Mental health issues affect UCLA

By Karen Albrecht
Daily Bruin Contributor

The disastrous state of mental health care in the United States
has impacted UCLA psychiatric facilities, according to a university
mental health authority.

It is estimated that 75,000 homeless in Los Angeles are mentally
ill said Dr. William Wirshing, chief of the Schizophrenia Treatment
Unit at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and professor of
clinical psychology in the UCLA School of Medicine.

Most state psychiatric hospitals have been closed in the past
decades, forcing former patients to seek treatment elsewhere,
Wirshing said.

However, many people fall through the cracks.

The effects of local psychiatric hospital closures are evident
in UCLA’s psychiatric facilities, said Dr. David Feinberg,
medical director of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric and Behavioral Health
Services and co-author of “Don’t Let Your HMO Kill
You.”

“There has recently been a big increase in the number of
outpatients the NPBHS sees, and we are currently at
capacity,” he said.

Only individuals affiliated with UCLA are currently allowed
admittance.

Nearly a quarter of the U.S. adult population suffers from
mental illnesses or substance abuse every year, according to the
American Psychiatric Association. Still, less than 3 percent
of health care funds under managed care are funneled toward
psychiatric services, according to Feinberg.

Ranked in the top 10 psychiatric hospitals nationwide, according
to U.S. News and World Report, the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital
offers a spectrum of specialized programs for youth, adults and
geriatrics.

Facilities for children under 12, a new adult substance abuse
program, and a top notch geriatric unit contribute to the
hospital’s reputation, said Feinberg.

Addressing the issue of inadequate mental health care coverage,
the NPH treats indigent patients for little or no fee, according to
Feinberg. The educational value of these cases sometimes allows the
NPH to draw on teaching funds to cover costs, he said.

But despite what Wirshing calls the atrocious condition of
psychiatric services in the nation, mental health care has improved
over the past few years with the help of recent legislation.

“The economy has been comparatively flush, and mental
health care is a lot better now than it has been previously,”
he said.

The positive effects of the Mental Health Parity Act passed by
Congress in 1996 can be seen at the NPH according to
Feinberg. The maximum annual cap for mental illness coverage
was previously about $10,000, a resource fully drained after only
10 days of inpatient care, he said.

The act equates annual and lifetime limits for mental health
coverage with those of surgical benefits.

The most common cause for hospital admission nationwide is a
biological psychiatric condition. But in comparison with the
average $50,000 lifetime cap for psychiatric care, other physical
disorders are covered by a $1 million limit.

The new parity law has decreased the amount some patients pay
out of pocket at the NPH, according to Feinberg.

But small businesses are not required to offer mental health
care coverage, and it is still difficult for many patients to
receive proper medical attention, Feinberg said.

Despite such obstacles, UCLA Student Psychological Services
offers free, confidential counseling to UCLA students.

In addition to individual counseling, weekly group sessions are
available for students with common issues, according to William
Parham, Associate Director of Clinical Services for Student
Psychological Services.

“We are a very diverse staff with respect to gender, race,
age and area of expertise,” Parham said. “Because of
this we can help students with all needs.”

A staff member is always on call at the facility for walk-in
emergencies, according to Parham. The organization further
participates in outreach programs, presenting workshops on issues
ranging from procrastination to eating disorders.

According to Wirshing, some students do not seek the
psychological help they need because they are not aware such
services are available, or fear their record will not be kept
confidential.

“It can be tough to ask for help, even if it does exist
and is readably available,” he said.

A large percentage of UCLA students do take advantage of the
services offered, according to Parham.

“We are a multi-disciplinary staff composed of
psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers,” he said.
“We are here for students all of the time.”