Every day, countless West Virginians experience a mental health crisis, and too often with tragic
results. In 2022, 1,335 West Virginians died of a drug overdose and 353 individuals died by
suicide.
West Virginia law enforcement officers are often the first responder to engage with someone
struggling and at their lowest moment. Many of us have received additional training to know how
to respond to mental health crisis. We are grateful to have acquired these additional skills. While
our job is to keep folks alive, we know that what people in crisis need most is a mental health
professional.
Fortunately, West Virginia is home to many innovative collaborations between law enforcement
and community mental health clinics.
One example is Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). They are a special
type of clinic established by Congress that provides a comprehensive range of mental health
and substance use services. CCBHCs serve everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. And,
importantly, they are required to provide 24/7 access to crisis services.
West Virginia has six CCBHCs serving communities from Morgantown to Princeton, Charleston
to Lewisburg. Since launching in 2023, some of these clinics have been able to expand mobile
crisis response and crisis stabilization services. And most have established collaborations with
the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Perhaps most importantly, West Virginia’s CCBHCs are able to get more people into mental
health and substance use treatment. With flexible funding provided by the federal government,
CCBHCs are not only making a difference in the lives of their communities. They are diverting
people from the criminal justice system and connecting them with appropriate care in the
community.
This is truly a win-win. Not only are people getting the healthcare they need. But law
enforcement officers are able to spend more time on other urgent public safety matters.
Together with CCBHCs, we are saving lives, increasing public safety and generating cost
savings – all at the same time.
But here’s the problem: West Virginia CCBHC funding must be approved by Congress every
two years. Which means they are subject to the political winds at any time. Without some
financial certainty, it’s hard for CCBHCs to build for the future.
That’s why we need Congress to provide financial stability to CCBHCs. The Ensuring
Excellence in Mental Health Act (S.2993, H.R.8543) would do just that.
Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin have long been champions of CCBHCs in
West Virginia, and I thank them for their leadership. Looking to the future, I urge them and the
entire West Virginia Congressional delegation to support this important piece of bipartisan
legislation.
Let’s make sure that West Virginians can access quality mental health care when they need it.
Because that is something that truly enhances the safety and wellbeing of every community.
Doug Day
Retired Kanawha County Police Department
