Greetings from the district,

Mental health is one of the most pressing issues facing our state and country. It was a worsening crisis even prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, but school closures, business closures, remote work, and stay-home orders led to countless reports of mental health struggles growing more severe and more pervasive. 

Mental health has long been a top priority for Senate Republicans and we have had quite a bit of success. For years, we have worked on bipartisan solutions to help deliver better, more comprehensive care, and improve support for individuals and families who are struggling.

For example, last year marked the opening of the new Southeast Regional Crisis Center in Rochester. This facility is one of six new mental health centers the legislature funded in 2018 that will allow us to provide better treatment for people battling mental health issues or substance abuse disorders. When our family, friends, or neighbors are in crisis, there are services available to help them get back on their feet. For more information, visit https://www.crisisresponsesoutheastmn.com/SERCC or call 1-844-274-7472. 

Just recently, the legislature passed a historic mental health bill. The $93 million bill represents another bipartisan investment in mental health services throughout Minnesota. It will help us reach more people – both young people and adults – who are experiencing mental health crises, and provide support to the dedicated mental health providers who are putting in long hours to care for Minnesotans.

The new law increases hospital bed capacity, will help us attract more trained, talented mental health professionals, and expands the use of mobile crisis services.

The bill provides funding for a number of other key mental health priorities:

• $30 million to create a better system to serve those involved in the criminal justice system who are found not competent to stand trial;
• $13 million to help children and youths experiencing mental health crises, including provisions to establish a first episode of psychosis grant program and to set parameters for children’s residential facilities to provide crisis stabilization for children and youth for up to 30 days;
• $11 million for adult mental health initiative services;
• $9.6 million for mobile mental health crisis services;
• $4.1 million for grants and loan forgiveness opportunities for mental health professionals and providers.

Providing excellent support and treatment to individuals who are struggling with their mental health is an ongoing challenge, but we are making strides every day. The legislation we approved this year will take us even closer to where we need to be, and I’m looking forward to accomplishing even more next year.

CONTACT ME

As always, if you have any questions about mental health or any other ideas, questions, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime. Your feedback is extremely important, and I encourage you to share your input. You can send me an email at sen.jeremy.miller@senate.mn or call my Capitol office at 651-296-5649. It’s a great honor to serve as your State Senator.

Finally, if you don’t already follow me on Facebook, please give my page a ‘Like’. This is a great way to stay on top of the latest news from the Capitol! Visit my page here: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorJeremyMiller/.

Sincerely,

Jeremy