IDAHO FALLS — A rally took place on the Broadway Bridge in Idaho Falls on Saturday, where hundreds of community members came together to protest cuts to vital behavioral health services.
Participants held signs with messages like “Save Behavioral Health” and “Cutting Mental Health Is Not The Option.” Many also signed a petition led by advocate Stephanie Taylor Thompson to preserve these crucial services.
This protest focused on alarming federal funding cuts to peer support programs. These cuts could have severe consequences for both individuals needing support and the mental health providers in the area.
Cecilia Buell, a peer support specialist, emphasized the importance of peer support. “These supporters have faced similar challenges and are trained to help others who are struggling,” she said. Unlike traditional therapy, peer support offers a relatable connection that can foster healing.
Peer support programs have shown promising results. Studies indicate that they can significantly reduce hospitalization rates and improve overall mental health outcomes. For example, a recent survey found that peer programs can cut hospitalization incidents by up to 50%. Yet, Idaho has recently slashed around 25% of its Medicaid mental health services, raising concerns among specialists.
Derek Emery from Full Spectrum Psychology warned against the financial motivations driving these cuts. “When I started, clients could access up to 40 hours of services. Now, that support is dwindling, and hospital stays are increasing,” he noted, pointing to a troubling trend.
Many mental health providers, including Buell and McCullar, hope the community heeds the call to speak out against further funding cuts. McCullar stressed, “You can’t claim to care about mental health while slashing care options.”
Melissa Mason, another peer support worker, shared the emotional toll of these cuts on her clients. “One of my patients was devastated and in tears. He said he didn’t know what to do without his support system,” she revealed.
Thompson’s petition arose from her own experience; her son relies on peer support services, emphasizing the personal stakes involved. She remarked, “When people connect, they fight isolation. Isolation breeds despair.”
The community is rallying to urge public officials to restore funding. Thompson encapsulated the sentiment well: “Idaho is a great community. We need to do better and support those who can’t advocate for themselves.”
Individuals suffering from mental illness rely heavily on these services. As the rally showed, there is a strong call from the community to ensure that everyone has access to the support they need. Sustaining these programs is not just a matter of funding but a lifeline for many.
