The health department’s analysis found the state has a total of 2,431 psychiatric beds for acutely ill patients, which puts Massachusetts at the top of states for inpatient mental health services, given its population, said Dr. But at general medical hospitals, there was a slight decrease in beds reserved for treating mentally ill patients, some of whom may also have serious medical conditions. The number of beds in psychiatric specialty hospitals grew 5 percent since 2010. Nearly 90 percent of people with substance abuse disorders do not get help, most because they do not feel they need it. But they are among the growing number of providers realizing that it will be difficult to improve the health of large numbers of patients, a goal of the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, without addressing mental health and addiction problems.Ībout 18 percent of children and adults - more than 1 million people in Massachusetts - suffer from behavior problems, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychiatric illnesses, and about 9 percent have substance abuse disorders, according to a report last month from the state Department of Public Health.įor reasons that are unclear, more than half of those with mental illness do not get treatment, the data show. Partners and MetroWest said their expansion plans are not motivated by the new payment models.
MetroWest Medical Center has asked regulators for permission to open a 14-bed psychiatric unit at its Natick campus. Partners HealthCare, one of the largest providers of psychiatric care in Massachusetts, is embarking on a significant expansion that includes adding 53 beds, mostly at McLean Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Belmont, and at a planned mental health facility in Lynn. Steward’s strategy is part of a broader enhancement of mental health services across the state. Many patients arrive in emergency rooms in crisis, he said, “and can’t get out because there are no beds available’’ in hospital behavioral-health units. Mark Girard, president of Steward Hospitals. “A significant number of the patients we serve need behavioral health care, and that’s why we are making this investment,’’ said Dr.
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