Remember Rodney Dangerfield's famous quote," I can't get respect." His famous quote can be applied to the mental health professionals in Massachusetts who are under intense pressure to produce or be terminated. Many of my colleagues including myself are being pressured to see a certain number of clients on Medicaid or risk losing our jobs. The new mental health law for children and adolescents have not improved the quality of services as many families are still waiting for intensive mental health services throughout the state as the number on the waiting lists is increasing day by day. Also, many families are waiting weeks for outpatient services for their children as the insurance companies have decreased the number of sessions and rates for this type of service.
How can agencies and organizations retain qualified licensed mental health counselors including social workers if they are being threatened to lose their jobs due to inequitable productivity standards and unhealthy working conditions? The intense pressue is causing many of my colleagues to endure significant health problems such as high pressure; obesity; lack of sleep; and depression and anxiety attacks. How ironic that the helping profession is encountering the similar issues that our clients face on a daily basis in their lives. How can the mental health profession be respected and credible if they can't clean up their own "their house" without interfering in their ability to serve their clients?
We need to have our state organizations that represent both mental health counselors and social workers to conduct a study on the adverse effects on how the new mental health law is affecting the quality of our work. After the study is completed, the Presidents of both organizations need to have a hearing at the State House with the legislators to promote better quality services for our clients and for our clinicians.
Please note it is very difficult to work with a transient population (on Medicaid) that is known for high no-shows; cancellations; and closures every month. Unfortunately, the clinicians get blamed from management who have no idea how frustrating it is to work this clientele. Double-booking is not the answer as some clinicians will see both clients for a half hour each ,and then bill for a full hourly session to keep their numbers up. I do not engage in this type of practice as it is illegal and unethical to do.
What do you think?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Moderator
