>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION.

COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO.

BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> WE KNOW IDAHO HAS A PROBLEM WITH SUICIDE RATES AND MENTAL HEALTH.

BUT WHAT ARE THE FACTORS AND ARE THERE ANY EASY SOLUTIONS?

"IDAHO REPORTS" STARTS NOW.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "IDAHO REPORTS."

THIS WEEK PRODUCER RUTH BROWN EXPLORES THE COMPLEXITIES AROUND THE LEGISLATURE'S DISCUSSIONS ON SUICIDE PREVENTION.

THEN REPRESENTATIVE LORI LIKELY AND DAVID NELSON JOIN ME TO TALK ABOUT THE IDAHO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNCIL AND WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE IS PREPARED TO TACKLE THE WIDE RANGING PROBLEMS AFFECTING MENTAL HEALTH.

BUT FIRST, A VACCINE UPDATE.

ON WEDNESDAY GOVERNOR LITTLE ANNOUNCED THAT THE STATE IS SPEEDING UP THE TIMELINE OF VACCINE ELJAIBILITY.

>> I AM GLAD -- ELIGIBILITY.

>> I'M GLAD TO ANNOUNCE TODAY THAT STARTING MON, APRIL 5TH, ALL HIDEIOENS, -- IDAHOANS WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

ALSO, STARTING MONDAY, MARCH 29TH, ANY OID IDAHOAN WITH AT LEAST ONE MEDICAL CONDITION WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

>> THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AS SOME PROVIDERS AND HEALTH DISTRICTS ACROSS IDAHO REPORTED A NUMBER OF UNFILLED APPOINTMENTS.

WITH PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT 2 BASED IN LUISSTON, ALREADY OPENING UP ELIGIBILITY TO ANYONE 16 AND OLDER.

DURING A PRESS CALL ON WEDNESDAY, IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE OFFICIALS SAID A EXHIBITION OF AN INCREASE IN SUPPLY AND A DECREASE IN COMMAND IN SOME AREAS PROMPTED THE DECISION TO SPEED UP ROLLOUT.

>>> IDAHOANS CAN PREREGISTER FOR A VACCINE APPOINTMENT.

OR THEY CAN CONTACT INVOICERS -- PROVIDERS DIRECTLY.

>>> THIS WEEK GOVERNOR LITTLE TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF THE U.S. HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC LANDS.

CONGRESSMAN RUSS FULCHER IS A RANKING MEMBER OF THAT SUBCOMMITTEE WHICH MET TUESDAY TO HEAR TESTIMONY ON THE ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO CONSERVE PUBLIC LANDS.

THEY SAID CONSERVATION IS IMPORTANT BUT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT SOME OF THE PROPOSALS WHICH INCLUDE PROTECTING 30% OF U.S. LAND AND WATERWAYS BY 2030, ARE TOO RESTRICTIVE AND COULD HURT RURAL COMMUNITIES.

ROW MOW FENT -- PROPONENTS SAY IT'S CRITICAL TO PREVENT CLIMATE CHANGE AND MASS EXTINCT.

>> -- EXTINCTION.

>> THIS IS MANAGING OUR LANDS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR ECONOMY.

WISE, ACTIVE LAND MANAGEMENT HELPS IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND RESILIENTY OF THE NATURAL FOREST.

IDAHO IS ALSO A LEADER IN USING GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY TO HELP MANAGE OUR FORESTS.

SINCE 2016 PLAN AND COMPLETED TIMBER SALES HAVE COMPLETED -- IMPROVED HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE AND REDUCED THE THREAT OF WILDFIRE.

>> IDAHO'S IS A MASSIVE WESTERN STATE WITH ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF OUR LAND OWNED OR MANAGED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WITH THE RELATIVELY SMALL POPULATION, OF 1.8 MILLION, IDAHO IS STILL IN MANY AREAS FEELS LIKE THE WILD WEST.

ONLY TWO OTHER STATES HAVE MORE DESIGNATED WILDERNESS AREAS, WHERE THE MOST STRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS PREVENT ANY HUMAN ACTIVITY OTHER THAN BY FOOT OR BY HORSE.

THE ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF DESIGNATED WILDERNESS IN IDAHO UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING OUR REMAINING FEDERAL LANDS AS WORKING LANDS.

>> "IDAHO REPORTS" WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S CONSERVATION PROPOSALS AND HOW THEY COULD AFFECT IDAHO COMMUNITIES.

>>> BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE RECESSED LAST WEEK BECAUSE OF A COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN THE HOUSE, MENTAL HEALTH WAS A HOT BUTTON TOPIC THIS SESSION.

SEVERAL LAWMAKERS HAVE POINTED TO THE PANDEMIC RELATED PUBLIC HEALTH ORDERS AND SCHOOL CLOSURES AS THE MAIN REASON SUICIDE DEATHS INCREASED IN THE STATE IN 2020.

BUT MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS KNOW IDAHO HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH SUICIDE FOR YEARS.

"IDAHO REPORTS" PRODUCER RUTH BROWN TOOK A LOOK AT THE COMPLEXITIES OF AFFECTING SUICIDE RATES AND THE LEGISLATURE'S DISCUSSION SURROUNDING THE ISSUE.

♪ ♪ >> SOME LAWMAKERS HAVE EXPRESSED MORE CONCERN ABOUT THEIR CONSTITUENTS' MENTAL HEALTH DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAN THEY HAVE IN PRIOR SESSIONS.

>> WE ARE SEEING STUDENTS TRYING TO COMMIT SUICIDE AND UNFORTUNATELY SOME OF THOSE ACTUALLY SUCCEED.

>> OUR CHILDREN, SOME ARE CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE.

>> AND SO WHAT DO WE HAVE?

WE HAVE A GROWING SUICIDE RATE.

>> ACCORDING TO HEALTH AND WELFARE IN 2020, 420 IDAHOANS DIVIDED BID -- DIED BY SUICIDE, WHILE IN 2019 THAT NUMBER WAS 362.

BUT IN 2018, IDAHO SAW 409 DEATHS BY SUICIDE, NEARLY AS MANY AS IN 2020.

WHILE THE SUICIDE RATE IN IDAHO IS JARRING, THE PROBLEM ISN'T NEW.

IN 2018 IDAHO HAD THE FIFTH HIGHEST RATE OF SUICIDE IN THE COUNTRY, STATEWIDE.

IT WAS THE SEVENTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH.

>> IT'S INTERESTING TO ME WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE, MOST PEOPLE KNOW SOMEONE I'D FIRST-DEGREE, SECOND-DEGREE, OR THIRD-DEGREE, SOMEONE THAT HAS SUFFERED A LOSS OR HAS LOST SOMEONE TO SUICIDE.

AND MANY, MANY WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, NOT ALL LAWMAKERS WERE AS VOCALLY CONCERNED ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS, NOR WERE THEY CONCERNED ABOUT FUNDING TREATMENT OPTIONS.

IN A FEBRUARY OF 2020 HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING, SOME MEMBERS DID NOT SUPPORT THE IDEA OF PROVIDING SCHOOLS WITH FUNDING FOR TRAINING TEACHERS TO HELP STUDENTS WITH SOCIAL EMOTIONAL ISSUES.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MORE TIME SPENT IN AN AREA WITH KIDS AND TEACHERS THAT REALLY IS A ROLE THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IN THE HOME.

AND IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING IS FLIPPING.

SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH THESE THINGS THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IN THE HOME AND THEN THE HOME IS GOING TO TRY TO TEACH MATH.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE KEEP COMING UP WITH PROGRAMS THAT COST MONEY AND WE'RE THROWING DARTS AT THE DART BOARD TRYING TO FIND THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO STICK.

>> REPRESENTATIVE EHART SAID SHE HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED SUICIDE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT OPTIONS.

BUT LAST YEAR SHE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL TRAINING WOULD BE USED.

>> AND WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEALS WITH BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES.

AND WHEN WE DEAL WITH BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN AREA THAT OUR TEACHERS LITERALLY AREN'T TRAINED TO DELVE INTO.

THIS IS WHERE PROFESSIONAL HELP IS NEEDED.

I'M ACTUALLY ADVOCATING THAT WE NEED TO QUIT POURING ON MORE AND MORE AND MORE TO OUR TEACHERS' PLATES AND ASKING THEM TO DEAL WITH THINGS IN WHICH THEY'RE ABSOLUTELY NOT EQUIPPED TO DEAL.

AND THEN IF WE'RE GOING TO DEAL IN THAT REALM, WE NEED PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED.

>> IN PRIOR YEARS LAWMAKERS HAVE PROVIDED FUNDING FOR NEEDED CRISIS CENTERS IN SOME AREAS OF THE STATE, WHICH EXPERTS SAY HAS BEEN HELPFUL.

>> IN NORTH IDAHO WE'RE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE WE HAVE A CRISIS CENTER THAT'S 24/7.

AND THIS IS A RESOURCE THAT CAME TO US A FEW YEARS AGO.

IT'S BEEN JUST INVALUABLE IN THE SENSE THAT ANYONE CAN GO THERE THAT'S IN ANY TYPE OF CRISIS AND GET SOME HELP.

>> BUT NONE OF THOSE CRISIS CENTERS ARE ABLE TO TREAT PATIENTS UNDER AGE 18.

>> LAST MONTH FEBRUARY 2021 THE HOTLINE RECEIVED NEARLY 1400 CALLS.

AND THAT IS UP 30% FROM FEBRUARY OF 2020.

CALL VOLUME HAS INCREASED OVER THE YEARS SINCE WE STARTED IN 2012.

ONE PARTING THOUGHT I WANT TO SAY IS THAT OFTEN WHEN I SPEAK TO ANY GROUP OF PEOPLE, SOMETIMES PEOPLE ASK OR IF THEY DON'T ASK I THINK THEY MIGHT THINK, THAT PEOPLE WHO CALL THE HOTLINE, PEOPLE THAT CALL OTHER CRISIS SERVICES, AREN'T LIKE US.

BUT THEY ARE LIKE US.

THEY ARE US.

>> IDAHO LAWMAKERS HAVE ONE RESOLUTION MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STATEHOUSE THIS YEAR IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT SUICIDE PREVENTION.

THE RESOLUTION PASSED THE HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY AND WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT 988 BE THE NEW THREE-DIGIT NUMBER FOR TWIED PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THE LEGISLATION COMES AFTER CONGRESS APPROVED THE DECISION THROUGH THE NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE DESIGNATION ACT OF 2020.

IN JULY OF TWIEWP, 988 -- TWIEWP 99 -- 2022988 WILL GO LIVE AND REPLACE THE PREVIOUS PHONE NUMBER.

>> I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES.

IT TAKES EVERYONE'S INTEREST.

AND I SEE IT HERE IN NORTH IDAHO.

AND IT'S THROUGHOUT IDAHO.

PEOPLE DO CARE ABOUT SUICIDE LOSS.

THEY WANT TO PREVENT SUICIDE LOSS.

THEY JUST NEED TO BECOME COMFORTABLE WHEN ASKING THE QUESTION AND UNDERSTANDING WHERE THEY CAN REFER THAT PERSON.

>> DISCUSSIONS ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS AND ASKING A PERSON IF THEY'RE ANYTHING ABOUT HURTING -- THINKING ABOUT HURTING THEMSELVES ISN'T EASY BUT IT IS NECESSARY.

>> REACH OUT.

IT'S OKAY TO ASK.

IT'S OKAY TO HELP.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUICIDE PREVENTION, VISIT THE IDAHO SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE AT IDAHOSUICIDEPREVENTION.ORG OR CALL OR TEXT 208-398-4357.

>> RUTH HAS MORE WITH REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA EHART ON HER CONCERNS ABOUT STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH ON THE PODCAST.

AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS.

>>> THE LEGISLATURE ISN'T THE ONLY BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT TASKED WITH ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTHCARE.

GOVERNOR LITTLE ANNOUNCED THE FORMATION OF THE IDAHO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNCIL.

THE COUNCIL BRINGS TOGETHER THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, AND JUDICIAL, TO WORK TOWARD FINDING THE MOST EFFICIENT WAYS TO HELP PEOPLE IN NEED OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE OR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

AND THE ISSUES AFFECTING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ARE WIDE RANGING, INCLUDING HOMELESSNESS, ADDICTION, MENTAL HEALTH COMMITMENTS, AND INCARS RACE.

-- INCARCERATION.

BOTH SERVE ON THE IDAHO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMING UP WHICH MET FRIDAY MORNING TO DISCUSS MORE RECOMMENDATIONS.

LIKELY ANN NELSON JOINED ME THURSDAY TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL POLICY AND BUDGET CHANGES NEEDED TO HELP IDAHOANS AND WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE IS UP TO THE TASK.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

TO START OUT, SENATOR MEL NELSON, WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE COUNCIL?

>> WELL, I THINK THE STATE HAS RECOGNIZED AFTER MANY YEARS THAT WE NEED A MORE COHERENT RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES.

AND SO THE JUDICIARY, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND THE LEGISLATURE HAVE GOT TOGETHER AND PUT TOGETHER THIS COUNCIL TO REALLY SPEND A YEAR WITH THE EXPERTS TO DEVELOP -- DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC PLAN TO HOW WE GO FORWARD WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES.

>> AND WHAT PROMPTED THE FORMATION OF THIS COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE LIKELY?

>> I THINK IT'S BEEN PROBABLY ABOUT A DECADE OF WATCHING IDAHO SUICIDE NUMBERS GROW AND THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND MENTAL HEALTH.

AND IT WAS -- IT WAS NOTICED, YOU KNOW, A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO AND IT TOOK UNTIL LAST YEAR IN THE 2020 SESSION, THE SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, TO KIND OF RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING AND THAT KIND OF SET FORWARD THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT THE GOOD GOVERNOR PUT IN PLACE AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

SUICIDE NUMBERS IN IDAHO HAVE GROWN PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE LAST DECADE.

IN FACT, IN 2019 IDAHO WAS NUMBER FIVE IN THE NATION FOR THE NUMBE OF SUICIDES.

WE DID DROP DOWN TO NUMBER 11 LAST YEAR.

BUT THAT STILL DOES NOT DELINEATE OR DENY THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A SERIES MENTAL HEALTH AND -- SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM IN IDAHO AND RECOGNIZING THAT IT WAS UP TO ALL OF US AND DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN MOVING FORWARD.

SO IT'S BEEN, YOU KNOW -- IT'S BEEN A DECADE IN THE MAKING AND I'M HAPPY TO SEE IT COMING TO FRUITION ABOUT NOW.

>> BEFORE WE GET INTO SOME OF THE SPECIFICS ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE DISCUSSING AND WHAT SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MIGHT BE, WHAT'S THE TIMELINE, WHEN CAN WE START EXPECTING SOME ACTUAL, YOU KNOW, REPORTS OR POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COUNCIL?

>> YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARES IDAHO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNCIL WEBSITE RIGHT NOW AND LOOK AT ALL OF THE MEETING MINUTES, GET THE WORKING GROUP COMMITTEE.

ALL OF THOSE REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR THE PUBLIC VIEW RIGHT NOW.

AND FROM AN OVERALL STRATEGIC POSITION, THE IDAHO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNCIL WILL HAVE A RECOMMENDATION TO GOVERNOR LITTLE BY THE END OF JUNE.

WE'RE STARTING TO PUT ALL OF THE PIECES.

WE SEE FINING A PLAN AND SETTING A SYSTEM.

WHAT'S OUT THERE, PUTTING ALL THE PIECES OF THE BEHAVIORAL MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES ON THE TABLE.

WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT WHERE WE'RE SHORT, ARE WE SHORT IN PROVIDERS, ARE WE SHORTED IN CRITICAL ACCESS FOR OUR YOUTH.

AND THEN WE WILL, YOU KNOW, RECOMMEND THOSE ACTIONS MOVING FORWARD AT THE END OF JUNE.

>> AND RIGHT NOW IS AN IMPORTANT TIME IN OUR PROCESS BECAUSE WE'RE JUST ABOUT TO ENTER A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

WE'VE GOT THE MAJOR PIECES TOGETHER.

WE'RE TRYING TO -- FROM THE ADVISORY BOARDS.

WE'RE TRYING TO REFINE THEM AND DECIDE REALLY WHAT WE SHOULD RECOMMEND.

SO STARTING I BELIEVE IT'S APRIL 1ST, THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS THERE AND WE'D REALLY LIKE TO HEAR THAT COMMENT NOW AND WE HAVE ANOTHER THREE OR FOUR MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL ITSELF TO SET OLWHAT WE WILL DO.

-- SETTLE ON WHAT WE WILL DO.

>> TERRIBLY, NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT FROM 4:00 -- ADDITIONALLY, NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT FROM 5:00 TO 7, YOU CAN TUNE IN TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS.

THOSE ARE IN THE PIPELINE RIGHT NOW.

AND WE WILL HAVE A LIVE ZOOM PRESENTATION NEXT THURSDAY -- OR NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT FROM 5:00 TO 7:00.

SO IF YOU HEAD OVER TO THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMING UP'S WEBSITE, YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK -- COUNCIL'S WEBSITE, YOU CAN HEAR SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS.

WE DID TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT LAST FALL FROM CONSUMERS, FROM PROVIDERS, FROM OTHER MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROVIDERS AND CARETAKERS IN THE SYSTEM FAMILIES.

AND YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS SINCE WE'VE BEEN ON RECESS TO WADE THROUGH SOME OF THOSE COMMENTS AND IT'S REALLY FASCINATING TO FIND WHAT IS COMMON BETWEEN EACH SUBGROUP AND THEN WHAT IS DIFFERENT AND WHAT WILL BE NEEDED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING NEEDS OF EACH OF THOSE GROUPS.

>> AND -- >> WE'LL BE -- SORRY, SENATOR.

WE'LL BE SURE TO POST THE LINK TO THAT ZOOM CALL, THAT 5:00 P.M. MOUNTAIN TIME, 4:00 P.M. PACIFIC, CALL ON THE "IDAHO REPORTS" SOCIAL MEDIA.

AS WE GET INTO SPECIFIC PROBLEMS, I KNOW THAT IDAHO IS SUCH A DIVERSE STATE.

I'VE REPORTED ON HEALTHCARE ISSUES REGIONALLY AND STATEWIDE.

I'M WONDERING HOW DO THESE ISSUES THAT YOU'RE HEARING ABOUT FROM STAKEHOLDERS VARY REGION TO REGION, SENATOR?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK WE HAVE MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS, BUT HOW WE CAN ATTACK THEM ARE DIFFERENTLY.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN MY AREA THAT'S PRETTY RURAL UP IN -- CENTRAL IDAHO, WE'VE ESTABLISHED RECOVERY CENTERS OR CRISIS CENTERS, EXCUSE ME, THAT ARE VERY SMALL AND NIMBLE.

THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS STAFFED BUT THEY HAVE SOMETHING THERE.

WE'RE IN A BIGGER AREA LIKE THE TREASURE VALLEY WHERE THE COUNTY HAVE FULL-TIME, FULL-STAFFED CRISIS CENTERS.

AND THOSE CRISIS CENTERS HAVE BEEN AN IMPORTANT STEP IN HELPING WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS IN ORDER TO REDUCE YOU KNOW -- KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF ENTERING THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM VIA THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WHICH HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM IN OUR STATE.

THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE.

I THINK ANOTHER MIGHT BE STAFFING ISSUES.

WE HAVE A REAL PROBLEM IN RURAL IDAHO IN FINDING PROFESSIONALS TO COME INTO OUR AREAS AND PROVIDE TREATMENT, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR REIMBURSEMENT RATES WHICH TEND TO BE GITE SLOW -- OR QUITE LOW.

WHEREAS THAT'S NOT QUITE THE ISSUE IN BOISE.

BUT HERE IT'S A BIG ISSUE.

WE HAVE CRISIS CENTER ESSENTIALLY FUNDED AND READY TO OPEN IN IDAHO COUNTY FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, I THINK, AND WE CAN'T FIND THE STAFFING TO BE ABLE TO BRING THAT UP.

>> I MIGHT ADD THAT, YOU KNOW, IT DOES VARY.

IT VARIES FROM THE URBAN TO THE RURAL AREAS VERY GREATLY.

AND I THINK SENATOR NELSON TOUCHED ON THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW, PROVIDERS IS A HUGE COMPONENT THEREOF.

WE DO.

WE'VE GOT CRISIS CENTERS IN SEVEN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE OF IDAHO.

THOSE ARE TRADITIONALLY ONLY DEALING WITH ADULT CRISIS NEEDS AND AGAIN, THEY'RE VERY SHORT-TERM.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT A LONGER TERM RECOVERY PLAN AND I THINK WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN, MAYBE ADDRESS USING PEER REVIEWED AND PEER COUNSELING AND RECOVERY AND CONSISTENCY AND A MENTORING NEED DOWN THE ROAD.

BUT ON THE FRONT END, WE REALLY HAVE GOT TO KIND OF LOOK AT CRISIS CENTERS FOR OUR YOUNG STUDENTS, OUR -- YOU KNOW, OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

WE DON'T HAVE AN OPTION FOR THEM IF THEY'RE SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS AT THIS POINT.

THEY'RE VERSE -- THEIR FIRST CHOICE, PARENTS' FIRST CHOICE IS OFTEN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

AND WE REALLY HAVE GOT TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM FROM ZERO TO WHEN THEY'RE ADULTS.

AND I THINK THAT THIS STRATEGIC PLAN WILL START TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE NEEDS.

CONSISTENTLY, WE HEAR TRANSPORTATION TO CARE IS HUGE.

HOUSING IS NEEDED.

YOU KNOW, WHAT OTHER EMERGENCY OPTIONS DO WE HAVE.

MENTORS FOR LONG-TERM SUPPORT.

SO AGAIN, I DO THINK OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES OFTEN -- OFTEN IT'S TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH HAS GET A STIGMA ATTACHED TO IT.

AND EVEN THOUGH FOLKS IN MY RURAL AND AG COMMUNITIES HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME TALKING ABOUT IT.

AND I THINK WE'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT BULLYING.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT INTIMIDATION.

AND I THINK WE HAVE GOT TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, BEING AGE TO RECOGNIZE THAT MENTAL ILLNESS IS JUST THAT, IT IS AN ILLNESS.

AND THERE'S A GOOD CROSS SECTION OF FOLKS OUT THERE THAT ARE WILLING TO TACKLE THIS HEAD ON AND COME FORWARD WITH SOLUTIONS THAT WORK FOR IN YOUR COMMUNITIES.

>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY, REDUCING THAT STIGMA IS SO IMPORTANT.

AND SO I THINK A BIG PIECE OF OUR PLAN WILL BE ON PROMOTION AND EDUCATION.

SO PEOPLE RECOGNIZE, CAN REDUCE THAT STIGMA.

TO GO GET HELP AND THEY KNOW HOW TO ENTER THE SYSTEM.

RIGHT NOW IT'S FAIRLY OPAQUE ON HOW YOU WOULD GO GET MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND REALLY OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE A SYSTEM THAT PEOPLE CAN GET THE HELP THEY NEED WHEN THEY NEED IT.

AND NOT -- NOT END UP IN JAIL AND THEN GO INTO IT OR IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND TRY AND DECIDE.

LET'S JUST MAKE A SYSTEM THAT'S FOR USEFUL FOR EVERYONE WHEN THEY NEEDS IT.

>> YOU BOTH BRING UP SO MANY COMPLEX TOPICS THAT ARE ALL INTERCONNECTED.

AND COVERING THE LEGISLATURE FOR 10 SESSIONS NOW, I'VE SEEN LAWMAKERS TRY TO TACKLE COMPLEX ISSUES MULTIPLE TIMES, WHETHER IT'S READING SCORES OR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING.

AND IT OFTEN TAKES A LONG TIME.

DOES THE LEGISLATURE HAVE THE ABILITY RIGHT NOW TO ADDRESS SUCH A COMPLEX ISSUE REPRESENTATIVE?

>> YES.

AND I THINK THAT I CHALLENGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO STEP UP AND RECOGNIZE OUR COMMITMENT TO MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE STATE OF IDAHO.

>> THERE'S THE QUESTION OF TACKLING THIS FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE,BUT THEN THERE'S THE QUESTION OF MAKING NECESSARY INVESTMENTS IN HEALTHCARE, IN MANAGUA TORESHIP PROGRAMS AND -- MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION.

DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE APPETITE TO MAKE THOSE INVESTMENTS?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK I'M MORE SKEPTAL, BUT I HOPE -- SKEPTICAL, BUT I HOPE WE ARE.

SOME OF THEM WE -- WE'RE FINDING SOME LOW-HANGING FRUIT IN DIFFERENT PLACES.

FOR EXAMPLE, MEDICAID EXPANSION IS LETTING US PAY FOR MEDICAL SERVICES IN OUR IN-STATE HOSPITALS USING MEDICAID DOLLARS.

SO THAT STRETCHES OUR MONEY A BIT.

I THINK THERE'S A FAIR BUILT OF RECOGNITION THAT -- FAIR BIT OF RECOGNITION THAT IF THE ENTRY POINT TO MENTAL HEALTH IS THE COLUMN JUST JUSTICE -- CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THAT'S THE MOST EXPENSIVE.

SO FINDING EEFFICIENCIES WHEN -- SO THAT HAS BENEFIT.

I DO WORRY ON THINGS LIKE OUR RECOVERY CENTERS, WHICH WE HAVE AROUND TESTATE THAT WE'VE HAD FOR A FEW YEARS THAT WE CONTINUE TO -- TO PROVIDE THEM ONE-TIME MONEY EACH YEAR.

AND ASK THEM TO FUND RAISE FOR ROUGHLY HALF OF THEIR STUFF.

YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T JIGS TREAT PEOPLE -- JUST TREAT PEOPLE AND EXPECT THEM TO BE BETTER WITH -- ESPECIALLY STUBBS ABUSE ISSUES.

THAT'S A LONG-TERM THING.

THEY NEED TO BE IN RECOVERY AND I THINK WE NEED TO BE -- WE RECOGNIZE THOSE COSTS ARE PAID FOR IN A SUSTAINABLE MODEL.

I THINK THIS YEAR-TO-YEAR APPROACH IS SOMETHING I WOULD WORRY ABOUT IN THE LONG TERM.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MONEY ON ONE HAND.

BUT THEN THERE ARE ALSO POLICY QUESTIONS.

AND ARE THERE ANY EXAMPLES OF -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY LOW-HANGING FRUIT, BUT EASIER TWEAKS THAN OTHERS THAT IDAHO HAS BEEN MAKING OR COULD BE MAKING NOW TO MEET THIS GOAL OF REDUCING THIS CRISIS CARE AND ADDRESSING IT ON THE FRONT END?

>> SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO USE, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST YEAR WITH CORONAVIRUSES AS A CASE FOR YOU KNOW, HIGHER SUICIDE NUMBERS.

WELL, I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE% THOSE THAT WE HAD THIS CRISIS PRIOR TO CORONAVIRUS.

AND SO THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW, AS THE LAW-MAKING BODY, WE HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS ACROSS MULTIPLE AISLES TO DEVELOP POLICY THAT WORKS.

AND SOMETIMES IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE AND I THINK THAT SOMETIMES WE FORGET THAT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK A LITTLE MORE DEEPLY WITH, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT BE THE PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICTS, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, THE IDAHO -- OUR IDAHO TEACHING, OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS.

AND FIND POLICIES THAT REALLY SUPPORT CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE THEREOF.

AND YOU KNOW, I DON'T LIKE PEOPLE WHO JUST DECIDE THEY WANT TO USE THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW, CORONAVIRUS -- YOU KNOW, THEY SPECULATE THAT SUICIDE NUMBERS HAVE GONE UP DRAMATICALLY.

WELL, THAT'S SIMPLY NOT THE CASE.

HAVE WE HAD MORE CALLS?

YES.

BUT OUR SUICIDE NUMBERS ARE ROUGHLY ON PAR WITH WHERE THEY WERE IN 2018, WHICH WAS A RECORD HIGH YEAR FOR THE STATE OF IDAHO.

SO THIS IS A LONG-TERM PROBLEM AND WE'VE GOT LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

AND I REALLY THINK THAT WE NEED TO BUCKLE DOWN AND -- AS A STATE AND AS COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES AND COME TOWARD WITH POLICIES THAT WORK.

I'M HAPPY TO DO THE HEAVY LIFTING.

I'M HAPPY TO CARRY THOSE POLICIES THAT HAVE LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS TO THE HEALTH, YOU KNOW, OF OUR WORKFORCE AND OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND IT'S NOT GONNA BE EASY.

BUT AGAIN, I THINK AS SENATOR NELSON MENTIONED, IF WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE SPENDING ON CORRECTIONS AND WE CAN INVEST ON THE FRONT END WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SUPPORTING OUR PARENTS, SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES, AND SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN EACH OF THOSE, WE'RE GOING TO BE A LOT BETTER OFF IN THE LONG RUN AND I'M FULLY COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT THE POLICIES THAT COME FORWARD, YOU KNOW, MOVE US FORWARD AND NOT BACKWARD.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHER EASY THINGS.

WE NEED TO GO OUT AND DO IF HEAVIEST LIFTING, AS REPRESENTATIVE LIKELY SAYS.

>> ONE LAST QUESTION.

AND I'LL START WITH YOU, SENATOR.

THIS -- AS YOU JUST SAID, IS A SHIP THAT IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO TURN.

SO WHEN WE LOOK BACK IN 15 YEARS, WHAT ARE THE METRICS OF SUCCESS GOING TO BE?

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WHAT YOU'RE DOING NOW HAS WORKED?

>> WELL, I THINK EMERGENCY ADMITS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM COULD BE ONE.

I THINK OPIOID DEATHS, HAVE WE REDUCED THAT?

NUMBERS OF PEOPLE IN RECOVERY, IN RECOVERY CENTERS OR AA OR HOWEVER WE MIGHT BE DOING THAT AT THAT TIME.

I THINK A HEALTHIER ECONOMY.

I LOOK AT PLACES IN MY DISTRICT LIKE SAINT MARIES IN PALMER WHICH HAVE A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT DRUG PROBLEMS AND IF THEIR CRIME RATES MEASURABLY GO DOWN AND THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATES GO DOWN WITH THEM, BECAUSE THERE ARE JOBS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT MEASURE OF SUCCESS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, I WANT TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS, TOO.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT SENATOR NELSON HIT ON A LOT OF THOSE.

I THINK THAT YOU KNOW, IF -- IF OUR -- IN ADDITION TO WHAT HE COMMENTED ON, I THINK THAT YOU KNOW, GO THEY HAVE -- TO -- DO THEY HAVE ADD QUAYS HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION FOR THEIR NEEDS.

ARE THEY COMMUNICATING BETWEEN CRISIS POINTS?

IS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR COMMUNICATING WITH THAT CHILD'S COUNSELOR OUTSIDE?

ARE WE KEEPING THAT CHILD OUT OF THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM?

AND SO THE FACT THAT THE BEHAVIOR HEALTH COUNCIL IS ADDRESSING EACH BRAN EVERYBODY OF GOVERNMENT, WE'RE COMMUNICATING, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PLAN BETWEEN, I THINK THE COMMUNICATION WITHIN, THOSE ARE MEASURABLES, NOT ONLY SHORT TERM BUT WE'LL MEASURE THOSE LONG TERM AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WORKING AND TWEET THOSE ALONG THE WAY.

THAT'S WHY THESE LONG-TERM PLANS ARE SO IMPORTANT AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE GOT TO GET OUR HANDS AROUND NOW AND I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT PATH.

>> SENATOR NELSON, REPRESENTATIVE LIKELY, THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FOR MORE WITH REPRESENTATIVE LIKELY AND SENATOR NELSON, VISIT THE "IDAHO REPORTS" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

YOU'LL FIND THE LINK AT IDAHOPT.ORG/I'DIO REPORTS.

>>> ONE MORE IMPORTANT PIECE OF NEWS.

THE IDAHO TAX COMMISSION HAS PUSHED BACK THE FILING AND PAYMENT DEADLINE FOR STATE INCOME TAXES TO MATCH THE FEDERAL DEADLINE.

THE NEW DEADLINE IS MAY 17TH.

YOU CAN FIND MORE.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> PRESENTATION OF "IDAHO REPORTS" ON IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM FOUNDATION.

COMMITTED TO FULFILLING THE MOORE AND BETTIS FAMILY LEGACY OF BUILDING THE GREAT STATE OF IDAHO.

BY THE FRIENDS OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION AND BY THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.