GCB needs a suitable facility that will enhance the efficient and effective delivery of mental health and primary care services to our clients. The integration of physical and mental health care is necessary in order to reduce the health disparities of people with severe mental illnesses.

As a group, people with mental illness have higher than average rates of certain illnesses and premature death. As summarized by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (2006), recent studies show that people with serious mental illness, on average, die 25 years earlier than the general population. If you are among one of the 1.7 million Americans with an illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, you can expect to die from a chronic medical illness before you reach age 55. 60 % of premature deaths in persons with schizophrenia are due to preventable and costly medical conditions such as cardiovascular, pulmonary and infectious diseases. Colton CW, Manderscheid RW. Prev Chronic Dis [serial online] 2006 April [date cited]. Available at www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2006/apr/05_0180

It is not by accident that the integration of primary care and behavioral health care is a national mental health initiative and has been identified as “the best practice” for addressing this health crisis among the seriously mentally ill. With plans to expand co-located behavioral and primary health care at GCB, we are poised to continue to do nationally groundbreaking work in this area.

GCB's move to the Madison Road facility was a critical necessity in order for GCB to deliver integrated health care and other services to our clients in one location. Client care will become better coordinated with case managers, therapists, nurses and psychiatrists available for ongoing consultation and information sharing all in one location. A health clinic with an onsite pharmacy will allow GCB to provide primary health care in a fully integrated fashion to our clients.

The challenges of meeting this goal are formidable, particularly given the state of the economy. Interestingly enough, the demand for GCB’s mental health services historically has increased in times of economic recession. If there was ever a time that we want to do more for our clients and do it more effectively, it is now.

Meeting our challenge is important to literally thousands of severely mentally ill Cincinnatians. Your financial commitment is much needed and will be greatly appreciated by a segment of our community who cannot always help themselves.

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