Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Suffolk, Va., recently announced the Commonwealth’s ongoing three-year initiative to improve access to mental health care in Virginia. Dubbed “Right Help, Right Now,” this project was initiated by Youngkin in 2022 and includes 31 bills that were signed on Thursday at the Western Tidewater Community Services Board.
Youngkin emphasized the importance of providing immediate mental health care assistance to individuals in various scenarios, such as students in classrooms or sailors serving on ships who may require urgent help. Speaking at the event was Caroline Ouko, mother of Irvo Otieno, who tragically passed away last year while in custody at Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County. This incident sparked calls for mental health and law enforcement reform.
Among the bills signed by Youngkin is one named after Irvo Otieno, which aims to provide families with the support and decision-making power they need during a loved one’s mental health crisis. Ouko expressed gratitude for having a law named after her son, stating that Irvo’s Law will allow families to be more involved in their loved ones’ care and reduce the trauma associated with separation during challenging times.
The plan also involves funding to increase staffing levels at 9-8-8 call centers, which handle calls to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Despite receiving an overwhelming volume of calls, Virginia is known for its leading response times nationwide.
Youngkin’s initiative also includes exploring alternative transportation methods for individuals seeking mental health care instead of relying solely on law enforcement. He posed the question of how best to alleviate law enforcement from a role they may not be equipped for while acknowledging that what happened to Irvo was unjust. Although charges against deputies involved in Ouko’s case were dropped, she remains hopeful that Youngkin will take concrete steps to address these issues moving forward.
