>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, A BIG DAY AT THE STATEHOUSE TOMORROW AS THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED GAMBLING EXPANSION BILL IS EXPECTED TO GO UP FOR A VOTE IN THE ALABAMA SENATE AND THE PROPOSED $2.4 BILLION GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS SET TO BE VOTED ON IN THE HOUSE.

THE GAMBLING LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE A STATE LOTTERY AND WOULD ALLOW FOR CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING IN THE STATE, AND A VOTE ON IT WAS DELAYED TWO WEEKS AGO AS SENATE SPONSOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON CONTINUED TO WORK ON IT.

MARSH HAS SAID THAT HE BELIEVES HE HAS THE VOTES TO PASS HIS BILL, BUT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE HAS SAID HE'S HEARD SOME CONCERNS.

>> I JUST BELIEVE THERE'S A DIFFERENT MINDSET ON GAMING IN GENERAL AND THE POLLING SHOWS THAT.

EVEN AMONGST THE REPUBLICANS, THE VAST MAJORITY ARE READY TO VOTE ON THIS, AND I THINK, WILL VOTE IN AN ACCEPTED WAY IN TERMS OF, THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THE LOTTERY IS MORE POPULAR, BUT THE GAMING IS ACTUALLY MORE POPULAR THAN I EXPECTED.

>> LOTTERY, I HEAR THAT A LOT.

I HEAR THAT A LOT.

PEOPLE WANT TO VOTE ON A LOTTERY YESTERDAY.

I'M RECEIVING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS OPPOSED TO THE CASINO PORTION.

>> DON: SENATOR MARSH MET WITH GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AND HOUSE SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON AFTER ANNOUNCING LATE LAST WEEK THAT HE PLANNED TO BRING HIS GAMBLING BILL BACK TO THE FLOOR TOMORROW.

WITH MANY HOUSE MEMBERS HAVING REFERRED TO HIS LEGISLATION AS A SENATE BILL, MARSH HAS SAID HE WANTS THE LOWER CHAMBER TO HAVE SOME AUTHORSHIP.

SPEAKER MCCUTCHEON RECENTLY SPOKE ABOUT SOME OF THE CONCERNS HE, THE GOVERNOR AND SENATOR MARSH, PLANNED TO DISCUSS.

>> IT'S NOT AN ISSUE OF GAMING, BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE GAMING IN ALABAMA.

WITH THAT IN MIND, THE POARCH CREEK ARE A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THAT GAMING ISSUE.

SO, IS THE GOVERNOR WILLING TO SIT DOWN WITH THEM AND WORK OUT A COME COMPAQ?

AND THE OTHER IDEA, WE HAVE TO WORK ON IT AND LOOK AT THE GAMING COMMISSION.

HOW WOULD THAT BE SET UP, AND THE DETAILS.

>> DON: IF THE GAMBLING EXPANSION CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT RECEIVES SENATE APPROVAL TOMORROW, IT WOULD NEXT MOVE TO THE HOUSE.

AND IF IT RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL, IT WOULD ULTIMATELY GO UP FOR A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE NEXT YEAR.

AS THE SENATE IS SET TO TACKLE THE GAMBLING ISSUE TOMORROW, THE HOUSE ON TUESDAY IS EXPECTED TO TAKE UP THE $2.4 BILLION GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

IT PROPOSES A $78.9 MILLION INCREASE IN SPENDING FOR NON-EDUCATION AGENCIES, AND IS CONSIDERED A SMALL POSITIVE STEP AFTER A YEAR OF BUDGET UNCERTAINTY BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MIKE JONES OF ANDALUSIA RECENTLY TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT THE GENERAL FUND WOULD BE FIRST ON THE LOWER CHAMBER'S AGENDA TOMORROW.

>> WE'RE MOVING QUICKER THAN NORMAL, AND IT'S BY DESIGN.

WE'RE IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC AND DEALING WITH THE VIRUS.

WE FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL IN TAKING CARE OF THE BUDGETS AND MAKING SURE THAT THE PROCESS WORKS.

BUT WE ALSO THINK WE SHOULD DO IT EARLIER IN THE SESSION IN CASE THERE WAS AN OUTBREAK THAT AFFECTED OUR SESSION AND WOULD PREVENT US FROM PERFORMING THE CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE.

SO, WE'RE WORKING A LITTLE OVERTIME AS YOU HAVE SEEN.

>> DON: THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET PROPOSES A 2% PAY RAISE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

IT WOULD MORE THAN DOUBLE THE ALLOCATION FOR THE STATE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES AFTER CUTTING ITS BUDGET LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF ROLLOVER MONEY.

THE SPENDING PLAN WOULD ALSO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH.

THE LATTER'S BUDGET INCLUDES SOME $6 MILLION FOR NEW CRISIS DIVERSION CENTERS AROUND THE STATE, CENTERS MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER KIMBERLY BOSWELL TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL WOULD PROVIDE IMMEDIATE HELP TO PEOPLE GOING THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND RELIEVE BURDENS ON EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS AND JAILS.

>> CRISIS DIVERSION CENTERS ARE A GAME-CHANGER FOR US.

THEY REALLY ARE.

IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO CARE FOR FOLKS BEFORE THEY GET TO A CIVIL COMMITMENT.

SO, IN OTHER WORDS, FOLKS WHO ARE OUT THERE, THAT OUR DEPARTMENT TYPICALLY, TO GET IN OUR SYSTEM, YOU REALLY HAD TO GO THROUGH A PROBATE COMMITMENT.

>> DON: COMMISSIONER BOSWELL WILL JOIN US COMING UP TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

MEANTIME, THE SENATE FINANCE AND TAXATION, EDUCATION COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO TAKE UP A PROPOSED $7.6 BILLION EDUCATION BUDGET.

THAT'S SOME 6% MORE THAN THE CURRENT YEAR'S SCHOOL SPENDING PLAN AND IT INCLUDES A PROPOSED 2% COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR TEACHERS AND ALL OTHER EDUCATION EMPLOYEES.

A PAIR OF BILLS THAT WOULD CURTAIL THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS AND GIVE LAWMAKERS THE AUTHORITY TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO SPECIAL SESSION COULD BE ON THE SENATE FLOOR THIS WEEK.

THAT WAS THE WORD FROM SENATE LEADERSHIP LAST WEEK.

ONE OF THE BILLS IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR TOM WHATLEY OF AUBURN, WHO HAS PROPOSED THAT LAWMAKERS BE GIVEN MORE OVERSIGHT OVER EXTENDING EXECUTIVE EMERGENCY ORDERS LIKE THOSE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S LEGISLATION THAT GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS PUSHED BACK ON.

BOTH SHE AND SENATOR WHATLEY RECENTLY SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT IS NEUTRAL TO ANY PERSON OR PERSONALITY IN OFFICE AND JUST A BILL THAT RETURNS THE POWER BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA, GIVING THEM INPUT ON WHAT'S GOING ON AND GIVING THE GOVERNOR SOME INPUT HOW HE OR SHE DEALS WITH THE HEALTH OFFICER IN AN EMERGENCY.

>> Governor: I KNOW THEY WERE INTRODUCED AND THE LEGISLATURE LIKES TO HAVE THEIR SAY AND THEIR TIME, THAT'S FINE.

BUT IN AN EMERGENCY, YOU DON'T NEED A HERD OF TURTLES GATHERING TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY DECISION.

>> DON: THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO SAID THAT SHE THOUGHT A SEPARATE BILL TO ALLOW LAWMAKERS TO CALL THEMSELVES INTO SPECIAL SESSION WAS UNNECESSARY.

THAT BILL IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR WILL BARFOOT OF MONTGOMERY, WHO RECENTLY TOLD CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION WAS NOTHING PERSONAL AGAINST GOVERNOR IVEY.

>> IT'S NOT A LOOK-BACK OR AN ASSAULT ON ANYBODY BUT RATHER A CURE TO A POTENTIAL PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE.

I JUST THINK GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH IN THE PAST YEAR, THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY, PRO ACTIVE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS ANYTHING THAT MAY COME DOWN THE ROAD.

>> DON: BARFOOT'S SPECIAL SESSION BILL PASSED A SENATE COMMITTEE JUST LAST WEEK.

SIMILAR LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE FAILED IN COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, ALABAMA'S NEW COMMISSIONER OF MENTAL HEALTH, KIMBERLY BOSWELL IS IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

I'M GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT BUT I'LL BEGIN WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS PANDEMIC.

SO MUCH EMPHASIS HAS BEEN RIGHTLY PLACED ON THE PHYSICAL HEALTH DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT IT HAS TAKEN A MENTAL HEALTH TOLL TOO.

>> IT CERTAINLY HAS.

COVID HAS ROCKED THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY WITH PEOPLE.

PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THEIR MANATEE IN A WAY THEY NO LONGER HAVE BEFORE, MENTAL HEALTH.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING TO BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED.

IT'S OPENED UP A CONVERSATION CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH THAT WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME PUTTING OUT INFORMATION, HAVING A 1888 LINE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE IF THEY ARE JUST EXPERIENCING ANXIETY, DEPRESSION OR SOME THINGS THAT MAY BE BEFORE, YOU DID MANAGE, BUT NOW YOU FIND OUT CAN'T REALLY MANAGE IT.

SO IT'S REALLY A CONCERN FOR US.

>> ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION THINGS OVER WHAT WE CAN'T CONTROL, WE FELT RESTRICTED OVER THE COVID, TRYING TO REMAIN SAFE, ADHERING TO THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ENACTED, AND AT THE SAME TIME, A FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS AMIDST ALL OF THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND ONE OF THE CHALLENGES TOO IS NORMALLY WHEN WE HAVE THE SITUATION, WE TEND CERTAINLY IN THE SOUTH TO GO TO OUR CHURCHES AND SEEK SUPPORT AND COMFORT THROUGH A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S ALSO MADE IT VERY CHALLENGING DURING THIS TIME FOR PEOPLE TO REALLY BE ABLE TO FIND A SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT CAN HELP THEM THROUGH ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.

>> Don: THERE'S ALSO THE ASPECT OF ISOLATION, FOR THOSE WHO HAD TO QUARANTINE DURING THE PANDEMIC, POPULATION IN THE NURSING HOMES, LIMITED EXPOSURE TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND THAT ISOLATION REALLY CAN TAKE A TOLL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I HAD A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY LAST WEEK TO BE ON A CALL WITH 5,200 FOLKS WITH AARP.

THAT WAS THE WHOLE CONVERSATION REALLY.

YES, THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW TO GET THE VACCINE, BUT HOW DO I HELP MY FAMILY MEMBER COPE WITH THIS, HOW DO I AS A CARETAKER COPE WITH THE OLDER INDIVIDUAL MISSING ALL OF THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND ALL OF THE THINGS THEY ARE USED TO.

>> AND THIS ISOLATION THING COULD EXTEND OVER INTO OTHER GROUPS, SAY, SCHOOL KIDS WHO ARE NOT IN SCHOOL, IN PERSON LEARNING.

THEY FEEL ISOLATED FROM THEIR CLASSMATES.

AND THEN, THERE'S THE ISSUE OF A LOT OF CHURCHES HAVE HELD VIRTUAL SERVICES FOR A MONTH.

AND WE FEEL REMOVED FROM THAT SOCIAL INTERACTION.

LOTS OF PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME NOW.

AND THEY ARE REMOVED FROM THAT SOCIAL INTERACTION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE A SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM WHERE WE HAVE THERAPISTS IN THE 71 SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE.

THEY HAVE WORKED HARD WITH THE SCHOOL PERSONNEL, AND ALSO, WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATORS THAT YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS YEAR TALKING ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.

AND IN THAT COLLABORATION WITH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REALLY FOCUSING ON, HOW CAN WE GET THE INFORMATION OUT, SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND TEACHERS BECAUSE IT'S EXTREMELY CHALLENGING AND AS MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT EVERYBODY'S MENTAL HEALTH.

YES, WE'RE WORKING DILIGENTLY WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ED TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

>> WE'LL GET BACK TO THAT A MOMENT.

YOU COME ON FAIRLY NEW AND COME ON AS MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER AT A TIME WHEN DEMAND FOR SERVICES HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I FEEL FORTUNATE TEE BE THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH CONVERSATION WITH AROUND IT.

I'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A LOT OF YEARS AND WE'VE HAD TIME IN MENTAL HEALTH WHERE THERE WAS NOT A FOCUS AND PEOPLE REALLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THE FOLKS THAT WE SERVE.

AND I JUST FEEL GRATEFUL, ACTUALLY TO BE HERE AT THIS TIME BECAUSE WE'VE HAD SUCH SUPPORT FROM GOVERNOR IVEY, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM THE LEGISLATIVE BILLS LAST YEAR, FROM REPRESENTATIVE LEDBETTER.

IT WAS A WHOLE DAY ON MENTAL HEALTH.

AND ALL OF THOSE BILLS PASSED WITH THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

AND I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE.

IT'S A CHALLENGING TIME AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE LEADERSHIP, LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT STARTED LAST YEAR BEFORE THE CRISIS REALLY HIT.

SOMETIMES I SHUDDER TO THINK WHERE WE WOULD BE IF WE HADN'T HAD THAT SUPPORT LAST YEAR AND BEEN ABLE TO DO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TODAY.

>> SPEAKING OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN SCHOOLS, LIKE WE WERE EARLIER, WE MENTIONED THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS LAID BARE THE NEED FOR MORE PROFESSIONALS IN PLACES.

WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THEM IN CERTAIN PLACES BUT YOU WANT TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY TO ALL OF THE SCHOOLS THAT NEED THEM, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE 71 SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND RIGHT NOW, WE DID RECEIVE, THE GOVERNOR SUPPORTED AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION TO ADD 15 MORE SCHOOLS THIS NEXT YEAR.

AND SO WE'RE REALLY HOPEFUL TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT UNTIL WE HAVE ALL OF THE SYSTEMS IN THE STATE COVERED.

>> Don: WHEN I THINK OF THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT A SCHOOL STUDENT MAY BE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT JUST THE SOCIAL ISOLATION THAT THEY ARE FEELING FROM THE CLASSMATES, STUDYING AT HOME BUT THE OTHER FACTORS AT HOME.

SAY, MAYBE A PARENT LOST THEIR JOB DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THAT JUST ADDS TO THE STRESS AND ANXIETY.

>> WE DO KNOW, REALLY FROM THE STUDIES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE, THAT 11-17 AGE GROUP IS REALLY, PROBABLY EXPERIENCING THE MOST CHALLENGES AGAIN.

THINGS THAT USED TO BE MINOR ANXIETY OR MINOR DEPRESSION ARE NOW TURNING INTO MORE SEVERE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

AND A LOT OF IT IS AGAIN, THEY ARE USED TO THEIR SOCIAL NETWORK, NOT HAVING THEIR PARENTS KIND OF THERE ALL THE TIME.

AND THAT'S A REAL CHALLENGE FOR EVERYBODY.

WHEN YOU PUT EVERYBODY IN THE SAME HOUSE TOGETHER, IT CAN BECOME A REAL CHALLENGE.

>> I'M THINKING ALSO HAVING LAST YEAR TO HAVE OPERATED UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, LIKE, PLANNING A WEDDING OR A FUNERAL OR SOME OTHER BIG FAMILY EVENT THAT THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE WITH, BUT THEY WANTED TO DO SO IN A SAFE MANNER, AND THE STRESS AND ANXIETY RELATED TO THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

>> RIGHT.

IT'S WHAT WE CALL PROLONGED GRIEF.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE RITUALS THAT WE'RE ALL USED TO, WHEN WE BURY SOMEBODY, WHEN WE LOSE A LOVED ONE, THEN YOU ARE KIND OF STUCK.

YOU DON'T GET THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SORT OF PROCESS THOSE FEELINGS, GAIN THE SUPPORT OF THE FOLKS WHO WOULD BE THERE TO HELP YOU ALONG.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE WE REALLY GET CONCERNED ABOUT THAT KIND OF GRIEF TURNING INTO WHAT WE CALL PROLONGED GRIEF AND THEN LEADING TO A MAJOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE REALLY SORT OF ON THE LOOKOUT FOR, WITH PEOPLE.

JUST AS AN EXAMPLE, I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THIS THURSDAY WITH MY OWN MINISTER.

WE WANT TO IMPLEMENT WHAT WE CALL MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID, THE C.P.R.

COURSE FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW HOW TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES JUST IF THEY SEE INITIAL SIGNS.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE A CLINICIAN BUT IT'S A COURSE THAT WE OFFER THAT SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ANY ORGANIZATION CAN GET IN CONTACT WITH US.

AND WE CAN COME OUT AND DO MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID SO THAT IN THAT CRISIS, IF SOMEBODY IS REALLY HAVING THAT CRISIS, YOU KNOW WHO TO CALL AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IN TERMS OF TAKING THE NEXT STEPS.

I'M SORT OF TELLING EVERYBODY I KNOW EVERY PRESENTATION THAT I CAN DO, EVERYBODY AT THIS POINT MAY NEED MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID AND WE CAN HELP WITH THE TRAINING.

>> Don: AND WE MAY NOT REALIZE THAT WE NEED IT.

THESE THINGS MANIFEST DIFFERENTLY ACCORDING TO THE INDIVIDUAL.

I'M THINKING SPECIFICALLY OF A GENERAL FEELING OF BEING OVERWHELMED ALL THE TIME.

I THINK THAT'S FAIRLY TYPICAL FOR MOST FOLKS DURING THIS PANDEMIC?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I KNOW EVEN WITH YOU, I DID A PRESENTATION TO THE BLACKBURN INSTITUTE.

A YOUNG LADY, OF COURSE, WHO WAS COLLEGE-AGED, SHARED WITH ME THAT LOOKING BACK NOW SHE REALIZES THAT SHE HAD ANXIETY GOING ON WHEN SHE WAS 11 OR 12-YEAR-OLD BUT SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE WORDS, ENOUGH LIFE EXPERIENCE TO KNOW SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TOO TRYING TO EDUCATE FOLKS ON SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS AND YES, YOU ARE FEELING OVERWHELMS BUT YOU CAN SEEK HELP.

THERE'S SOME PRETTY SIMPLE THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO ADDRESS MILD ANXIETY.

SO, I CHUCKLE, I TURNED ON NETFLIX AND THERE'S THE MEDITATION COURSE THAT YOU CAN TAKE ON NETFLIX.

SO, INTERESTINGLY, WE'RE SEEING A LOT MORE RESOURCES, APPS THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST EXPERIENCING MILD ANXIETY.

AND NETFLIX SERIES THERE ON MEDITATION.

I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I TRIED IT, AND IT WORKS.

THERE'S ONE THAT IS SORT OF DESIGNED TO DESTRESS.

EVERY TIME I CLICK IT ON AT NIGHT AND I WATCH IT, I FALL ASLEEP IMMEDIATELY.

>> Don: REALLY?

I MAY NEED TO CHECK THAT OUT.

>> YEAH, IT'S A GOOD FOUR OR FIVE COURSE SESSION ON MEDITATION AND HOW TO RELIEVE YOUR MIND OF SOME OF THAT DAY TO DAY STRESS.

BECAUSE WE TEND TO THINK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE COMING AT US IN STEAD OF TRYING TO BE IN THE MOMENT.

IT IS A SKILL SET THAT THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC, THINK WE'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO LEARN.

>> Don: I WANT TO TURN NOW, YOU MENTIONED A WHILE AGO, THE GOVERNOR'S STAUNCH SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE LAST YEAR.

SHE HAS REALLY HELPED YOU WITH THE CREATION OF THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CENTERS TO BE BUILT AROUND THE STATE.

THREE OF THEM.

THAT MADE BIG NEWS.

SO, TELL US WHERE WE ARE IN THAT PROCESS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

CRISIS DIVERSION CENTERS ARE A GAME CHANGER FOR US, THEY REALLY ARE.

IT GIVES US OPPORTUNITY FOR ACCESS TO CARE FOR FOLKS BEFORE THEY GET TO A CIVIL COMMITMENT.

SO, IN OTHER WORDS, FOLKS WHO ARE OUT THERE THAT OUR DEPARTMENT TYPICALLY, TO GET IN OUR SYSTEM, YOU REALLY HAD TO GO THROUGH A PROBATE COMMITMENT.

SO, FOR 24/7 CARE, THAT'S KIND OF THE PROCESS THAT YOU HAD TO GO THROUGH.

BASICALLY, YOU HAD TO BE A DANGER TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS.

AND THESE CRISIS DIVERSION CENTERS PUT A LEVEL OF CARE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THE AVERAGE CITIZEN IF THEY ARE IN CRISIS.

AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE THREE CRISIS DIVERSION CENTERS THAT ARE UP AND RUNNING.

AND THE COMPONENTS OF THE CRISIS CENTER IS A DROP OFF FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES, REALLY, HAS BEEN THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS USUALLY THE ONE GETTING THE CALL SAYING, I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS IN CRISIS.

AND NOWHERE TO TAKE THEM.

SO, IT CAN BE A DROP OFF FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH IS HUGE.

ALSO, WE HAVE 23 HOUR OBSERVATION BEDS.

IF SOMEONE IS HAVING A CRISIS AND NOBODY IS REALLY SURE WHAT'S GOING ON, THEY CAN COME IN, GET A GOOD ASSESSMENT, FIGURE OUT, IS IT REALLY A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE OR DID THEY TAKE A DRUG THAT'S CAUSING BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.

SO, HAVING THAT PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GO AND GET THAT GOOD ASSESSMENT AND FIGURE OUT REALLY WHAT'S GOING ON IS HUGE FOR US.

AND THEN, IT HAS FIVE TO SEVEN DAY STABILIZATION BEDS.

SO, MAYBE YOU GET THROUGH THE 23 HOURS AND WE REALIZE THAT YOU NEED A DIFFERENT KIND OF MEDICATION, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ON YOUR MEDICATION FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE LONGER THAN THAT FOR US TO STABILIZE YOU.

SO, THE 5-7 DAY STABILIZATION BEDS ARE REALLY CRITICAL FOR THAT.

AND THEN WE HAVE PEER SERVICES, PART OF THE CRISIS DIVERSION CENTERS.

AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE REALLY LIVED EXPERIENCE AND ARE IN RECOVERY.

WHAT WE REALLY WANT IN THE CRISIS DIVERSION CENTERS IS TO PROMOTE A RECOVERY MODEL THAT WE HELP INTERVENE, GET YOU STABLE, WE CONNECT YOU TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE.

WE CONNECT YOU TO CASE MANAGEMENT SO YOU GET ALL OF THE OTHER SERVICES THAT YOU NEED.

AND HOPEFULLY, YOU BEGIN TO RECOVER, INSTEAD OF NOT GETTING WHAT YOU NEED AND CONSTANTLY CYCLING THROUGH.

SO, OF COURSE, THE THREE CRISIS DIVERSION CENTERS, WELL STONE IN HUNTSVILLE; THEY ARE STANDING UP SERVICES IN A TEMPORARY LOCATION.

THEY ARE BUSY HIRING STAFF RIGHT NOW AND FIRST PHASE, GETTING STAFFING ON BOARD.

THEY ARE GOING TO START DELIVER SERVICES IN MAY.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE BUILDING A NEW BUILDING AND AT THE SAME TIME WORKING ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BUILDING.

AS SOON AS THAT'S READY THEN THEY MOVE ALL OF THE SERVICES INTO THE NEW LOCATION.

MONTGOMERY AREA MENTAL HEALTH IS WELL ON THE WAY TO STANDING UP SERVICES AS WELL.

THEY ARE HIRING STAFF.

THEY ARE ON CARMICHAEL ROAD, A FACILITY THAT THEY ARE GOING TO RENOVATE.

AND THEY ARE READY TO GO.

THEY ANTICIPATE STARTING SERVICES IN MAY.

THEY ARE GOING TO OFFER SERVICES OUT OF THE EXISTING FACILITY UNTIL THEY GET THE RENOVATIONS MADE ON CARMICHAEL POINT.

AND ALTA OVER IN MOBILE, THEY ARE OPERATING OUT OF A TEMPORARY FACILITY, THEY HAVE PRETTY MUCH COMPLETED ALL OF THE HIRING.

THEY ARE A FAIRLY LARGE ORGANIZATION AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF STAFF READY AND AVAILABLE TO DO THAT.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO STAND UP IN THAT TEMPORARY LOCATION AND ALSO, THEY ARE BUILDING A NEW FACILITY THAT THEY ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO LATER ON.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> Don: I LIKE HOW YOU DESCRIBED IT AS A GAME-CHANGER FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

I DON'T THINK WE CAN UNDERSTATE HOW SIGNIFICANT THAT IS IN THIS CONVERSATION.

>> YEAH.

IT'S REALLY, WE, 10 YEARS AGO, WHEN PRORATION HIT AND OUR BUDGET WAS HIT $40 MILLION, WE HAD TO STOP AND SAY, WHAT ARE WE STATUTORILY REQUIRED TO DO.

THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS, SERVE THE CIVILLY COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROBATE PROCEEDING AND DETERMINED TO BE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

WELL, THAT'S SORT OF LIKE RUNNING A HOSPITAL WITH ONLY ICU BEDS.

IT'S REALLY NOT A GREAT PLAN.

AND WE UNDERSTOOD THAT.

BUT IT'S TAKEN US A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT, HOW DO YOU PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT BEGINS TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES SO THAT WE CAN DIVERT THOSE PEOPLE FROM THAT MOST INTENSIVE LEVEL OF CARE.

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA HAS A CAMPAIGN CALLED BEFORE STAGE 4.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN MENTAL HEALTH.

WE DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEBODY'S ILLNESS IS AT STAGE 4.

WE WANT TO INTERVENE AS SOON AS WE CAN TO GET THEM THE HELP THEY NEED.

THEY CAN GET INTO RECOVERY AND LIVE FULLY INTEGRATED LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Don: AND WITH THESE CRISIS DIVERSION CENTERS, WHEELS UP, SO TO SPEAK, THEY ARE FINALIZING THINGS BUT THINGS ARE REALLY MOVING FAST AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND YOU KNOW, THE MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS OUT OF THE 19 MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS, WE SELECTED THOSE THREE.

AND HONESTLY, THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARD CRISIS CARE FOR THREE OR FOUR YEARS.

BECAUSE OF THAT, THEY WERE A LITTLE MORE PREPARED TO RESPOND TO THE RFP AND THERE'S A NATIONAL MOVEMENT, CALLED CRISIS NOW.

WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THERE'S A SET OF NATIONAL GUIDELINES THAT CAME OUT RIGHT BEFORE WE ISSUED THE RFP AND THE TIMING OF IT HAS BEEN JUST FASCINATING.

EVERYTHING JUST WORKED TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT FRANKLY NONE OF US COULD HAVE MADE THAT HAPPEN INDIVIDUALLY.

IT TOOK THE LEGISLATURE, THE GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT, ALL OF THAT IN WORKING TOGETHER AND REPRESENTATIVE LEDBETTER SAYS, IT WAS DIVINE INTERVENTION AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT.

BECAUSE NONE OF US SINGLE-HANDEDLY COULD HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT IT LINING UP JUST AS IT.

>> KIMBERLY BOSWELL COMMISSIONER OF THE MENTAL HEALTH, NEW COMMISSIONER OF MENTAL HEALTH FOR ALABAMA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> Don: AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE, INCLUDED EXPECTED SENATE ACTION ON THE BIG GAMBLING EXPANSION BILL AND HOUSE ACTION ON A PROPOSED $2.4 BILLION GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

WE'RE SET TO BE JOINED BY SENATOR LARRY STUTTS OF SHEFFIELD, WHO'LL DISCUSS THE GAMBLING ISSUE, AS WELL AS HIS OPPOSITION TO BILLS THAT WOULD BOTH LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE AND DO AWAY WITH THE STATE HEALTH OFFICER AND CREATE A NEW CABINET LEVEL POSITION.

AND WE'RE ALSO SET TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE PRONCEY ROBERTSON OF MOUNT HOPE, WHO IS BACK THIS YEAR WITH HIS BILL THAT STATE RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR A LIFETIME CONCEAL CARRY PERMIT.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.