Va. mental health care system gets improved marks

Virginia’s mental health system is doing a little better than it had been and is slightly better than the national average, according to a new report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The advocacy group’s look at mental health care across the nation pointed to deep problems across the board.

Overall, the national average grade is a “D”. Virginia got a “C”.

Virginia, however, was one of only 14 states to get a better grade this year than in the group’s last national report card, in 2006.

“Clearly there is still much work to be done,“ said Mira Signer, executive director of the association’s Virginia chapter. “We need to be honest about Virginia’s modest improvement—it came on the heels of a horrific tragedy.“

A mass shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007, when senior Seung-Hui Choi killed 32 students and professors, prompted some reform of state law and procedures, as well increased funding.

The report is based on 65 criteria, including access to medication, housing and support.