McKee signs numerous health care bills into law
(WJAR) — Gov. Dan McKee will sign seven health care bills into law Friday afternoon.
The legislation will help thousands of Rhode Islanders.
Two of the bills will focus on mental health and increase access to services
Health care experts say one in five people are living with a mental health condition.
The first new law will make the Ocean State a founding member of the Interstate Social Work Licensure Compact.
The program will increase employment options for social workers and help more Rhode Islanders have access to mental health support.
Another bill focuses on increasing access to counseling by joining the Interstate Counseling Compact.
Counselors can practice across state lines either in person or via telehealth.
Mental health experts continue to remind people that help is available and encourage them to speak up if they are struggling.
“We want people to call us. Sometimes people reach out and they say well I wasn’t sure if my problem was serious enough to need help. If you’re thinking about it, it’s serious enough to reach out, and it’s okay if it’s not terribly serious. We take everything seriously. So, just to open up the conversation. Because the more we talk about mental health, the more that stigma is reduced, and the more people can get the help that they need, Lamarre, the Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Rhode Island said.
Two other bills focus on increasing access to occupational therapy along with audiology and speech-language pathology services will be signed Friday.