For too long, issues dealing with mental health have been relegated to the back burner but yesterday, Speaker David Ralston, with bi-partisan support introduced House Bill 1013 to begin to deal with some of the shortcomings of facing mental health issues in Georgia. The combination of the pandemic highlighting the need for the expansion of many of these services and the full coffers of state government provides a unique opportunity to get some of this work done. It is, however, a start and a good start at that.
Many families are told that until their loved one “does something” either to themselves or someone else, there is nothing that can be done. I will grant you that many people who are dealing with mental health issues are not cooperative with the people that love and want to help them and that leads to them taking matters into their own hands. Many times, medicating the issues with drugs and alcohol instead of seeing professionals for help. At the core of this is many health insurance plans have inadequate coverage and at the core of that is the lack of understanding into the time it takes to identify and treat a problem.
Early intervention in mental health issues as with any illnesses is the key and this bill will begin to make right the issues at the provider, patient, and law enforcement interactions in the community. Thank you, Speaker Ralston and all those involved. Georgia needs HB 1013.
