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By Karen Albrecht

Daily Bruin Contributor

The disastrous state of mental health care in the United States has impacted UCLA psychiatric facilities, according to a university mental health authority.

It is estimated that 75,000 homeless in Los Angeles are mentally ill said Dr. William Wirshing, chief of the Schizophrenia Treatment Unit at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and professor of clinical psychology in the UCLA School of Medicine.

Most state psychiatric hospitals have been closed in the past decades, forcing former patients to seek treatment elsewhere, Wirshing said.

However, many people fall through the cracks.

The effects of local psychiatric hospital closures are evident in UCLA’s psychiatric facilities, said Dr. David Feinberg, medical director of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric and Behavioral Health Services and co-author of “Don’t Let Your HMO Kill You.”

“There has recently been a big increase in the number of outpatients the NPBHS sees, and we are currently at capacity,” he said.

Only individuals affiliated with UCLA are currently allowed admittance.

Nearly a quarter of the U.S. adult population suffers from mental illnesses or substance abuse every year, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Still, less than 3 percent of health care funds under managed care are funneled toward psychiatric services, according to Feinberg.

Ranked in the top 10 psychiatric hospitals nationwide, according to U.S. News and World Report, the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital offers a spectrum of specialized programs for youth, adults and geriatrics.

Facilities for children under 12, a new adult substance abuse program, and a top notch geriatric unit contribute to the hospital’s reputation, said Feinberg.

Addressing the issue of inadequate mental health care coverage, the NPH treats indigent patients for little or no fee, according to Feinberg. The educational value of these cases sometimes allows the NPH to draw on teaching funds to cover costs, he said.

But despite what Wirshing calls the atrocious condition of psychiatric services in the nation, mental health care has improved over the past few years with the help of recent legislation.

“The economy has been comparatively flush, and mental health care is a lot better now than it has been previously,” he said.

The positive effects of the Mental Health Parity Act passed by Congress in 1996 can be seen at the NPH according to Feinberg. The maximum annual cap for mental illness coverage was previously about $10,000, a resource fully drained after only 10 days of inpatient care, he said.

The act equates annual and lifetime limits for mental health coverage with those of surgical benefits.

The most common cause for hospital admission nationwide is a biological psychiatric condition. But in comparison with the average $50,000 lifetime cap for psychiatric care, other physical disorders are covered by a $1 million limit.

The new parity law has decreased the amount some patients pay out of pocket at the NPH, according to Feinberg.

But small businesses are not required to offer mental health care coverage, and it is still difficult for many patients to receive proper medical attention, Feinberg said.

Despite such obstacles, UCLA Student Psychological Services offers free, confidential counseling to UCLA students.

In addition to individual counseling, weekly group sessions are available for students with common issues, according to William Parham, Associate Director of Clinical Services for Student Psychological Services.

“We are a very diverse staff with respect to gender, race, age and area of expertise,” Parham said. “Because of this we can help students with all needs.”

A staff member is always on call at the facility for walk-in emergencies, according to Parham. The organization further participates in outreach programs, presenting workshops on issues ranging from procrastination to eating disorders.

According to Wirshing, some students do not seek the psychological help they need because they are not aware such services are available, or fear their record will not be kept confidential.

“It can be tough to ask for help, even if it does exist and is readably available,” he said.

A large percentage of UCLA students do take advantage of the services offered, according to Parham.

“We are a multi-disciplinary staff composed of psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers,” he said. “We are here for students all of the time.”