suicide prevention month
September is Suicide Prevention Month, so I’d like to take this opportunity to talk to you about mental health issues in our community.
While the Sedgwick County Commission is charged with overseeing COMCARE, the public safety net for mental health services in our county, I believe we are in a new era where all of us—no matter our role—must take seriously the call to care for the humanity of each person.
Every day, we see countless reminders that people are hurting and struggling, with too many finding it difficult to believe they have inherent value and worth. In particular, our unhoused neighbors and youth are suffering. it’s hurting the economic well-being of our communities, too. We’ve been having conversations about mental health for years—the time to act is now.
First, I want to acknowledge the hard work that has already gone into tackling this challenge. COMCARE and its dedicated employees have tirelessly advocated for those facing mental health struggles. ICT-1, the Integrated Care Team formed through collaboration between the City and County, has also made important strides by reducing strain on resources, improving response times, and supporting those in crisis.
From a cultural perspective, we are also seeing progress—communities that once shied away from these conversations are leaning in, and our young people are breaking traditions of silence by speaking openly about mental health and de-stigmatizing both clinical and non-clinical support.
While we’ve definitely made progress, there is much left to be done. For me, there are three critical next steps:
Strengthen Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). Many in public safety are CIT-trained, but we must ensure all first responders—including law enforcement, EMS, and fire—receive training. Anyone who may encounter a crisis should be equipped with the tools to respond with compassion and skill.
Ensure continuity of care. Support in the moment matters, but long-term sustainability of care is essential. Too often, individuals in crisis need ongoing outpatient support, not just emergency intervention. By partnering with healthcare and mental health providers to expand access to both clinical and non-clinical care at reduced cost, we can limit repeated crises and help individuals build stability on their journey.
Use data to close service gaps. By analyzing the data available through the Integrated Care Team and other local resources, we can identify barriers, track outcomes, and optimize deployment. This allows local government to be a stronger partner in bringing care and support directly into trusted community spaces, where it is most effective. It also ensure we maximize every dollar invested in this work.
You matter. And when I am elected in November, I will work to ensure this truth is not only reflected in our words, but also in our actions.
If you agree, please join me on this journey and join our campaign for a stronger District 1.
