News-Record.com

DHHS sent word last night that Sec. Dempsey Benton had a "major announcement" today at 2 p.m. regarding mental health.

I'm sitting in that news conference as this entry auto-posts, but according to DHHS staffers the bare bones of what will be announced include:

• * The closing of Dorothea Dix and John Umstead hospitals will be delayed.
• * The opening of the new central mental hospital will also be delayed.
• * The staff that runs the state mental hospitals will be moved from the Division of Mental Health and report directly to Benton.
• * Consultants from local universities and advocacy groups will be brought in to do some work.

For those that are new to the state or haven't googled "North Carolina Mental Health Reform News," there have been stories of problems throughout the state system from local providers to state-run facilities.

Back in December, Gov. Mike Easley was asked what changes he would make to the state's mental health system. He said at the time:

"If you had asked me this same question in March or April of last year, I would have laid out a whole plan for you. But since (DHHS Sec. Dempsey Benton ) has gotten into office, we've had some conversations and I've concluded that the plan I had at that point is probably not the best and I'm letting him work through this and I think we'll get some resolution and have to work with the legislators on it."

It sounds like we're going to get a look at what Benton has in mind.