SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — On Thursday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin ceremonially signed 10 new bills aimed at improving mental health services in Virginia.
“I signed the 10 bills already. I want you to know that joined another 21 bills during this session. 31 bills to carry on the important activation of a three- year transformation project,” Youngkin said.
It’s a part of his ‘Right help, right now” initiative, a three-year plan to ensure that people who need help, receive that help as soon as possible.
“Crisis receiving centers being built all over the Commonwealth,” Youngkin said. “Psychiatric hospitals being built across the Commonwealth. It’s mobile crisis capabilities, so that, in fact, we can go to where Virginians are and keep them out of hospitals.”
The initiative would also expand the mental health workforce and create alternative transportation options to relieve the pressure on police.
Youngkin told 10 On Your Side there are already changes happening across the Commonwealth.
“Our goal was to have 70 mobile crisis units up and running across the Commonwealth,” Youngkin said. “Well, guess what — we’re well over 100 today and still building. Our goal was to begin the process of having crisis receiving centers on the drawing board. Well now they’re being built all over the place.”
Brandon Rodgers, associate executive director with Western Tidewater Community Services Board, said one of the most important bills signed provides automated medication dispensing machines.
“That’s going to ensure that when an individual comes in, if one of our nurse practitioners that sees them decides that medication is one of the best treatment methods, they can actually have that medication dispensed right out of a bulk dispensing machine and be able to take that medication right on site and begin treating them right then,” Rodgers said.
Another bill signed established “Irvo’s Law.” It’s in remembrance of 28 year-old, Irvo Otieno. In March 2023, Otieno was pinned down by Henrico County sheriff’s deputies and Central State Hospital workers while in custody and being admitted to the psychiatric hospital in Dinwiddie County. His death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation by the state medical examiner’s office.
“I believe if I was not impeded and completely denied from seeing my son, he would never have been taken from the hospital from care that he desperately needed. Taken to jail, assaulted and subjected to police brutality,” said Caroline Ouko, his mother.
She explained what Irvo’s Law will do.
“It will give you access to be with your loved ones in a mental crisis as they navigate treatment for support and supportive decision making,” Ouko said.
CEO of United Community Solutions, Kimberly Jackson, offered her take on ‘Right help, right now’ for patients and their families.
“It’s important for us to make sure that we provide the right level of care,” Jackson said. “We respond to crises and we’re providing same day access. So yeah, just to put it into perspective, being here seals the deal.”
According to KFF, 32% of Virginians have symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder. The national average is 32.3%
Youngkin also announced his administration will work on a new taskforce to study social media and its impact on young people.
If you know someone who is in a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
