SAMSHA moving agency towards compliance

Guam - The Department of Mental Health will be getting some much-needed assistance from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Officials have been on island for the last week observing and discussing various issues including processes, data collection, workflow and more. 

SAMHSA has agreed to help mental health come into compliance with the amended permanent injunction and build a community-based service system that is responsive to class members.  Officials say that is the focus going forward as the two entities work together to develop a workforce and services and programs to meet the goal.

"It's the most focused I've seen people and the clearest notion of we have a direction and we now where we're going and I think that's a really significant change. Everything that's going on in healthcare these days is changing and how we understand wellness is changing and how we operate healthcare system is changing," said a company representative.

SAMHSA officials held an out-briefing with Mental Health staff and the federal management team on Thursday detailing plans to build on the department's current strengths and improve on various weaknesses to ensure Mental Health consumers receive the services they need and require.