Davis tours Chestnut Health Systems’ new 24-hour mental health crisis/medical detoxification unit with Alan Sender, Chief Operating Officer, and Hannah Hansen, Chestnut Health Systems staff. (Left to Right: Davis, Sender, Miles Chiotti, Congressman Davis
Davis tours Chestnut Health Systems’ new 24-hour mental health crisis/medical detoxification unit with Alan Sender, Chief Operating Officer, and Hannah Hansen, Chestnut Health Systems staff. (Left to Right: Davis, Sender, Miles Chiotti, Congressman Davis
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) toured Chestnut Health Systems' new 24-hour mental health crisis and medical detoxification unit on Nov. 10.
The visit was partly a local lobbying effort to generate support for the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, a mental health reform bill introduced by clinical psychologist and Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA).
“Whether it’s another mass killing or another suicide, which is now the second-leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults age 15 to 24, it’s clear our country has a mental health crisis that we cannot afford to ignore,” Davis said. “We are pouring billions of dollars every year into a system that is broken and failing to help those who need it. We need an overhaul – which is why I support my colleague, who is the only clinical psychologist in Congress, Congressman Tim Murphy’s comprehensive bill to encourage early intervention and prevention, empower families, improve coordination, and increase access to mental health.”
Davis also hosted a round-table discussion on mental health issues with local government, health care workers, and law enforcement officials on strategies to improve the mental health system. He said the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act has advanced through committee and could soon reach the House floor.