So, how do we change the narrative? How do we change the direction and delivery of mental health services in the U.S.? First, we change ourselves. It starts with us. In order to change the mental health laws in place today we need approval from Congress and the President, right? Knowing this information, when does legislation typically amend? When there is public demand for it. When there is persistent public outcry and attention from the media. We know this. We’ve seen it before. If we the people continue to keep our heads down and never question the disproportionate policies which exist for the mental health population, then there will be no urgency called upon changing them. 

Re-defining the delivery of mental health services starts at our front door. In the classroom. At the grocery store. And while sipping our morning coffee. Once we spread awareness and further education about mental health and the level of treatment that many require on a daily basis, we will be on our way to eliminating the mental health stigma for good and expanding the amount of services available. Overtime, demanding that our voices be heard will bring the development of a new comprehensive approach for mental health treatment nationwide. This is what Morning in Mental Health is all about. This is the dawn after the darkness.  

We need to start treating mental health just as important as physical health. Increasing federal funding towards the current mental health infrastructure is necessary to expand the services and availability of community based-mental health centers, to increase bed availability and length-of-stay in state psychiatric facilities, and to even work towards providing options for asylum to those with a severe mental illness (Geller, 2020). With suicide rates at an all time high in our country, now is the time to make these changes. If we don’t act now, we will continue to see tragedy and devastation knocking at our front door and wreaking havoc throughout our neighborhoods. It is unacceptable to continue endorsing inadequate policies and procedures as a means of efficient mental health treatment: “Ultimately, isn’t it time to reevaluate our legal perspective that essentially determined that the mind was like a light switch, where a person is either perfectly sane or an immediate threat to him- or herself and others?” (Pierson, 2019). 

We need our federal government to hear us, but we must first hear one another. Today, I urge you to talk with your family, friends, and community about our broken down mental health system and to work together towards a common goal—whether that means holding a community meeting to spread awareness about the rising rate of mental health conditions, submitting a letter to your local government official requesting change, or contacting the media for further support and exposure on the matter. Let us effectively use our combined resources and leave no stone unturned. If we the people are able to open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts in order to better advocate for improved mental health treatment in the U.S., then there is no reason our federal government cannot do the same. The time is now. Are you with us?

References

Geller, J. (2020, May 28). The U.S. needs to change how it deals with mental illness. STAT NEWS. https://www.statnews.com/2020/05/29/covid-19-change-approach-mental-illness/. 

Pierson, V. (2019, March 10). Hard truths about deinstitutionalization, then and now. CalMatters. https://calmatters.org/commentary/2019/03/hard-truths-about-deinstitutionalization-then-and-now/