HOUSE MEMORIAL 5

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson and Kathleen Cates and Tara Jaramillo

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF REQUIRING MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY PROVIDERS TO BE TRAINED IN THE TREATMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

 

     WHEREAS, it is estimated that somewhere between forty and seventy-six percent of adults with developmental disabilities suffer from mental illness; and

     WHEREAS, people with developmental disabilities suffer from mental illness at substantially higher rates than the rest of the population; and

     WHEREAS, there is not a standard requirement for mental health or developmental disability providers to be trained in the treatment of people with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health issues; and

     WHEREAS, mental health providers who are not properly trained in developmental disability issues often misdiagnose and improperly medicate patients with developmental disabilities, causing severe injuries and even death; and

     WHEREAS, it is imperative for efforts to be taken to assess and address the lack of training on developmental disability issues in the mental health field;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to create a task force to study the feasibility of requiring various mental health and developmental disability providers to be trained in the treatment of people with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health issues; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that at least one-half of the members of the task force include representatives from developmental disability advocacy organizations such as people first, New Mexico allies for advocacy, inc., parents reaching out, education for parents of Indian children with special needs, the national alliance on mental illness, disability rights New Mexico, elevate the spectrum and families ASAP, with the remaining members of the task force being representatives from the department of health, the developmental disabilities supports division of the department of health, the New Mexico developmental disabilities council, the university of New Mexico center for development and disability, the university of New Mexico school of medicine transdisciplinary evaluation and support clinic and the regulation and licensing department; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee by December 1, 2023; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health, the chair and vice chair of the legislative health and human services committee, the superintendent of regulation and licensing, New Mexico allies for advocacy, inc., parents reaching out, the national alliance on mental illness, disability rights New Mexico, families ASAP, education for parents of Indian children with special needs, elevate the spectrum, the New Mexico developmental disabilities council, the university of New Mexico center for development and disability and the university of New Mexico school of medicine transdisciplinary evaluation and support clinic.

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