Fairfield, CT - More than seventy citizens from across Connecticut gathered at the First Church Congregational of Fairfield for NAMI Fairfield’s Mental Health Legislative Forum to share their personal stories, express opinions and exchange ideas in roundtable discussions with state legislators: Representatives Adam Dunsby (Easton, Weston, Redding), Jonathan Steinberg (Westport), Brenda Kupchick (Fairfield, Southport), Cristin McCarthy Vahey (Fairfield) and Laura Devlin (Fairfield, Trumbull). The event was co-sponsored by The Southwest Regional Health Board, LifeBridge, Bridge House and Operation Hope.
The forum provided a unique opportunity for participants to discuss their experiences with lawmakers about accessing behavioral health care services. Many participants cited the frustration and obstacles they encountered even when trying to obtain the most basic mental health services including diagnostic screenings and initial consultations with psychologists. Others expressed concern about the state’s budget cuts and their effect on community services and housing supports that so many people in the state depend on for mental health care and treatment. Also, in the wake of recent events, several participants urged legislators to take action and come up with a plan to help prevent violent tragedies in schools before they happen.
While the legislators were empathetic and agreed that the status quo is unacceptable, they also explained how Connecticut’s current fiscal crisis has severely hampered the state’s ability to maintain funding levels for essential mental health programs and services. When pressed further by the participants, legislators admitted that bureaucratic inefficiencies and other factors have contributed to need for cuts and proposed ideas that could potentially restore budgets, for example, combining and consolidating public and private agencies that provide redundant mental health services.
Representative Kupchick said while she worked on and supported the 2013 Gun Violence, Mental Health and School Security bill in 2013 she did not feel the mental health piece of legislation did enough to help individuals with mental illness and their families. Rep. Kupchick emphasized the importance of passing new legislation, saying: “Despite our state and federal government having passed laws to address parity, significant gaps exist between behavior health care and physical health care coverage and provider availability. Mandating parity through stronger legislation will drive much needed accountability, and ensure our most vulnerable residents receive the appropriate care and support they need. I appreciate NAMI’s advocacy and commitment toward making a difference.”
One of the most poignant comments of the night came from a participant who said, "We all have mental health.” How we care for ourselves and one another on our daily individual journeys will dictate the health of our communities and our broader society.
For one evening, this community's message was loud and clear: the time is now to change how mental health care is viewed, prioritized and delivered.
To learn more about NAMI-Fairfield and they work they do in the community please visit www.namifairfield.org or https://www.facebook.com/namifairfield/ If you would like to receive updates from NAMI Fairfield, please sign up to receive emails from the group. NAMI Fairfield will be sharing information about the upcoming legislative actions for mental health care parity, as well as shares updates about resources and future events.