Individuals with severe mental illness die, on average, 25 years earlier than their counterparts. Behavioral health care consumers face several challenges within the system: discrimination as a result of their behavioral health needs and a high co-incidence of behavioral and physical health needs with low income. Approximately 40 percent of these consumers are people of color. 9 month grant.
To eliminate these disparities, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services will work to integrate care between physical and behavioral health providers.