2031: The Year Mental Health Patients Will Get a Voice
After years of exclusion, mental health patients will finally be included in federal quality assurance surveys thanks to a recent provision in the 2023 budget bill. However, the change won't take effect until 2031, leaving patients to wait even longer for their voices to be heard.
Mental health patients have long been marginalized in the healthcare system, with their experiences and needs often overlooked. However, Washington University professor Morgan Shields and her team have brought to light an issue that’s now making changes in Washington.
When Morgan Shields attempted to pull critical data regarding standards of care for inpatient mental health care, she was shocked to discover the data wasn’t there. National standardized surveys have historically excluded mental health patients, perpetuating the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding their conditions.
This lack of data has made it difficult to understand the needs of these patients and improve their care. Morgan Shields and mental health advocates have been pushing for mental health patients to be included in federal surveys. By highlighting the experiences and needs of these patients, they hope to change the way mental health care is delivered and perceived.
The federal 2023 budget bill includes a provision that requires providers to survey mental health patients. This change has the potential to improve care and outcomes for mental health patients by better understanding their experiences and needs. While the inclusion of mental health patients in federal surveys is a step in the right direction, there is still much work to be done. Continued advocacy and the voices of more scientists and patients are needed to ensure that mental health patients are treated with the respect and care they deserve.
Mental health patients have been marginalized for too long, but the efforts of Morgan Shields and her team, as well as the new legislation, offer hope for a brighter future. By including mental health patients in federal surveys and continuing to fight for their rights and inclusion in healthcare, we can make a real difference in the lives of these patients.
