(KMAland)-Iowa is considering suggestions for addressing access issues for people seeking mental health care. And it’s not just the lobbyists who meet with lawmakers. More people are becoming first-time supporters and are choosing to share their stories.
The pandemic has put a big spotlight on mental health issues, and providers across the country report increasing demand for services as people talk about what they are experiencing. Des Moines’ Jennifer Thompson recently met with policy makers to talk more about her struggle against bipolar disorder and substance abuse.
“I’m a double-diagnosed patient, and it makes a lot of sense to me to say that,” she said. Do it, I can do it too. “
Thompson Iowa Branch of the National Mental Illness Alliance.. NAMI officials said they hope they will not lose sight of the need to support mental health services after approving a major funding shift last year. To fill in the staffing gap Invoice for this session Create dozens of psychiatric residents in state facilities and care centers.
Amy Bassett of Urbandale said she decided to speak up after seeing mental health affecting her husband and adult children over the years. She said she sometimes suffered before her loved ones got the help they needed in promoting more home care services. Mr. Bassett said she wanted to prevent it from happening to her other family members.
“It fills my cup so that I can say,’I can help others.’ It makes it easier to get what you need.”
She found the courage to engage with policy makers, but Bassett said other families might not be able to get the necessary attention, even if they were more conscious.
“There are a lot of people here who are really struggling, and we really need everything we can to make their lives better,” she said.
of National rankingIowa is close to the bottom in terms of per capita psychiatrist.
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