Royce Understands:

• Mental health and substance abuse issues plague our unhoused community and contribute to their challenges. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports that nationally, 21% of the unhoused population suffers from severe mental illness, and 16.5% are dealing with substance abuse. 
• The closure of state mental health institutions under Governor Jindal led to a dramatic contraction in inpatient care capacity, both statewide and within the New Orleans area. Outpatient services and support are not adequate to support those in our community who are struggling. 
• 30% of our local jail population suffers from mental health issues, and nearly 15% report substance abuse issues, according to the Safety and Justice Challenge.
• Our children are four times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome than the national average. 
• A study from the Louisiana Public Health Institute outlined some of the factors contributing to our city’s mental health challenges: 
• Loss of psychiatric inpatient facilities: Decades of deinstitutionalization and closures (including Charity Hospital and New Orleans Adolescent Hospital) eliminated hundreds of psychiatric beds, leaving capacity far below recommended levels.
• Hurricane Katrina’s impact on safety-net care: The storm and Charity Hospital’s closure disrupted emergency, inpatient, and outpatient services, including the psychiatric crisis system and medical training pipelines.
• Rebuilding the safety-net system: Grants and new facilities restored some access to integrated behavioral health and primary care, but capacity remains limited relative to need.