Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin Commits to Improving Mental Health Care Access with “Right Help, Right Now” Initiative

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s initiative, “Right Help, Right Now,” is a three-year project aimed at improving mental health care access in Virginia. The goal of the initiative is to provide immediate assistance to those in need, and it was launched in 2022. During a recent event, one of the speakers was Caroline Ouko, the mother of Irvo Otieno, who passed away last year while in custody at Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County. This tragic incident led to calls for mental health and law enforcement reform.

Youngkin recently signed 31 bills in support of the plan at the Western Tidewater Community Services Board. One of the bills signed by Youngkin is named after Otieno, known as “Irvo’s Law,” which aims to provide support for families of those undergoing mental health treatment by allowing them to be present during the process.

As part of the plan, Youngkin outlined the importance of hiring more staff at 9-8-8 call centers, such as the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center, to meet the growing demand for services. Additionally, the initiative aims to explore alternative transportation methods for individuals requiring mental health care services, reducing the reliance on law enforcement for such purposes.

Caroline Ouko expressed her hope that Youngkin will stay committed to addressing these issues, especially in light of her son’s case. Youngkin acknowledged the challenges faced by law enforcement in handling mental health crises and expressed his support for finding solutions that benefit both the community and law enforcement personnel.

The “Right Help, Right Now” initiative is a crucial step towards providing better mental health care access in Virginia. With more staff at call centers and alternative transportation methods for mental health care services, individuals can receive immediate assistance when they need it most. It is important that we continue to work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for those struggling with mental illnesses.