TOPEKA – On March 7th, on Kansas Mental Health Advocacy Day, Governor Laura Kelly announced that psychiatric bed capacity has increased by 32% since the start of her administration. The Kelly Administration has added 233 needed beds at child inpatient facilities, psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTF), and adult inpatient psychiatric facilities.

“A lack of psychiatric beds has been one of the largest barriers preventing mental health resources and care from reaching Kansans who need them. A 30% increase in capacity reflects a major step forward,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, we must continue our progress in addressing the mental health crisis here in Kansas by reducing the stigma around mental illness and substance use disorders and by dedicating additional, much-needed resources to these challenges.”

Under the Kelly Administration, more resources have been put toward mental health, including for the launch of the 9-8-8 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline, the creation of KansasAgStress.org to provide mental health resources for Kansas farmers and ranchers, and expanded mental health programming in schools.  

The Administration has also applied federal funding to help 13 community mental health centers expand access and availability of mental health services and qualify as certified community behavioral health clinics, a new model of care being implemented across the state.

“Addressing mental health and substance use issues play a huge role in breaking down the barriers that might be keeping people from seeking help,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “We have made great strides in Kansas toward funding mental health and recovery services and building compassionate and cost-effective programs and policies that can improve the lives of adults and children living with mental illness.” 

“Governor Kelly has been a leader for behavioral health, from supporting Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics to ending the state hospital’s moratorium on voluntary admissions to supporting the 9-8-8 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline,” Kansas Mental Health Coalition President Mary Jones said. “As we face the current workforce shortage and mental health crisis, her ability to work with the Kansas Legislature is crucial.” 

The Governor spoke at the Kansas Mental Health Advocacy Day rally hosted by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Kansas Mental Health Coalition in front of the statehouse.