In the wake of the 2008 recession, Republicans made massive cuts to the framework of support for individuals with mental health and substance misuse disorders, and for vulnerable children and families in New Hampshire. We cannot let this happen again. Now is the time to support our most vulnerable citizens, to avoid even deeper crises down the line.
As an attorney with the Disability Rights Center, I developed a profound understanding of the significant gaps in our chronically underfunded and uncoordinated systems and what that meant for children, families, and individuals experiencing a disability. As the policy director for the Children’s Behavioral Health Collaborative (CBHC), I was determined to help fix the system.
I helped lead the charge with my CBHC colleagues to fix a broken children’s mental health system. With a strong coalition behind us, we worked with Sen. Dan Feltes to pass Senate Bill 14 (signed into law June 2019), which brought close to $20 million to the children’s system and much needed reforms. Because no parent should have to choose whether to call the police or sit in the emergency room for days when their child is in crisis.
We are moving through unprecedented times and seeing a rising number of children and adults in crisis who desperately need support. We should be doing everything possible to avoid the need for anyone in a mental health crisis to seek treatment in our emergency rooms. Which is why delayed implementation of Senate Bill 14 is irresponsible and should be remedied immediately – before more children have to suffer.
BECKY WHITLEY
Hopkinton
(The writer is a candidate for New Hampshire Senate in District 15.)