Mental health commissioner

A hallmark of Gov. Angus King’s administration has been its ability to attract top-quality people, particularly at the level of department commissioner. A group concerned with the future of mental health care in Maine recently offered the administration some useful advice on maintaining that record as it looks to fill the position of commissioner for the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

The care providers from around the state asked Gov. King to consider as the goal for a new commissioner building services that are accessible, systematic and cost-effective; that includes a public role that does not conflict with the private one; that sets out a clear and specific direction for the department. The common thread through all of the letter’s points is that the coordination of care, especially between public and private providers, be improved. It is something of a compliment to the recently departed commissioner that such a letter was written — when Commissioner Melodie Peet arrived 4 1/2 years ago, the system overseen by DMHMRSAS was at such a level of crisis that it precluded talk about coordination of services because it was not clear which services actually existed.

(Note to administration: While finding a replacement for former Commissioner Peet, is it possible to try once again to find a replacement for the department’s cumbersome name? How about the generic Department of Mental Services or DMS?)

The crisis, in the minds of many people who serve this system, is not over. But it is fair to say that services generally are better now than during the peak of deinstitutionalization. The challenge now is to ensure that services are comprehensive and not duplicative. There is particular concern, for instance, that both private and public facilities are emphasizing acute care for mental illness but not enough resources are being devoted to chronic problems.

What is most important about the letter, signed by the leaders of hospitals from Aroostook to Portland, is that it indicates a private network eager to cooperate with the state to improve the system. The providers were careful to point out that they were not championing a particular candidate and it is, of course, incumbent on the state to do what’s best for the public. But the overlap of interest for public and private providers easily is broad enough for extensive coordination of services.

An effective commissioner could provide guidance in this area and many others in the changing practice of mental health. Maine would benefit if the governor continues his specialty of finding the right person for the job.