Bipolar disorder and psychoses treatment focus of bill to establish support program

More treatment and support services for youth and adults up to age 40 experiencing one of their first bipolar disorders or their first psychotic episode could become available.

Sponsored by Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL-Edina), HF3743 was laid over Monday by the House Human Services Policy Committee for possible inclusion in the committee’s policy package.

“For many people experiencing serious symptoms who are not seeking care voluntarily, we do nothing, nothing, until they are a danger to themselves and others and even then, we often don’t help them,” said Sue Abderholden, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota. “For no other health care condition do we wait to intervene until it is at a critical stage.”

Under the bill, the Department of Human Services would grant funds to eligible providers for medication management, psychoeducation for an individual and their family, employment support, cognitive behavioral approaches, social skills training, crisis planning, and stress management.

Program participants and their families could also receive housing and travel expenses to access services.

“My life began a downward spiral, and it didn’t have to be that way,” said Nicholas Rasmusson. He experienced a psychiatric break in 2013 that led him to lose his business, private health insurance, support system, and home.

“If someone had showed up at my home the day after my psychotic break and formed a relationship with me, I believe my story would have turned out very different,” he said.   

Outreach services would also be increased through a pilot grant program for counties or certified community behavioral health centers. The aim would be to prevent individuals from being civilly committed to a mental health care facility.

The bill would provide $6.5 million in fiscal year 2025 from the General Fund to create the three grant programs for bipolar, psychosis, and engagement services, as well as to increase housing options for adults with serious mental illness and nonemergency medical transportation services.