Davids, Local Mental Health Experts Urge Action on Mental Health and Opioid Use Legislation

Statement

Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined local experts to urge action on upcoming legislation aimed at tackling the mental health and addiction crisis. As the House prepares to vote on a package that includes Davids' bipartisan legislation to renew federal mental health grant programs, local advocates shared how those programs have helped create healthier, safer communities in Kansas.

"I urge my colleagues to set aside partisanship and give our communities the help they've been asking for by passing this mental health and substance use disorder legislation," said Davids. "We have the tools to save lives, prevent suicide, and reduce opioid overdoses and misuse--tools that our communities are already putting to use. We must act quickly to renew those programs."

"Data from the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services reveals that in the first half of 2021, overdose deaths increased 40% in KC. There is a clear need for expanded harm reduction services in the region as a result of this alarming trend," said Megan Fowler, Director of Recovery Services at FirstCall. "It is the mission of First Call to reduce the impact of substance use by providing quality resources to individuals, families and the community."

"Ever since my wife and I lost our son to suicide, we do everything we can to prevent another family from ever experiencing such a heartbreaking loss. To have depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc... it could be a thousand different things, is nothing more than us just being human, and it is perfectly normal to be human," said Jeff Cardwell, Chair of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater Kansas Chapter. "This bipartisan legislative package Rep. Davids is supporting is so critical to our community. It can bring hope to our communities and help fight the stigma."

"49% of youth admitted to the Adolescent Center for Treatment this year have been diagnosed with an opioid use disorder, up from 21% in 2020," said Kevin Kufeldt, Program Manager for Johnson County Mental Health Center's Adolescent Center for Treatment. "Not only are we seeing higher levels of opioid use in our youth in Kansas, many of them are seeking out Fentanyl-laced substances."

Davids joins local experts to call for action on mental health and opioid use legislation.

Davids joins local experts to call for action on mental health and opioid use legislation.

This week, the House will vote on Davids' REACHING Improved Mental Health Outcomes for Patients Act, which she is leading with Representatives Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and Angie Craig (D-MN).The bill would reauthorize 8 programs through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that are proven to be effective. Specifically, the programs include:

Strengthening community crisis response and providing community partners like school personnel, first responders, and veterans with training to better recognize signs and symptoms of mental disorders.
Integrating mental health services into primary health care systems which has been shown to improve patient outcomes and funding treatment, rehabilitation, and support services for patients with severe mental illness.
Researching new, effective health care models through the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory.
Improving suicide intervention and prevention strategies including the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and the Zero Suicide grant programs
Davids also co-sponsored an amendment that will be voted on this week to create a public education campaign about fentanyl and other synthetic opioids as well as provide information and training to health care providers and first responders.

Davids has focused on improving mental health care since taking office. She has helped secure funding for mental health programs in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, and has advocated for stronger mental health supports in schools. She also helped get grant funding to local police departments to hire more behavioral health specialists to the force, including the Overland Park Police Department's new Crisis Action Team. Earlier this year, she introduced bipartisan legislation to improve opioid misuse prevention among student athletes, who are more often exposed to prescription opioids due to sports-related injuries.

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