State Legislature to Address Mental Health During Upcoming Session

Mental health will be one of the issues that the Wyoming Legislature will address at their session in January. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.

On November 18, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon released his supplemental biennium budget proposal for the upcoming Legislative Session in Cheyenne. Gordon’s supplemental budget includes allocating funds to address mental and behavioral health service gaps. State Senator Dave Kinskey, Chairman of the Joint Appropriations Committee, says mental health remains an issue in Wyoming.

The Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Revenue Committee recently sponsored a bill that would establish a long-term funding source for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The national 988 system was implemented this past July as the result of an act of Congress and individuals that text or call 988 are connected with trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. The counselors will connect the individual to pertinent resources if necessary. The bill to establish permanent funding for the 988 system in Wyoming is expected to be considered by the Legislature during the General Session that is scheduled to begin January 10.