Jeffrey Lieberman M.D

Cleveland.com | Equitable Access to Mental Health Help is Critical: Laura Young

The Rev. Laura Young is an ordained United Methodist minister residing and working in the Columbus area.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Human beings suffering from untreated but treatable mental illnesses, and human beings living without shelter or enough food, are moral stains on our state and nation. With the political will to solve these problems, we can reduce violence and homelessness in our communities.

In Gov. Mike DeWine’s State of the State address Jan. 31, he called for “increased access to state hospitals and private psychiatric hospitals to ease stress on families, emergency departments, courts, and jails.” He also hailed the national mental health hotline, 988.

We must implore our legislators to agree with our governor and budget for mental health care, including treatment for addiction.