Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish mental health case management and community support services specifically for individuals diagnosed with complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) in Minnesota. It aims to expand support services for those who may experience significant disruption in their daily lives due to mental health challenges associated with PTSD.

Main Provisions

• Definition Update: The bill revises the definition of mental illness to include specific criteria for identifying individuals with serious and persistent mental illness or CPTSD. This emphasizes the need for case management and community support for individuals who have undergone significant mental health treatment or show significant impairment in their daily lives.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • An adult qualifies for services if they have experienced two or more inpatient care episodes for a mental illness within the last 24 months or have had continuous treatment exceeding six months in the preceding year.
  • Individuals treated by a crisis team on multiple occasions within a two-year period can also qualify.
  • Those diagnosed with severe mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression, and who have a recent mental health professional's opinion indicating the need for future intensive treatment, are eligible.
  • The bill specifies that individuals with CPTSD must show PTSD symptoms affecting daily functioning due to intergenerational, racial, or historical trauma.
• Mental Health Professional Documentation: To qualify for these services, there must be documented opinion from a mental health professional that acknowledges significant functioning impairment and anticipates future episodes of significant distress without adequate case management or community support.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends existing Minnesota statutes to include and emphasize the need for mental health support specifically addressing CPTSD.
• It introduces culturally sensitive assessment criteria and highlights the impact of intergenerational, racial, and historical trauma on mental health, emphasizing case management services targeting these specific needs.

Relevant Terms

mental illness, complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), mental health case management, community support services, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, culturally sensitive assessments, intergenerational trauma, racial trauma, historical grief, significant impairment, inpatient care, crisis team, mental health professional.