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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Joel Johnson 651-297-1934
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HANSEN JOINS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
In an effort to improve the delivery of mental health treatment and encourage innovation and efficiency, State Representative Rick Hansen, of So. St. Paul, became one of the charter members of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, a first-in-the-nation effort to draw attention to mental health issues as they effects criminal justice, employment, education, health care and legislative policy.
"The group was formed because there is a growing concern here at the Capitol that mental health has taken the brunt of the state's budget cuts over the past two years and that we're doing long-term damage to our mental health care system," Hansen said. "There's also a concern that the cuts we've made are costing us more in prison costs, court costs and health care. With our current budget situation, we need to make sure we're spending every dollar as wisely as we can, and better and earlier mental health treatment can help to do that."
Hansen said the group, which is made up of Senators and Representatives from both the DFL and Republican parties, is interested in uncovering innovative programs and treatments, as well as improving the delivery of mental health services that we know work. He added the group would focus on four key areas: the criminal justice system, employment, children's health and the results of a Minnesota Mental Health Action Group study initiated by the Governor and the Citizens League.
"Mental health issues affect so many other issues here at the Capitol," Hansen said. "For example, our criminal justice system has become the defacto system for dealing with the mentally ill. Not only is that incredibly inefficient and costly, it's also cruel. This group will help provide a needed perspective and focus on these kind of issues and eventually help strengthen and improve our mental health system here in Minnesota."
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