"All of a sudden they're out in the cold," Davis said.

Utah did score better in some areas than others in Thursday's report, garnering a C- for information accessibility and ranking 21st in the nation on a test drive of state services by a NAMI representative.

"With limited resources, this state delivers good services," Wittwer said, pointing to the strong partnership between NAMI, the state and community mental health centers.

Mark Payne, director of the state Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health and former director of the Utah State Hospital, agreed. "I think we have a system that is responsive, that is providing a good level of care."

Even with limited funds, he said, the state has tried innovative solutions to bring services to those in need, such as crisis intervention and mental health courts. Thursday's report also points to those as strengths in the state's overall system.

Utah also has a strong overall approach to treating mental illness, which may not have been factored into Thursday's report, said Debra Falvo, president and executive director of Valley Mental Health.

"We don't just do counseling, we help them in a holistic way," she said, including helping consumers find safe, affordable housing and providing education and employment opportunities.

"That's a major focus, and I'm not sure how that was even asked or reported in this particular study," Falvo said.

If Thursday's report achieves anything, Wittwer and others hope it helps raise awareness for the need that exists in serving Utah's mentally ill population — something Davis said he will continue to impress upon his fellow lawmakers.

"This is one of those things that break up families," he said. "These people end up in jail, they end up in hospital beds or in more serious situations."

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E-mail: awelling@desnews.com