The National Alliance of Mental Illness tells us that Idaho spends only $36 per capita the lowest in the United States on mental health treatment as compared to the national average of $120 per capita. Considering this, the passage of SB 1352 creating crisis centers is a step in the right direction. However, only one of three centers was funded. North Idaho was in competition with Boise and Idaho Falls for the funding. The CDC and the World Health Organization note that mental illness will be the No. 2 non-communicable disorder by 2020 with cardiovascular disorders being No. 1 and mental illness surpassing cancer. Many professionals from the region believe that we are already living the 2020 prediction. A very strong proposal was submitted to the state of Idaho in response to a Request for Information (RFI) this spring for a Crisis Center to be located in Region 1.
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