NMHA Recognizes Oregon's Mid-Valley Behavioral Care Network For Mental Health Prevention Efforts

National Mental Health Association
Monday, 2 June 2003

The National Mental Health Association will present its Lela Rowland Prevention Award to Salem, Oregon's Mid-Valley Behavioral Care Network (MVBCN) for its commitment to providing community access to mental health prevention services. The award recognizes individuals or entities that widely and successfully implement scientifically proven prevention/promotion programs in communities.

"Considering the mental health budget crises many states are facing, it is rare to see a state managed behavioral healthcare organization offer preventive mental health services at all," said Michael Faenza, president and CEO of NMHA. "With its commitment to evidence-based prevention services, MVBCN stands out as an example for other organizations to follow."

MVBCN's service delivery system covers five rural counties in Oregon. One of the most unique aspects of the MVBCN is that it is directed by service providers and mental health advocates. The organization successfully demonstrates innovation and a commitment to prevention by setting aside a portion of its overall budget for prevention activities. This prioritization of prevention services is accomplished through an allocation of 1.85 percent of the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) capitation, for an annual budget of close to $500,000. To provide people with the most effective prevention services, MVBCN's Prevention Planning Work Group makes policy and funding recommendations for prevention services.

MVBCN provides members with a variety of evidence-based prevention service options. The interventions are available at no cost to all people, regardless of insurance status. Services include: parent education for high-risk families with young children, postpartum depression screening, cognitive-behavioral mood management skills training, adolescent depression screening and linkages, and early identification and outreach for young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis.

The Lela Rowland Prevention Award will be presented Friday, June 6 at NMHA's 2003 annual conference, "America's Mental Health Crisis: Finding Solutions Together," at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

The National Mental Health Association is America's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.

For more information, or to contact National Mental Health Association, see their website at: www.nmha.org