Youngkin celebrates the success of Right Help, Right Now initiative

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) is taking a victory lap.

“Today we stand here with one basic truth, which is this transformation has, is, and will continue to work,” Youngkin said at an event on Thursday, celebrating the third anniversary of Youngkin launching his Right Help, Right Now initiative to transform Virginia’s behavioral health system.

Youngkin said the number of mobile crisis response teams in Virginia has tripled from 36 to 100 over the past several years. Those teams consist of healthcare professionals who respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in communities across Virginia. 

Plus, Youngkin said Virginia has invested in crisis receiving centers that will bring, once all the projects are completed, the total number of beds and chairs available to those in crisis in Virginia from 250 to over 800.

“We’re able to serve up to 16 individuals in our 23-hour observation unit, and we have a 16-bed crisis stabilization unit for individuals who require longer-term stays,” said Daphne Cunningham, Executive Director of the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board.

Youngkin added that Right Help, Right Now, has also contributed to Virginia experiencing one of the largest decreases in drug overdose deaths in the nation. 

“We’re seeing overdose deaths come down, and we’re seeing more people reach out for help. We’re seeing fewer barriers getting in the way, and those changes are not small to me, they’re personal. They mean that families get another chance with someone they love,” said Burnic Sprouse, a peer recovery specialist. 

Youngkin also highlighted the work his administration has done to help Virginians with disabilities get the care they need.