2018 budget increases funding for mentally ill

The current mental health crisis is sometimes called the invisible epidemic because of a perceived stigma attached to mental health problems have kept many people from seeking services or even talking about it.  

While mental health issues can’t always be seen, they are certainly felt through communities across Tennessee.  Mental health is assessed in terms of emotional, psychological and social well-being which determines how a person handles stress, relates to others and makes choices. Just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

It is estimated that almost 230,000 Tennesseans have a severe mental illness.  One-fifth of the state’s population under 18 needs mental health services!  Eighty percent of our prison/jail inmates have mental health issues.  

Mental health issues have steadily been on the rise for years, and new research has indicated most people will develop a diagnosable mental health disorder at some point in their lives. The research shows that the average individual is more likely to experience mental illness than they are to develop diabetes, heart disease or any kind of cancer whatsoever combined. 

Sometimes mental illnesses are not recognized until it’s too late. Depression and emotional disorders pervade society with over 41,000 dying of suicide each year. Suicide is the ninth-leading cause of death in Tennessee, ranking our state 27th in the nation in suicides. 

How can we stop this invisible epidemic? 

First and foremost, we can’t let the stigma around mental illness silence our voices and prevent us from taking positive steps to promote mentally healthy Tennessee. 

Over the last decade, Tennessee has taken positive steps in providing more publicly-funded behavioral health services.  Over 350,000 Tennesseans already seek treatment from publicly funded behavioral health services, but access to these crucial services must be expanded.  

In fiscal year 2018, the Community Mental Health Services Budget was $107,039,000. Including  an additional $19 million for support, prevention, education, treatment and recovery services for mental health throughout the state  - a good first step in guaranteeing quality mental health care for all Tennesseans. 

We have the opportunity to start a statewide conversation about how to make mental health services available to those who desperately need it, but our efforts must not stop there. We must fight to end the stigma surrounding mental illness and make the Volunteer State a national leader in treating the scourge of mental illness.

Sen. Ken Yager  is the chairman of the State and Local Government and Joint Fiscal Review committees, a member of the Commerce and Labor Committee and Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. He is also a member of the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability. He represents seven Fentress, Campbell, Morgan, Pickett, Rhea, Roane and Scott counties in the Senate.