Perspective from Amanda Deaver: Lots of people love to talk about how dysfunctional Washington is. And I certainly don’t disagree. But every now and then this city surprises you. Monday was one of those days for me.
I have had the honor of working for the National Council for Behavioral Health for the past year, supporting their efforts to get a major mental health funding bill passed through Congress in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Nearly every politician …
Lots of people love to talk about how dysfunctional Washington is. And I certainly don’t disagree. But every now and then this city surprises you. Monday was one of those days for me.
I have had the honor of working for the National Council for Behavioral Health for the past year, supporting their efforts to get a major mental health funding bill passed through Congress in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Nearly every politician has raised his or her voice in support of more availability of mental health services for those who need it. But we all know it’s another thing to vote in favor of the funding necessary to make that promise a reality.
But that’s exactly what happened on Monday. The Senate approved $900 million to fund mental health services, following a similar House vote last week. I was in the Senate gallery for the vote and I have to say, after all these years, it was still thrilling to watch the voting process, holding our collective breaths until the final count was announced. It passed? We did it? Quiet high fives all around … and then once we got out of the dignified halls of the Senate gallery … lots of cheers, hugs and moments of disbelief.
After more than a year of building and running an aggressive grassroots advocacy campaign in key states to urge key members of Congress to support the legislation, it was hard to believe that it had all worked!
We all get so jaded about Washington but here was an example of Congress putting significant funding into long-neglected social services. In the wake of these mass shootings, we have heard politicians talk about the need to increase the availability of mental health services. But would they walk the walk, and not just talk the talk? Apparently the answer would be a resounding yes.
I was so proud to play a very small part in this effort. The client had a great team working hard to bring so many elements together, including mental health service directors, ER doctors and county sheriffs. I am trying hard to savor the moment and hoping to hold onto the adrenaline rush for as long as possible. It’s not every day you get a victory for the good guys!