State Auditor Will Investigate N.C. Mental Health System

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The state auditor's office will investigate North Carolina's mental health system, spurred by problems with a plan to shift care from mental hospitals to local agencies.

A spokesman for state Auditor Les Merritt said the office would examine the closing of an Asheville mental health agency, New Vistas-Mountain Laurel, and other agencies.

"We thought it might be a good time to look into not only the shut down of New Vistas, but then to also take a broad look at how mental-health is being delivered," spokesman Chris Mears said Wednesday.

In a series of articles published last year, the Winston-Salem Journal wrote about North Carolina's 2001 plan to shift care to local agencies. Since that overhaul, some community agencies have been unable to provide care effectively.

New Vistas-Mountain Laurel announced two months ago that it would stop operations in October because it could no longer afford to provide services.

Mears declined to say when the investigation would begin or how long it would take.

In addition to the audit, Sen. Tom Apodaca, R-Henderson, and Rep. Carolyn Justus, R-Henderson, have requested that the state review New Vista's shutdown.

Also, a report submitted last month to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services recommended that the state add nearly $600 million over the next five years to mental-health services. The committee is scheduled to meet later this month.

The General Assembly allocated about $80 million in additional funds for mental health earlier this year.

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