SAMHA Grants Over $5 Million to Reduce the Use of Seclusion and Restraints

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration announced yesterday, September 21, 2007 that they are awarding eight grants that will reduce and eventually eliminate the use of seclusion and restraint in institutional and community mental health settings.

Seclusion is isolating an individual in a room or space where that person is not permitted to leave. A mental health patient may be confined to an area or to a locked room, where upon an attempt to leave mental health professionals intervene in order to keep the patient from leaving. Seclusion is typically used when a patient is in danger of harming someone else or when a patient exhibits violent behavior.

Restraints are any physical or mechanical devices that prevent the movement of the body or body limbs, such as the arms, legs, or head. Restraints are typically used in situations in which a patient may hurt himself or herself if not restrained.

In the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration's (SAMHSA) press release, Terry Cline a SAMHA administrator said that too often using seclusion or restraint tactics leads to more emotional trauma or physical injury.

Grant are being funded for the following states and departments:

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration: This organization will use the $213,576 it is being awarded to reduce restraint and seclusion in two state-operated facilities that treat mentally ill children aged 5-18. According to the SAMHSA, the two facilities receiving the funding are the Evansville Psychiatric Children's Center located in Evansville, Indiana, and the Richmond State Hospital, located in Richmond, Indiana.

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services plans to use the $214,000 it was awarded by the SAMHSA to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint by offering better training to staff and support staff in mental health care settings.