This commentary comes as the state has chosen to rebid its behavioral health services contract, which is currently held by OptumHealth.
New Mexico’s behavioral health challenges have been well chronicled. From high teen suicide and alcoholism rates to the lack of state spending on mental health, New Mexico has placed at the bottom of nearly every category.
In an effort to better address these issues, Governor Richardson created the New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative in 2004. The collaborative allows several state agencies and resources involved in behavioral health prevention, treatment and recovery to work as one in an effort to improve mental health and substance abuse services in New Mexico.
Seven months ago, OptumHealth took over the state contract for services and did something that has never been done before. They created six regional offices: Roswell, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Farmington, and a Native American office. By localizing care to over 350,000 New Mexicans, they have improved the quality of care right here in Southern New Mexico.
Pasos Adelante Behavioral Health Services LLC, located in Berino and soon in Las Cruces, provides assistance to families with mental-behavioral health issues as well as families affected by substance abuse in the rural surrounding areas. Our program has seen an increase of patients receiving personalized treatment and successfully moving from our facility into the community.
The support provided by the peer specialists at OptumHealth ensures that patients transition smoothly into recovery by offering care coordination to each family and reducing waste. This approach improves the quality of service and care provided for the client and their family with less transitional chaos that families at this time don’t need.
What does this mean for New Mexicans? The revolving door of patients who are readmitted into the hospital or residential care is reduced. Patients and their families are empowered to make the best treatment choices for themselves, and the connection to support groups and community services increases their chances for long-term success.
The overall improvement of behavioral health services in New Mexico will take time. Now more than ever, it’s critical that we search for creative solutions to address our most pressing needs.
At this time, change is not needed, but support and understanding for OptumHealth, which has made a step in the right direction, is essential. By effectively coordinating the state’s resources, they have proven in a short period of time that there is hope and better care for New Mexico’s families.
Molina is the CEO and clinical director for Pasos Adelante Behavioral Health Services LLC.