Only a crisis — actual or perceived — produces real change. When that crisis occurs, the actions that are taken depend on the ideas that are lying around. That, I believe, is our basic function: to develop alternatives to existing policies, to keep them alive and available until the politically impossible becomes politically inevitable.

This quote by Milton Friedman has been taped to the inside of my kitchen cabinet for some years now.

And hasn’t the time come?

The time for a dialogue at all levels.  The time for a measured, thoughtful and rational response. A process that includes compromise and is forward moving. Let’s not be tempted by the siren call of a ready and simple solution – or the lure of digging our heels in and taking the stance that creates polarization and suffocates the chances of creative changes.

A change that could create a statewide system that builds on current resources. Using early interventions and programs where we see results. Building on the benefits of education and the normalizing of the issue of mental health. We have science and measurements and we have families and consumers themselves that can inform us in crafting caring, compassionate and effective strategies. We know that access is more than the availability of a provider but must include the removal of misconceptions and the stigma that is also a barrier to folks seeking help.

We don’t have to make this up.

The mental health community has at the ready ideas that have been researched and tested and measured and in many, many, cases we KNOW what works.

Let us build on what is available — our existing knowledge. Let us remain curious and creative and brave. Please, let us move forward.