Campaign Petition for Individuals
Join the hundreds of individuals who support the 1outta5 Campaign’s efforts to ensure access to mental health services for Maryland children and adults by signing your name to our petition to Governor O’Malley and Maryland General Assembly Members.
January 2010
Dear Governor O’Malley and Maryland General Assembly Members:
Increasing numbers of adults and children in Maryland are unable to access critically needed mental health services. There has been unprecedented growth in the number of individuals enrolled in the public mental health system with 7-8% increases over the past two years. Suicide rates are on the rise. If mental health service access continues to erode, increased general hospital emergency room utilization and avoidable criminal justice involvement will exacerbate budget problems in the State and outcomes for individuals will worsen.
I call on you to take action to protect individuals with mental illnesses and ensure they have access to recovery oriented services that provide opportunities for individuals to reach their goals and become contributing members of society.
I urge you to support an increase in the State alcohol tax to fund mental services for those in need.