Gov. Eric Holcomb (left) and Chief Justice Loretta Rush (middle) speak with Rep. Greg Stewarwald (R-Avon) before the start of the 2022 Indiana Mental Health Summit. Brandon Smith/IPB News
Nearly 1,000 people gathered in Indianapolis on Friday for the first Indiana Mental Health Summit, which Chief Justice Loretta Rush called a sign of hope for the state.
Hosted by the Indiana Supreme Court, the event brought together leaders from all three branches of government, branches of the justice system, and representatives from all 92 counties.
At the beginning of the summit, Rush said too often that the criminal justice system was the first avenue. mental health care – This was not designed. And she said fixing it would require a full-scale approach from the state.
“We are committed to making a continuum of behavioral health programs, services and alternatives available to all Indiana communities. prevent people with mental illness We will not enter the criminal justice system,” Rush said.
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For that, we need more funds. Gov. Eric Holcomb also said strengthening support for behavioral and mental health services is a priority.
“In effect, not taking care of them is going to cost us in the end,” says Holcomb.
Republican legislative leaders also called mental health funding a priority ahead of the upcoming budget session.
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