiers. Further, family members are struggling with the ramifications of extended and/or multiple deployments, resulting in serious emotional and psychological tolls.

In addition to high rates of PTSD, providers in the mental health community have also begun reporting increased cases of traumatic brain injury sustained in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of combat due in large part to the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). Equally disturbing is the rate at which TBI has been misdiagnosed as PTSD. Numerous reports have told the story of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with brain trauma, but because there are no visible head wounds, symptoms such as memory loss and confusion are often mistaken as indicators of PTSD. Further, recent Post Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA) data show that up to 38% of soldiers and 31% of Marines are suffering from negative psychological symptoms. In addition, the Department of Defense Task Force on Veterans' Mental Health recently reported elevated rates of major depression and substance abuse.

Many returning service members, particularly National Guard and Reserves, are not accessing services from the federal Veterans Administration or through the Department of Defense Tricare system upon returning home; but rather, through community-based organizations and agencies. Therefore, community-based providers are experiencing an influx of returning service members for whom they are not entirely prepared to provide treatment. These recent trends have been substantiated through sources such as the 2007 Report of the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health, citing an overwhelming need to train mental health providers in mental illnesses with unique etiological roots to combat situations.

To assure that such care be provided by an adequately trained mental health workforce, the state will, through an open grant process, engage state associations of social workers, psychiatrists, doctors and other appropriate health care professionals to train mental health providers in the identification, diagnosis, and course of treatment for combat related PTSD and other mental health issues to include substance abuse. This course shall also serve to educate service members and family members of service members in accessing mental health and psycho social services.

Legislative history

2008: 5.6799-a/A.10069-a Veto 75 2009-10: S.1195-a referred to Finance, A.5993-a referred to Mental Health

Fiscal implications

$500,000 for the purpose of training social workers, of all classifications, in a course of study related to the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD, TBI and combat related mental health issues to include substance abuse. This grant shall be distributed in the amount of 5250,000.00 at the beginning of each state fiscal year, for 2 years, starting in 2012; however, a sum to he determined by the Division of Veterans Affairs may be forwarded for future year's expenditures if it is determined to be necessary for the proper implementation of the program.

Effective date

April 1, 2012