80 Colorado candidates commit to improving mental health policies
- Eighty Colorado political candidates are prioritizing mental health policies, reflecting a significant commitment to improving care and support systems in response to growing voter concerns.
- The candidates pledge to enhance mental health care access, improve crisis response, and expand youth services in schools, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure and facilities as the state's psychiatric beds have drastically declined.
- Reducing law enforcement involvement in mental health crises is a key goal, with a focus on providing mental health-specific responses and dedicated facilities to alleviate stress on police and ensure professional handling of emergencies.
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Mental health has long been a pressing issue in Colorado, affecting families, communities, and the state as a whole. Recently, 80 candidates running for office across Colorado have made a significant commitment to prioritize mental health policies if elected. This commitment is a reflection of the growing awareness and concern about the need for better mental health care and support systems in the state.
A Top Issue for Voters
Mental health is a top issue for voters in Colorado, and candidates running for office are taking notice. The recent surge in candidates pledging to improve mental health policies underscores the gravity of this issue. Kathleen Daughety, vice president of campaigns and civic engagement with Inseparable, highlights the importance of addressing mental health: "If people can get treatment, they can thrive. But if they can't, the situation can get much, much worse." She points to a recent survey showing that half of all Americans who need mental health care aren't able to get it, and emphasizes that one of the biggest barriers is that health insurance companies aren't doing their part.
Expanding Access to Mental Health Care
Candidates are pledging to increase access to mental health care, improve crisis response, and expand youth mental health services, especially in schools. This multifaceted approach aims to address the root causes of mental health issues and provide comprehensive support systems. Nearly nine in ten voters say expanding access to mental health care should be a priority, ranking it just as high as lowering the cost of living.
A Lack of Facilities
Colorado is one of many states that lack adequate facilities to place people experiencing severe mental illness. In 1955, there were nearly 6,000 psychiatric beds in the state. However, by 2023, this number had dropped to a mere 482. This drastic reduction in available beds highlights the urgent need for increased funding and infrastructure to support mental health services.
Political Commitment
Dusty Johnson, running unopposed for House District 63, has signed the Mental Health Now statement of support. He emphasizes that mental health resources should not be used as a substitute for proper care: "We shouldn't be using jail as a place to get mental health resources. But when you have nowhere to take them, they end up in our prisons, or back on the street, and then they go and hurt themselves worse, or hurt somebody else." Johnson's commitment underscores the need for dedicated facilities and trained professionals to handle mental health emergencies.
Reducing Law Enforcement Involvement
One of the primary goals for politicians should be to make law enforcement involvement in crises the exception, not the rule. Daughety argues that individuals experiencing a mental health emergency need a mental health-specific response rather than a law enforcement response: "If someone is having a mental health emergency, they need a mental health-specific response, they don't need a law enforcement response. Law enforcement says these calls are really stressful. They're not trained for them." This shift in approach would significantly reduce the stress on law enforcement while ensuring that mental health emergencies are handled professionally.
Candidates' Pledges
The Mental Health Now statement of support has garnered the signatures of 80 candidates, more than any other state. This collective commitment reflects a broader understanding of the importance of mental health in Colorado's society. By prioritizing mental health policies, these candidates aim to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for all residents.
Conclusion
The commitment of 80 Colorado candidates to improving mental health policies marks a significant step towards addressing this critical issue. By expanding access to mental health care, improving crisis response, and reducing law enforcement involvement in mental health emergencies, these candidates aim to create a more comprehensive and supportive system for Colorado's residents. As voters consider their options, it is clear that mental health will be a cornerstone of many campaigns, reflecting the growing awareness and concern about this pressing issue.
