RICHMOND, VA – Yesterday, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed ten bills as part of his historic Right Help, Right Now plan, which is strengthening behavioral health services for Virginians and enhancing the behavioral health workforce. Leaders in Virginia and across the nation reacted to the continued commitment to transform the behavioral health system and make Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
ADMINISTRATION AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEADERS:
“Behavioral health needs have escalated in recent years so each step forward will help in the prevention and treatment of our loved ones dealing with potentially devastating health crises and provide caregivers with options,” said Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. “As you may know, mental health issues have personally touched my family as it unfortunately has many others. So, this administration keeps our pledge, from Day One to improving behavioral health care in our Commonwealth.”
“As the Attorney General, I have heard firsthand about the challenges faced by our law enforcement officers as they strive to fulfill their duty of safeguarding our communities while working to ensure that individuals in mental health crises receive the care they need,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “Thanks to the Governor’s initiative, Right Help, Right Now, we are making great progress in alleviating these burdens and strengthening existing processes for handling mental health crises outside of the criminal justice process. Through the implementation of streamlined discharge processes for Temporary Detention Orders, empowering attending physicians to discharge such orders, and allocating funding for in-hospital monitoring as an alternative to involving law enforcement, Virginia is committed to enhancing community safety while also providing comprehensive care and support for individuals facing mental health challenges.”
“Thanks to the Governor’s support and leadership through Right Help, Right Now, we’ve been making critical advancements that make it easier for people with behavioral health disorders to access the services they need to recover. The bills crafted by the General Assembly members that the Governor signed today make key improvements and fill service delivery gaps. It will take continued partnership from the Administration, the General Assembly, community providers, advocates and many others to keep pushing forward to ensure a better life for Virginians with behavioral health disorders and their families,” said Nelson Smith, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Commissioner.
“A big barrier to full implementation of the ‘Crisis Now’ model has been the stocking of appropriate medication in Crisis Receiving Centers, Crisis Stabilization Units, and nursing homes,” said Delegate Mark Sickles, Chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee. “With HB 1336, we cut that red tape to ensure people in acute mental health distress are able to safely receive medication in a timely manner.”
“More than two years were invested in developing SB 403 to help address Virginia’s severe shortage of behavioral health professionals in order to reduce barriers to treatment access, disparities in outcomes, and suboptimal results,” said Senator Tara Durant. “By creating the Behavioral Health Technician and Behavioral Health Technician Assistant professions governed by the Board of Counseling, this bill supports efforts to alleviate the workforce crisis by building a well-articulated pathway which engages potential learners early and prepares them through a combination of didactic curriculum and on-the-job training. Stackable credentials will allow students to earn while they learn and gain valuable experience working in the public behavioral health field in a financially sustainable manner, bridging the gap between education and clinical practice.”
“Addressing and managing mental health challenges can take a family and a team to support an individual in need,” said Delegate Rodney Willett. “Irvo Otieno lost access to his support network in his time of crisis and died because of that. This law will ensure that people suffering a mental health crisis in the future in similar circumstances will have access to family members who can help them.”
“Virginia’s mental health system is broken and leaves those most in need of help with nowhere to turn,” said Delegate Mike Cherry. “I applaud Governor Youngkin and my legislative colleagues on both sides of the aisle for continuing to work on reforming our mental health system. We’ve made key investments over the last number of years, but so much more work remains to be done.”
“There’s significant need for additional resources for mental health here in the Commonwealth, as evidenced by this packet of legislation signed today,” said Senator Lashrecse Aird. “With these bills, I am proud to have partnered with my colleagues to ensure we are living up to our commitment to provide increased resources and support for individuals and families that may experience mental health issues, both at the time of crisis as well as continuing care.”
“Addressing mental health within our communities is not just a necessity, it is crucial to achieving a healthier Commonwealth,” said Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy. “I am proud to have carried this piece of legislation aimed at limiting further trauma for those in custody experiencing a mental health crisis, and I am excited to continue doing the work of further bolstering support systems for all Virginians. Thank you to the Governor, the Secretary of Public Safety, and community activists for their commitment to this cause and support for this bill.”
“Today marks another step forward in reforming our laws to ensure every Virginian has access to appropriate community-based treatment when in crisis,” said Senator Creigh Deeds. “We will continue to work together towards building a support structure to keep people out of crisis and on a path to recovery.”
“Creating a Mental Health System that supports all Virginians during their time of crisis is a top priority for me,” said Delegate Terry Kilgore. “I am often reminded by local law enforcement officers of just how lacking Virginia’s Mental Health System is. Today’s bill signing is a step in the right direction. I will continue to work with my legislative colleagues to make our mental health system stronger for patients, providers, and all who play a critical role in getting Virginians the help they need.”
“So glad to be joining the Governor and my colleagues as we celebrate the signing of 10 new bills that will directly impact the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services,” said Delegate Nadarius Clark. “As a legislator and mental health counselor I look forward to the continuous work that it will take to make sure that we create legislation, provide resources, and educate our communities around mental and behavioral health.”
“Behavioral health issues are a growing concern. As a legislator and pharmacist, I am grateful Right Help, Right Now and the related legislation, allows those in crisis to receive immediate intervention and access to starter doses of much needed medications,” said Delegate Otto Wachsmann. “This legislation allows the use of automated dispensing systems while still maintaining the necessary safeguards. Without these changes, quick action would not be possible. This is an important step to helping those in need.”
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMUNITY:
“There are few opportunities that we all get to see passionate leadership come together with a noble cause and resulting in true action like we ceremonially saw today. We are grateful to have an opportunity to represent victories for the individuals that we serve every day as we see the system move to ensure that they we all get the Right Help, Right Now. We look forward to being a part of continuing to develop our system to one day be able to say that there is parity in the delivery of emergent behavioral health and medical care,” said Brandon Rodgers, Associate Executive Director, Western Tidewater Community Services Board.
“On behalf of the private-sector behavioral health providers who are delivering 80-90% of the Medicaid services in the community to Virginia’s most vulnerable residents, we thank the Governor and members of the legislature who continue to prioritize needed investments and policy initiatives to improve our behavioral health delivery system. There’s still much work to do and we stand ready to continue to support efforts to help ensure the “right help,” is available “right now,”’ said Mindy Carlin, Executive Director, Virginia Association of Community-Based Providers.
“Governor Youngkin and the General Assembly have worked together on bipartisan legislation to strengthen Virginia’s behavioral health system so patients can get the ‘right help’ when they need it,” said Sean T. Connaughton, President and CEO, Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association. “This year new laws focusing on behavioral health technicians involved in direct patient care, transportation services to get patients to treatment facilities, crisis support services, and psychiatric evaluation services were enacted. Each is a positive step forward for the Commonwealth that benefits patients, their families and healthcare providers.”
“This marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide comprehensive support and resources for individuals battling substance use disorder and addiction in Virginia. These legislative victories will greatly enhance our ability to address the complex challenges faced by those in need of help,” said Victor McKenzie, Jr., Executive Director, Substance Abuse & Addiction Recovery Alliance (SAARA) of Virginia.
“Virginia’s physician community is committed to making the Commonwealth the best place to practice medicine and receive care. The Right Help, Right Now initiative’s focus on behavioral health is a tremendous step forward. Perhaps no issue unites the Commonwealth like the desire to improve our behavioral health system, and we applaud the dedication of Virginia’s healthcare community to this effort,” said Clark Barrineau, Assistant Vice President for Government Affairs and Health Policy, Medical Society of Virginia.
“The Right Help, Right Now initiatives have begun a positive transformation for how Mental Health treatment is being provided throughout the Commonwealth. Today was monumental as 10 bills were signed with bipartisan support- offering resources, alternatives and family presence when people need it most. SB 34 truly embraces the Right Help, Right Now initiative, expediting care for the most vulnerable individuals. We are so thankful for the bold leadership and commitment to improving mental health care, there is still so much to do, but these first steps provide the opportunity for a brighter future,” said Stacey Johnson, Hospital President, Riverside Mental Health Recovery Center.
“This recent legislation will bring access to much needed mental health resources for our Suffolk community and the rest of the Commonwealth. Our Suffolk first responders are on the front lines to assist those experiencing a behavioral health crisis and this legislation will provide necessary tools to ensure that those in need receive help,” said Suffolk Mayor Michael Duman.
