The effect of "failed" community mental health centers on non-white mortality
The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 in the USA established Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) across that country with the goal of providing continuous, comprehensive, community-oriented care to people suffering from mental illness.
Despite this program being considered a failure by most contemporary accounts, the World Health Organization advocates for a transition from the institutionalisation of the mentally ill to a system of community-centred care.
Though little evidence was found that access to a CMHC impacted mortality rates in the white population, we find large and robust effects for the non-white population, with CMHCs reducing suicide and homicide rates by eight per cent and 14 per cent respectively. CMHCs also reduced deaths from alcohol in the female non-white population by 18 per cent.
These results suggest the historical narrative surrounding the failure of this program does not represent the non-white experience and that community care can be effective at reducing mental health related mortality in populations with the least access to alternative treatment options.
Speaker
Dr Mallory Avery, research fellow, Monash Business School
Dr Avery is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Economics Department of Monash University, working with Andreas Leibbrandt. Dr Avery works on topics of diversity and inclusion, mental health and substance abuse, and behavioural economics using applied and experimental methods.
CHE Seminar Series
As part of our centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.
Event Details
- Date:
- 24 August 2022 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Venue:
- In-person at Caulfield campus, Building H, Level 9, Room H921 and Zoom
- Categories:
- Health Economics; CHE Seminar; General
Description
The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 in the USA established Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) across that country with the goal of providing continuous, comprehensive, community-oriented care to people suffering from mental illness.
Despite this program being considered a failure by most contemporary accounts, the World Health Organization advocates for a transition from the institutionalisation of the mentally ill to a system of community-centred care.
Though little evidence was found that access to a CMHC impacted mortality rates in the white population, we find large and robust effects for the non-white population, with CMHCs reducing suicide and homicide rates by eight per cent and 14 per cent respectively. CMHCs also reduced deaths from alcohol in the female non-white population by 18 per cent.
These results suggest the historical narrative surrounding the failure of this program does not represent the non-white experience and that community care can be effective at reducing mental health related mortality in populations with the least access to alternative treatment options.
Speaker
Dr Mallory Avery, research fellow, Monash Business School
Dr Avery is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Economics Department of Monash University, working with Andreas Leibbrandt. Dr Avery works on topics of diversity and inclusion, mental health and substance abuse, and behavioural economics using applied and experimental methods.
CHE Seminar Series
As part of our centre's vibrant research culture, we host a weekly seminar series. Visiting and invited researchers present current research relating to the economics of health and wellbeing, and the healthcare sector. Visitors are welcome to join these sessions where discussion and debate is encouraged.