Many important changes have occurred since the 2019 gaps analysis was published.
This section highlights changes and improvements that have been made to close known gaps in the mental health and substance use services system. It should be noted that changes in regulations, policy, funding, and services take time to produce changes in lived experiences, and some have no impact at all.
Survey respondents reported the following improvements to the system since 2019:
- Access to telehealth services for mental health and substance use services.
- Expansion of the crisis continuum, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and mobile crisis options.
- Changes in regulations that expanded the list of eligible prescribers.
- Changes in regulations that expanded the list of providers that can bill for treating substance use disorders.
- The establishment of codes to bill for peer professionals.
- Increased reach of home visiting programs that screen for mental health and substance use needs in families of very young children.
- Progress in integrating mental health and substance use services into federally qualified health centers, reducing transportation barriers.
- Increased acceptance of overdose prevention strategies in communities across the state.
- Increases in community-wide efforts to normalize help-seeking and prevent future mental health and substance use needs, targeting young people all over the state.
Go back - Section 5: Causes of Gaps
Next - Section 7: Conclusion
