Gov. Raimondo signs executive order demanding better mental healthcare

By: Scott Cook

Email: scook@abc6.com

Twitter: @JScottCook

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Governor Gina Raimondo signed an executive order Friday that aims to help those with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

The Governor promised the state would do a better job of providing care for those with mental health needs.

"The reality is, the stigma is alive and well,” said Raimondo. “And we need to kill it. That’s why we are going to talk about it."

State leaders, along with former Rhode Island congressman, Patrick Kennedy, now a mental health advocate, gathered at Thundermist Health Center and laid out the plans to make sure people with mental health issues get the same kind of treatment as those with other health needs.

"This is kind of like a medical civil rights movement," said Kennedy. "Because in history, mental health has been considered separate and unequal."

The three main goals outlined in the Governor’s order are:

-Improve access to mental health treatment specialists

-Develop a plan to lower the costs of mental health treatment

-Kill the stigma associated with mental illness

“[Metal health] has never been reimbursed the same, it’s never been respected the same, and it’s been carved out of overall health," said Kennedy.

"Lets come out of the shadows, free of the stigma, lets help our fellows," said Senator, Sheldon Whitehouse.

The executive order will be taken out immediately and state agencies will begin working on its demands.

© WLNE-ABC6 2018