California Governor Announces Plan to Address Mental Health Crisis
On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a $4.8 billion plan to address the state's mental health crisis. The plan, which will be included in the state's budget, will focus on increasing access to mental health services for Californians.
The governor's plan includes $3.4 billion to create what he calls a Mental Health Housing Fund. This fund will be used to build more than 6,000 housing units across the state for individuals with mental health and behavioral health issues. The housing will be accompanied by supportive services such as counseling and medication management.
Newsom also plans to invest $275 million in crisis response teams that will offer immediate help to people experiencing mental health emergencies. The goal is to reduce the number of individuals who end up in jail or the emergency room due to mental health crises.
The governor stated that the need for mental health services has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that his plan will help address the issue. "The disease (COVID-19) is complex, and its impacts will be long-lasting. It’s incumbent on us to chart a path forward to support the social-emotional and mental health needs of the state," Newsom said.
The governor's plan also includes $195 million to expand the state's peer support workforce. Peers are individuals who have experienced mental illness themselves, and can provide valuable support to individuals who are going through similar experiences.
The plan will also invest $60 million in the state's partnership with the University of California system to train mental health professionals. The funding will be used to expand the number of psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, and social workers being trained.
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Finally, the plan includes $150 million to address the mental health needs of children and youth in California. This funding will support early intervention and prevention programs, as well as training for teachers and school staff to identify and address mental health issues.
The governor's plan has received support from mental health advocates across the state. "This investment in mental health is necessary and timely. The pandemic has shown us that mental health challenges continue to impact Californians worse than ever," said Melissa White, CEO of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies.
The plan must still be approved by the state legislature, but Governor Newsom is optimistic that it will receive support from both sides of the aisle. If approved, the plan will be implemented over the next several years.
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