Your Knox County Mental Health America Director Kathy Evans and I had a very interesting experience this past week as we were national advocates for our congressional representatives discussing support of various pieces of legislation that support mental health programs and services.
During March, many people are focused on service as a practice of Lent, there is no greater service to others than advocacy and this is something that everyone can do with Congress. Kathy and I along with many others across the country spoke to office staff about six specific pieces of legislation that we were seeking support and I personally found this experience very rewarding and informational.
The current climate in support of mental health funding is quite positive and more and more people are accessing services than ever before. These is also an epidemic amongst people of all ages when it comes to the rise of anxiety in our society, and this has also reached the steps of Congress in a call for action.
While it would be too taxing (pardon the pun) to detail all that we discussed with legislators in this article, it is important to remind all voters and citizens that congress does pay attention to your call and letters. They keep track of what constituents are focused upon. As an example of this you may know this is an election year and there are more than a half dozen candidates for retiring Congressman Larry Buschon’s 8th district seat. What I would suggest to you is there are three primary things you can ask your Congressman or Senator to do for individuals and families who are dealing with mental health issues:
• Support increased appropriations for mental health funding in fiscal year 2025
• Support the PEERS in Medicare Act of 2023
• Support increased research dollars for youth dealing with mental health problems
These, along with funding for the 988 crisis line , are the most important issues from an advocacy point of view. More funding for professionals and paraprofessionals and peer supports in the network, greater understanding on how to deal with young people in crisis, and better awareness of how 988 is saving lives as a crisis phone line.
Please consider reaching out and asking those who need help with additional resources, consider it a Lent-like service responsibility.
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